QUAD ESL 57 speaker specialists in the North East?

[chicks]

Ian's response, not very helpful, I'm afraid:

RS is radio spares they have distributors in u.s i guess Mouser is a U.S comp they will sell them or just go on ebay

Everything I've read says the old connectors are obsolete, and don't meet modern standards, so probably best to replace with IEC.

 

[chicks]

Bulgin p/n's px0631 or px0646 might work, might be the smaller plugs, not sure...

http://www.newark.com/bulgin/px0646/circular-industrial-connector-receptacle/dp/06WX9532?Ntt=px0646

http://www.dadaelectronics.eu/shop/connectors/ac-power-connectors/bulgin-power-socket-px0631

 

[Dmitry]

PX0646 might work. The diameter of the hole of the original Bulgin is about 22.5 mm.
Here's technical on the px0646 and its mate.

Meanwhile, I removed one of the bulgins. I will have to remove the mesh cage to screw it, or the replacement, back.

 

[chicks]

Hope so! I also read somewhere that the Neutrik PowerCon connectors work well, and are much more secure and safe. Speaking of safety, I also read that QUAD put the fuses for these in the wall plugs. Not sure if it's true, but if so, another consideration.

Just hooked up my refurb'd 63's! Cloud 9.

 

[chicks]

From Kent @estatsolution.com

I always change the speakers to IEC connection when I have them in for repair. Here is the exact plug I use:

http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail...GAEpiMZZMslPglT/XeKqzsqWEmxmt6%2blxvtfazdMLc=

This will require a some modification of the electronics module. I use a dremel tool to modify the opening. If done carefully you would think they came from the factory with the IEC plug.

I am not aware of any IEC type connector that will retrofit without some modification. The Neutrik may fit but I have never tried.

There is no line fuse for the original ESL.

 

[Dmitry]

Bad news. At least on one of the Quads.
I connected a modern connector to the wires that I unsoldered from the Bolgin, the red light turned on. Great.
Then I hooked up the speaker to the Pioneer c-90/m-90 combo, and it did play, but at a level low enough not to be able to discern any of its awesomeness. Then I increased the volume a little bit, and noticed white sparks going off inside the panel. From what I read on-line about this, something inside is arced. I won't even try with the second speaker, which is probably shot as well.
There goes my Quad dream...

 

[mhardy6647]

They take a while to charge up - a long while, when they're elderly (e.g., overnight). They won't produce much output at all until fully charged.

Depending on the amplifier you used, you may well have immolated the speaker trying to get it to do something it wasn't ready to do.

 

[chicks]

Well, they're not shot, they're fully repairable. Kent at estatsolution can get them fully functional for you, just a matter of time and money. Lots of money, I'm afraid.

I've never heard the 57's, but everything I've read says they have never been surpassed in their midrange clarity and cohesiveness. Should be fantastic jazz speakers.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

[Dmitry]

They take a while to charge up - a long while, when they're elderly (e.g., overnight). They won't produce much output at all until fully charged.

Depending on the amplifier you used, you may well have immolated the speaker trying to get it to do something it wasn't ready to do.

I don't think I did anything bad...maybe just immolated a little bit.
Now charging over-night is something I didn't know about, and noone told me.
I just hooked it up again, to a 8 watt set amp, and the spl is very-very low. I don't want to crank it up, or I may further immolate the British super-speaker. :yes:

 

[Dmitry]

They take a while to charge up - a long while, when they're elderly (e.g., overnight). They won't produce much output at all until fully charged.

Depending on the amplifier you used, you may well have immolated the speaker trying to get it to do something it wasn't ready to do.

Maybe not all is lost, mates. I was so preconditioned to these speakers NOT working that I was expecting something of that sort. I 've read somewhere on the internets that 20 min. was enough for them to charge, and it stuck in my memory, but it looks like I was way off. I gave it about an hour now and turned on the set amp again. No white sparks, and the sound is picking up. What I took for the sparks may have been the sunset reflections on the film.:scratch2: . I just shined a pocket light inside the grill and the panels are shiny. I was expecting a lot of dust on them...newb..

 

[chicks]

From what I've read, Dmitry, the 57s want to be powered up 7/24. Hope they'll wake up for you!

 

[chicks]

Quad ESL-57 most common repairs
http://quadesl.nl/en/quad-esl-problems.html

Weak high tension power supply

Symptoms: low sensitivity (amplifier has to be turned up), uneven loudness between left and right, no sound production at all.

A deteriorating power supply will make you turn up the amplifier further and further over time, until eventually the treble panel blows up. This phenomenon can sneak up on you unnoticed, so have them checked regularly.

 

[Dmitry]

Well, I let it charge overnight, and the speaker produces sound if I rev up the dial, but it's not magic. There is no sparking, hissing or anything else, it just sounds like someone sandwiched the speaker between two mattresses.
I doubt I will be spending big money on these speakers without hearing what they are supposed to sound like first. AFAIK, the complete rebuild is well north of $2,000. With 60,000 units sold there's bound to be a working pair in my neck of the woods.

 

[mhardy6647]

sounds like the tweeter panels are toast.
One important caveat with the ESL-57 - the tweeter panels' vertical dispersion is only 15 degrees - one must be on axis with them to hear them "full range".

That said, I suspect the light show you had the first go-around was probably the end of the tweeter panel's effective life - at least on that loudspeaker.

 

[chicks]

Dmitry, I think that any of the 57s that haven't been refurbished will have problems similar to yours by now. They're very old. Refurbished ones can be found, but won't be cheap, and you'll need to check them out very carefully, and ask for paperwork confirming the refurb.

 

[mhardy6647]

people spend thousands on them for a reason.

That said, you might want to cast your lot with a pair of ESL-63s; they are somewhat easier to live with than the 57s (and decidedly easier to refurbish).

 

[Dmitry]

I just left a message for Wayne Picquet in Florida, who, by many accounts, seems to be the go-to-guy on the 57s. I'll let you know how much he charges for a rebuild. I also joined the group chicks had suggested. I will hook up the second speaker tonight and hope it works.

 

[mhardy6647]

Free advice for ESL #2 (and worth every penny)...

1. When you plug it in, listen and look for any unusual crackles, smells, or (of course) arcing.

2. let it charge overnight before giving it any signal.

 

[Dmitry]

Thanks for the advise.
I spoke to Wayne Picquet of Quads Unlimited. He advised not to even bother turning on the second 57, because it is not going to be good. The speakers are old and require work, without which they will absolutely fail immediately. He quoted me on a rebuild job, which is rather expensive, but not absolutely prohibitive.
I don't think I'll be proceeding with it until I have a chance to hear a refurbished pair.
Now I have to seek someone somewhat local who will be kind enough to let me sit in. :scratch2:
Interesting guy...very forthcoming. FWIW, regarding the choices for amplification, he said that the difficulties that Quads are ascribed to re:limited number of amps that they would play with are nonsense and that there is more BS on-line regarding these speakers than any other product.

 

[mhardy6647]

Sounds like good advice on the second speaker, all things considered.

In terms of listening before investing... well... I have a pair but you'll have to come up to NH to hear them!

There should be plenty within an hour or so of you in RI.

I think the amp matching with ESL-57s is nontrivial, so I cannot agree 100% with what you were told (FWIW, and I am obviously not an expert!). I can say that they sounded dang good with an MC-225 (PP 7591A) when I heard the pairing last summer. I plan to try mine with some of the 7591A amps in my junkpile (I have an awful lot of them, but not by any particular plan or design) when(ever) I get some time to play.