Solid State Amps for Quad ESL 57?

ct0517

Sadly, not yet. We were on for a Friday early last month until Jim got pneumonia. He said he was still very sick almost two weeks later. I’ll email him this week, see how he’s feeling and maybe we can set up for something this month, I hope.

Btw, I emailed Nelson Pass attaching the Quad’s impedance curve http://www.quadesl.com/quad_main.html and asked about using the First Watt J2 amp.

His reply seemed a bit vague, though he did say “the Quad wouldn’t hurt it” the J2. Later when I, more wisely, asked that of all his designs which First Watt or Pass Labs amp would make the Quads perform at their best in every way, he said probably the F6, F7 and J2. But he said what he really wanted to know for himself was how the SIT-1and SIT-2 would work with the Quads. Of course, that would be an intriguing session, but those two amps are somewhat more than I’d want to spend and run a lot hotter than the J2-which is hot enough for me.

His reply seemed a bit vague, though he did say “the Quad wouldn’t hurt it” the J2.

Hi Ajant

that comment implies to me that he hasn't actually heard the J2 with the Quads?  

Let me know how it goes. I stand by my thoughts that one can insert whatever amp/s you want in and try them - but this speaker is unique and therefore you should either buy the intended amp from Quad, or one that was built specifically for them, like Roger Modjeski's RM10. The only one I am familiar with. What reinforces this for me is that I have had amps that have worked well with my Acoustat and B&W Electrostatic Speakers - but did not work with the 57. If you have to add an external tweeter to the 57, the amp in my books, isn't doing the job, or there is a problem with the speaker. 

The only amp I have personally owned that worked well with the 57, and also my Acoustat and B&W Electrostats, was my Music Reference RM9. And this is what put me into research mode, and on the path where I ended up with the RM10 years ago.
   
Also - The heat from the RM10 amp is not that bad and imo any SS Amp Class A needed will also get hot.

Cheers    

ct0517 (Chris) uses a Music Reference RM10 with his Quad 57's, and he will tell you how well that particular amp works with the speaker. Roger Modjeski designed the amp with the Quad as it's load! Though a tube amp, Roger designs his amps with reliability as a high priority, and for low maintenance requirements and considerations. His amps provide very long tube life, unlike many of the more well-known and owned contemporary tube amps.

The Quad 57's are an anomaly. Both physically and electronically. 

Electronically and on the subject of this thread - I am not familiar with any SS amplifier design, that is able to concentrate its energies for bass, which sucks up the most power - at 30 ohms+, which the 57's need. And why should they be designed this way if the Quad 57's are an anomaly?  There are no business reasons that I can see for a manufacturer to build an amp this way.  

@Atmasphere,  (other amp manufacturers)
 
if you are still following this thread - does such a SS Amp beast exist, and or can a SS amp be built that is like the Quad II, ......I mean if someone really wanted to ?  

I believe.... and its theory only, because I am not an EE, but, I think that SS amps get smoked and dizzy, start oscillating (what's the technical word I am looking for?) by the 30+ ohms bass requirement. Many Class A seem to be designed from 8 ohms, to double down in watts and half up in watts. If designed for the Quad 57, from 8 ohms they should be doubling up to allow the amp to cruise and not be taxed.  

had to find this on my hard drive. imo - the reason Acoustat will work with good Solid State. very different requirements from the 57 graph that Ajant posted.

https://photos.google.com/search/_tra_/photo/AF1QipPLvcWgX83WAzSfmba9hKxw7vtl2Jx0HOEOzS4G