Quad ESL 57s

[spendorman]

I think of the 33/303 combo, the 303 power amp is probably the most capable of the two. Funny thing is, I've not used one on its own, only with the 33. Although I have heard them used separately.

It's worth a re-try, using one at the moment. I'm not saying that the 33 is rubbish though. As you probably know, a 303 has to be set up spot on to sound really excellent, not set up in decades, can sound OK, but set that one up and it should be excellent.

[walpurgis]

It's worth a re-try, using one at the moment. I'm not saying that the 33 is rubbish though. As you probably know, a 303 has to be set up spot on to sound really excellent, not set up in decades, can sound OK, but set that one up and it should be excellent.

Not used or heard them for donkeys years. The only Quad gear I've come across recently is the little 306 I have in my system at the moment and sounding very good.

[spendorman]

Got a Hiss Problem with the 303 at the mo but will give it a try - understood Geoff wont use the PM4 then

I can alter the volume of the Yamaha - 20 can i do this just to test them or is it too powerful for them a 55 watts rated?

Thank you...

It's voltage that will kill a 57, however, if the 57 is fitted with the extra filtering that was fitted at the introduction of the 303, or retrofitted to 57's already in service, the 57 can withstand the voltage generated by the Quad 405 (with the limiters in), and the 405 then had an output of 50 Watts per channel in to 8 Ohms.

So your Yamaha is probably slightly too powerful for the 57's.

Details of the Quad extra filtering: https://flic.kr/p/9CvfGT

[dantheman91]

Any thoughts on using the Quantum Electronics 1A100?

[walpurgis]

Any thoughts on using the Quantum Electronics 1A100?

Not sure, but symptoms of a mismatch can be 'buzz, crackle, BANG, smoke'.

[spendorman]

A 303 gives very good protection to the 57, Possibly a small transistor noisy in yours.

[dantheman91]

Quantum is Rated at 25 watts another option is the Original NAD 3020 that is 20 watts too Choices Choices...

[spendorman]

Interesting, Geoff's post above and mine, exactly at the same time, appear to be along similar thoughts.

[spendorman]

Quantum is Rated at 25 watts another option is the Original NAD 3020 that is 20 watts too Choices Choices...

It's how those two amps will handle the wicked low impedance of the 57 at high frequencies, not just their voltage output. Some normally robust amps will just smoke. I have no experience of the Quantum, but I suspect that the NAD will be OK.

[walpurgis]

I suspect that the NAD will be OK.

Yes. I believe that combination has been used successfully.