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

Showing all comments by jtnicolosi.

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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

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

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

jtnicolosi

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

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

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

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

Owner
Thanks tzh21y.

jtnicolosi

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

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

jtnicolosi

Owner
Thanks linnie01!

jtnicolosi

Owner
Wow @drbarney1 that’s quite a home/system! I’ve certainly heard and owned box speakers that do things better than my 57s, but with what they do well they they’re damn near untouchable.

jtnicolosi

Owner
Thank you!

jtnicolosi