B&W DM70; rebuilding an Icon
I have had many type's of speakers.
From High-end (Dutch brand Hepta) to Bose, B&W, Leak, Rogers, Acoustic Research, IMF, KEF, Tannoy etc. ect.
Many are still on my list but I will probably never own them.
One I knew I would: The B&W DM70!
There where 2 models.
De Standard, model ‘60.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...c49170f894.jpg
De Continental, model ’70.
http://www.eraudio.com.au/ESL_Repair...DM70_pic02.jpg
http://www.mats-enterprise.co.uk/DM7...DM70C_main.jpg
I've looked at a few Continental sets in the past but as the were dark brown veneer I never bought them.
The second reason was I did not know where to go if I needed repairs to the Electrostatics.
There is but one “expert” I now of who repairs/rebuild these DM70, based in Germany: Shackman Electrostatic Loudspeakers Repair Service
After an ad on a Dutch website I was contacted and offered a set Continental that needed some work and was missing parts.
But the price was good and by now I know where to look for parts and/or help.
So last Friday I wen on route an picked them up.
Pictures!
Fronts; I've now cleaned them as it is mostly dirt what you see. They do need new paint.
http://cupofcoffee.nl/media/audio/i2...g/DSC02703.JPG
Back:
http://cupofcoffee.nl/media/audio/i2...g/DSC02704.JPG
Inside:
http://cupofcoffee.nl/media/audio/i2...g/DSC02705.JPG
http://cupofcoffee.nl/media/audio/i2...g/DSC02706.JPG
Power Unit, original and another bought by the seller.
As my model is the latest model, DM70c, the other unit will never fit.
http://cupofcoffee.nl/media/audio/i2...g/DSC02707.JPG
Electrostatics:
Original:
http://cupofcoffee.nl/media/audio/i2...g/DSC02701.JPG
Second set bought by seller. They look to be in 100% condition.
http://cupofcoffee.nl/media/audio/i2...g/DSC02702.JPG
So it's missing the woofers and stands but as this is de DM70c it has woofer adapters which means I can buy flat woofers instead of the more expensive curved ones.
They are also missing the stuffing.
As I bought a pair of the model Standard I thus have woofers and stuffing + filter/Power unit spairs.
The plan:
- New paint - This week I'm seeing several people for this job
- Woofers - I bought a technical 100% set Standard which I will use for woofers and stuffing
- Rebuilding Power Units and Filters - This will be done by a friend
- Finding original stands - I'm getting drawings and detail pictures and a friend (metal constructor) has offered to built me new ones
- Transfering the Brown Electrostatics into the White housing - I will go to Germany to do this
First thing will be getting them a repaint while a friend rebuilds the Power Units and filters.
The second pair of Power Units will be used for spare parts.
When the stands are ready for use I will start rebuilding the DM70c with all the parts I have.
If needed I will travel to Germany to get help. I will take my wife along to have some day's together while we wait for the technician to fix what needs fixing.
I will update this topic as I go along.