Planar Speaker Asylum

Welcome! Need support, you got it. Or share your ideas and experiences.

Return to Planar Speaker Asylum

Message Sort: Post Order or Asylum Reverse Threaded

Generosity beyond expectation.

122.60.174.151
Posted on October 10, 2014 at 22:29:54
jusbe
Audiophile

Posts: 5950
Location: North Island
Joined: April 4, 2000
 As recently as two weeks ago, I was working on my mid-term plan for getting some Quads to listen to. Hopefully to refurbish, somewhere down the line.

The Audio Gods have delivered. Big time. Today, I collected a pair of stacked Quads that were given to me.

Given to me.

I've got them home but I'm still in shock that, as a result of a chance conversation in the staff room bar, overheard by another staff member, I now have a pair of these vintage beauties to play with.







I even received a spare treble panel. And I simply don't know where to start...

Big J

"... only a very few individuals understand as yet that personal salvation is a contradiction in terms."


 

Hide full thread outline!
    ...
RE: Generosity beyond expectation., posted on October 11, 2014 at 03:41:31
digda_beat
Audiophile

Posts: 1724
Location: Canberra
Joined: July 31, 2003
 wow, Im in shock too- what a great gift!

 

RE: Generosity beyond expectation., posted on October 11, 2014 at 07:37:18
Satie
Audiophile

Posts: 5426
Joined: July 6, 2002
 Well then, really really congrats!!! Stacked quads a really terrific and were the heart of the legendary HQD system.

You are so lucky.

I think you would want to take the speakers further into the room and clear out the chair ottoman and excess speakers.

 

RE: Generosity beyond expectation., posted on October 11, 2014 at 13:10:45
mcdonald43
Audiophile

Posts: 212
Joined: November 21, 2009
 They are ruthlessly revealing of everything in the path upstream. The best amp I have ever heard drive my Quads are the Atma-Sphere OTL's.

 

RE: Generosity beyond expectation., posted on October 11, 2014 at 16:00:56
Sondek
Audiophile

Posts: 9632
Location: Fort Worth
Joined: May 17, 2000
Contributor
  Since: April 5, 2002
 Be sure to send the responsible party a Christmas card! A genuine dream come true. Good for you! Can only imagine how delighted you must be. Yes, it isn't until you get electrostats home and experience them for yourself, that you truly realize just how weak your weakest link is. They can be VERY, VERY revealing.

Enjoy them.

 

RE: Generosity beyond expectation., posted on October 11, 2014 at 16:14:57
Norman M
 Generosity even beyond the wildest imagination. Happy and healthy listening!

 

Yes., posted on October 11, 2014 at 16:28:58
jusbe
Audiophile

Posts: 5950
Location: North Island
Joined: April 4, 2000
 Yes - when I snapped that yesterday, I had just delivered the speakers home. Not time to rearrange yet but will start this week.

First off, I'll be making up some fresh power leads for the Bulgin plugs as the leads I have are rather decrepit. I may also seek some spare ones (Bulgin plugs) as they seem quite hard to replace and it may pay to have a few spare while they're still some around.

I notice some of the rivets in the bass panels have some 'white blooming' around them, suggesting they've oxidised in Auckland's humidity. Also, one of the bass panel's dust covers has a tear in it, somehow, despite the good frame design and mesh backing. Hmmm.

Big J

"... only a very few individuals understand as yet that personal salvation is a contradiction in terms."


 

Amps, posted on October 11, 2014 at 16:37:00
jusbe
Audiophile

Posts: 5950
Location: North Island
Joined: April 4, 2000

The amps I'll be starting with (stacks wired in series) are a pair of mint Beam Echo DL7-35s. True Mullard 5-20 amps, probably using reissue KT-77s to start (and spare the Mullards they came with).

If I decide I need four amps, I'd certainly be interested in sourcing some OTLs.



Big J

"... only a very few individuals understand as yet that personal salvation is a contradiction in terms."


 

RE: Generosity beyond expectation., posted on October 11, 2014 at 16:43:20
jusbe
Audiophile

Posts: 5950
Location: North Island
Joined: April 4, 2000
 Yes, I've been dreaming of this arrangement for some time. Even my wife is not put off by them! We're happy with out analogue (Garrard 401) and digital source at present (Lite Audio LT-1/DAC 83). Preamps are Audio Innovations L2 and P2 (for the Garrard). Amps will be Beam Echo DL7-35s.

Sadly, the donor, to whom I spoke for the first (and likely only time) last week, is in a local hospice. Apparently his friend and namesake had been charged with finding a good home for his Quads, and an overheard conversation at work, that I was having with someone else, identified me as that person. I had no idea.

We spoke about my musical education (violin, chorister, Royal Academy) and my love of vintage gear and its restoration.

I'll be making donations to some cancer charities on his behalf shortly.


Big J

"... only a very few individuals understand as yet that personal salvation is a contradiction in terms."


 

Thanks! Am delighted. -t, posted on October 11, 2014 at 16:43:47
jusbe
Audiophile

Posts: 5950
Location: North Island
Joined: April 4, 2000
Big J

"... only a very few individuals understand as yet that personal salvation is a contradiction in terms."


 

RE: Generosity beyond expectation., posted on October 13, 2014 at 05:15:02
Eddieh
Audiophile

Posts: 297
Location: Canada
Joined: December 19, 2003
 Eames and Quads. Nice pairing. :)

 

RE: Generosity beyond expectation., posted on October 13, 2014 at 10:54:42
jusbe
Audiophile

Posts: 5950
Location: North Island
Joined: April 4, 2000
 Thanks. Replicas, naturally.

The room is a bit of a mess right now as we only recently moved here. The Quads will certainly change arrangements!


Big J

"... only a very few individuals understand as yet that personal salvation is a contradiction in terms."


 

Cables?, posted on October 14, 2014 at 04:42:17
jusbe
Audiophile

Posts: 5950
Location: North Island
Joined: April 4, 2000
 Anyone have any advice on cables? I currently have DNM though these have light, 4mm ('leaf') banana plugs. Should I be using something else?


Big J

"... only a very few individuals understand as yet that personal salvation is a contradiction in terms."


 

RE: Cables?, posted on October 14, 2014 at 06:23:59
Satie
Audiophile

Posts: 5426
Joined: July 6, 2002
 Those are fine cables.. Listen with them and identify what you would want to sound different and we might be able to help with addressing it with cables - to the extent they can affect what you are looking for.

 

Groundwork., posted on October 17, 2014 at 23:58:19
jusbe
Audiophile

Posts: 5950
Location: North Island
Joined: April 4, 2000
 Thanks for your reply.

It's clear that, despite their great first impression, I have some work to do on 'opening up' the sound on these stacks. Cables could perhaps wait a while as I'm fairly used to these across a range of systems.

Maybe, now, I could usefully turn my mind (and funds) to panels, EHTs, clamp boards and so on.

Big J

"... only a very few individuals understand as yet that personal salvation is a contradiction in terms."


 

RE: Groundwork., posted on October 25, 2014 at 13:19:31
A.Wayne
Audiophile

Posts: 2527
Location: Front row center
Joined: November 30, 2011
 Hello ,

Stacked quads are sensitive to amplification, if your amp cannot deliver stability and power into a low Z load there will be no top end. If the speaker has not been serviced over the decades, this is also the first thing to go.


If not updated and serviced, arching will also be an issue..

Regards...

 

RE: Generosity beyond expectation., posted on October 26, 2014 at 07:41:23
c1ferrari
Audiophile

Posts: 640
Location: Southern California
Joined: March 16, 2001
 Very lovely gesture.

Vbr,
Sam

 

Generosity beyond expectation., posted on October 29, 2014 at 14:22:20
Steelhead
Audiophile

Posts: 863
Location: AK
Joined: December 11, 2003
 Wow, that is a score and a half.

You should have a ball with them.

Glad for you!!!!!!!!

 

RE: Generosity beyond expectation., posted on October 29, 2014 at 22:58:42
jusbe
Audiophile

Posts: 5950
Location: North Island
Joined: April 4, 2000
 Very.
Big J

"... only a very few individuals understand as yet that personal salvation is a contradiction in terms."


 

Thanks! -t, posted on October 30, 2014 at 02:46:08
jusbe
Audiophile

Posts: 5950
Location: North Island
Joined: April 4, 2000
Big J

"... only a very few individuals understand as yet that personal salvation is a contradiction in terms."


 

Updates., posted on October 30, 2014 at 02:48:29
jusbe
Audiophile

Posts: 5950
Location: North Island
Joined: April 4, 2000
 Yes - agreed. The amp is fine. Mullard 5-20 designs (Beam Echo DL7-35) with fresh tubes.

The panels all look past it and the electronics have not seen 'daylight' since they were made, it seems. They all need updating. Still, the essence of the design is there and music is still enjoyable, if not high-fidelity.

I have a plan. I now need to raise the cash!

Big J

"... only a very few individuals understand as yet that personal salvation is a contradiction in terms."


 

:^) -t, posted on November 2, 2014 at 03:59:51
jusbe
Audiophile

Posts: 5950
Location: North Island
Joined: April 4, 2000
Big J

"... only a very few individuals understand as yet that personal salvation is a contradiction in terms."


 

Page processed in 0.033 seconds.

[ Top Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2024, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]