[rlmoss]

What a confounding market--even leaving aside the possibly sketchy retailers,  STAX-JP writes 

[size=x-small]The SR-003 is a 5-pin PRO bias type in-the-ear earspeaker, and can be used by connecting to a driver unit having 5-pin PRO bias output socket. Also, the inner type structure of the SR-003 enables you to enjoy excellent electrostatic sound readily without covering your ears. The SR-003 connects to STAX driver units or adapters equipped with 5-pin type PRO bias output.[/size]

 
 
But STAX JP does not spec a system for the "ear-speakers." Yama's Enterprises, once prime importer of STAX, now has it's own website at https://www.staxusa.com/. STAX USA displays these ear speakers; layout is too confusing, but with respect to "systems" none of the amplifiers/drivers are noted in the STAX USA Products>drivers.
 
 
 
 

STAX SR-003   $250.00​  ​ ​

STAX SR-003MK2   $390.00​ ​ ​

  Turning to systems, STAX US notes two, s

STAX SRS-005SMK2   $750.00​  ​ Pre-order item. Shipping November December​  ​ The SRS-002 is a battery operated portable type in-the-ear earspeaker system, and can be used by connecting direct to any portable media via 3.5mm headphone jack. The redesigned ear canal type structure of the S-002 enables you to enjoy excellent electrostatic sound quality without covering your ears. The S-002 connects to the newly designed STAX SRM-002 portable driver.​  ​ Re-designed Ear Piece Re-designed ear piece with 3 silicone ear bud sizes.​  ​ LIGHTER DIAPHRAGM 15% lighter than the S-001/MK2 results in further resolution, transparency and purer listening pleasure.​  ​ The SRM-002 is an exclusive driver unit (amplifier) for driving S-002 earspeaker. Newly designed power supply for extended listening on battery without performance loss. Switchable power mode between Normal (performance) or ECO (battery saving)​  ​  ​ Here is the link to the respective specifications sheets  ​  ​ links to 5 pin electric source, not battery. Page back by 1 to see battery specs.​  ​  ​  ​ Has anyone had experience with STAX's first offerings? Is STAX using the words "in canal" loosely; for everyday use I'd want earphone more comfortable than IEM.​  ​ If someone's time, am I barking up the wrong tree and instead ought look at range SR 407, 307, 207 price spread $160 and then big jump >$1000.​  ​ STAX goes on about 5-pin plugs; is it the case that only STAX driver units will work.​  ​ Many thanks,​  ​ Richard Moss​  ​  ​  ​ ​  ​  ​  ​  ​ ​ ​

SRS-002  $650   Pre-order item. Shipping November December​  ​ The SR-003MK2 is a 5-pin PRO bias type in-the-ear earspeaker, and can be used by connecting to a driver unit having 5-pin PRO bias output socket. The redesigned ear canal type structure of the SR-003 enables you to enjoy excellent electrostatic sound quality without covering your ears. The SR-003MK2 connects to STAX driver units or adapters equipped with 5-pin type PRO bias output.​  ​ Re-designed Ear Piece Re-designed ear piece with 3 silicone ear bud sizes.​  ​ LIGHTER DIAPHRAGM 15% lighter than the S-001/MK2 results in further resolution, transparency and purer listening pleasure.​  ​ The SRM-252S is an exclusive driver unit (amplifier) for driving STAX ear speakers with PRO-bias 5 pins. Its line input can directly connect to the audio output terminal of CD player, portable audio player and PC. The SRM-252S has a simple design that excels in sound quality employing the carefully selected newest high-voltage transistors and low-noise FETs. The output stage featuring the emitter-follower configuration reinforces the driving performance and also realized the smooth sound quality. Moreover, the class-A amplification throughout the stages with no coupling capacitors reproduces exhaustively the finest nuance of music. Although the SRM-252S includes a class-A DC amplifier in a compact CD jacket size case, the internal heat is effectively dissipated through the chassis of aluminum extrusion material to improve the reliability over a long period of time. Also, the parallel output terminal was added to distribute the source signal so that a loud speaker may also be simultaneously used when source equipment has only a pair of output terminals.​ ​

 

[Taowolf51]

A STAX for $250? Sounds interesting.