The
SR-Λ (Lambda) series have such
pleasing sound quality because its diaphragm is oblong, instead of round, as in
the SR-Σ Series. This shape
approximates the elliptical shape of the outer ear so that you use your entire
ear to listen to the sound, just as you would in a natural listening situation.
In fact, the diaphragm is actually larger than the average ear's dimensions to
take full advantage of the outer ear's response characteristics. The result is
fuller low range response along with the uncolored mid and high range response
typical of electrostatic reproduction.
The
design approach of the SR-Λ Series
won various prizes and especially the SR-Λ Signature is called "The best Headphone in the World".
SR-Λ (Lambda) Normal + SRD-7sb
Stax
introduced the SR-Lambda in 1979. still a worthy product in its own right, it
has also served as the foundation for the most important earspeaker innovations
since then. And in one respect it has not yet been bettered - the earpiece. This designencloses the outer ear, housing an
angled oblong diaphragm larger than the average ear's dimensions. The radiated
sound is then captured by all parts of the outer ear and conducted to the
eardrum - just like listening in any normal situation. The brain perceives a
spacious sound field outside the listener's head. How unlike the typical
headphone, whose earpiece crushes the outer ear, not permitting it to do its
job, while the small dynamic speaker injects the music unnaturally into the ear
canal.
SR-Λ (Lambda) Professional
Daimler Benz
provided the impetus for the SR-Lambda Professional (1982) when they requested
a unique earspeaker to analyze car noise. Stax achieved the desired
low-frequency response by increasing the electrode gap and the polarizing
voltage. These changes also created side benefits - the Lambda could now play
louder than before, and with increased efficiency and less distortion. Until
the advent of the Signature, the SR-Lambda Pro was the best earspeaker
Stax knew how to make; it remains a
product second to one only.
The SRM-1
Mk2 Professional was designed to drive the SR-Lambda Pro or other earspeakers
dirctly. Its pure class-A circuit eliminates audio transformers and coupling
capacitors for detailed, natual reproduction. Like the SRM-T1, this unit can be
connected to the tape loop of a preamplifier, or run directly from the
line-level source - CD player, tape deck, tuner or mixing console - resulting
in a remarkably simple and elegant signal path. It has output sockets for one
Professional Series and one standard earspeaker.
The
SR-Lambda pro earspeaker can also be powered through the SRD-P portable
energizing adaptor. It employs high-power IC's and Professional bias-voltage
circuitry to extract the earspeaker's capabilities. The SRD-P operates not only
on a household power source but also on batteries, allowing remote use for
high-quality monitoring of location recordings. Its RCA input trminals enable
direct connection to line-level outputs (as with the SRM-1 Mk2 Pro); but it
also has a mini-jack input for use with portable cassette decks or mini CD
players.
The SRD-7
Professional energizing adaptor connects to the speaker taps of a power
amplifier, enabling one to enjoy Professional Series earspeakers over whatever equipment one already owns. It
contains advanced features like LC-OFC wiring and audio transformer windings,
and an all-aluminum chassis to eliminate magnetic distortion. This adaptor is a
particulary viable alternative to the direct-drive earspeaker amplifiers if one
has made a major investment in state-of-the-art. Preamps and power amps.
SR-Λ (Lambda) Signature + SRM-T1
Surpassing
the SR-Lambda Pro - probably the most widely acclaimed audio component of
recent years - was a formidable task, but that is what the SR-Lambda Signature
has accomplished; any superlatives not expended on the Lambda pro may now be
safely employed. Two material changes are largely responsible. The Signature's
transducing diaphragm is only one micron thick, a reduction of one-third from
the Lambda Pro. And the signal cord is made of PC-OCC cable, specially cast
from oxygen-free copper to preserve phase integrity through large
linear-crystal-line structure.
A
standard-setting earspeaker requires an amplifier which performs similalry -
the SRM-T1. this two-stage driver unit
incorporates dual FET's and twin 6FQ7/6CG7 triode output tubes, thus combining
transient speed with the smoothness and dimensionality sophisticated
audiophiles have come to expect from vacuum-tube amplification. The SRM-T1 can
accommodate both Pro Series and normal earspeakers.
The
Signature System is urgently recommended for discerming audiophiles seeking the
ultimate in musical information retrieval.
SRM-T1 Tube Driver
Frequency
Response: DC-20kHz, +/-1dB
Gain: 60 dB
Harmonic
Distortion: 0,02%
Input
Impedance: 50 k Ω
Input
Level: 100 mV
Maximum
Output Voltage: 330
V RMS (1 kHz)
Bias
Voltage: 230 V DC,
580 V DC
Power
Requirements: 100 -
240 V 50/60 Hz
Dimensions (W x D x H): 7-3/4" x 15-1/4" x 4"
Original
Box (W x D x H): 18" x 9-1/2" x 5" (+1 lbs)
Weight: 10,5 lbs