I haven't heard the ESS Transar system but I heard the ESS Transtatic years ago and thought they were awesome. My 1997 Orion Blue Book says that, although they cost around $3,000 in the 70's, they show current value (in 1997) of $60 for the ESS Transar/ATD and $260 for the Transar 2/ATD sysyem. Suprisingly, the prices shown in this 15-year old book are pretty accurate for what people are asking for equipment today.
I did see an ESS Transar system somewhere recently and the owner was asking $12,000! I'm sure his system sounds amazing, but I'm also sure that for that money you can do better with a used pair of modern speakers than a pair of warmed over 1970's classics (regardless of condition). The only exception I can think of might be a pair of old JBLs with the 375 midrange driver and 075 tweeter. I'm not trying to offend anyone, just my two cents.
I did see an ESS Transar system somewhere recently and the owner was asking $12,000! I'm sure his system sounds amazing, but I'm also sure that for that money you can do better with a used pair of modern speakers than a pair of warmed over 1970's classics (regardless of condition). The only exception I can think of might be a pair of old JBLs with the 375 midrange driver and 075 tweeter. I'm not trying to offend anyone, just my two cents.