Does anyone have any first hand information on the state of things
with Quad these days?

I’ve been a devotee of Quad ESL for many years, initially with the one
now known as the ESL57, and for the last 20 years with the ESL63. I’ve
found them enormously satisfying over the years, and never felt the
need to use anything else for my main system.

However, having had a sequence of failed elements (the usual culprits
of unglued stators or fractured diaphragms) which were expensive to
have replaced, I’m wondering the current owners are doing justice to
their legendary inheritance.

I was hoping that there might be a sorting out of some of the
production engineering weaknesses (e.g. the duff glue) but I now
wonder if that was a false hope.

A sign such as the web site being variously broken and apparently not
maintained is not encouraging. It continues to say that the 2905 has
eight elements and the 2805 has six, whereas my understanding is that
it’s 6 and 4 respectively.

I’ve got two ESL63s here with element faults less than three years
since they were serviced. I’m just wondering if it’s time to look
elsewhere for audio nirvana.

Any encouraging news gratefully received.

Cheers

"Justin"

Does anyone have any first hand information on the state of things
with Quad these days?


** Everything has moved to China.

The Chang brothers from Taiwan bought the company.


I’ve been a devotee of Quad ESL for many years, initially with the one
now known as the ESL57, and for the last 20 years with the ESL63. I’ve
found them enormously satisfying over the years, and never felt the
need to use anything else for my main system.

** Most Quad owners are never likely to change brand.


However, having had a sequence of failed elements (the usual culprits
of unglued stators or fractured diaphragms) which were expensive to
have replaced, I’m wondering the current owners are doing justice to
their legendary inheritance.

** By all accounts, the new Quad gear is first class.


I’ve got two ESL63s here with element faults less than three years
since they were serviced.

** The new panels have not failed - have they ?

At 20+ years of age, ALL the panels in an ESL63 need to be replaced -
if they have not all failed already, they sure as hell will when you
transport them.

It is also advisable to replace the EHT stack PCB too - still a far cheaper
option than buying a new pair of 2805s etc.

Also, have a GOOD look at this site in Germany - they sell refurbished
panels, EHT boards and whole speakers too.

http://www.quad-musik.com/html/products.html

I can recommend their stuff and service.



...... Phil

On Aug 10, 2:36*am, "Phil Allison" wrote:
"Justin"

Does anyone have any first hand information on the state of things
with Quad these days?

** Everything has moved to China.

The Chang brothers from Taiwan bought the company.

I’ve been a devotee of Quad ESL for many years, initially with the one
now known as the ESL57, and for the last 20 years with the ESL63. I’ve
found them enormously satisfying over the years, and never felt the
need to use anything else for my main system.

** Most Quad owners are never likely to change brand.

However, having had a sequence of failed elements (the usual culprits
of unglued stators or fractured diaphragms) which were expensive to
have replaced, I’m wondering the current owners are doing justice to
their legendary inheritance.

** By all accounts, the new Quad gear is first class.

I’ve got two ESL63s here with element faults less than three years
since they were serviced.

** The new panels have not failed - *have they ?

At 20+ *years of age, *ALL *the panels in an ESL63 need to be replaced *-
if they have not all failed already, they sure as hell will when you
transport them.

It is also advisable to replace the EHT stack PCB too *- still a far cheaper
option than buying a new pair of 2805s etc.

Also, have a *GOOD *look at this site in Germany *- *they sell refurbished
panels, EHT boards and whole speakers too.

http://www.quad-musik.com/html/products.html

I can recommend their stuff and service.

..... * Phil

Thanks for the replies, Phil.

I think I may well go the Quad Musikwiedergabe route for spare panels.
Their website gives a good impression.
It’s a bit galling to discover that Quad themselves charge more for a
replacement panel as a spare than if you ship the speaker to
Huntingdon for them to repair.

I actually have two pairs of ESL63, one pair I bought new in late ’89
and a late model pair I bought second-hand in 2000 as an alternative
to having the original ones repaired (they were suffering un-glued
stators).

In November 2006 I had both sets repaired by Quad at Huntingdon, for a
cost of £1996. That was for 12 elements, all 8 in the original set and
four in the newer set. It’s this newer set that are now faulty, and
the trouble is I can’t tell which elements were replaced in ’06. It is
probably reasonable to assume they were not the ones that have now
gone down.

What I’d really like to know is, what’s the lifetime of the current,
made-in China parts? I’m fairly sure that my 12 new elements were from
China.

There’s been a steady trickle of new 2905/2805 on eBay at around half
list price, which is a bit worrying in itself.

"Justin"
"Phil Allison"
"Justin"


What I’d really like to know is, what’s the lifetime of the current,
made-in China parts? I’m fairly sure that my 12 new elements were from
China.

** Even if they are not one bit better than the what Quad manufactured over
20 years ago - they will still last 20 years or more.

Is that NOT long enough for YOU ????


There’s been a steady trickle of new 2905/2805 on eBay at around half
list price, which is a bit worrying in itself.


** Heard that same, silly false argument waaaay back in 1984, when CD
players were turning up in the second hand pages for lowish prices - it was
quoted as proof that CD was no good.

Actual fact was, the number turning up like that was about 0.1% of the
number being sold through retail stores AND many of them were brand new
machines - having been purchased in Asia by tourists and airline
personnel in order to make a few quick dollars when they returned home.



..... Phil

"Justin" wrote in message
...
On Aug 10, 2:36 am, "Phil Allison" wrote:
"Justin"

Does anyone have any first hand information on the state of things
with Quad these days?

** Everything has moved to China.

The Chang brothers from Taiwan bought the company.

I’ve been a devotee of Quad ESL for many years, initially with the one
now known as the ESL57, and for the last 20 years with the ESL63. I’ve
found them enormously satisfying over the years, and never felt the
need to use anything else for my main system.

** Most Quad owners are never likely to change brand.

However, having had a sequence of failed elements (the usual culprits
of unglued stators or fractured diaphragms) which were expensive to
have replaced, I’m wondering the current owners are doing justice to
their legendary inheritance.

** By all accounts, the new Quad gear is first class.

I’ve got two ESL63s here with element faults less than three years
since they were serviced.

** The new panels have not failed - have they ?

At 20+ years of age, ALL the panels in an ESL63 need to be replaced -
if they have not all failed already, they sure as hell will when you
transport them.

It is also advisable to replace the EHT stack PCB too - still a far
cheaper
option than buying a new pair of 2805s etc.

Also, have a GOOD look at this site in Germany - they sell refurbished
panels, EHT boards and whole speakers too.

http://www.quad-musik.com/html/products.html

I can recommend their stuff and service.

..... Phil

Thanks for the replies, Phil.

I think I may well go the Quad Musikwiedergabe route for spare panels.
Their website gives a good impression.
It’s a bit galling to discover that Quad themselves charge more for a
replacement panel as a spare than if you ship the speaker to
Huntingdon for them to repair.

I actually have two pairs of ESL63, one pair I bought new in late ’89
and a late model pair I bought second-hand in 2000 as an alternative
to having the original ones repaired (they were suffering un-glued
stators).

In November 2006 I had both sets repaired by Quad at Huntingdon, for a
cost of £1996. That was for 12 elements, all 8 in the original set and
four in the newer set. It’s this newer set that are now faulty, and
the trouble is I can’t tell which elements were replaced in ’06. It is
probably reasonable to assume they were not the ones that have now
gone down.

What I’d really like to know is, what’s the lifetime of the current,
made-in China parts? I’m fairly sure that my 12 new elements were from
China.

There’s been a steady trickle of new 2905/2805 on eBay at around half
list price, which is a bit worrying in itself.


Yes, that always a bother - especially when you see stuff like your own
going for next to nothing!!

Not sure I'd be happy chucking heaps of money at a pair of speakers every 3
years myself, but it might be worth you speaking to Paul at Classique
Sounds:

http://www.classiquesounds.co.uk/

Keith G wrote:

"Justin" wrote in message
...
On Aug 10, 2:36 am, "Phil Allison" wrote:
"Justin"

Does anyone have any first hand information on the state of things
with Quad these days?

** Everything has moved to China.

The Chang brothers from Taiwan bought the company.

I’ve been a devotee of Quad ESL for many years, initially with the one
now known as the ESL57, and for the last 20 years with the ESL63. I’ve
found them enormously satisfying over the years, and never felt the
need to use anything else for my main system.

** Most Quad owners are never likely to change brand.

However, having had a sequence of failed elements (the usual culprits
of unglued stators or fractured diaphragms) which were expensive to
have replaced, I’m wondering the current owners are doing justice to
their legendary inheritance.

** By all accounts, the new Quad gear is first class.

I’ve got two ESL63s here with element faults less than three years
since they were serviced.

** The new panels have not failed - have they ?

At 20+ years of age, ALL the panels in an ESL63 need to be replaced -
if they have not all failed already, they sure as hell will when you
transport them.

It is also advisable to replace the EHT stack PCB too - still a far
cheaper
option than buying a new pair of 2805s etc.

Also, have a GOOD look at this site in Germany - they sell refurbished
panels, EHT boards and whole speakers too.

http://www.quad-musik.com/html/products.html

I can recommend their stuff and service.

..... Phil

Thanks for the replies, Phil.

I think I may well go the Quad Musikwiedergabe route for spare panels.
Their website gives a good impression.
It’s a bit galling to discover that Quad themselves charge more for a
replacement panel as a spare than if you ship the speaker to
Huntingdon for them to repair.

I actually have two pairs of ESL63, one pair I bought new in late ’89
and a late model pair I bought second-hand in 2000 as an alternative
to having the original ones repaired (they were suffering un-glued
stators).

In November 2006 I had both sets repaired by Quad at Huntingdon, for a
cost of £1996. That was for 12 elements, all 8 in the original set and
four in the newer set. It’s this newer set that are now faulty, and
the trouble is I can’t tell which elements were replaced in ’06. It is
probably reasonable to assume they were not the ones that have now
gone down.

What I’d really like to know is, what’s the lifetime of the current,
made-in China parts? I’m fairly sure that my 12 new elements were from
China.

There’s been a steady trickle of new 2905/2805 on eBay at around half
list price, which is a bit worrying in itself.


Yes, that always a bother - especially when you see stuff like your own
going for next to nothing!!


A few ex-demo new models from Hifi Trading right now - about 60% list.

I think they're too much of a niche product to attract much beyond
curiosity, although second hand prices aren't that far removed from any
other hifi. Valve kit excepted, obviously :-)

Not sure I'd be happy chucking heaps of money at a pair of speakers
every 3 years myself, but it might be worth you speaking to Paul at
Classique Sounds:

http://www.classiquesounds.co.uk/


I've had a pair (Chinese) for a year or two with no problem - but it's
good to know there's support from the independents.

Rob

In article
,
Justin wrote:


I actually have two pairs of ESL63, one pair I bought new in late 89
and a late model pair I bought second-hand in 2000 as an alternative to
having the original ones repaired (they were suffering un-glued stators).

I only have one pair of ESL63. Bought these in 1984. Never had any repair
or service. So far as I can tell by listening and masurements they are
still fine. So I don't know if your different experience is due to a change
in the way they were made, or by how you/I use them, or simply 'luck'.

I also have a pair of 989s, bought about 5 years ago. Up to now these have
been fine. But I'd agree that is a much shorter timescale than the above
one of 25 years.


Theres been a steady trickle of new 2905/2805 on eBay at around half
list price, which is a bit worrying in itself.

Not necessarily. Some people may find that when they try ESLs they don't
like them for some reason. Perhaps because they sound different to the
cone-and-box sound the expect as associate with 'hifi'. Or they can't be
played as loud for something like bass-heavy rock music. Or that they
simply don't work well in the chosen room.

Slainte,

Jim

--
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