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Amp for esl63- rotel/nad

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Posted on October 11, 2014 at 03:47:23
digda_beat
Audiophile

Posts: 1723
Location: Canberra
Joined: July 31, 2003
 I have a rotel RB-971 power amp that I am planning to use for my esl63's which I should be getting back from repairer soon. I am wondering if anyone has tried using this amp or similar with the esl63. I also have a NAD c30, which I used to use with 57's. I had a look at the manual, but it doesn't say how much power it gives- I was thinking it would be 20 watts (hence the name?), but I gather that the BEE version is 50 watts, so it might be a candidate

 

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RE: Amp for esl63- rotel/nad , posted on October 11, 2014 at 05:25:52
louie3
 Right now, the best amp I have heard in my system with my ESL 63's is a slightly modified Quad 909.

The synergy is quite obvious. I have used several other amplifiers, two in particular that cost almost three times as much as the Quad, and none come close.

It is also obvious that the 909's 140 wpc into eight ohms is not too much for the speakers.

I was so taken with the 909/63 combination I bought another 909 as a backup.

Please don't tell momma.

 

RE: Amp for esl63- rotel/nad , posted on October 12, 2014 at 02:47:24
Zombie
Audiophile

Posts: 772
Joined: March 5, 2002
 I second the 909 recommendation. Some remove the Quadlink board on the input...

 

RE: Amp for esl63- rotel/nad , posted on October 12, 2014 at 07:34:19
louie3
 Removing the Quadlink board makes a significant improvement in perceived transparency.

One of my two 909 amps has had the Quadlink removed and silver wire run from the input jacks directly to the driver boards.

The stock amp only sounds great, the slightly modified one sounds fantabulous.

Again, I have had Quad 63's for a long time, had probably a dozen amps, tube and solid state, and nothing touches even the stock 909.

They are relatively inexpensive used and seem very reliable.

 

RE: Amp for esl63- rotel/nad , posted on October 17, 2014 at 06:03:08
Plinko
Audiophile

Posts: 1708
Location: N East, USA
Joined: July 21, 2005
 Did you do the work on your 909 yourself or can you recommend someone?

In your comparisons, did you compare to tube amps? I don't think I have found the perfect solid state amp for Quads.

 

RE: Amp for esl63- rotel/nad , posted on October 17, 2014 at 06:54:06
louie3
 I did the mods to the 909 myself. It is not complicated from an electronics standpoint, but the 909, because it is built to the compact British style, is a bit of a pain to work on mechanically.

Unless you are good to very good at taking things apart and putting them back together correctly, I would let a "qualified technician" do the work.

I would be less than candid if I did not admit I had some issues the first time I powered up the amp because I did not do a good job of noting and marking where some of the wiring went. The fuses in the 909 are not a regular stock item at local parts houses here!!!!!!

On my amp, the power LED was removed with the Quadlink board so there is nothing to indicate the amp is on. This is a minor thing, but I do wish I could figure out how to have the LED work.

I have a pair of Consonance M800SE tube amps that are 75 watts each that I used to drive the 63's before I bought the 909.

With the tube amps, I needed subs. With the 909 I could live happily with the 63's running full range. The extra power of the 909 vs. the tube amps drives the 63's very well without invoking the clamp mechanism.

I had a pair of Classe DR8's run as monoblocks which are very good solid state amps. The 909 murdered them. The DR8's sounded dull and flat.

There is an audible synergy between the 909 and the ESL 63, which makes some sense, but was still a surprise.

Hope this answers some of your questions.

An unmodded 909 can be bought for less than $900 US, if you can find one.

 

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