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Radford Revival
04-07-2018, 22:52
I have recently come near to completing a rebuild of a pair of Quad ESL57s. More pictures to come soon but the following pretty much sums up the experience of working on these things :D

http://www.radfordrevival.co.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DSC_1342.NEF_.jpg
walpurgis
04-07-2018, 22:58
What will you do with the rectifiers? I rebuilt (and re-potted) mine about thirty five years ago, but I'm sure there are better modern options.
Radford Revival
04-07-2018, 23:00
What will you do with the rectifiers? I rebuilt (and re-potted) mine, but I'm sure there are better modern options.

I rebuilt the entire EHT module with my own boards and IEC inlet - will upload more pictures tomorrow :)
Firebottle
05-07-2018, 07:14
Excellent stuff Will. Been there, a bit fiddly at times isn't it.

Tip: Don't use a portable gas powered iron neat the dust covers as the exhaust gas can melt it :doh:
Sherwood
05-07-2018, 07:21
I have recently come near to completing a rebuild of a pair of Quad ESL57s. More pictures to come soon but the following pretty much sums up the experience of working on these things :D

http://www.radfordrevival.co.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DSC_1342.NEF_.jpg

Interesting. Is that scrunched up plastic (mylar?) the diaphragm?

Geoff
walpurgis
05-07-2018, 07:48
Interesting. Is that scrunched up plastic (mylar?) the diaphragm?

Geoff

Looks like it. There appears to be a silvery sheen to it that may be a graphite deposit, which I believe is what Quad used.
Radford Revival
05-07-2018, 12:19
Interesting. Is that scrunched up plastic (mylar?) the diaphragm?

Geoff


Looks like it. There appears to be a silvery sheen to it that may be a graphite deposit, which I believe is what Quad used.

It's actually the dust cover though if you aren't familiar with ESL57 internals you'd be forgiven for thinking it was diaphragm material - each panel in ESL57 has a tensioned cover over each front and rear stator - the sheen is grey spray paint so the panels appear less visible though the grilles - though most don't bother reapplying this.
Liberdade
05-07-2018, 15:04
A very interesting project - looking forward to the next set of photos.
matador
07-07-2018, 22:39
Will, what diaphragm coating are you going to use?
Radford Revival
08-07-2018, 16:19
Will, what diaphragm coating are you going to use?

Hi Andrew

Luckily the bass panels didn't require stripping down to the stator level so they have the factory coating (some kind of nylon I believe!) :)

The treble panels had a problem so will likely be replaced with refurbished ones - unfortunately I do not have the time to rebuild the existing treble panels.

More pics to come soon!
nutteronthebus
09-07-2018, 06:15
HI Keith Snook has a lot of info on the ESL rebuild http://www.keith-snook.info/loud-speaker-stuff/QUAD-ESL57/QUAD-Hi-Fi-ESL57.html

Dave