I could not resist using the above title for my query. I have recently
purchased all Quad equipment, i.e. 99 CD player, pre-amp and 909
amplifier.
Up to now I have been using B and W Speakers but have now bought a
second hand pair of Quad ESL 63's which are also owned by a friend of
mine who raves about them.
Having got used to the different sound of them, especially in my first
love, classical music, I have been puzzled by the lack of volume, some
distortion and also the need to run my 909 at a higher level.
I have now discovered from Quad my 63's have lost sensitivity and may
have a panel problem, (please excuse my layman's description). I have
about half the volume of my friends speakers and my 909 which is usually
hot even on standby, seems to get exceedingly hot when using the 63's.
I have decided to send them back to the dealer so that he in turn can
deliver them to Quad for a complete check-up.

My queries really are, first of all, why is my friends Quad amplifier
quite cold in operation and standby, I understand its an older and
smaller powered 303, (or some such number). Quad tell me its normal for
the 909 to be hot, but how hot, as mine is almost untouchable when under
power and I can smell the new paint on it.
Has anyone any idea why my friends ESL's are so powerful and punchy and
mine are not and with a 3 months guarantee on my speakers just starting,
where do I stand, I paid £1295 for them and I feel that especially the
ESL's should not be sold by a dealer supposedly in good working order,
when they are quite obviously in need of servicing. I am certain that
they "will" give me a good service when I go back to them but should
they not have done so before selling them in the first place. Only I
have a knowledgeable friend who owns 63's that I can use as a benchmark,
I might never have discovered their faults and how for they fell short
of their full potential.
Your views would be greatly appreciated.
--
Derrick Fawsitt