Quad ESL 2812, DMP, Elite QMP, 50E, Audio Note M8 Micromega Microdac Rel Strata III

Click pics to enlarge.

Virtual Home Visits (10): Quad System, Audio Note, Micromega

Hot on the heels of the vintage ESL 63 comes another current ESL 2812 from our friend Joe L! Joe is a young retiree living in Toronto. Joe is a very experienced audiophile well connected in both Canadian and Hong Kong circles. In fact every year Joe spends quite a bit of time just hanging out in HK. I guess not this year! Joe is a very discerning listener who knows exactly what he wants. And he is handy, makes his own cables and mods.

He has used his current system for quite a while. If the system looks familiar, it is because it is very similar to the current system of our dear mutual friend WSS (more on this later).

CD Transport: Quad DMP CD Player Digital Out
DAC: Micromega Microdac
Preamp: Audio Note M8 Line
Amps: Quad 50E monoblocks and Elite QMP monoblocks
Loudspeakers: Quad 2812
Subwoofer: REL Strata III
Cables: Gotham GAC-1 S/PDIF-Pro digital cable, GAC-2 interconnect; Belden 9497

Quad ESL 2812 This is the same as WSS. More info on the 2812 and an early iteration of WSS' system can be found here. The article also covers the larger 2905 and contains a mini Overview of Quad, which I have just revised.

Quad DMP CD Player This is well reviewed here and in HiFi News. The DMP is likely an updated version of the older 99 CDP that I once had and liked (reported here). Take away the balanced and USB connections and the back is quite similar. The DMP has preamp function but Joe obviously prefers his ANUK M8.

Quad Elite QMP Monoblocks See above HiFi News link for the current version. When WSS acquired his one generation earlier Elite QMP, many went to listen (my report here) and all preferred the Quad to the ANUK amp. If memory serves me, this was all icefox's doing. He was at someone's place where the very reasonably priced Elite QMP massacred the very unreasonably priced Dartzeels's (Fremer, are you reading?) Soon, WSS bought his and Joe followed suit. BTW, I like the looks of the Elite's better.

Quad 50E This has always had a following and is different from other Quad amps in having a transformer input, attesting to its pro origin (including use in BBC). Joe's Canadian version came with a different input transformer and pinout. Being his fastidious self, he found a pair of the original input transformers on Ebay and restored it. In addition, he re-capped and adjusted bias. Joe said: "...to me there is not enough gain without the input trans. With a fixed 1k Hz signal to the 50E, the output voltages were 0.943V and 0.475V with and without the input trans, respectively..." That could account for my reservation of the bass when I heard it at icefox's, as he didn't use the transformer input. Joe obviously prefers the 50E to his QMP's as he is planning to sell the latter. Someone should grab them ASAP, very reasonably priced but excellent amps imho. I also think there may be another factor at play. Using the RCA out of ANUK M8, it goes through an input transformer when he is using the 50E, but it just goes into the Elite QMP RCA input directly. If one inserts a 1:1 input transformer between the M8 and Elite QMP, the result may be a little different. I once had the Manley PSE/PP switchable 300B monoblocks (very good) and I definitely preferred the transformer input. More oomph.

Micromega Microdac (my entry) Joe bought one for very little money. This is a small and beautiful looking DAC with a clear acrylic top. It is a true 1-bit (bitstream) DAC using Philips chips, like the whole line-up in that era (up to the mighty Trio). The other members of the Micro- series are Microdrive, Variodac, Microamp (I still have them all). The sound of the Microdac is very sweet, yet a little more resolving than the Duo BS-1, the lower priced of the 2 Duo DAC's (the other being the Duo Pro, which is sonically superior). I actually had 2 of these - I kept one and sold one to my friend whlee. Obviously Joe prefers this humble DAC! Indeed one of my budget favorites. Given that the Quad DMP is likely delta-sigma, it does not surprise me that Joe prefers a well-executed bitstream.

Subwoofer (REL Strata III) When the subwoofer arrived at WSS, Joe was there with me, as recorded here. I'll just paste it here: "...As you know, the Quad ESL crowd is a special breed. They swear by their ESL and are in general very reluctant to add a subwoofer. So, I am proud to say that after listening to my 47 Labs 4737 augmented by subwoofer (here) both Quad ESL-2812 owners WSS and JL were persuaded to give it a try. They lugged my down-firing REL Strata III from icefox's cavernous place (he used it to augment his Tannoy) to WSS's small den...The REL Strata III was an old product, but one of the more expensive offerings. It was generally very well received at the time and you can find quite a bit of info on the internet...The afternoon I was there, with the low-level input we tried crossing over from 69 Hz to 95Hz. All worked quite well. The volume is indented. We started with 3 small clicks, but eventually went down to just one click. If you touch the woofer unit, it was barely vibrating. This very small bass augmentation however had the eminently audible effect of improving upon the liveliness of the presentation. The ESL has always been too polite for me. It is good for a few instruments, but when the orchestra comes in, it is always underwhelming. The subwoofer improves upon this most important aspect. The effect of the subwoofer here is a bit different from what I get with my own systems - with the ESL one picks up the gain in presence more than bass extension. I am not sure whether that is due to the ESL or this REL. The important thing is, used judiciously, it is definitely a plus for the Quad ESL-2812, though I think other subwoofers may be worth trying too..." Joe also compared the low and high level inputs and said: "Although REL suggests using the Neutrik Speakon High Level Input, I think that masks the high frequency of the ESL and so prefer the Low Level Input." I agree, but one should always compare and trust one's own ears.

Cables Handy Joe has made quite a number of professional cables. His final choice of each of the three above, in his own words, "...was chosen from at least 3 to 7 different ones..."

What's next? Joe has expressed his interest in a tube amp for the Quad's. After icefox reminded us that his ESL 57 sang with the Manley Tiny Triode 25 (actually recorded here), he is looking. Actually, the Manley was made by VTL, and the original VTL Tiny Triodes (sassy chassis; later uglier silver faceplate hides the tubes) was nicknamed "dice" 骰仔 (for their small size and cuteness) in Hong Kong. Heard them several times - yes, very good. None of the versions would be a wrong buy but the earliest red ones are the prettiest and cheapest. These are triode connected but I think vintage Pentode PP can be excellent too. Two favorites are Eico HF-86 and Dynaco ST-35.

Top, ANUK M8, Quad DMP; Bottom, Quad 50E flanking Elite QMP, Micromega on top.

REL with low level input

I hope Joe gets a pair of these for Christmas present

The transformers that came with Joe's 50E's are smaller than the originals

Surgery (R) and Final Result (L)