[project86]

Just do a google image search for "Stax 4070" and you'll notice most are like this:
 
 
 

 
While his are like this:

 
 
See the difference? There's a sort of "cutout" section on the cups which seem to block rotation - you'll never get the pair above to rotate like the pair in the top pic. Interesting. 
 
Can any Stax historians chime in on this? Spritzer? 

 

[ALSO]

  Just do a google image search for "Stax 4070" and you'll notice most are like this:
 
 
 

 
While his are like this:

 
 
See the difference? There's a sort of "cutout" section on the cups which seem to block rotation - you'll never get the pair above to rotate like the pair in the top pic. Interesting. 
 
Can any Stax historians chime in on this? Spritzer? 

Exactly, and I have to say in this state, the really don't fit.

 

[n3rdling]

Have you tried to adjust the metal arcs?

 

[ALSO]

  Have you tried to adjust the metal arcs?

It seems the only way to adjust them would be to remove them, and then reattach them on the other side of the blocks.  Not sure it would work even then.

 

[n3rdling]

You can bend them to make the arc wide/narrow.

 

[ALSO]

Sorry, not sure I'm following your suggestion.

 

[project86]

Seems to me you'd require a massively wide head in order to make that pair fit - my "forks" are always in a position outside the range of motion your set allows for. You'd have to actually bend things around "Audio Technica style" to possibly make that work, which doesn't sound fun on a rare set like the 4070.
 
Do you have a serial number? I wonder if that style is like a prototype or something. Surely Stax would have quickly discovered the flaw in that design and not allowed many of them to ship.  

 

[ALSO]

Right, exactly.  I bought this pair used in Japan.  It came with a lot of the accessories, but no serial number.  I changed the earpads and headband and overall it seems in decent shape.  It sounds good, as far as I can tell, but can't figure out the block.

 

[n3rdling]

Meant to post this a while back.  I ended up finding a Stax DAC-X2t.  As far as I can tell it's the exact same thing as a DAC-X1t.  I've always been very happy with my Accuphase DP-75, but the X1t is one of the only DACs I told myself I'd try to hunt down and own one day.  It really sounds amazing.  I think this thing went for something like $20k new back in 1989.  It uses 12AX7 tubes on the input and two Ultra Analog D20400 DAC chips.  Weighs about 65 lbs.  Took me years to get my hands on one but well worth the wait

 

 

[davidsh]

Can't you just reattach the 4070 cups so that the blocking mechanism is on the opposite side of the cup. Then it will further in-wards.

 

[Ali-Pacha]

Maybe an adequate ring / washer (size / material / color) you insert beetween the fork's pins and the cups. It could stretch the fork enough it'll allow the cup to swivel as well as the units without this restraint.

Ali

 

[project86]

  Meant to post this a while back.  I ended up finding a Stax DAC-X2t.  As far as I can tell it's the exact same thing as a DAC-X1t.  I've always been very happy with my Accuphase DP-75, but the X1t is one of the only DACs I told myself I'd try to hunt down and own one day.  It really sounds amazing.  I think this thing went for something like $20k new back in 1989.  It uses 12AX7 tubes on the input and two Ultra Analog D20400 DAC chips.  Weighs about 65 lbs.  Took me years to get my hands on one but well worth the wait

 

 
 
Sweet! I had a friend with one of those back in the day (or was it the X1t.... not sure) and I recall being very impressed with it. Those Ultra Analog DACs are something special. 

 

[yawg]

   
 
Sweet! I had a friend with one of those back in the day (or was it the X1t.... not sure) and I recall being very impressed with it. Those Ultra Analog DACs are something special. 

I think in the first place it's the tubes that make the difference, not the DAC chips. Now you can roll them and eventually even improve the already awesome sound. Try to find some US made blackplates, the best IMO.You could also look for some German ECC83 made by Telefunken or Siemens/Halske. I use those in my EAR 549 power amps.
 
I own a tubed DAC myself and found the perfect sound after some tube rolling. I always missed something with even the best SS DACS which use a class A line stage.
 
I made a mistake: the Telefunken and Siemens I use are actually ECC85 and the phase splitters. The E83CC - or 12AX7 - are GE 5751 triple mica black plates with extra support rods, the drivers in my amps. Those triple mica black plates were made in the 50s and come in different flavours like Sylvania, RCA, Heintz & Kaufman etc, all very good and some excellent. The best of the best are the ones with extra stainless steel support rods IMO.
 
BTW the 5751s have about 30 percent lower mu than the 12AX7 but when used as drivers that's often an advantage - less noise and the volume pot works more effective in its higher range, beyond "12 o'clock" ...

 

[astrostar59]

Yes I agree, the tubed DACs do sound better IMO. I also found I prefer non oversampling + tubes. The Lampizator 4 is nice.
I have an Audio Note 4.1 tube regulated PS and tubed output, I am very happy with it. There seems to be a LOT of folk who 
endlessly buy DACs (Delta-Sigma mainly) looking for the analogue smooth sound. R-2R sound smoother and less digital
in my rig.

 

[kothganesh]

Listening to JJ Cale and Eric Clapton " Danger" from the Road to Escondido on the SR 009 and the KGSShv. My 16 year old daughter listened to it for 2 minutes and then asked me "Why are you bothering with other headphones and amps?" No answer friends, no answer.