The Natural Philosopher wrote:
> jasee wrote:
>> "Dave Plowman (News)" <dave@davenoise.co.uk> wrote in message
>> news:50750c013edave@davenoise.co.uk...
>>> In article <eoidnfkKspGxQdDXnZ2dnUVZ8lWdnZ2d@bt.com>,
>>> jasee <jasee@btinternet.com> wrote:
>>>> I can't remember being particularly impressed with the original
>>>> quad electrostatics particularly with full orchestras and organs,
>>>> as in certain organ concertos, really almost disappeared. I really
>>>> couldn't see what the fuss was about. And I remember the quad 405
>>>> amplifier I bought becoming so noisy that I sent it back.
>>> You're a few years apart. The original '57 would have been driven
>>> with Quad II valve amps. Or even just one. The first Quad
>>> transistor amp was the 303. Early 405s used a poor op amp which was
>>> changed for a better one shortly after introduction.
>>>
>>> The original '57 was very room sensitive. Was your room approaching
>>> a cube? The bass output seemed to disappear in those. Worked best
>>> in a long room with the speakers across the narrow wall. Of course
>>> it only went down to about 40 Hz in the best of circumstances. And
>>> the lack of resonances made it appear bass light compared to a
>>> honky cabinet speaker.
>>
>> I borrowed the quads for about a couple of weeks in London and they
>> were with valve amps and yes the room was more of less square and
>> the particular organ had a low 32cycle (IIRC) note which you simply
>> couldn't hear at all. The 405 I bought myself later but changed for
>> a Raford transistor amp which was simply worlds better. Never did
>> like valves anyway.
> The Radford WAS good, from distant hazy memory.
>
> These days, with FET outputs and as long as you are prepared fr an amp
> that runs fairly hot, you can beat bipolars hands down really, and
> knock valves into the middle of the last century, where they belong
> ;-)

Quite right!

>
> But there is no incentive to do that. People Want Valves, and a tranny
> amp handbuilt and tuned costing £700 is simply not there marketing
> wise when it come to the pure red glow of a few EL34's..
>
> I liked the ELS for classical at modest volume, but they were hopeless
> for jazz or rock. My favorites were horns..good horns, with either
> bass reflex for the bottom, or infinite baffle. Never did build any
> concrete bass horns..

Transmission lines were the answer, Radford built a good one as did IMF
(IIRC), but there were lots of homemade designs.