hi Marcus,
yes, luckily for the Quads it was the wee hours of the morning so I could'nt blast it but to be honest the 57's just don't give off that vibe of wanting to turn up the volume although i'm sure with the right tweeks such as clamp boards, (sound like a Beverley Hillbillies episode!), its possible.
Steve of One Thing says
"clamp boards are two electronic boards which you install into the speaker (each clamp is fitted to one of the speaker's corner braces, full instructions supplied). Higher powered amps behave better with electrostatic speakers because they are less liable to run into clipping, and it's the ugly waveform produced by clipping that puts stress on electrostatic panels. But you will damage electrostatic speakers if you drive them too hard - unless you fit the clamp board. This will protect the panels if you 'overdo the volume. So to have the 'best' amps for electrostats, you need more power, but also the clamp boards installing to prevent you damaging the loudspeaker."
Steve also says that the combination of clamp boards & high power amp with a valve pre gives best results.
Quad & Wharfedale Service Manager tells me:-
"If you return your Quad ESL 57's to the address below with a covering letter. We will Quad factory service to full working specification. Our charges are labour fixed at 45GBP per speaker, plus defective parts replaced, plus VAT and return carriage.
Year of manufacturer 1978
We cannot search for service history by serial number.
Regards,
Rob Flain"
So, 1978, relatively late models which probably explains why everything seems to work fine and I know from the previous owner that they have not been used to the full during their lifetime. That does'nt mean they can't deteriorate over time but these do seem fine.
I won't be keeping mine, not that I don't like the sound, I do, but amp matching and everything necessary to allow me to sit back and just listen and feel totally satisfied are not on the cards timewise. Not to mention the space required and I know I would want to get two more and stack em! My wife is very accomodating of my 'habit' but there's no way she'd tolerate four black radiators hanging in mid air!
I'd love to create a hi fi museum with 5 or 6 different rooms and systems from say the 5 decades, the 57's with optimum amplification etc would definitely have a room.
As all the kind folk who have contributed links and information have proved, there is absolutely masses of guidance for anybody who really wants to take the 57 experience to the max.
Steve