Long story short - I can buy some UK built Quad 989s at a low price ($500). They look great physically, but they arc audibly. Two questions:
1) Is the price actually low, or will I end up spending a fortune to repair them?
2) Can I actually repair them (I'm quite handy in the DIY department mechanically and electronically)? This would be my first electrostats, so I assume there will be some learning curve.
1) Is the price actually low, or will I end up spending a fortune to repair them?
2) Can I actually repair them (I'm quite handy in the DIY department mechanically and electronically)? This would be my first electrostats, so I assume there will be some learning curve.
Going by what I typically see on ebay, that price seems good for a pair that needs work, but is in decent shape otherwise. If you want to have them repaired, Sheldon's prices are here:
SDS Audio Labs - Quad Refurbishing
If you want to do the work yourself, the links below show what's involved in work and materials. It's an involved process, but if you are motivated and have good mechanical aptitude, it's doable. An ESL-63 is shown, but the internals are basically the same in the 989.
Quad ESL-63 rebuild by Hey You
Quad ESL repair by Hey You
Quad 63 Repair Kit
SDS Audio Labs - Quad Refurbishing
If you want to do the work yourself, the links below show what's involved in work and materials. It's an involved process, but if you are motivated and have good mechanical aptitude, it's doable. An ESL-63 is shown, but the internals are basically the same in the 989.
Quad ESL-63 rebuild by Hey You
Quad ESL repair by Hey You
Quad 63 Repair Kit
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I bought a pair of 988 for quite a bit more than $500 and fixed them myself. They are currently my reference (awesome). After buying / restoring the 988, I bought two pairs of ESL-63 (essentially same) locally for peanuts and refurbed one with one more to go. Winter project along with a pair of Magnepan Tympani T-Id I need to rewire...
Also bought a ESL repair kit that I have not yet opened. I have been lucky that none of my Quad panels had ripped mylar, just stators that needed to be glued down...
Also bought a ESL repair kit that I have not yet opened. I have been lucky that none of my Quad panels had ripped mylar, just stators that needed to be glued down...
I contacted Sheldon and he was very helpful (kudos!)
If I understand him correctly, the arcing appears to be due to stators that need to be glued down. That doesn't look particularly hard to do, but perhaps time consuming. Do I have that right? Also, what kind of glue would one use?
If I understand him correctly, the arcing appears to be due to stators that need to be glued down. That doesn't look particularly hard to do, but perhaps time consuming. Do I have that right? Also, what kind of glue would one use?
You will have to completely tear down all panels and rebuild everything if you want lasting satisfaction over time.
Your asking a simple question but it is not a simple fix.
Trying to fix one panel at a time will lead to frustration realizing the number of panels that will have the same issues ready to go out at this age.
Regards
David
Your asking a simple question but it is not a simple fix.
Trying to fix one panel at a time will lead to frustration realizing the number of panels that will have the same issues ready to go out at this age.
Regards
David
I rebuilt my 988's using the kit from ER audio. Great kit and documentation, plus the owner is very helpful. I would buy that kit again if I had to rebuild a set of Quads.
I would recommend doing a complete rebuild including new diaphragms since you will have the speakers completely apart anyway.
I would recommend doing a complete rebuild including new diaphragms since you will have the speakers completely apart anyway.
Also you will want to replace the little filter cap in the low voltage power supply. It is rated at 16V and the power supply runs them at about 16.5V which shortens their lifespan. I put in 25V 1000uf caps (105C 10000hr) and never have to worry bout them again.
if it goes bad, the clamp circuit can get overly sensitive and clamp all the time. very annoying and can blow up an amp.
BTW, the later 2805's and the 2912's have a 25 volt cap in that spot. It only took them 25 years to fix that one...
Sheldon
if it goes bad, the clamp circuit can get overly sensitive and clamp all the time. very annoying and can blow up an amp.
BTW, the later 2805's and the 2912's have a 25 volt cap in that spot. It only took them 25 years to fix that one...
Sheldon