This is insane...the Quad ESL

microstrip

VIP/Donor
May 30, 2010
20,806
4,698
2,790
Portugal
I am not surprised awsmone. The Quad 57 and the Lamm 1.2 are synergistic. The Lamm 1.2 is also synergistic with the Quad 63.

I found that the Lamm M1.2 is one of the most "synergistic" amplifiers I have owned within its power limits. Several speakers I tried with it, including the SoundLab's with Torroid 2 the and the Mini II's sounded really enjoyable - but I do not listen to rock or electronica.
 

Audiophile Bill

Well-Known Member
Mar 23, 2015
4,293
4,093
675
I found that the Lamm M1.2 is one of the most "synergistic" amplifiers I have owned within its power limits. Several speakers I tried with it, including the SoundLab's with Torroid 2 the and the Mini II's sounded really enjoyable - but I do not listen to rock or electronica.

What is the going rate on a used M1.2? Cheers
 

microstrip

VIP/Donor
May 30, 2010
20,806
4,698
2,790
Portugal

awsmone

Well-Known Member
Apr 6, 2014
1,616
513
435
Canberra Australia
Yes it certainly is and DD naturalness is most in evidence...
 

Audiophile Bill

Well-Known Member
Mar 23, 2015
4,293
4,093
675
Hi Awsmone,

I finally have a pair of 57s chez moi :)

They are in original condition and have been inspected / serviced by Quad.

Here begins my mini adventure. I plugged them in today on the end of an old Yamaha receiver (gasp / horror lol) and they are sounding already very fine indeed.

Cheers
 
  • Like
Reactions: christoph

Audiophile Bill

Well-Known Member
Mar 23, 2015
4,293
4,093
675
Forgot to add. Do yours have a white material cloth over the original metal casework?
 

awsmone

Well-Known Member
Apr 6, 2014
1,616
513
435
Canberra Australia
Congrats on your purchase
No the steel mesh grills original have just been painted white but I think it looks cool with the dark wood in the bedroom

You will find they improve each day they are left on and charging
Your lucky your receiver will drive them!
 

awsmone

Well-Known Member
Apr 6, 2014
1,616
513
435
Canberra Australia
By the way the lamm m1.2 are stunning with the quads especially the low impedance bias setting though even high bias is good but slightly mellow
 
  • Like
Reactions: christoph

Audiophile Bill

Well-Known Member
Mar 23, 2015
4,293
4,093
675
Just rigged the Quads up with the Mayer 10Y driving a Rotel RB1080 (ex home theatre amp). Pretty darned good :)
 

assessor43

Well-Known Member
Nov 1, 2018
312
194
128
I am thinking about getting a pair of these. How do they work with nearfield? How about a Mcintosh MC275? Is the 275 too much power for the Quads?
 

Audiophile Bill

Well-Known Member
Mar 23, 2015
4,293
4,093
675
I am thinking about getting a pair of these. How do they work with nearfield? How about a Mcintosh MC275? Is the 275 too much power for the Quads?

You can indeed listen near field. Not tried the mc275 but think it would work fine.
 

awsmone

Well-Known Member
Apr 6, 2014
1,616
513
435
Canberra Australia
Great near field be good match but get overload protection on the quads
 

assessor43

Well-Known Member
Nov 1, 2018
312
194
128
A friend told me they should be on the 16 ohm tap on the mc275. A 16 ohm load? hmmmm... seems like a major demand of the amplifier.
 

Audiophile Bill

Well-Known Member
Mar 23, 2015
4,293
4,093
675
A friend told me they should be on the 16 ohm tap on the mc275. A 16 ohm load? hmmmm... seems like a major demand of the amplifier.

No it won’t be any big deal for the Mac to power the high impedance of the Quads. Your friend is correct to use the 16ohms tap.
 

microstrip

VIP/Donor
May 30, 2010
20,806
4,698
2,790
Portugal
A friend told me they should be on the 16 ohm tap on the mc275. A 16 ohm load? hmmmm... seems like a major demand of the amplifier.

The ESL57 has an high impedance in the low / medium frequencies, but extremely low in the high-treble. It will loose significant treble in the 16 ohm, sounding unbalanced and lacking air.
I always preferred them in the 8 ohm with the ARC D70 or conrad johnson.
You will have to listen and choose what you prefer in your system.

I have used the MC275 with the ESL63, but also always in the 8 ohm.
a1.png
 

Big Dog RJ

Well-Known Member
Feb 2, 2012
1,242
463
1,155
Melbourne
Roger that! That's a definite.

The MC275 will work fine, no doubt. In fact I've tried one when I previously had the Quad ESL2905's. I didn't try the MC275's in monoblock config though, perhaps that would have been even better in terms of overall dynamics but then Quads don't do big dynamics compared to other full range stats / panels...

I must say, the synergy between CJ and Quad is like no other, it's truly magical indeed! Just for the experience, if you can get hold of a beautiful CJ power amp or demo on the Quads, you'll be very surprised at this combination. Then you will also realise how far behind the MC275 is...
I'm not saying that the MC275 is mediocre or lacking in any way whatsoever, in fact it's a marvellous work of amplification. It's just the naturalness and sheer musicality of CJ amplification partnered with stats, such as Quad or Martin Logan, that performs at a completely different level of realism and brings everything to life!

All the best on your quest to find that wonderful match.
Cheers, RJ
 

microstrip

VIP/Donor
May 30, 2010
20,806
4,698
2,790
Portugal
which Conrad Johnson amp?

Most of the time the MV125 with the Premier 9 preamplifier. I also can confirm that cj and ESL63 were also a great match.
 

Big Dog RJ

Well-Known Member
Feb 2, 2012
1,242
463
1,155
Melbourne
Premier 11A, Premier 12A, Premier 8A, Premier 140, MV60/SE, Classic 60SE, ARTsa, CAV45, LP70S, & LP125m.

The choice is yours, and any CJ tube power amp will drive the Quads with ease. From the above list, I've owned all of them, some were most enjoyable, such as the CAV45. However, this little integrated is best suited for high gain phonostages since it has no active gain stage on the volume control, only passive.

Currently using the LP125m's and had them in the dealers reference system with Quads for many years, partnered with an array of CJ preamps, all of which I've owned as well: PV10AL, PV12, PV15, Classic SE, ET3se, ET5, ACT2 and now currently using the CT5. I may have missed out on a few here... Can't remember them all but the list goes on...

Cheers, RJ
 

About us

  • What’s Best Forum is THE forum for high end audio, product reviews, advice and sharing experiences on the best of everything else. This is THE place where audiophiles and audio companies discuss vintage, contemporary and new audio products, music servers, music streamers, computer audio, digital-to-analog converters, turntables, phono stages, cartridges, reel-to-reel tape machines, speakers, headphones and tube and solid-state amplification. Founded in 2010 What’s Best Forum invites intelligent and courteous people of all interests and backgrounds to describe and discuss the best of everything. From beginners to life-long hobbyists to industry professionals, we enjoy learning about new things and meeting new people, and participating in spirited debates.

Quick Navigation

User Menu

Steve Williams
Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator
Ron Resnick
Site Co-Owner | Administrator
Julian (The Fixer)
Website Build | Marketing Managersing