QUAD ESL-57s

[chicks]

Already have the 63's, so I'm not tempted. Someone ought to have a go at this price, though. NOAF.

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/ele/3744757664.html

 

[Galaxie65]

I never have anything like that up here

 

[62sunbeam]

I just spoke to him. Sounds like a very nice guy.

Now I just need a willing soul to help me with the logistics. Someone who could help with the transaction and or help me get them to me here in SoCal or meet me in the middle of something?

Anyone interested? I'd forever be in your debt.

Thanks

Eric

 

[chicks]

Looks like they're the same ones that were / are listed up in Crescent City. Doubt he'll find a buyer way up there.

I can pick them up on the weekend and store them for a while until the logistics can be worked out.

Just make sure you know what you're in for. These will need an extensive investment in time and/or money, they won't be in anything like working condition. They are not R&R speakers, and won't integrate well if at all with a sub.

See Dmitry's thread for what to expect: http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=511472

Also Vaughn's refurb thread: http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=391320

 

[hammr7]

They can be integrated, but it isn't easy. The integration of my CLS speakers with subs and ribbon-tweeters was lifted from a Quad ESL-57 installation that was one of the nicest sounding systems I ever encountered.

You are very correct about the costs involved to get them back to spec. And the sweet spot will be very small. But that sweet spot, if optimized, will be musical nirvana.

 

[canuckaudiog]

Oh wow.

$250 for the price of entry into one of the greatest vintage speakers ever made (of course, plus you need all the refurb done), well worth it. These speakers don't show up for sale every day.

 

[audiomagnate]

Looks like they're the same ones that were / are listed up in Crescent City. Doubt he'll find a buyer way up there.

I can pick them up on the weekend and store them for a while until the logistics can be worked out.

Just make sure you know what you're in for. These will need an extensive investment in time and/or money, they won't be in anything like working condition. They are not R&R speakers, and won't integrate well if at all with a sub.

See Dmitry's thread for what to expect: http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=511472

Also Vaughn's refurb thread: http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=391320

Oh they can be integrated with a sub all right. Have you ever heard Mark Levinson's HQD system? Glorious. Nice scroe!

 

[JohnVF]

There's a gradient bipolar sub system for them as well, not cheap, though its more likely just a "bass" system as if its anything like the Gradient system for the ESL-63, it doesn't do much but add a bit of lower bass. I would think that -most- people who buy these don't get into them for their bass performance or lack of it.

 

[62sunbeam]

Chicks describes them as audio nirvana which I don't doubt but I'm well on my way there with my DQ-20s and B&K 202+ and MC101.

Are these worth a complete change of course in my persuit?

I apparently would have to at least find a suitable low power amp to push them.

What do you think.

I have a friend who might even be able to bring them to me.

I'm very intrigued but should I?

Thanks

Eric

 

[nailer]

I heard the HQD at Lyric HiFi back-in-the-day. They did look impressive.

 

[chicks]

Chicks describes them as audio nirvana

Second-hand. I have no personal experience with them, just with the ESL-63s. Quad's Peter Walker always said the 63s are the better speakers, but many who've heard both say that the 57s, in their very limited way, can't be beat.

Just be prepared to spend $2500 to have them fixed, or $500 + many, many hours to DIY.

 

[sony6060]

Electrostatic panels fail. I would rather gamble at the casino with a pretty woman on my arm.

 

[chicks]

Electrostatic panels fail.

Foam surrounds rot. Spiders sag. Voice coils rub. Ferrofluid leaks. What's your point?

 

[62sunbeam]

Boys boys boys!

I've pretty much mastered refoaming, reconing, tweeter repair, emit repair, Maggie repair including torn Mylar and recapping so I figure they're worth a try.

I do really enjoy my DQ-20s so I'm curious to hear if anyone has heard both. Many prefer the ribbon tweeter sound of the R Maggie's but I prefer the range of the DQs and I feel the highs of DQ-20s and 30s are pretty spectacular and the mids and lows have the visceral feel I love.

I know the 57s are quite capable but will they outshine what I have and enjoy?

Thanks

Eric

 

[62sunbeam]

The seller, with whom I have spoken three times, is apparently shining me on.

Someone else wants to deal with him have at it.

Thanks

Eric

 

[Jenkster]

A friend of mine in Roseville who is a great tech. bagged them. He said they are going to be a lot of work but he is optomistic he will get them up and running. Thanks for the heads up Chicks.:thmbsp:

 

[hatrack71]

The two bass panels are missing in the left one in the pic of both from the rear.. you can see right through to the front grills. Another indicator is the lack of burlap in the rear as well. Still a killer deal though but I'm surprised no one else noticed this.

 

[62sunbeam]

I guess I'm kind of glad it didn't work out for me as the seller told me they were 100% complete save the wood trim pieces.

Oh well

Eric

 

[Jenkster]

That, and the stands were missing and the grills are bent. My friend said the high voltage power supply on the first speaker was toast. He's hoping that is the only issue. The panels don't appear to be fried. Hasn't got to speaker #2 yet.

 

[gogofast]

The two bass panels are missing in the left one in the pic of both from the rear.. you can see right through to the front grills. Another indicator is the lack of burlap in the rear as well. Still a killer deal though but I'm surprised no one else noticed this.

the bass panels are there. you can see two lines of rivets in each panel. it's just that the burlap material is missing. it's a sweet deal only if none of those panels have spots that are arced.