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Quad ESL 63's

I think you'll not need any more speakers in, well...ever. So in a way, that could be a bargain. I know they're not cheap but when I was looking for speakers to fill the gap that was eventually filled by my $3000 refurbished ESL-63s, the options that came close were all over $10,000. And even then, they didn't immediately grab me like these did. They'll do rock, but yes, they shine on jazz and the like. Who needs a cookie jar, anyway? :). With what you got them for I would think you could be out of them at a slight profit if you decide they're not for you (which doesn't sound like it would happen...glad you can hear enough of what they do to make it seem like less of a risk).

Congratulations!
 
chicks said:
Gonna empty the audio cookie jar, but for the music I most enjoy, nothing else compares to what I've heard emanating from these, even in their current condition. The current Quad equivalents are $10K - $12K, so I'm looking at this as a bargain. ;)

I did look at the DIY options, but I'm not going there. Electronics DIY, yes. This, no way.

Thanks, John!
Click to expand...

sounds like you got the electrostatic fever. don't blame you. that's exactly how i felt when i heard a pair of those. foolishly, i took the diy path and probably wasted away hours and hours of my time and same amount of money. very wise choice to send them off to the experts.:thmbsp:
 
JohnVF said:
Who needs a cookie jar, anyway? :).
Click to expand...

Not me... :no: ;)

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/ele/3595649833.html

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Are you sending them to estatsolutions? I'd be interested to hear how that experience goes. I looked at them when I got my 63's, which need a panel or two rebuilt. I don't have a cookie jar and would have to find someone elses to raid......
 
sol7 said:
Are you sending them to estatsolutions? I'd be interested to hear how that experience goes.
Click to expand...

Yes, Kent runs his business like a business, not a hobby, and clearly knows what he's doing. He'll be sending out shipping boxes next week, and is arranging for a truck to pick them up at my door. I'll keep this thread updated over the next month or so that it will take.
 
Maybe a thread in the Speakers forum with pics of dismantling/packing/reassembling.......:scratch2:

Is shipping included in the prices quoted on their site?
 
sol7 said:
Maybe a thread in the Speakers forum with pics of dismantling/packing/reassembling.......:scratch2:

Is shipping included in the prices quoted on their site?
Click to expand...

Return shipping, yes. You pay shipping to get them there.
 
I run the Dynaco MK III (Will Vincent rebuilt with meters on the front) and like the pairing a lot.
Some say the Quad 909/99 combo was built to match the Quad ESL 63. Never them together so can not attest to that.
 
I run the Dynaco MK III (Will Vincent rebuilt with meters on the front) and like the pairing a lot.
Some say the Quad 909/99 combo was built to match the Quad ESL 63. Never them together so can not attest to that.
 
The original owner was powering them with a Quad 405-2. My understanding is that tube amps are good, as they will shrug off the 1R5 load when the speaker self-protects. Lateral MOSFETs are also extremely rugged into very low impedance loads.

One of the advantages of the ESL's push-pull design is inherently low distortion, far lower than conventional speakers, and lower than many amps, particularly tube amps. I'm no fan of tubes, having owned them (still have the hybrid MAC-1700), greatly preferring the objective performance of good SS amps. I will probably run these on the Renardson MJR7, which offers distortion leves an order of magnitude or more lower than most of my other amps, and with Lateral MOSFET outputs, is well protected.
 
I'm not familiar with that amp but I'm in general agreement with you in regards to tubes. I really like them, but I've found them to also offer a pain in the butt that is out or proportion to what they give back, in relation so some very good and good sounding solid state options. You certainly don't need tubes on the ESL-63 to get good sound out. I wouldn't turn down a pair of Atma-Sphere OTL monoblocks if they were offered, though.
 
Wow, it's been a year. Haven't had any desire to move to other speakers since having these refurb'd. :smoke:
 
chicks said:
Wow, it's been a year. Haven't had any desire to move to other speakers since having these refurb'd. :smoke:
Click to expand...

Though I'm not at all surprised, that's very good to hear!
One of my sets suffered a torn bass panel in my last move, and although it's really only a spare set right now (sitting in their boxes in the basement), I'm considering who/if I should send them to for refurbishment.

Obviously the folks who did yours must have done an acceptable job, as you seem very happy. Since this IS the Dollars & Sense section, do you mind telling me how extensive your work was, and how much it ended up costing?
 
Kent at estatsolutions sent me shipping boxes with foam padding. He then set up the pickup by UPS Freight, and a huge 18-wheeler pulled up and hauled them away. Kent refurb'd all the panels, replaced the dust covers, replaced the grillcloth with a more transparent weave, and blackened the bases to match the new grillcloth. He said mine were the era that had the best electronics, so he didn't need to replace anything, but he makes replacement electronics, which the guy in FL buys from him, too.

About $2K total, including the original $200 to pick them up from CL, and all shipping charges, which must have been steep. Compared to the new QUADs, a real bargain, and probably hold up pretty well in comparison, though I've not heard the new ones. Peter Walker knew what he was doing, at least on the technical side.
 
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