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Tubes Asylum Questions about tubes and gear that glows. FAQ |
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Tubes Asylum Questions about tubes and gear that glows. FAQ |
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In Reply to: advice on a warm sweet (real vocal midrange) tub amp.. posted by pianoman on November 6, 2002 at 02:38:32:
I owned and sold a pair of the Quad ESL63s, which had the bass problem you describe to an even greater degree, as they had less radiating surface. I tried using Arcici stands filled with lead 00 pellet; the bass tightened up but virtually disappeared below 100 hz. There are a few givens about all modern Quad ESLs (ESL63 and subsequent) : First, they have a punishing impedance drop in the upper mid and treble which tube amps find difficult. You can somewhat compensate buy connecting to the 4 ohm tap, but I found that destroyed the lower mids and gave a very dry, sterile presentation. Second, to "breathe" properly and get the sense of ease and grace that is the essence of any electrostat you need 200 WPC+ on your new quads (or an exceptionally well-designed 100 WPC twin 845 type amp) I know many will disagree, but they are WRONG!!! Anyone who has actually heard quads and not just owned them in a pipe dream will know what I am talking about. It's not that the speakers need huge power slammed into them (although at 85 db efficient for the ESL63, they kinda did) they just need an amp that is never strained on dynamic passages. The amp choking on huge power demands is what gives the quads the thinness in the upper midrange/vocals you describe. You will HATE an MV60 on them. Finally, the quads are simply not capable of producing deep, full, tight bass. This is not a criticism or a flaw in the speaker, just fact. I called Quad in the UK once and spoke to their senior engineer to ask if bypassing the electrolytic cap they have on the ESL63s' input would give me better bass. In a voice dripping with sarcasm, he asked me what my "program material" consisted of. I got past one or two favorites (rock and roll and R and B.... I think I said the MFSL Beatles set and Otis Redding) and he interrupted me to say that most quad owners listen exclusively to "chamber music, opera and other classical." When my finances were better, I actually had two complete systems, one based on the ESL63s with 250 WPC homebrew tube amps and another based on Altec VOTs and a pair of Heath W-3s. Quads need BIG power to breathe; they will make sound with less, they will not make MUSIC with low power amps. Ironically, before I sold them, I hooked up an old Hafler DH500 to them (Lady and the Tramp?) and surprisingly got quite good results. Best of luck; the Quads are one of the 10 best speakers in the world-- you can spend a lifetime trying to get a system that is their equal. I never could. Chris P.S. I always ran mine with the "socks" down and the metal grids covering the mylar dustcovers removed. Much better midrange that way.
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Follow Ups
- Re: advice on a warm sweet (real vocal midrange) tub amp.. - Chris Spafford 08:46:01 11/06/02 (0)
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