[mink70]

Hi, I'm looking to enter the weird world of Stax, and am trying to decide between a vintage amp--specifically the SRM-1 mk2—and the current entry-level driver, the SRM-252S. Is the the SRM-1 an upgrade or is it merely different? And how worried should I be about the age of the amp, given that I would be buying it used?
 
Thanks so much.

 

[mink70]

up

 

[spritzer]

While the SRM-1 Mk2 and SRM-252 share a common design the 323 is the modern equivalent to the SRM-1 Mk2.  It's better in every way though. 
 
I would never use a SRM-1 mk2 without changing all the electrolytic caps in it plus all resistors which are out of spec.