Amplifier for Quads


Hi fellow Audiogoners - I am currently using a pair of bridged Bedini 25/25 1mg amps to drive my stacked Quad 57's. I welcome your timely amplifier recommendations for maximizing the sound of these classic and timeless speakers.
rmarcus5757
The fact is electrostats prefer voltage amps (tube) not current amps (transistor). That speaker needs only 40-50Wrms maximum. Anything higher than that, and you're looking for trouble. I would also suggest having your Quads updated to include the clamp circuit. I do believe they are available. An ARC D70 MKII would work perfectly. Even an updated Dynaco ST70 would be sufficient. BTW the reason the Quad 405 needed the clamping circuit was because it would routinely damage Quad 57's and 63's because it delivered too much current. Even an early Quad tube amp or the commemorative version would work well and I believe that's only 25-30Wrms.
The 25/25 is considered the best match for the 57s by a lot of people. Why, I don't know. There are a lot better amps than the Bedini, even vintage.I can't speak to the voltage preference thing, but not only is he using a high current amp but he's using two that are bridged! Take a wild guess what kind of current is running through those 1megs now. I suppose the key to survival is to throttle your desire for SPLs.
I just don`t see the advantage in sonic/musical terms in a high power/high current solid state amp. It seems based on the dsign of these particular speakers a moderate power tube amplifier of good quality would yield better results.
Regards,
I agree with Charles1dad; Roger Modjesky designed his RM-10 specifically for his own Quad ESL-57s.
I 've owned both the Bedini 25/25 and currently the Atmasphere S30 though I have not heard either with Quad 57. I can say that the Bedini 25/25 is highly regarded by Quad 57 owners as I was deluged with offers when I sold it.
That being said, I would second the recommendation for an Atmasphere OTL. Would recommend the M60 but you could use the S30 if the stacked Quads were wired in series (increasing the overall impedance).