Quad 2905
Jonathan Valin -- Thu, 06/05/2008 - 01:06
In nearly forty years of searching for the absolute sound, I can count the number of moments where I actually thought I’d heard it—reached a new plateau of stereophonic realism—on the fingers of both hands. The last such epiphany that I reported on in TAS was the Magico Mini/Mini II, driven by the Audio Research Corporation Reference 3 preamp, ARC Reference 610T power amps, ARC PH7 phonostage, and the Walker Black Diamond record player. One of the first was the Quad 57 electrostatic loudspeaker, driven by an ARC 6B preamp and ARC D40 amplifier and sourced from a Kenwood turntable with Grace arm and Grado cartridge.
I now have in house the latest descendant of the Quad 57, Quad’s 2905 electrostatic loudspeaker, and for all the many changes Quad has made since the ESL-57 was introduced in 1956-57, its newest entry is still one of those unmistakably magical products that transports you to that high plateau of stereophonic realism that few other loudspeakers in my experience have reached. Like the 57, it still opens a “window on the soundstage” with a clarity and purity and precision that only great electrostats seem to own fully.
I will report in detail on the 2905 as I get more experience with it. For the time being, it is enough to say that this is a truly wonderful transducer that—given the limitations of electrostatic technology (and, of course, there are limitations with any loudspeaker technology)—deserves the attention of even the most high-end of audiophiles.
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I have Dutch Final 1.2 full range electrostatics since April 2001. I first used them with the Plinius 8200. Because of the low efficiency (specification 86 dB) I opted for this solid state amplifier. Last year I was fed up with the solid state sound (lack of colour, of ‘emotion’). Although I really liked the scaling of the music: a big symphony orchestra sounded big. I also noticed that there were some little holes in the folie as a result of arcing. So I tried the PrimaLuna Prolologues Six amps (with Prologue Three pre). Well the scaling is somewhat smaller, but I feel better connected to the emotional content of music (ah just listen to the Shostakovitch Violin Concerto 1 performed by David Oistrakh and the Philharmonic Orchestra directed by Rozhdestvensky on BBC Legends BBCL 4060-2). Now I never see any arcing anymore. It is just as if the tube amplification in connection with the electrostatics have less distortion. Using MIT cabling helps I think hearing three dimensional sound of instruments both solo and tutti. It seems to me that solid state amplifiers distort more than tube amplifiers with the weird load of an esl. I mostly use the 4 Ohm connection and occasionally the 2 Ohm connection.
Does anybody else notice any difference in arcing between the use of solid state versus valves?
Robert-Jan
OK, here's a choice I'd like advice. Which is a better choice to power theQuad 2905's in a moderate sized room: one MC275 or one Primaluna Dialogue 5? They both have (or can have) the Genelex reissue KT88, they both use 4, and beyond that , the only thing that really matters is the sound. i will be going into it with a DAC. I am concerned if one of each can power them. The advantage of the MC275 is that if it isnt enough power, I just need to buy one more, whereas the Primaluna Dialogue 7 need to buy both. The Primaluna is less powerful, but in tubes, the rating may be deceptive. It also is less expensive, although the MC275 can be readily bought used. THX
Warren
Hi ,
I use 2905 , with ARC LS17 and PASS aleph 3 , although rather underpowered , on moderate listening level it is still quite okay and satisfactory ,
I also own primaluna prologue 1 , which sometimes I use to drive the quads.. , IMO , the primaluna is less transparent and less blacker background than the ARC PASS combo. But.. the primaluna reveal a little bit more of the spaces of the recording venue and more body to the vocalist..
But , all things considered , I still prefer the ARC PASS combo --until I can buy a replacement for the PASS , I'm looking forward to use a ARC REF 110.
( I guess , if I use the full ARC combo , I'll get that "more space and more body" of the primaluna )
Sorry if this answer is not directly relevant to your question , but maybe you can learn something... , BTW my cd is Esoteric DV50 , TT Rega P3 + dynavector DX20 , Valhalla speaker cable , valhalla XLR from DV50 to ARC LS 17 , siltech snow lake gen 6 satt , powercords all nordost--shiva,vishnu,magus , you can see my system here.. http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?vevol&1236523003
I'll be glad to answer your questions , so we can share our experiences in using an excellent speaker , the Quad 2905
Hi,
I use a pair of 989 since 2001, now powered by Audiomat Solfege Reference, and had recently the opportunity to hear 2905 with ARC Ref 110 during several hours. Despite the power output difference (Solfège Ref = 40w class A PP 6550 SED C, for ARC 110: >100 w ), the bass extention and tonal quality were equal and really top class, but the medium was much more rich and detailled, and full of microdynamics, without being “warm”, with the Audiomat Solfège Ref, the best amp I heard today driving 989/2905 !
I own 2805 and tried a lot of McIntosh gear after having owned NAIM 282 and 250 etc. I prefered all Mc gear over NAIM and right now own 2xMC275 (but one was good enough also) together with Mc tube preamp. I am just into tubes now. I also liked the solid states, tried eg the 402. The bass /lower end response is impressive even with 2805 only. You pay a price though on mid and high and I ended up with tubes since I prefer smaller ensemble music.
In short, may be worth to audition ...
Thank you for your input , but in Indonesia I think I never heard a dealer for Solfege..
Another thing is , I have to consider the resale value , ARC units are highly desireable in my country , thus far better resale value than other brand , and also easy to sell..
I agree that if the Solfege are class A , they should be great.. I can imagine just like my Pass Labs Aleph 3 with more bloom , air , mycrodynamics...etc etc... aaaahhhh..fantastic..
Has anyone tired the Balanced Audio Technology VK 55se or VK 75se tubed amplifiers with Quad 2905? Also any one tried any other Air Tight Amps with 2905's other than ATM 3 in Mr. Valin's review? would be nice to know from those who have tested these!
I would very much like for TAS to review a Sound Lab speaker. I've been a subscriber for several years and have never seen a review of them.
Jack D II
a TAS review of Quad II Eighty Tubed amplifier review with the ESL 2805/2905 speakers would be nice!
Hi
I'm using my 2905s with Mcintosh MC402 power amp (400w), C100 preamp and Chord Blu/QBD76. The sistem sound " absolutly perfect" to me and I need nothing better. Of course I don't need those 400 watts but the fact that the amp as a power VU meter help to keep power under reasonable limits. In fact I never trigered the Quads protection sistem. In my room I never use more than 40 w and 4 watts gives a confortable and realistic level for most records (essntially classical music). when I close my eyes and listen I sometimes think that it's hard to tell if I'm in my listening room or at the concert hall.
Jose, what cables are you using?
Hello
Heri is for the cables: Transport to DAC; Nordost digital interconnect Silver Shadow, AES/XLR. DAC to preamp and from here to power amp; Nordost Heimdall. All are balanced, XLR. Power amp to loudspeaakers; Nordost Heimdall.
Best regards
Jose
Hello
I'm using Nordost everywhere; Silver Shadow digital AES/XLR; Heimdall XLR for DAC and preamp, and Heimdall for the loudspeakers cables.
Best regards
Jose
Has anyone actually hear a pair of the 2905 with any of the Atma-Sphere amplifiers?
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Have You experienced any reliability problems so far with thr 2905?