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Solid State Amps for Quad ESL 57?

My system is feeling pretty tube-y and I was looking for suggestions of a solid state amps that people are liking with their original Quad ESLs. Looking for more speed and more of the bass I know the Quads can put out if set up right.
dhcod
ajant
75 posts
 
 I've run ESL57's both single, stacked and with sequerra ribbons
 

Dover, what are the Sequerra ribbons? Did you get these tweeters from here? http://www.sequerra.com/common/data/ribbon.html

http://www.sequerra.com/  Are they still available?

How did you integrate them with your Quad 57s? Did you disconnect the Quads’ own tweeters?

Is entire system still passively crossed-or are stock Quad 57s actually crossoverless? Or did you now have to bi or tri-amp it all?

Sequerra ribbons $$$? If beyond my budget, are there one or more tweeters that you might recommend?

 


geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
I had Quad 57s and there was precious little bass until I put them on Arcici stands, removed the metal grills and upgraded the power cords. Then the Quads had excellent solid bass and were much more open and dynamic. I drove the Quads with modded Dynaco tube mono amps with regulated everything and aircraft grade tubes. At that point in time I had an isolated air bearing Maplenoll turntable with special 50 lb platter and 500 feet of air tubing and two air flow buffers.

ct0517's avatar
ct0517
2,041 posts
 
Amplifier Requirements

This speaker is designed for operation with a standard Quad II amplifier and it is essential for both proper performance and reliability that it be used only with this amplifier or one designed specifically for the Quad loudspeaker.


Speaker Specs

https://mniec.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/quad-esl57-user-manual-page0010.jpg

The above information has been taken from the Quad owners manual. Also it is my opinion, based on current personal experience, that anyone needing to add external tweeters to this speaker is doing so because of one or more of the following factors, which could be affecting the setup and causing problems. This assumes no hearing issues.

- Physical condition of the speakers themselves. (are they functioning at 70% )

- Room size and positioning

- Room Dampening

- Humidity levels - very dry or humid. Especially if speakers are not kept "on" plugged in. 

- Amplifier compatibility 


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For information here is the Quad II amp

http://www.quad-hifi.co.uk/product-detail.php?pid=20

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Hi Ajant - how did your audition go ? I never heard back.
Cheers

bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,788 posts
 

I, like Geoff, took the metal grilles off my Quads. Big improvement! I also removed the rear grilles with their attached absorptive pads, about which Quad owners have mixed opinions. If done, the speakers must be further from the wall behind them.

One fanatic Quad owner I new went so far as to removed the plastic dust covers from his 57's! That leaves the ESL drivers free to attract dust, leading to their early demise it is said.

geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 

bdp24
I, like Geoff, took the metal grilles off my Quads. Big improvement! I also removed the rear grilles with their attached absorptive pads, about which Quad owners have mixed opinions. If done, the speakers must be further from the wall behind them.

One fanatic Quad owner I new went so far as to removed the plastic dust covers from his 57’s! That leaves the ESL drivers free to attract dust, leading to their early demise it is said.

I also removed the plastic dust covers. Another good idea. And guess what? Never had a problem with dust and there was no early demise. Or later demise. When operating correctly sans grills and plastic dust covers the Quads can be placed so there is no toe in, which is really best, and the distance between the speakers can get determined precisely using the speaker set up track on the XLO Test CD.

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