Quad ESL Repairs

[DaveF]

This is probably a long shot I know but was just wondering if anyone is aware of somebody in Ireland who can do a rebuild of a pair of Quad 989's. One of my speakers no longer sounds as loud as the other and this has been the case for a few months now, I just never got around to addressing it until now. Some odd noises too from the other speaker also. I'm pretty certain that a full rebuild on both might be required or indeed wise at this point.

I was of the impression that 989's had to be sent to Germany but Cloney's have a guy in Quad UK who might be able to help. I'm just waiting on word back from them.

Bit of a pain in the hole but that was part of the risk when venturing into the ESL world. I'd find it hard to go back to convential speakers at this point after experiencing the Quads.

[Ivor]

Really sorry they're acting up Dave :( Sometimes with "noise" they just need a reboot, it was explained to me as atmospherics and that was just about vague enough to be plausible. They used to occasionally "hiss" but a few hours of being powered down cured it. I've never heard a loss of volume on one side.. that's a new one on me.
I know http://www.onethingaudio.net/index.html are more 57 and 63 specialists but they may know someone repairing 989s or at least supplying parts in the UK.

[tony]

Sorry to hear that Dave, If Ivors suggestions don't work the only viable cost solution is Quad in Huntingdon. You can go direct or through Cloneys.
Quad will even advise you over the phone on the full and individual panel repair costs.

As others have pointed out OTA do not do work on 57's and 63's. The Quad uk site linked is the best option.There prices are competitive(relatively speaking!)

Quad Germany afaik charge a huge amount for 'new' 57's. German engineering quality at their prices.

Advice Dave that is always given out is to always leave them plugged in and charged. They use a minimal amount when in standby.

[DaveF]

I had them off for a few weeks as I was away for a while. When I plugged them in, one of them made a hissing/static like sound for about a minute as the panel was initially charging up. The other speaker (the lower volume one) was fine.
I still havent ruled out the amp by switching around the connections but it sound like a panel or two is gone on one of the speakers.

I'm half tempted to just save up for a few more months and go with one of the newer models. Better build and support perhaps. The OTA full rebuilds are an option too.

[Derek]

Dave sorry to hear about the 989s being ill, I take it you've already tried swapping sides (just to be sure it's the speakers).
I can second One thing Audio, I always found them extremely helpful when I had queries on my 63's, although I'm not sure about them dealing with 989's. If nothing else they can advise.

[james]

Hi Dave,

I think these speakers were made after Quad nearly went bust and was revived so I think you should contact Quad themselves. I think they are a current model [or at least a recent model]. I think Cloney is the quad agent.

I think 'one-thing-audio' is mainly for the older models [quad-57 and quad-63]. I think you can buy a new [yes really] quad-57 from a crowd in germany that bought the original machines [from quad] for making the panels.But you should not have to contact germany for your model.

James

[james]

http://www.quad-hifi.co.uk/

[DaveF]

I'm going through the Cloney route. They're going through their Quad contact in the UK whom they've dealt with for many a year. First thing is to see if they can send boxes over for shipment. Then get a quote for a single panel repair all the way up to full rebuild. It may end up being cheaper getting a OTA set of 57's or 63's and leaving the 989's for another time.