Stax electrostatics

theoldtrout · Post by **theoldtrout** » Wed Apr 27, 2011 10:52 pm

I found some Stax SR-3 headphones with the SRD-4 power source in my workshop; can't remember where I got them from or how long ago. I tried them this evening [after replacing two duff diodes in the PSU] Wow do these sound good! I've never tried electrostatic headphones before, the clarity is amazing - I'm a convert. These 'phones must be about 30 years old.

I was surprised to find that Stax are still in production but the prices - ouch!

Paul Barker · Post by **Paul Barker** » Wed Apr 27, 2011 11:34 pm

must be nice

shane · Post by **shane** » Thu Apr 28, 2011 9:46 am

Very tasty. I've pondered the idea of building an amp for mine, because it just seems odd to use an output transformer to step down the output of a valve, only to step it back up again to drive the phones, but I don't have the knowledge or confidence yet. I think it might be a nice home for the QQVs one day.

Ali Tait · Post by **Ali Tait** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 10:46 am

Perhaps that headphone amp Nick designed for Hi-Fi Collective could be used?

FredHS · Post by **FredHS** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 11:27 am

Hi,

I've been very happy with my STAX Gamma "earspeakers" which I bought in the late 80s. The foam pads are crumbling into oblivion and replacement parts are no longer available, but the sound is still as clear and convincing as ever.

Since the STAX "passive adapter" is nothing to write home about, I built the "Kevin Gilmore all triode ac coupled amp" (google for this term, I am not permitted to post website addresses here), which I am very happy with.

All the best,

Fred

pre65 · Post by **pre65** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 11:36 am

Would this be the headphone amp you mentioned ?

http://gilmore2.chem.northwestern.edu/p ... re_prj.htm

FredHS · Post by **FredHS** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 12:02 pm

Exactly... I appreciate you having posted the U R L (I'm not even permitted to use this three-letter word).

pre65 · Post by **pre65** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 12:05 pm

FredHS wrote:Exactly... I appreciate you having posted the U R L (I'm not even permitted to use this three-letter word).

You will, once you've posted a few more times.

It's just to stop neer-do-wells having a field day.

Mike H · Post by **Mike H** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 8:13 pm

That's a phrase we don't hear very often nowadays

pre65 · Post by **pre65** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 8:16 pm

Mike H wrote:That's a phrase we don't hear very often nowadays

Â

It's my one man campaign to get more old and obscure words or phrases back into common use.

Mike H · Post by **Mike H** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 8:38 pm

I should think so too.

Willy-nilly

pre65 · Post by **pre65** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 8:44 pm

Mike H wrote:I should think so too.

Willy-nilly

Â

I went on a guided tour of Lincoln castle Easter Sunday, and the old girl who took us gave the origin of several well known phrases.

And also, when hangings were held in public, crowds of up to 20,000 (yes, twenty thousand) used to turn up. Seems one lady killed herself the night before she was due to be hanged, and there was a public riot the next day when they explained to the crowd what had happened. Hang someone else was the crowds response.

Mike H · Post by **Mike H** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 8:53 pm

Flippin' 'eck

Knew how to enjoy a day out in them days didn't they

Andrew · Post by **Andrew** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 9:21 pm

theoldtrout wrote:I found some Stax SR-3 headphones with the SRD-4 power source in my workshop; can't remember where I got them from or how long ago. I tried them this evening [after replacing two duff diodes in the PSU] Wow do these sound good! I've never tried electrostatic headphones before, the clarity is amazing - I'm a convert. These 'phones must be about 30 years old.

I bought a pair of Stax from Colin and I agree they are stunningly good! Well worth restoring.

theoldtrout · Post by **theoldtrout** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 10:58 pm

The power unit for these headphones is very basic comprising of a voltage multiplier, a couple of transformers and not much else; a smaller version of what you get in electrostatic louspeakers. So ripe for a decent amp/power supply project - I don't have the time at present.

audio-talk

Stax electrostatics

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