Nirvana - well nearly - through ESL57's

[Firebottle]

Well I'm absolutely gobsmacked....

I think I have got everything working so well together now. It has taken a while to achieve this nirvana, probably with a lot of others on here having the same incremental journey.
I have finally found the right settings for the sub to underpin the fabulously clean and crisp sound staging offered by the Quad ESL57's.

I have had the sub x-over frequency set too high and the gain too low. Now I know what low clean bass should sound like (thanks Marco) I have lowered the x-over frequency but increased the level of the bottom octave and boy what an incredible sound ensues.

Oliver, I wish you could hear this, it is so much more than stunning compared to what you have heard. The AIR drives the 57's to achieve such a clean and punchy sound, the artists just leap out and perform for YOU.

I am using the only MC cart I have, not the best out there but still providing a beautiful clean and dynamic presentation of the music.
Just playing Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams are made of this.>> GL75 providing a superb 'drive' to the rythm.

:wow: the clarity and precision of the music is so engaging. I played Rodrigo y Gabriela earlier and it was mesmerising. Every chord change, every finger slide on the guitar strings, every thumb slap on the guitar body was so real, I've never heard it so real, so personally presented.

I'm just a bit of a happy bunny with the amazing sound.

:)

[Barry]

Alan, what sub are you using and what are the settings? For a long time now I have considered using a sub with my 57's, as I simply don't have the room for stacked pairs. So I'm interested in using a sub to augment and extend the bass response.

Thanks

[Jimbo]

Wish I could hear it Alan. Great when you find that magical combination. Makes listening to stuff addictive.

Just when you thought you couldn't get any more out of your system its always nice when a few alterations bring about Nirvana.:)

[Firebottle]

Alan, what sub are you using and what are the settings?

Hi Barry, it's a copy of a REL Stadium sub, home built with a 10 inch car woofer in a Wilmslow Audio enclosure.
I'll measure the enclosure volume and x-over frequency, which is continuously variable, and get back to you.

:)

[Firebottle]

Makes listening to stuff addictive.

It certainly does, as you know from recent experience :thumbsup:

[Firebottle]

Hi Barry, I have measured the x-over frequency now plus drawn a table for the frequency settings.

I've only had this sub amp built for 20 years:mental:

I did have it set for 44Hz with the gain a little lower but now it's a better response when set for 38Hz and the gain a little higher.

The enclosure is a 90 litre ported box and the low pass filter is 4th order based on an MF10 switched capacitor chip.

:)

[Jonboy]

The 57's certainly do things other speakers don't , air and separation being a couple ...... loved mine especially when I stacked them

[Bigman80]

I'm seeing the enthusiasm for the performance in your post and feeling excited for you mate. Sounds like you've hit the jackpot there. I'll just keep plodding on with my celestions [emoji848] lol

[drSM]

Pics please

[Audio Al]

57's are unique :) I love mine :)
Every audio enthusiast should at some point in life own a pair ;)
I may just hook mine up today :D

[Firebottle]

If you insist :eyebrows: :

View from listening chair:

http://i601.photobucket.com/albums/tt97/Paramotorpilot/Panasonic%20gear/Stereo%202016/P1050320.jpg

Vinyl source with Ortofon Samba MC:

http://i601.photobucket.com/albums/tt97/Paramotorpilot/Panasonic%20gear/Stereo%202016/P1050323.jpg

Amplification, stood on top of the subwoofer. Before anyone advises against this I've never had any problem:

http://i601.photobucket.com/albums/tt97/Paramotorpilot/Panasonic%20gear/Stereo%202016/P1050321.jpg

Rear view of one ESL57 showing how it's suspended:

http://i601.photobucket.com/albums/tt97/Paramotorpilot/Panasonic%20gear/Stereo%202016/P1050325.jpg

:D

[Jimbo]

GL 75 looking nice Alan but you need to polish that platter! I

It will sound better!:lol:

[Macca]

Alan have you got the sub firing into the corner or out from it?

[Firebottle]

Sub fires downwards, so I suppose is equivalent to out from the corner.

[Macca]

I suppose so.

[drSM]

My word Allan, I didnt expect to see the 57 s up so high !!
Never heard them.

Honestly, why so high up ? meddling young kids ? :eyebrows:

[Bigman80]

Nice Alan. [emoji106][emoji106][emoji106]

[Firebottle]

Honestly, why so high up ?

It's all a question of compromises Shahrin. The are quite big speakers, certainly width wise, so when they are on the floor there is always a compromise with positioning. Either they are in the way or the furniture is, or partially shielding them.
Also because they are a dipole speaker they need to be out from the rear way a good way. Hanging them from the high ceiling gives plenty of space around them and they have never sounded better :thumbsup:

They also need to be that high so the window can still be opened, otherwise I would have them slightly lower.

[martinjohn308]

I owned a pair for 5 years in the 70's driven by 33, 303 loved treble and midrange room sensitive but are gorgeous in the right room.

I then did something silly and had a Meridian 101 / 103D combo but instructed the Hi Fi dealer Billy Vee that I was using Quads and after about 2 months the panels started arcing hence a trip to the Quad factory £80 repair bill! Billy Vee were kind enough to pay for the repair and took the Meridians amps back.

Moved house heard a Linn / Naim combo ( Isobariks, 33,snaps and 250 ). i already had an LP12 and bought that system stayed with the speakers and LP 12 but changed everthing else in the last 5 years.

Regards,

Martin