UQ V1 and Quad ESL57 | Any special concerns?
Posted by: LionelEleveld on 16 November 2016
A forum filled to the brim with Naim enthousiasts, that's a wonderful thing to discover! Have been reading your posts for a couple of weeks, but some little questions still remain. Most important of these is the one stated in the subject...
But first a bit of history. My recent secondhand 'find', a UnitiQute (V1, the one without built-in Tidal/Qobuz/Spotify 24/96MHz), is my first real step into 'real' HiFi, after experimenting with stuff from Denon and later NAD. Was playing with a set of Tannoy Revolution Signature DC4's, which was good starting punt but as to be expected, with something left to wish for. But fine for the moment, nonetheless!
My father once bought a set of new Quad ESL57s (serial numbers 45224 & 45355). As you might imagine, this is quite some time ago. Estimates are they might even 'hit' forty years of age. Just around 25 years ago the treble panels were replaced and the bass panels and high voltage stuff refurbished. Also, the much talked about modification for protection was put in. 15 years ago my mum finally won the argument and dad replaced the speakers with some more "WAF"-compliant stuff. The Quads went to the attic, where I found them just last month...
After a good cleaning, hooked 'm to my UQ and started listening... The first hour or so the sound was terrible, dull and almost as if the treble panels had just died. Started cooking and left them on, but after an hour i started listening again and haven't stopped since.
Apart from a little rattle, which later proved to be a couple of loose screws, I haven't been able to put my finger on signs that the speakers have really deteriorated. The imaging, the mid and high notes, it's really very nice. You just can't describe the step up from the Tannoys... It's in a different league!
What to do now? I'm afraid to say I might have fallen for them. Imagine: a small living room with the two 85x85cm speakers and a 55" TV, that's something to 'behold'...
Do you think there might be something to consider, maintenance-wise? Is there anyone here who can help me judge if they are safe, electricity-wise? High voltages, old electronics, could be potential hazards?
What about the combination between the cutest of Naims' and the legendary difficult ESL57s? I have read that Naim amps, when used with short speaker cables, could be even allergic to these speakers. Anything to take into account on this matter? I'd really like to redecorate and remodel my house to make the speakers fit in a sensible manner, but that would all be wasted if the speakers are really likely to 'crash and burn' in the next few weeks, or are very likely to toast the UQ... A short Google search learned me that a refit for the ESLs can set you back €1000-1800 a piece, that's not in my budget at this time...
Thanks in advance for your replies, ideas and tips! Very much appreciated!
Hmmm... 
You should be able to run your Quads with a UQ. Naim is probably one few solid-state amps that can handle wild impedance swings that Quads impose. After all even an original Nait managed to run Quads.
As to a service - given the history of your Quads, I think you should have them serviced by Quad. Just drop them a line and see what they say. And never, ever sell them!
Cables - just get NACA5. Typical length for the Quads would be around 6-8 meters.
Hi
It's the cable's capacitance and inductance that help to stabilise the amp. The lenght is important.
OK - with the modern era Naim amps it's less critical. But if you ever decide to try some of the more vintage variety (e.g Olive 72/HiCap/250) your NACA5 will be more or less compulsory. Otherwise you could kill the power amp.
When you write to QUAD do let them now you plan on using them with NAIM. They may modify the crow-bar protection to help the amp.
By the way: I have a pair of QUAD ESL-63s which will be reunitied with my recently serviced Olive set It is a beautiful combo.
Adam
Wow Adam, your setup really looks nice!!! Since you are based in Warsaw, a quick and casual listening session is, rather disappointinly, out of the question...
Having said that, might someone from this neck of the woods be curious, just drop me a message! 
Thanks for the explanation about the stabilization, very good to be aware of that. The message to Quad Musikwiedergabe in Germany is out, just as a message to a Dutch specialist Quad service company (who have serviced these speakers a quarter of a century ago, amazingly they're still in service!)
For your information: I'm making plans for a home redecoration, they have to stay. . Just to make room for the speakers in a more permanent way... This is far from perfect!
Oh, and... I've read somewhere that these speakers weren't made for Tubular Bells, but it was the other way around: Mike Oldfield was said to have made the music specifically for the ESL... Sounds really good indeed...
Enjoy.
Now try another trick, which will mess up your room decor 
Quads need at least 1 to 1.5 meters behind them to sound good. As you've probably noticed the sound is emitted both ways. The speakers need room to breathe at the back as well.
It will further open them up.