This is insane...the Quad ESL

[awsmone]

Luck favours the well prepared

I managed to get my EML 20b preamp with transformers volume control back up by cryogenically freezing the failing tube

Not sure how long that will last

Searching the internet for a pair of replacements

 

[morricab]

I still have my Stax F81 speakers. I remember trying my old Lamm M1.1 on them. The Lamms just shut down. The three amps I liked using on them were the Krell FPB 300, the Spectral DMA 100 and the Quicksilver 135.

I found these speakers don't like SS amps at all...or hybrids...basically anything that is a voltage source because for most of the range they are high impedance speakers. They like current sources that can swing voltage. A Lamm ML1.1 would probably work better (90 watts of tube power). A KR VA350i also worked well on them but nothing did what this otherwise unimpressive Golden Tube Audio amp could do on them. It was like that amp was just waiting for a speaker like that.

 

[microstrip]

I found these speakers don't like SS amps at all...or hybrids...basically anything that is a voltage source because for most of the range they are high impedance speakers. They like current sources that can swing voltage. A Lamm ML1.1 would probably work better (90 watts of tube power). A KR VA350i also worked well on them but nothing did what this otherwise unimpressive Golden Tube Audio amp could do on them. It was like that amp was just waiting for a speaker like that.

The Lamm ML1.1 has an output impedance of 1 ohm. IMHO it is a good voltage source, although limited in current.

 

[awsmone]

I found these speakers don't like SS amps at all...or hybrids...basically anything that is a voltage source because for most of the range they are high impedance speakers. They like current sources that can swing voltage. A Lamm ML1.1 would probably work better (90 watts of tube power). A KR VA350i also worked well on them but nothing did what this otherwise unimpressive Golden Tube Audio amp could do on them. It was like that amp was just waiting for a speaker like that.

Interesting

The Weston I like but on the Quads it’s a killer ...the bass is amazing everything you could ask for

I assume the transformer is a good match with the wacky impedance of the bass panels

 

[Mosin]

I suppose this is somewhat related to the post. My apologies if not.

For several years, Dave Slagle has been developing a heavily inspired Quad speaker that is active. The electronics are tube, but it is a ground up endeavor. We showed them a couple years ago at RMAF, but I didn't feel they were ready for prime time. Others, however, raved about them. Dave showed them again at the last Capitol Audiofest, and one detractor who agreed with me at RMAF says they are perfected. If you see them at a show, and are in the market, they are worth a listen.

 

[Benanton]

Since buying restored 57s from Electrostatic Solutions a year ago I’ve somewhat compulsively looked for speakers that can better them but in my smallish room I haven’t been able to. Maybe it’s my less than perfect basement listening room that the QUADs happen to excel in, or my inability (maybe more my disinterest) to spend $15k+ on speakers, but I’m questioning how much better it can get (again, in my imperfect listening room). Partly it may be an unwillingness to except that a 60 year old design can be so advanced, but I’m pretty sure I’m done until something comes along and proves itself to be definitively better. Enjoy your new purchase!

 

[Audiophile Bill]

View attachment 43725Since buying restored 57s from Electrostatic Solutions a year ago I’ve somewhat compulsively looked for speakers that can better them but in my smallish room I haven’t been able to. Maybe it’s my less than perfect basement listening room that the QUADs happen to excel in, or my inability (maybe more my disinterest) to spend $15k+ on speakers, but I’m questioning how much better it can get (again, in my imperfect listening room). Partly it may be an unwillingness to except that a 60 year old design can be so advanced, but I’m pretty sure I’m done until something comes along and proves itself to be definitively better. Enjoy your new purchase!

I find your room and system really appealing. What amps and source are you using?

Great stuff.

 

[Benanton]

I find your room and system really appealing. What amps and source are you using?

Great stuff.

Thank you! I’ve tried a few amps but my favorite have been some custom Blue Circle. Sources: mostly vinyl, Kuzma Stabi M, Thorens TD-124, Garrard 301. For digital I have a Resolution Audio Cantata.

 

[morricab]

Interesting

The Weston I like but on the Quads it’s a killer ...the bass is amazing everything you could ask for

I assume the transformer is a good match with the wacky impedance of the bass panels

Stax start at around 40 ohms and go up to like 500 ohms in the mids before dropping steadily to about 3-4 ohms around 20Khz...a very wacky impedance curve. It makes SS amps sound really weak and thin as they are designed with low output impedance for current delivery and not really to swing high voltage.

 

[morricab]

View attachment 43725Since buying restored 57s from Electrostatic Solutions a year ago I’ve somewhat compulsively looked for speakers that can better them but in my smallish room I haven’t been able to. Maybe it’s my less than perfect basement listening room that the QUADs happen to excel in, or my inability (maybe more my disinterest) to spend $15k+ on speakers, but I’m questioning how much better it can get (again, in my imperfect listening room). Partly it may be an unwillingness to except that a 60 year old design can be so advanced, but I’m pretty sure I’m done until something comes along and proves itself to be definitively better. Enjoy your new purchase!

Dipole panels work really well in small rooms (My Acoustats, STAX, Apogee and Audiostatic all attest to this). Christoph also has Acoustat in a small room (as his like tenth system ) that works VERY well indeed. It may well be that few speakers will work as well in a smallish space as a pair of Quads.

 

[Benanton]

Dipole panels work really well in small rooms (My Acoustats, STAX, Apogee and Audiostatic all attest to this). Christoph also has Acoustat in a small room (as his like tenth system ) that works VERY well indeed. It may well be that few speakers will work as well in a smallish space as a pair of Quads.

Yes that could be so, which is why I emphasized my small, relatively untreated room. I certainly imagine there’s better, but nothing I’ve tried is.

 

[bonzo75]

Thank you! I’ve tried a few amps but my favorite have been some custom Blue Circle. Sources: mostly vinyl, Kuzma Stabi M, Thorens TD-124, Garrard 301. For digital I have a Resolution Audio Cantata.

Hi what carts and phono on your awesome TT collection?

 

[Benanton]

Hi what carts and phono on your awesome TT collection?

TD-124/Ortofon RS-212D/SPU Classic. 301/2 Schick arms/Miyajima Zero Infinity/London Reference. Kuzma Stabi M/4 Point/Victor Z1. I know that last one is an odd cartridge choice, but I learned a lot on the MM Audiogon thread!

 

[microstrip]

Interesting

The Weston I like but on the Quads it’s a killer ...the bass is amazing everything you could ask for

I assume the transformer is a good match with the wacky impedance of the bass panels

One of the technical reasons of the good match of transformers is the intrinsic limitation of bandwidth in the low frequencies that could otherwise saturate the transformer of the Stax. Futterman's were also great for them - the output was capacitor coupled created an intrinsic subsonic filter. Probably the Aries Cerat OTL amplifier will also sound great on them - it is also capacitor coupled.

SS amplfiers in general are DC coupled and some non servo types have DC offset up to 100mV, capable generating high flux in the very low resistance of the Stax .

 

[bonzo75]

TD-124/Ortofon RS-212D/SPU Classic. 301/2 Schick arms/Miyajima Zero Infinity/London Reference. Kuzma Stabi M/4 Point/Victor Z1. I know that last one is an odd cartridge choice, but I learned a lot on the MM Audiogon thread!

What phono do you play your monos through?

 

[Benanton]

What phono do you play your monos through?

Bobs SUT to custom Blue Circle (again). I’ve read about Zero hum issues, but I’ve had none. Beautiful cartridge.

 

[Audiophile Bill]

Thank you! I’ve tried a few amps but my favorite have been some custom Blue Circle. Sources: mostly vinyl, Kuzma Stabi M, Thorens TD-124, Garrard 301. For digital I have a Resolution Audio Cantata.

Fantastic vinyl sources too. Will need to look up Blue Circle as I know nowt about them.

 

[Benanton]

Fantastic vinyl sources too. Will need to look up Blue Circle as I know nowt about them.

Gilbert Yeung of Blue Circle is a brilliant designer. Only catch is he builds everything himself and has a constant backlog. It can be a solid 6 month wait for an amp.

 

[mullard88]

Hi awsmone,

For a picture of the Stax F 81, may I refer you to Members’ Gallery, Mullard88’s Main Listening Room. Take a look at third picture in post #1; the pair of speakers on the left side with dirty white middle and wooden sides is a pair of Stax F 81.

 

[mullard88]

There’s another picture of the Stax F 81 in post #14 in the thread “One Amigo Visits South East Asia and Hears Some Amazing Systems”.