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.
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.
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.
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?
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!
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?
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.
@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.
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 !!!
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 .
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.
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.
@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! :-)
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!
