[ajm]

I have been looking around the forum about entry level stax systems. Some people say once you hear an electrostsic you can't go back. So after looking around I have seen for sale stax sr 3, 5 and 40. The 3 comes with the srd 5 energiser. The sr5 is 250 and doesnt come with an energiser. The sr40 comes with srd 4 energiser. I am leaning towards the sr 3 because its in excellent condition. Are any of these good choices? I want a cheap entry to electrostatics is possible. What are these worth roughly?

 

[NamelessPFG]

The SR-40 is an electret. Don't expect performance on par with their true electrostatic brethren that need an external bias voltage.
 
If they don't cost too much, though, the electrets might give a good impression of the 'stat sound in general. Can't say for sure because I started with a Lambda (albeit rebuilt drivers) and an SRD-7/SB.
 
I probably wouldn't go above $150 for the SR-3, SR-5, or SR-X variants. Not that you'll find many eBay listings for those at that price, but I figure that at the $250 mark, it's time to start considering vintage SR-Lambda models.
 
If you have trouble finding a Lambda with driver unit for $250-300 right now, just wait a bit. Good deals are bound to show up sooner or later. (Probably as soon as I get my SR-202 and SRM-212. I don't need two Lambda systems...)

 

[ajm]

When you state your prices should that include the energizer?

 

[NamelessPFG]

Ah, forgot to clarify: those prices should indeed include an energizer/transformer box (SRD series). Of course, that still leaves a hidden cost in the speaker amp you'll need to feed said transformer box, but it sounds like you already have one.
 
A direct-drive amp (SRM series) would be nice, but most of those cost as much as the headphones themselves, if not more. That will have to wait until later.

 

[ajm]

So I should just wait and watch ebay and headfi.

 

[NamelessPFG]

Yeah, wait and watch eBay, Head-Fi, AudiogoN, and so forth. A good deal's bound to pop up when you least expect it.

 

[ri_toast]

i might add there are electrostatic headphones other than stax. there are even: dare i say on this forum   speakers that are electrostatic; magnepan comes to mind. they are like headphones that you put in your listening room. < attempt at humor.
the problem with vintage equipment in general, condition, age and warranty can be by passed by going directly to the new entry level stax. i know it's a bit more money. hunting on ebay can be addicting which partly explains why some of the items go for insane amounts. just a thought.
there is a reason that stax have the "rep" they do and some of it can be found in thier early models.

 

[ajm]

I know there are electrostatic speakers like magnepan. I have a pair and I love them. What other brands other than stax can I be looking at for a reasonable price?

 

[ajm]

Whats the price range a stax lambda should go for? I know someone stated 250 as a minimum but whats a reasonable maximum?

 

[Amarphael]

Magnapen make magnetostatic speakers, not stats.
 
lambda is an entire family of them but If you mean the original lambda, a "reasonable maximum" (whatever that really means) would be around 400$ IMO.

 

[ri_toast]

 
Quote:

I know there are electrostatic speakers like magnepan. I have a pair and I love them. What other brands other than stax can I be looking at for a reasonable price?

just wondering, which magnepans?
 
Amar thank you for correcting me, you know most people planar speakers; "ya know the flat ones"
stats or otherwise, operating principals are almost the same. even stax calls the electret a "type of electrostatic earspeaker"
 
Ajm
Akg makes a hybrid
Koss has a few models. esp9, 10 and the 950 which is still being made
many older "electrostatic" are actually stax, based on the sr3

 
 

 

[ajm]

Thanks for all the repsonses and I own a pair of Magnepan SMG's the original. I have 2 small polk subs with the setup and I love it. Unfortunately the speakers and set up is back at home and I moved for college so I need a better headphone setup. I am also thinking getting something similar to the thunderpants... So hard to decide when you can't listen to it before you buy.

 

[ri_toast]

 
Quote:

Thanks for all the repsonses and I own a pair of Magnepan SMG's the original. I have 2 small polk subs with the setup and I love it. Unfortunately the speakers and set up is back at home and I moved for college so I need a better headphone setup. I am also thinking getting something similar to the thunderpants... So hard to decide when you can't listen to it before you buy.

i'm not sure if i should say amen or hell yeah!
 
i'm sure that in a dorm there must be headphones you can audition, you might have to go knocking on doors or ask around.
if you do get a stax setup, even used, you can almost guarantee that you'll get your money back if you decide to resell it.
 

 

[ajm]

I live in an apartment and I'll keep watching for stax.

 

[pail]

Why their amps are made with classic semi-conductor components ?