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At US$125, this is a fair-to-good buy for a standalone SRD-5 energizer, but not an obvious steal; a typical used price is around US$50 for the box alone, while complete SR-5/SRD-5-style vintage sets often trade much higher depending on condition and what’s included. If this listing is actually the energizer plus headphones or another accessory bundle, the value improves quickly; if it’s just the SRD-5 by itself, the ask is on the rich side of normal.

The SRD-5 is a classic Stax adapter/energizer from the early era, valued for letting you run electrostatics from a speaker amp, and it’s part of a very well-regarded vintage ecosystem. What matters most is completeness and function: confirm the transformer/driver works cleanly, the jacks and terminals aren’t corroded, and that you’re getting any needed Stax cable/adapters. For a clean, tested unit, US$125 is still reasonable if you want one now.

Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.

About Stax

Stax traces its origins to 1938 in Tokyo, Japan, when Naotake Hayashi founded Showa Kouon Co., Ltd. in Chiyoda-ku. Initially focused on wax disc recording, metal master production, and audio equipment for film soundtracks, the company evolved through the postwar era. In 1950, it launched its first high-frequency condenser microphone, adopted by NHK, and renamed itself STAX Co., Ltd. in 1963, honoring its pioneering Stax-1 mic. A brief suspension in 1995 due to economic pressures gave way to revival, preserving its legacy under family leadership.

The brand specializes in electrostatic headphones, known as "EARSPEAKERS," debuting with the world-first SR-1 in 1960. This innovation spawned enduring lines like the SR series, produced for decades with incremental refinements for superior resolution and staging. Stax complements these with dedicated electrostatic amplifiers and select accessories, eschewing conventional speakers, turntables, DACs, or cables to hone its transducer expertise.

Stax commands a niche high-end position among audiophiles and professionals, revered for unmatched transparency and fidelity that rivals cost-no-object loudspeakers. Its 85-year heritage cements it as a boutique icon in electrostatic technology, far from mass-market fare, appealing to discerning buyers seeking pinnacle sonic transduction.

See all Stax listings on RADAR.

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