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Quad ESL 57

sancho22

sancho22

AK Subscriber
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I know that there are some differing opinions on the 57 vs. the 63, but I have an opportunity to get a pair of 57s (15-20 min driving distance). These are well cared for, have been updated and driven by Quad II monoblocks by a well informed owner.

They are priced a bit high, but I might be able to bring the price down.
My question is the following:

- would you still go for the 57 s considering that I have many speakers, such as the Audio Physic Virgo, Yamaha NS-1000, Vandy 2c, DQ-10, ADS 1290, Sony SS-M7.

I have a pir of Quicksilver Silver 70 which might be good to drive the 57s but a friend is also selling a apir of Mac MC30s...

Any insight would be greatly appreciated!
 
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If you are a classical music fan and they are in good condition, yes they are worth investigating. They are not a rock, pop or dance speaker. For solo instruments and small room ensembles ( trios, quartets, quintets) they are brilliant. They are not as convincing for large scale orchestral works.


Ray
 
Check out the write up on the SDS page for the perfect amp for Quad ESLs. In their opinion of course.
 
Thanks both. Could you post or pM me the link? Or let me know what the SDS stands for so I can find it - sorry for my ignorance.
 
They're true sweet-spot speakers. With the right music and the right gear and the right positioning, oh, are they lovely.
But if your musical taste heads more towards Pantera than Pavarotti, think twice.
 
Thanks. I am not planning to sell the Audio Physic or the KEF 104/2 i recently traded...
BUT I red many rave reviews and I am relly curious.

I did find some suggestions like the Quad II, Quad 303, Bedini 25/25, Dynaco ST-70, or possibly some EAR amps. I am curious what others experimenetd with here.
http://www.quadesl.org/Amplifiers/amplifiers.html
 
I think everyone should own '57s at least once. There's really nothing else quite like them, so if you enjoy discussing speakers with other audio enthusiasts, you'll want the frame of reference. Besides, they may turn out to be your "grail speaker". If not, as long as you buy them right, you'll never loose money, or have any trouble selling them.

BTW, I ran mine with a few SS & tube amps, and the Spectral DMA-50 is a particularly good match... then again, I haven't found a speaker that didn't like that amp. Also, the Luxman M-12, and B-12s worked particularly well on the Quads, but even my old Scott 299b sounded great on them. I never found the '57s to be too picky, or hard to match an amp, they tend to sound good with most, but they are very revealing of differences. I'd keep an open mind, and try as many amps as possible.
 
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Yeah that is my thinking - but then again that is my thinking in acquiring close to 30 pairs of speakers...LOL

I loved the HH Scott 222 i sold, in hope to get the 299 one day.
I have a buddy who is selling the Mac MC30 and I do own the Quciksilvers which I assume can work very well with the speakers.

frommerstop said:
I think everyone should own '57s at least once.
"even my old Scott 299b sounded great on them."

I never found the '57s to be too picky, or hard to match an amp, they tend to sound good with most, but they are very revealing of differences. I'd keep an open mind, and try as many amps as possible.
Click to expand...
 
I didn't have Quicksilvers when I had my '57s, but I'd strongly suspect they would be a WONDERFUL match... they sure were with my '63s!

Buy them, play with them, and report back! :thmbsp:
 
The only bad thing I can say about ESL-57s is the extremely limited vertical HF dispersion - otherwise, the most uncolored, neutral, and 'real' sounding speaker you may ever hear (also, and not coincidentally, probably the least fatiguing loudspeaker known to man).

Everyone who is serious about understanding and enjoying reproduced sound (music) should own a pair - or at least be sure to spend some quality time with a pair.

quadsnvinyl0609.jpg
 
Rogue Atlas

By far the best amp (that I can afford) for the 57s. I know guys that use ARC Ref or giant Pass amps or Joule OTLs or ASR Emitters. Just below that level is the custom-ish Rogue Atlas that Mark at Rogue makes for Quad owners. It's about half way between their regular and their Magnum Atlas. I use mine with KT120s (using socket savers so the tube can fit in the cutout-- more recent versions I think can accomodate the 120s without them) and the sound is beautiful and transparent and delicate and like listening to live music. Soundstage is particularly impressive, side to side and front to back. The most impressive part is how you really get a sense of fingers on instruments and vocals in a defined space. I'm a very happy listener!
 
The ones I am eyeing have Arcici stands which are supposedly unobtainable today.
Any thougths on the stands?
 
I have Arcici stands for my 63s. They are a well-made product, but put the speakers a little high for my listening position. Personally, I think they look better (though not particularly good) on the 63s than on the 57s.
 
watt said:
I have Arcici stands for my 63s. They are a well-made product, but put the speakers a little high for my listening position. Personally, I think they look better (though not particularly good) on the 63s than on the 57s.
Click to expand...

I use Arcici stands on my '63s and love them, as a matter of fact ,Watt, if you'd prefer to lower your '63s a little, I have a pair of "Stand & Deliver" stands (the "official" Quad stands), that I'd be interested in trading towards another pair of Arcicis, PM me if you're interested.

I've never heard the '57s on Arcici stands, but those are a whole different design. The '57 stands have an adjustable pivot right in the center of the Quads, allowing you to "aim" them up or down several degrees. And yes, they are "rare as hens teeth", and I think they would bring several hundred dollars on their own.

Just for clarifacation, here are some pics of the stands under discussion...
Quad 57s on Arcici stands
http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g445/frommerstop/quad57arcici.jpg

Quad 63s on "stand and deliver" stands
http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g445/frommerstop/standdeliver.jpg

Quad 63s on Arcici stands
http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g445/frommerstop/esl63sonarcici.jpg
 
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Glad i asked - the stands the guy has look like the "satnd and deliver" not the Arcici. Bummer.
 
sancho22 said:
Glad i asked - the stands the guy has look like the "satnd and deliver" not the Arcici. Bummer.
Click to expand...

Are you still talking about buying '57s, or did I miss a transition to '63s? I've never heard of anyone putting Quad 57s on a Stand & deliver, I'm not sure how well they would sit in them, but I suppose if they were screwed to the bottoms, or an adapter board was made, it could work. I used a Dahlquist DQ-10 stand on mine though... maybe that's what he's selling them with.

Dahlquist used several stands for the DQ-10s over the years, some metal, most wood, but this is the most common...
http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g445/frommerstop/dahlquistspeakers-gg.jpg
 
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