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Post by antonio on Jul 13, 2022 15:00:57 GMT
Well an unexpected purchase had to be collected yesterday, and I can't blame @jandl for this one, the finger is pointing at you Chris (Optical)  , yes they are Quad ESL 57's and have recently been refurbished by One Thing Audio. As you will appreciate they haven't really had time to warm up yet but what I'm hearing I am liking. The common complaint about lacking bass is obvious even to me, but in my small room I really don't care, I'm not a bass freak anyway. My 7 watt amp was a concern when buying them, but it drives them with ease to levels above what I would normally listen at. To make you all green with envy here's a photo.  |
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Post by Arke on Jul 13, 2022 15:03:55 GMT
Well an unexpected purchase had to be collected yesterday, and I can't blame @jandl for this one, the finger is pointing at you Chris (Optical) , yes they are Quad ESL 57's and have recently been refurbished by One Thing Audio. As you will appreciate they haven't really had time to warm up yet but what I'm hearing I am liking. The common complaint about lacking bass is obvious even to me, but in my small room I really don't care, I'm not a bass freak anyway. My 7 watt amp was a concern when buying them, but it drives them with ease to levels above what I would normally listen at. To make you all green with envy here's a photo. Fantastic, love the presentation and soundstage electrostatics produce. Maybe a sub one day 😉! |
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Post by misterc on Jul 13, 2022 15:29:55 GMT
No helping some people  Nice pick Dave they look likesomeone has been putting some TLC their way  |
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Post by antonio on Jul 13, 2022 15:34:44 GMT
misterc One Thing Audio, only refurbished last month, the seller gave me the receipt. Oh, I refurb'ed the feet with a can of black spray paint. 
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optical
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Post by optical on Jul 13, 2022 15:52:51 GMT
Nice one Dave, they look awesome.
Running them with a sub (or two) was a revelation though, even though you say you're not a "bass freak" that's not even the half of it.
It does have the effect of elevating the mid-range and top end of the quads, completely underpinning the music. Even in soft acoustic stuff where you wouldn't expect much LF information to be found, it can make quite a staggering difference.
Whilst the amp is certainly adequate for your listening levels it may also be slightly responsible for lower perceived bass output. I've gotten good bass response from all kinds of quads but they do need a few more watts with big transformers if used with valve amps.
All that said they are perfectly enjoyable as they are I'm sure and I left my first pair for quite a while before doing anything extra with them.
First couple of weeks I was racing home from work for long sessions into the night just to hear how this or that song would sound.
Awesome Dave.
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 13, 2022 16:17:50 GMT
antonioThey look in tip-top condition! Nice find.
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Post by pete on Jul 13, 2022 16:27:50 GMT
antonioThey look fantastic, but must say, your small room not looks considerably smaller
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Post by antonio on Jul 13, 2022 16:28:07 GMT
Thanks Chris, something for me to think about as a future purchase, it mustn't be forgotten this is only a 2nd system, and gets used for maybe 10-20 hours per week. I'm listening to Larry Carlton now as our evening meal is being cooked, and I can hear what all the fuss was about these speakers.
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Post by stryder5 on Jul 13, 2022 16:57:07 GMT
You have too much money......hope you love them!
Gary
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optical
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Post by optical on Jul 13, 2022 17:07:18 GMT
Dave,
do you have the refurbished spec to hand, I would be interested to know if they have the latest (third) version of the One Thing OTEC panels or if they were 'just' rebuilt?
I assume they have also had the transformer/clamp boards done at the same time?
Did they install proper binding posts at the rear too as the originals are pretty naff?
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Post by antonio on Jul 13, 2022 17:50:41 GMT
optical1. All panels rebuilt 2. 2 x RBT57 Eht - 2 x CLP57 Clamp 3Transformer update 4IEC + New wiring 5 2 x Labour They have not installed proper binding posts, the sockets that are there are pretty naff and very close together.
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Post by optical on Jul 13, 2022 17:59:37 GMT
optical1. All panels rebuilt 2. 2 x RBT57 Eht - 2 x CLP57 Clamp 3Transformer update 4IEC + New wiring 5 2 x Labour They have not installed proper binding posts, the sockets that are there are pretty naff and very close together. Cheers for that Dave, sounds a good spec and likely everything will improve for 100 hours or so, that's been my experience with rebuilt quads, depending on how much they have been 'burnt in' anyway. Enjoy |
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Post by firebottle on Jul 13, 2022 19:07:11 GMT
Well done Dave, now get them on stands that bring them up about 13-15 inches off the floor, also tilt them forward a bit.
Much better result will be had.
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Post by jandl100 on Jul 13, 2022 20:12:27 GMT
Hey, nice one, Dave.
I agree with Alan, raise them a foot or so and with less backwards tilt.
Good to hear they are OK with your 7wpc valves, not really surprising as they were designed for the 15wpc Quad II amps. What's 3db between friends?
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Post by antonio on Jul 14, 2022 4:42:02 GMT
Well done Dave, now get them on stands that bring them up about 13-15 inches off the floor, also tilt them forward a bit. Much better result will be had. Chris has already mentioned they could do with lifting of the floor, I'll have to have a look round for something suitable, cheap and looks a million dollars. |
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Post by macca on Jul 16, 2022 7:33:40 GMT
QUAD ESL! Did not see that coming.
IMO one of the few vintage speakers that still compete with the best of the modern ones.
Tins of tomatoes under the legs to raise them up is traditional. Wrap some black duck tape around them, no-one will be any the wiser.
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Post by antonio on Jul 16, 2022 8:56:57 GMT
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Post by stevew on Jul 16, 2022 9:19:49 GMT
Wow.. they just look great.
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Post by macca on Jul 16, 2022 9:25:52 GMT
The bench options look like an idea. I think as long as they have the width for the speaker to sit comfortably without teetering you'll be fine, you got no dogs or cats to potentially crash into them I take it? |
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Post by Arke on Jul 16, 2022 13:35:19 GMT
Well done Dave, now get them on stands that bring them up about 13-15 inches off the floor, also tilt them forward a bit. Much better result will be had. Chris has already mentioned they could do with lifting of the floor, I'll have to have a look round for something suitable, cheap and looks a million dollars. Any chance you could extend the legs a little? Perhaps some nice aluminium or stainless steel tube with the correct internal diameter to slide snugly on? Tubes could be painted too and put some nice feet on end? Existing legs could be wrapped with rubber/tape to prevent damage and give a good fit. It may look elegant with an extension of the existing legs? |
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Post by antonio on Jul 16, 2022 14:16:31 GMT
Arke I'll have a look for something suitable to use as legs while in B & Q, I've never been a big diy'er, and I don't have the tools now, since everything I had was sold/given away when I emigrated 15 years ago.
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Arke
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Post by Arke on Jul 16, 2022 14:44:11 GMT
Arke I'll have a look for something suitable to use as legs while in B & Q, I've never been a big diy'er, and I don't have the tools now, since everything I had was sold/given away when I emigrated 15 years ago. This place has a massive selection of Ally tube: www.metals4u.co.uk/materials/aluminium/aluminium-tube?p=21000mm of 25.4mm tube is about £11 plus delivery. Probably just a hacksaw and sandpaper required? EDIT: Perhaps some chrome plated copper pipe would work well. Could be in 22 or 25mm perhaps and just slide on? |
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Post by antonio on Jul 16, 2022 14:59:14 GMT
My problem is cutting the tube, and cutting it at the correct angle, I just don't have the tools to do everything. If you look at the photos of the Quad's the legs are splayed. Making a table similar to my links using wood would probably be the easiest option for me. Anyway I'll have a look to see what legs are for sale.
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Post by Arke on Jul 16, 2022 15:04:08 GMT
My problem is cutting the tube, and cutting it at the correct angle, I just don't have the tools to do everything. If you look at the photos of the Quad's the legs are splayed. Making a table similar to my links using wood would probably be the easiest option for me. Anyway I'll have a look to see what legs are for sale. I guess you just cut with a hacksaw or pipe cutter (about £12). Maybe just cut at 90 degrees and put a rubber boot on the end? Completely understand that maybe a table is easier |
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Post by pete on Jul 16, 2022 15:57:37 GMT
My problem is cutting the tube, and cutting it at the correct angle, I just don't have the tools to do everything. If you look at the photos of the Quad's the legs are splayed. Making a table similar to my links using wood would probably be the easiest option for me. Anyway I'll have a look to see what legs are for sale. I guess you just cut with a hacksaw or pipe cutter (about £12). Maybe just cut at 90 degrees and put a rubber boot on the end? Completely understand that maybe a table is easier Think this could look really smart, with relatively little outlay. What could possibly go wrong??!  |
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Post by antonio on Jul 16, 2022 17:17:39 GMT
pete My measuring and my sawing is the simple answer
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Post by antonio on Jul 16, 2022 18:59:56 GMT
I've purchased one of the above links, looked at what I can buy to make something suitable and it could work out more expensive to diy a stand.
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Post by antonio on Jul 27, 2022 14:54:10 GMT
Very happy with the stands purchased, well actually stools, but I don't think they look half bad. I was worried they may be too high, although I'm happy with them as they are:-  At the expense of upsetting Optical I may have another surprise or two in the wings. |
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 27, 2022 20:56:50 GMT
Very happy with the stands purchased, well actually stools, but I don't think they look half bad. I was worried they may be too high, although I'm happy with them as they are:- At the expense of upsetting Optical I may have another surprise or two in the wings. Suspense!!!! |
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Post by antonio on Jul 28, 2022 7:13:28 GMT
Not one to keep you all in suspense too long, here's a photo of a pretty little box, courtesy of a great price by Peter Tyson and an extra 10% off with ebay   Sorry about the mess, bloody cables and the Fragile tape is a marker for positioning my other speakers. I plumbed the sub in yesterday, left it running for 2/3 hours and early this morning given them a listen, only low level, but I have to say I am very happy. Being new to subs, it is quite an experience at what they are capable of, and using with the Quad's really adds depth without you even realising the bass is not coming from the speaker. I know I have some experiments still to do and give them more time to 'run in', but can they really get any better than this? Here's a short video by REL to give you a better view and also I don't think he his giving you any sales bullsh#t. I did see a review where the reviewer compared his Strata iii, a 10yr old model but of a similar quality, this newer model is less than half the size, faster and digs as deep as the older model: |
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, yes they are Quad ESL 57's and have recently been refurbished by One Thing Audio.
Nice pick Dave they look likesomeone has been putting some TLC their way 
