quad esl-57 and nait 5si

Rael, Quad ESL 57's are up there with the Linn LP12 in the list of all time hi-fi classics. 

The most eloquent member of this forum (yes really, and an amazing classical music critic) has waxed lyrical on his experience with Quad ESL 57's. Sadly he's in hibernation just now (or maybe he's too busy playing his double bass ).

Have a look at this  wonderful thread first: https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...-still-not-eclipsed?

Then have a look at: https://forums.naimaudio.com/topic/naim-and-quad-esls

Finally:  https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...ter-three-plus-years

Ah, the long lamented GFF - I did like his posts, especially about music, while his seemingly quirky view on hifi made interesting reading, though some people were less than complimentary, which I think wore him down, which is a pity. I wonder if he still reads things here, and if one day he'll return?

Ok - Quads... classic.

You should be able to to make them work with a Nait. I would suggest a minimum of 3.5 meters of a regular NACA5 cable. Go up to 20 meters if you have to. Don't experiment with other cables. I tried my Quads (ok ESL 63) with 250DR, 250 Olive, SuperNait2 - all worked perfectly.

By the sounds of it your Quads have had a crow-bar protection circuit modified so easier work for your Nait. If you arc them, just shut things down (speakers first, than your Nait), wait 1 minute and start again (Nait first, speakers afterwards).

What else - they need space to breathe around them.

Guys - George is well. Enjoying his mono-quad amp and a single ESL 57 enormounsly. 

Thanks for the replies and I am reading through the other threads to build up my limited knowledge of the 57's. Can anyone suggest whether I am better to use the AV2 amplifier or Nait 5si to drive the 57's or is either one suitable as I do not wish to blow either amp especially not the Nait 5SI ?

Adam Zielinski posted:

Guys - George is well. Enjoying his mono-quad amp and a single ESL 57 enormounsly. 

Should read: enormously.

rael posted:

Thanks for the replies and I am reading through the other threads to build up my limited knowledge of the 57's. Can anyone suggest whether I am better to use the AV2 amplifier or Nait 5si to drive the 57's or is either one suitable as I do not wish to blow either amp especially not the Nait 5SI ?

 

 

Just stick to your Nait 5. If an original Nait can drive the Quads, I'm sure your modern one will be ok. If you have doubts just contact Naim customer service and ask them. They are very quick to respond.

Perhaps one of the moderators picks this thread up and answers beforehand.

I run a pair of 57's off a Nait XS2 (via NAC A5), and a Nait 5i is just fine too. The only Naim amp to my knowledge that the Quad electrostatics don't get on with is a NAP500.

My pair were serviced by OTA in 2003 and are still sounding wonderful atop Rupert stands. I think OTA do fit crow-bar protection. Just be sensible with the volume. If the panels, electronics and transformers are in good order, a pair of 57's will go comfortably louder than one assumes.

Enjoy; and get used to pondering about what loudspeaker designers have been messing about at for the last sixty years. 57's do of course have their limitations, but their midband and organic quality with acoustic instruments is peerless. They also paradoxically 'rock' (albeit with lightweight but beautifully clean bass) because of the low mass of their mylar diaphragms.

John.

Your Nait should be fine and also NACA5 works well here.  As others have mentioned, just be sensible with the volume  - your ESLs won't last so long otherwise.

Of course, the best way to go is get another pair of ESLs and stack them - it has been a popular upgrade for many years, increasing maximum output, and increasing the bass output more in proportion, reducing the roll-off, without any degredation.

not sure whether that might make a difference to the amp requirement, which if it does may be something to consider if it sounds like a possible future move.

With the blessing of He Who Shall Not Be Named or George as I call him...

Also a Nait 5 of any flavour will work well with ESLs.

Joff

J.N. posted:

I run a pair of 57's off a Nait XS2 (via NAC A5), and a Nait 5i is just fine too. The only Naim amp to my knowledge that the Quad electrostatics don't get on with is a NAP500.

My pair were serviced by OTA in 2003 and are still sounding wonderful atop Rupert stands. I think OTA do fit crow-bar protection. Just be sensible with the volume. If the panels, electronics and transformers are in good order, a pair of 57's will go comfortably louder than one assumes.

Enjoy; and get used to pondering about what loudspeaker designers have been messing about at for the last sixty years. 57's do of course have their limitations, but their midband and organic quality with acoustic instruments is peerless. They also paradoxically 'rock' (albeit with lightweight but beautifully clean bass) because of the low mass of their mylar diaphragms.

John.

John, George can't answer better, or not?

Happy to read some of us still considering ESL for pleasuring listening.

ATB, Maurizio 

I should have also noted that toe in not required for mono but you got one anyway...

Many thanks for all the replies all very helpful and reassuring that I have made the right decision in getting the 57's.

I have a couple of queries on my set-up if anyone has any suggestions it would be much appreciated.

Naim AV2/NAPV175/NAIT 5SI/DVD5/KEF LS50 x 5, quad esl 57's enroute

1/ connection of NAIT 5SI to AV2 as follows

AV Input 2 x Phono (NAIT 5SI) to 5 Pin DIN plug analog socket 3 (AV2) as detailed in the AV2 installation guide

I have made this connection and there is no sound from the front speakers, is there some configuration required and/or does the cable have to be a different layout.

NB The cable works successfully when connecting from the DIN CD input (NAIT 5SI) to 2 Phono Analogue Audio Out Bluetooth Audioengine B1 device

2/ I should like to use the NAIT 5SI for my front speakers (Kef LS50's) in the AV system and also use it for music using the Quad 57's. Is there a way of doing this which does not involve plugging/unplugging cables, using a switch or will this likely kill the sound quality.

Do the AV and music systems need to be completely independent ?

Cheers

I think I may have answered 1/ myself, in the AV2 owners manual Page 8 it states "Integration of the av2 with a conventional stereo system may require a non standard "reversed" cable"  Your local Naim Audio Representative etc..

rael posted:

Many thanks for all the replies all very helpful and reassuring that I have made the right decision in getting the 57's.

I have a couple of queries on my set-up if anyone has any suggestions it would be much appreciated.

Naim AV2/NAPV175/NAIT 5SI/DVD5/KEF LS50 x 5, quad esl 57's enroute

1/ connection of NAIT 5SI to AV2 as follows

AV Input 2 x Phono (NAIT 5SI) to 5 Pin DIN plug analog socket 3 (AV2) as detailed in the AV2 installation guide

I have made this connection and there is no sound from the front speakers, is there some configuration required and/or does the cable have to be a different layout.

NB The cable works successfully when connecting from the DIN CD input (NAIT 5SI) to 2 Phono Analogue Audio Out Bluetooth Audioengine B1 device

2/ I should like to use the NAIT 5SI for my front speakers (Kef LS50's) in the AV system and also use it for music using the Quad 57's. Is there a way of doing this which does not involve plugging/unplugging cables, using a switch or will this likely kill the sound quality.

Do the AV and music systems need to be completely independent ?

Cheers

 

 

the quad are much better on one thing audio stands.  if possible pick up some townsend tweeters.  avoid very cold rooms in the winter . plates dont like to be cold.   still are one of the best designed  of all

Rael, the AV2 interconnect has a yellow band on it - that's what makes it distinguishable from the regular interconnect which has a green band.  It not only takes signal from the AV2 into a suitable Naim pre-amp or integrated, but also takes a signal back the other way too, thus allowing any source connected to said Naim pre-amp or integrated to be fed back through the AV2 for surround processing.  When processed via the AV2s onboard Dolby PLII or DTS Neo, some music can take on a whole new and rather interesting dimension.  I recall one such was Thom Yorke's The Eraser, which worked really well this way.

Oh, and regarding (2), avoid speaker switches.  You will need to physically unplug and re-plug.  Best to just choose whichever speaker you prefer or keep the systems separate.

Richard Dane posted:

Rael, the AV2 interconnect has a yellow band on it - that's what makes it distinguishable from the regular interconnect which has a green band.  It not only takes signal from the AV2 into a suitable Naim pre-amp or integrated, but also takes a signal back the other way too, thus allowing any source connected to said Naim pre-amp or integrated to be fed back through the AV2 for surround processing.  When processed via the AV2s onboard Dolby PLII or DTS Neo, some music can take on a whole new and rather interesting dimension.  I recall one such was Thom Yorke's The Eraser, which worked really well this way.

Oh, and regarding (2), avoid speaker switches.  You will need to physically unplug and re-plug.  Best to just choose whichever speaker you prefer or keep the systems separate.

Hi Richard

Thanks for getting back to me really useful info.

I have a grey Naim cable 5 PIN DIN to 4 phono (RCA) numbered 1,4 - Red, 3,5 - Black, with a yellow band, I think this cable can be used between the AV2 and NAIT 5SI by connecting the playback RCA plugs ( as opposed to the REC Plugs used in a cassette recorder ) to the NAIT.

Firstly is this correct and if so do you know which RCA's are the playback numbers ?

Thanks for advice on av vs music system, I will either have to buy another amp such as 150 or try the esl 57's integrated with the LS50's for AV probably not a good idea. unplug and re-plug is not a great option, thx

Cheers

Rael, the Naim AV2 interconnect is a grey DIN5-DIN5 lead.  I don't know what lead you have - sounds like a tape lead, in which case one of the sets should give you the one-way connection you need.  If you have a multimeter then a quick continuity check should show you which pins correspond to each RCA plug.

Richard

On the NAIT 5SI  the AV input is an RCA connection only, there is no DIN socket. I have now connected AV2-> NAIT 5SI successfully using my DIN to 4 x RCA yellow banded NAIM cable as follows :-

AV2 ( DIN ) -> 5SI ( AV INPUT 2 x RCA plugs 1 & 4 into right & left respectively)

This is in accordance with reversed lead pin out of 1+4 being connected.

It works fine with the 5SI volume at around 1200, just need to crank it back if switching to my music source.

Thanks again for your help.

Rael, yes, just wanted to say that the proper AV2 lead is DIN-DIN, hence why I confirmed that the lead you have should work fine with the NAIT 5Si.  Have you tried setting the AV input for unity gain?  It will mean you don't have to mess around with the volume control on the NAIT when in AV mode - the amp then slaves off the AV2.

Richard, great idea I will give that a go when I get home, thanks