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Welcome to the wonderful world of electrostatic Headphones. And by the masters of this, Stax Ltd. of Japan.
With electrostatic phones (or loudspeakers, come to that) there needs to be an energiser that sets up the electrical field within which the ultra fine membrane is located. For headphones, this is combined into a headphone amplifier and the only obvious difference between this and a conventional ‘phone amp is the multi pin connection to the headphones. And Stax don’t call them headphones either, preferring the term ‘earspeakers’. With the exception of the clever little SR003 in-ear system which is battery powered, these are all strictly for use indoors.
They sound good too. At all levels of the range, they are more laid back in character than, say, Grados but they are very musical and very easy to live with. The sound is slightly more ‘out there’ than with conventional phones, but there is always an element of in-the-headness with any headphone.
Whilst the earspeakers and energisers are available separately, the pricing is much more competitive when bought as a package. Furthermore, the individual units are not kept in stock in the UK, whereas the packages generally are, so lead times can be considerable. For this reason we simply show the packages:
The range starts with the 2050 II system at £495, the 3030 II at £849, the valve based 4040 II package at £1195 and onto the Omega II systems at £2895 (solid state or valve).
Stax valve-based energisers are now available in a UK-modified version with super high spec valves, valve cooler/dampers and extremely careful set-up. This makes one hell of a difference and it has coincided with a price fall, so you have a choice of 4040 system for £1195 or a humdinger of a revised one for £1395. For the (valve) Omega 007 system, it is standard for £2895 or a revised one for £3195.
We have most Stax products on demonstration, so why not make an appointment to give them a try. If you are miles away, why not try our new on-line shop : www.grownupshop.com |
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Arcam, ATC, Audio Technica, Creek, Chord Company, Eichmann, Dynavector, Epos, Focal / JM Labs, Grado headphones, Harbeth, Isoblue (and special branch), Kudos Audio, Lyngdorf, Lyra, Michell Engineering, Naim Audio, Neat Acoustics, Nordost, Origin Live, Ortofon, Nottingham Analogue, Partington, Primare, Rega, Roksan, Sim2, Graham Slee, Shahinian, Something Solid, Stands Unique, Stax Earspeakers, Sumiko, Trichord, Wireworld, Wyrewizard |
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Signals hi-fi for grown-ups. suppliers and installers of music hi-fi audio stereo system, systems and a/v av products to all areas of Suffolk,North Essex, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire 01473 655171
The entry system is the recently upgraded 2050 Mk II. The 'basic' system in stax speak comprises the SR-202 earspeakers and SRM-252II energiser / driver unit. This is high end audio for the masses.
Connections are simple, in common with all STAX energiser units, there are phono connections to the input. You can connect the source component (CD player, phono stage, radio tuner) directly to the energiser / headphone amp unit or connect via the tape outlet on your amplifier for greater convenience.
The price is £495 click to buy
Next up the range, we have the new 3050, the 'classic' system. The earspeakers are the SR-303 and the energiser the SRM-323 II.
Noticeably cleaner, more refined and more punchy than the basic system. The energiser unit has two pairs of linked phono sockets so that it can share a tape outlet with a tape deck.
The price is £845 click to buy
The 4040 'signature' system Mk II. This is the valve based system and both the SR 404 earspeakers and SRM 006t II energiser represent a proper move up from the Classic system.
In addition to this, the energiser has two switched inputs, one of them either balanced XLR or RCA, along with the tape pass-through facility.
The price is £1195 click to buy
Stax valve-based energisers are now available in a UK-modified version with super high spec valves, valve cooler/dampers and extremely careful set-up. This has all coincided with a price fall, so the revised version is just £1395. click to buy
The Omega system has also had a revamp. The 'series two' systems come with two alternative energisers : the SRM 007t/II valve enegiser or the SRM-727 class A solid state one. As with the Signature system, the valve energiser has two switched inputs, one of them either balanced XLR or RCA, along with the tape pass-through facility. Hate to say it, but the one worth considering is the most expensive : the UK modified 007t/II. By comparison the 727 energiser is thick, heavy and dull.
The prices are :
£2895 with 007t/II valve energiser (pictured left) click to buy
£3195 as above but UK modified(and MUCH) better! click to buy
£2895 with 727 solid state energiser (right) click to buy
The name says it all. Hand made with high quality Hokkaido wood and with non slip cork base.
Price?
£49
And the dust cover too
£9
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