Description

Like many of us here, this system was 20+ years in the making. I’ve tried to better the Quads but in my nearfield listening position they may be unbeatable. Stands and complete restoration courtesy of Electrostatic Solutions. Top and bottom supplemented with Sopranino 2 super tweeters and two REL T7i subwoofers.
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Components Toggle details

    • Quad ESL-57
    • REL Acoustics T7i
    • ENIGMAcoustics Sopranino
    • Blue Circle Audio Custom pre and amp
    • Kuzma Stabi M
    • Garrard 301
    • Thorens TD-124
    • EMT Audio 950
    • Audiomat Phono 1.7
    • Wyetech Labs Ruby phono
    • Resolution Audio Cantata

Comments 32

Owner
 Thanks @noromance! We do, I’ve noticed your system before, looks great. The Supertweeters are worth a listen. If possible I suggest demoing them, they’re not going to be worth it to everyone. I do enjoy the extra bit of goodness they bring to the table, but I also wouldn’t scrimp and save to get them... after all Quads are pretty great without any help at all.

jtnicolosi

Nice setup. We have some things in common. Interested in the supertweeters.

noromance

Owner
Thanks @arcangles! It’s important that the Quads range isn’t interfered with so the subs are mixed below 40hz. The tweeters are designed with 57s in mind so they’re a natural fit to fill in the very highest frequencies.

jtnicolosi

Really sweet and I appreciate your aesthetic taste also. Good looking stuff. May be a dumb question but how do you cross between the sub and added tweeter and the quads?

arcangles

Owner
Thanks! I dust them, gently. :-)

jtnicolosi

Great gear. How do you keep the tables without dust covers free of dust?

tbromgard

Owner
 Thanks @daveyf! I’m using the RELs with their Neutrik Speakon cables. I have them crossed over below 40hz. I don’t like them messing with the ESLs range at all. They’re an extremely subtle addition, icing on the cake I’d say!

jtnicolosi

Super looking system...and I'm sure incredible sounding too.
I am also not that surprised that you use a pair of RELT7i's. Of all the subs out there, I think with ultra fast speakers like yours, the REL T5i's or T7i's would be preferred. What x-over point do you use and how do you connect them?

daveyf

Owner
Thanks Paul. The room is 13’ x 20’. It seems to be an excellent layout for Quads. They’re about 5’ from the rear wall.

jtnicolosi

Beautiful room.  Considering a Kuzma Stabi R.  I listen to Quad ESL, Quad 63, and Harbeth 30.2.  

Would you mind sharing the dimensions of your room?  I’m in the midst of a move and wondering how the size of my new room will work.  Your input might help me.  

Thanks,

Paul

plinko

Very nice system and love the turntables that you have. Heavy into analog gets a big thumbs up.

rugyboogie

Owner
@rolando no rumble at all, being in the basement on a concrete slab is beneficial here, it’s simply a not issue. I have a Decca Reference on the Kuzma at the moment. It’s a long time favorite of mine. I’d love to hear Sanders at some point. As far as volume, with protection circuitry in place my Quads easily play over 100db from my listening position. As is that’s more volume than I I ever need.
@jma6 Audiomat 1.7 is a relative bargain. While maybe not as resolving as the best preamps it’s always engaging and musical. 
@willowbends im always learning! On sub placement, they’re already placed at the maximum distance, you can’t see them in the photo as they’re behind the Quads. I will indeed experiment with the height of the tweeters, thank you.

Thanks all!

jtnicolosi

Sir,
that is a TOTALLY awesome system !! For some reason i prefer the vintage equipment to a lot of todays big bucks $$$$$$$$ stuff.   And your mix of old/new is right on the money.  Would love to hear / own it !!! Thank You !!!
                                              Most Regards,
                                                  Jeff....

mantaman

Hello,

I was attracted to your system, because of the Quad's; I also use Quad 63's
in mine. I'm somewhat interested in the sound of the Blue Circle's; I use
Audio Research VT 50, LS 16MkII, SP 9,  VS 60, SP4, Classic 60, Cary tube CD, and Magnum Dynalab tube tuner, mostly using balanced cables.  Will
soon add more Quad's, a pair of 98's for 4 Quad's.

May I suggest speaker placement, of setting your tweeters/electrostatics
higher, at around 6 to 8 feet, approximating a persons height; subwoofer's
are fine, but may sound better placed far apart, at the sound stage's maximum
L/R distance. I've a degree in Applied Physic's from U.C., and have used
and studied speaker placement, and sound spectrum's from the listener's
ears.

Keep learning, as audiophiles do.

Kind regards,
Will

willowbends

HI ,

Congratulations for a wonderful system . You must have very very good musical session with such a system. 

You have very very nice turntable and I am curious about your Audiomat phono preamp 1.7 . I am considering this preamp and I will be happy to have some feedback from you about your assessment of this phono preamp .
thank's 
Jean-Michel 

jma6

Nice system, though I’m A bit surprised you don’t hear those turntables rumble with the subs.  You might want to check out a London Jubilee or Reference in a Well-tempered Amadeus GTA - the attack of the London’s would work very nicely with the Quads.
I also have Quads, though I prefer the Sanders Sound which sound pretty much identical except for going louder.

rolanda

Owner
Thanks @joel_hifi - yes they do excel in different ways. The TD-124 tends to get older jazz, the 301 mono, the Kuzma for rock and newer stuff, and the EMT gets everything else. :-) It’s all a little silly and I could live quite happily with any one of these, but the variety can be fun.

jtnicolosi

Very cool system/collection, thanks for sharing!
Different turntable/tonearm/cartridge combos for different music styles?
Thanks, Joel

joel_hifi

Owner
Thanks tzh21y.

jtnicolosi

great system I agree with you on the quads.

tzh21y

Owner
@bdp24 thanks! They’re from https://audiophilevibrationcontrol.com/. They’re nicely made. I can’t be sure what they’re doing because I’m just not the type to do a-b comparisons with 100#+ turntables! :-)

jtnicolosi

I took a closer look, and this time noticed the (presumably Baltic Birch plywood) turntable platforms have black outer layers. Is the platform a commercial product, or DIY? Me likey!

bdp24

Are those two turntable platforms made of, as they appear to be, Baltic Birch?

bdp24

You are so cool.  Love it all, with extra kudos for the TT collection.  

You are so cool...

maminor

Owner
Thanks jond! BC gear is hybrid, and it all sounds pretty great!

jtnicolosi

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