I just picked up two sets of Quad ESL-57s. The story behind them is that they have been sitting in a closet for 30 years. They came with original boxes, a manual, all the power cords etc.
I am slowly dissecting what I need to do to get them up and running. The first one I opened up has clear arcing on the tweeter panel and the rear dust shield on all the panels are torn.
I know that I am definitely in for rebuilding of the tweeter panels. I suspect that the woofer panels may work, but having been exposed to dust for so long, I am nervous to power them up. I definitely need to go through and replace the diodes and resistors.
Being that this is my first playing with ESLs. What do you guys think? Should I just jump in and rebuild them 100%?
I am slowly dissecting what I need to do to get them up and running. The first one I opened up has clear arcing on the tweeter panel and the rear dust shield on all the panels are torn.
I know that I am definitely in for rebuilding of the tweeter panels. I suspect that the woofer panels may work, but having been exposed to dust for so long, I am nervous to power them up. I definitely need to go through and replace the diodes and resistors.
Being that this is my first playing with ESLs. What do you guys think? Should I just jump in and rebuild them 100%?
Every 57 should be restored. Has the best low level detail and downward dynamic range of any speaker made, literally.
It sacrifices upward dynamics in the process , but not having to play loud , you can listen for longer spells without ultimate long term hearing damage. If you crave loud all the time, these are not for you...,
I have 4 of these also and just completed a successful 988 panel rebuild and mods.
Just make sure you use the protection boards for the tweeter panels. There are plenty of boards available to replace all the other electronics as well and a good idea.
Midrange magic is right around the corner...,
Regards
David
It sacrifices upward dynamics in the process , but not having to play loud , you can listen for longer spells without ultimate long term hearing damage. If you crave loud all the time, these are not for you...,
I have 4 of these also and just completed a successful 988 panel rebuild and mods.
Just make sure you use the protection boards for the tweeter panels. There are plenty of boards available to replace all the other electronics as well and a good idea.
Midrange magic is right around the corner...,
Regards
David
I just want to add that you are not likely able to rebuild the tweeters, they should be replaced instead. The torn dust cover on the bass panels can be easily replaced or fixed with adhesive tape, at least provisionally. Bass panels are seldom arcing. First thing is to wet clean everything (cables, HT unit, etc.) thoroughly, and let it dry out.
I definitely plan on putting in new diodes, the gas discharge tweeter panel protection. The original owner had the matching Quad tube amps and preamp to go with them. They were outside of my pricerange. I heard a set of these stacked at the Montreal HiFi show about 15 years ago and they made enough of an impression that I jumped into these without pause.
Why do you say that the tweeter panels should be replaced instead of rebuilt? There are several long write-ups about how to do it and suppliers of the materials needed. I rebuilt a set of Magnepan MGIIs a couple years ago. That gave me a bit more confidence about this project.
Sorry I didn't know that. I supposed you are an average user
I did many things on my pair from complete rebuilding of the EHT to full dust cover replacement, but taken the necessary time, clean environment and patience, I would think twice to do it. My first tweeters were also burnt. I "repaired" them by cutting/scraping the burnt plastic stators, and fixed the diaphragm at the burned point with some glue. It worked, but at the end I ordered a pair of replacement from Quad themselves. They were different than the originals, also had different frequncy response.
I have completely rebuilt two sets of the 57's. Not that difficult. But patience and the details are important. I would rebuild all the panels at once. The prep work takes a lot of time. The actual work on the panels does not take that much time.
AVWERK Did you use different film and coatings for your 988's. My pair just started arcing and I need to rebuild them. Any advice would be appreciated.
John
AVWERK Did you use different film and coatings for your 988's. My pair just started arcing and I need to rebuild them. Any advice would be appreciated.
John
They indeed are. A friend has a triple set, almost floor-to-ceiling. He drives it with 6 Quad IIs.
Before he had them restored one could hear the plastic covers (or something like that).
dave
I beg to differ on the treble panel rebuilding. 🙂
Depending on if the bass panels were operated without the dust covers will determine how likely you are to have issues. You should vacuum them out and fix the dust covers and think hopeful thoughts.
They are nice speakers and worth rebuilding.
Sheldon
quadesl.com
Johnmarkp
On the 988 I used 3um and Martin Dijkstra,s coating. My air tube jig does 2 panels at one time and matching the stock panel peak resonance was the hard part, but was doable
Thanx Martin !
Regards
David
On the 988 I used 3um and Martin Dijkstra,s coating. My air tube jig does 2 panels at one time and matching the stock panel peak resonance was the hard part, but was doable
Thanx Martin !
Regards
David
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