[martin778]

Hi guys,
It's been years since I've used a new SRS-4170 system and which I have, regretfully, sold. I'm looking for another setup and came across the older 404 Signature / 006t.
I was wondering if there are longevity issues on Stax stats like, let's say with Quad ESL? Do they need refurbishment every 10-20 years?

The 404's have perished inner foam pads and I'm curious whether it's possible to remove all the remaining foam without having to disassemble the whole thing?

 

[dynavit]

Hallo Martin,
Elektrostats don`t have the problem of aging like Elektrets. As long as there are no mechanical issues at the very thin white dustproduction there should be no problem. The black foam uses to crumble But that`s something what could be cleaned.
Maybe this helps you, even if its in German: http://blog.prof-x.de/2017/10/21/frischzellenkur-stax-lambda-signature-refurbish-projekt/
Don’t take of the grid with the cutter, if you don`t have experience with such things. Then better stop at taking out the foam.

 

[gammarayson]

I bought my Stax Lambda Pros in 1988. A couple of years ago one of the drivers developed a mild squeal(which probably wouldn't bother most people) so I sent them in to a Stax specialist in Germany and they were replaced with a new old stock driver. I also recently replaced the pads and headband. They still sound fantastic after 33 years! So, no longevity problems for me!

 

[martin778]

So I bit the bullet and got a 4040 system. Well, not sure about the longevity of the ESL panels but the glue Stax used to secure the panels to the metal plate and the dust covers sure did not held up well - the panels were already half detached from the body. Have to reglue everything and change the pads as these are worn and also that adhesive has changed into black tar.