In article , Serge Auckland
writes
Derrick,
I'm glad you found my comments helpful. That's the beauty of these
newsgroups!

Regarding the ELS63, from what you say, it sounds as if something wasn't
right, however a few things come to mind:-

1) From your description, it isn't clear if the problem affected one or both
'speakers, and if the 'fault' was the same on both. As the 'speakers are
completely separate units, it is unlikely (but certainly possible) for both
to go wrong in the same way at the same time. In my experience, albeit not
as an ELS owner, the '63s do require service from time to time. A close
friend with a pair has had several panels replaced over the past 10 or so
years, and he certainly doesn't abuse his 'speakers. His amp is the QUAD
306.

2) The ELS63 has a "crowbar" protection system. This means that if the
'speakers are being seriously overloaded or the mains isn't on, then the
'speakers present essentially an intermittent short-circuit to the amp. This
will certainly sound horrible, and if persisted with, will cause the amp to
run hot, shut down or blow up depending on how well designed it is. If that
is what happened in your case, it shows how well engineered the 909 is that
it just got hot. The term "crowbar" protection is a fanciful term used to
describe the sort of protection that puts a quick-acting short-circuit
directly across the circuit being protected, thus limiting any damage. It's
as if you put a crowbar across the line.

What surprises me, and I don't really have an explanation, is why QUAD's
service department couldn't find anything wrong with the 'speakers if they
were as you described. One of life's mysteries!

Yes very much so. Wonder if you've been told the total truth here?,
something doesn't add up!.

I've used me 63's for years with an Audiolab 8000 power amp with no
problems at all, apart from an absolutely boring old sound coming from
them)
--
Tony Sayer