Swan by AHL any info? ESL

[clytle374]

Hi everyone, it's my first post here. Been lurking in the tube section for years. I just got these with the understanding that one went pop while idle and was stored for years afterwards. Anyway they work and sound great, or at least better than anything i've heard in a long time...But I don't get to hear much, so they might be the worst ESLs in the world. lol

Currently being driven with a 16 watt tube amp. I know, not nearly enough.

Back tag shows Made in France by AHL BP5 30311 ALES

Google didn't show any hits on them, just wondering if anyone can tell me anything about them.

 

[DieterK]

Search "Tolteque AHL Loudspeaker" ...

 

[bolserst]

Thanks for sharing pics of your ESLs 🙂
According to audiocircuit website, there were a couple different models Swan ESLs. (Audiocircuit - Tolteque)

Attached is a review I had in my archives from a French magazines including some pics and measurements.
At some point I planned to translate the text with google-translator, but haven't gotten around to it.
Looks like this Swan model is slightly wider then yours.

 

[clytle374]

Now repair

Thanks for the info, I added a few pictures. I need to look into using google translate on a pdf. Can't read french.

Now I have a problem or 2, need some advice.

 

[clytle374]

I saw an arc and immediately thought that was the end of the speakers. Found it was on the board between the yellow and green wires(from the audio transformer) bad carbon burn. Ground it out of the board, and they work again. Not sure what caused it. I was only maybe peaking 30W when it happened, still not loud. Dad's been bugging me to work on his carver TFM-35, so I used the opportunity to use it a while. Like an idiot I didn't bring the preamp, so that's all the power I can deliver still. 🙁


The other speaker has some silicone looking stuff on the board to insulate it, where do you find this stuff? I can make those boards easily, so no to worried.

Also in the previous post's pictures you can see a coating peeling from the plates. This leaves leads to my real concern. I don't know if this coating is on the diaphragm side of the plates, if so it's going to cause a problem soon. You can see bolts, is there a chance I can unbolt them to remove them? Then strip and re-coat? Powder coat? Or are they clamping the diaphragm too?

Thanks for any advice, I'd like to keep these working for a while at least. Maybe I was given a pile of parts to build from? Thanks again

Cory

 

[Calvin]

Hi,

you can use any silicone or acrylic from a DIY store or any PU, acrylic laquer, or clear nail polish.
If possible You can also cut a small slit into the PCB between the wires.
Air is quite a good insulator and can´t form a carbon track.

jauu
Calvin

 

[clytle374]

Thanks, now to figure out what to do with the coating that is peeling off

Cory

 

[bolserst]

If possible You can also cut a small slit into the PCB between the wires.

That's a great idea.
Seems odd that they chose to position those HV wire solder points so close together with all the space available on the PC board.

 

[clytle374]

That's a great idea.
Seems odd that they chose to position those HV wire solder points so close together with all the space available on the PC board.

The really don't have much room on that board actually. It's close to the transformer frame underneath. Not too worried about that, I can hand make a replacement board for that.

Guess I'm going to run these things and hope that coating is only on the outside of those plates

Cory

 

[Holo]

AHL SWAN

Hi,
I own the AHL SWANs in a wonderful wooden housing but the film is no longer conductible. Therefore i want to sell them

Best regards
Holo