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Volume on an STAX SRD-34 system?

Kenaz Filan

Kenaz Filan

New Member
I picked up a STAX SRD-34 Electret system on eBay. So far I've tried hooking it into a 20 watt Scott Stereomaster, a 38 watt Marantz, and an 80 watt Onkyo TX-906. I had the best results with the Onkyo, but even there couldn't get it above a medium low volume before I started hearing clipping and distortion (unsurprising considering I had to turn the volume knob to 80-90% before getting it THAT loud).

Am presently listening to the Swingle Singers' "Air on a G String" through iTunes on a Mac Pro 3.1; the signal is going through the TOSlink and a FiOO DAC before being sent to the amplifier: the SR-4Energizer is connected to the amplifier and the speakers connected to the Energizer. I get perfectly fine volume from the loudspeakers, but from the SR-30s not so much.

The problem could be with the headphones; it could be with the energizer (although I doubt that given it doesn't cause problems with the loudspeaker connection; or it could just be that electrostatic headphones require a lot of juice to be driven properly. Since I am a veritable tyro in the world of headphones I am not sure and would welcome any thoughts from those more knowledgable than I.
 
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For Stax Earspeakers buy the phones from Price Japan and the energizer from a US distributor. You can save several hundred dollars.

Stax energizers/amplifiers for the Japanese home market run on 100VAC (Japanese AC) and require a step down transformer.
 
Hello Kenaz Filan

As a 35 years STAX specialist I can tell you something :

1) SRD34 do not exist .
2) you surely own a SRD4 with one SR30 (who make SR34 set) or with one SR40 ( who make a SR44 set ) . SRDA +SR80 make a SR84 set .
3) electret (not the same than electrostatic) drivers are the same for SR30/SR40/SR80 STAX headphones .
4) low volume (efficiency in fact) on electret and electrostatics drivers can be measured with a specific tool (STAX one) with a battery inside and a mike . Measurement made with this tool can confirm you if your drivers are declining or not .
5) original replacement cable for SR30/SR40/SR80 are no longer availables ....

If you need any other information please ask
 
All I can say is listening to the SR44's now and they sound quite good for $40. I think these are a real bargain on the used market. I've had no issues with mine thus far, although that "driver decline" test looks interesting
 
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