Best NVA Amps for Quad ESL57 Speakers

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valvesRus
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Re: Best NVA Amps for Quad ESL57 Speakers

Unread post by valvesRus »

Fretless wrote: Thu Apr 04, 2019 7:38 am My NVA A40's worked very well with Magnepan MMG. Lovely clear presentation.

Drawbacks with the panels are that there is a lack of emotional connection to the music and the dynamic 'kick' that you get from cone drivers isn't there.
I had a pair of ESL57s for a while. They were cheap, but had been to one thing audio in the past for renovation and updating.

Used with my DIY single ended Mosfet 50W amp there was NO lack of emotional connection to the music, and the level of bass was more than I expected.

I sold them on due to space constraints, and they now reside with Nick (Lurcher) as he always wanted to try a pair of them.

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Re: Best NVA Amps for Quad ESL57 Speakers

Unread post by TheMarlin »

I personally prefer ELS 57’s in original condition. Every pair I’ve heard that’s been upgraded by One Thing always sounds worse to me. Strangled, and muted.

Maybe I’ve just heard a few bad ones. I loved Quad ELS, but you need a hell of a listening room to make them sing. A friend had a stacked pair with Rel stadium Subs driven by a pair of Leak stereo 20’s. Awesome sound, but he had a huge listening room. Not somthing most of us have access too. Mine is 12ft square.

I had a pair, again driven by a Leak Stereo 20 with Mark Levinson Cello passive Pre amp, and Cohan Hall sound pipe speaker cables. Just lovely. The only speakers that get close to ELS clarity are the big Tannoy Dual Concentrics. I need to get some Tannoy gold monitors.

Anway, 20w is plenty for the Quads, I’ve even driven successfully them with a 6w Radford valve amp. Sounded very sweet.
Last edited by TheMarlin on Thu Apr 04, 2019 9:23 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Best NVA Amps for Quad ESL57 Speakers

Unread post by Fretless »

If I am correct the Quad electrostatics are an 'active' speaker with their own power supply. The Magnepan's are 'passive' magnetostatics which are driven entirely by the audio amplifier. Might explain the difference in performance.

I only briefly heard Quads many years ago and can only comment on the sound of the Magnepan's; certainly for imaging and information they are superb - making a sort of 2D painting where all of the instruments are clearly presented.

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Re: Best NVA Amps for Quad ESL57 Speakers

Unread post by TheMarlin »

Yes, Quad ELS are mains powered. They apply a massive voltage to the thin membrane to push the air.
Modded Belles A150 MK2, P90SA, & NVA SSP cables, and LS5.
Leak Stereo 20 & First Audio Classic Copper V2
Modded Lenco GL75 with Saturn arm, heavy custom plinth. Nagaoka MP500.
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Tom Evans Micro Grove MK2 MC phono
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Re: Best NVA Amps for Quad ESL57 Speakers

Unread post by valvesRus »

With regards to amps and ESL57s, my 50W Chinese chip amp would cut in and out on the Quads.

I do have a pair of Quad II valve amps, designed to work with ESL57s, but personally,I preferred the DIY Mosfet amps in my setup.

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Re: Best NVA Amps for Quad ESL57 Speakers

Unread post by TheMarlin »

Try with a Leak Stereo 20. I’ve never liked the Quad 2 Monos. In fact, I’ve yet to find a Quad amp that I liked.
Modded Belles A150 MK2, P90SA, & NVA SSP cables, and LS5.
Leak Stereo 20 & First Audio Classic Copper V2
Modded Lenco GL75 with Saturn arm, heavy custom plinth. Nagaoka MP500.
Nottingham Audio Hyperspace + heavy kit, + Origin Live Conqueror + Koetsu Black
Tom Evans Micro Grove MK2 MC phono
Bluesound Node2i (x2) both with latest power upgrades.
Topping D90MQA and Topping D90SE
Audiolab 6000 CDT transport.
All NVA cables

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Re: Best NVA Amps for Quad ESL57 Speakers

Unread post by valvesRus »

TheMarlin wrote: Thu Apr 04, 2019 9:25 am Try with a Leak Stereo 20. I’ve never liked the Quad 2 Monos. In fact, I’ve yet to find a Quad amp that I liked.
I have a pair of GK-71 triode monoblocks that seemed to work well with the Quads but my 833a monoblocks are out of action so never got the chance to try them.

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Re: Best NVA Amps for Quad ESL57 Speakers

Unread post by valvesRus »

Some time ago Nick (Lurcher) was going to try something a bit different with driving ESL57s.

His idea was to use a valve amplifier (minus output transformer) to drive the 57s (minus input transformer) directly.

I've not heard about it for a while so it may be a back burner project ?

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Re: Best NVA Amps for Quad ESL57 Speakers

Unread post by Dr Bunsen Honeydew »

It was an order or possible order from Ali Tait. Perfectly feasible but couldn't be a production item IMO due to high voltage in speaker lines, the only safe and legal way would be to incorporate the amps in the ESL57 chassis.

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Re: Best NVA Amps for Quad ESL57 Speakers

Unread post by Lurcher300b »

I mused with the idea of using these to support the speaker wires.

Image

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