amplification for ESL's

Posted by: Milk&Juice on 28 July 2003

Hi,

I'm relatively new to the hifi scene and would like some advice, suggestions on amplification.
I'm curious to know which pre and power combos from Naim would best suit Quad 988's, speaking to dealers the advice truly varies from some swearing by valves and others solid state. It's hard to experience the vast range of amplification in the comfort of my home with the 988s.

My source is a Naim CD5 with flatcap, I have read about the MF 3.2pre power combination and they seem to fair well in reviews and this may also be one avenue I may look down as well. I know this is not a great way of researching equipment but I am still short listing.

I would like some suggestions on the minimum or what I would get away with without betraying the quality of the ESLs. Any help or advice or even guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Dru

Posted on: 28 July 2003 by Mr_Sukebe

I get the impression that Naim amps are not well suited to ESLs.
I'd suggest you look at either MF or better still, Quad amplification, after all, you'd expect it to match well.

Posted on: 28 July 2003 by Cheese

Here you can read everything about it. Note that they mention a Nait as being fully able to do the job !

Cheese

Posted on: 28 July 2003 by Onthlam

Milk&juice,

It will all depend on how much you will want to spend.. The higher you go up the ladder, the better the music will sound...

I used a 250 for like 15 years with a pair of 63s. Sounded wonderful.

You will need to make up your mind to which
brand you will be happy with.. As for the QUADS.. Aything you put into them will be fine. The Quads can make the sound of 10,000 cats being run over by a steam roller sound great.

Botton line is, NAIM sounds great and can handle the load..........Call the ball!!

250 and an 82 would be a good start.

Regards,

Marc

Posted on: 28 July 2003 by J.N.

Dru

I've run my ESL 57's on a Nait 2 up to a pair of 135's. They all sounded fine, and caused no distress to amps or speakers.

Good luck.

Posted on: 29 July 2003 by Milk&Juice

Thanks for your suggestions and advice, guess I will have to do more research and a lot more listening. The site you forwarded me to Cheese was good reading thanks.

Once again thanks all