During my earliest days in gaining knowledge in producing an Audio System, I was a believer that Transducer used at either end of the audio chain were critical. Compromises at the Source, and compromises for the produced end sound were to be where a Analogue Sourced system was at high risk of failing.
Not many young men have disposable income to spend big on Cartridges and Speakers, so as a customer your hands are tied to complete a purchase on something quite desirable.
Being Short in funds does not mean a shortness of experiences are being dictated, unless fares and entry fees are also not affordable.
Across a few years a huge amount of experiences were had of systems assembled that did get my interest any others not thought of as being interesting.
The outcome being certain assemblies of Audio Devices that were to aspire to, proved themselves to be worth aspiring to, while other assemblies was not so up there, regarding impression being made.
The shock being systems unknown had the potential to captivate, compel an individual into just wanting more.
A Google search may reveal the exact time my first compelling experience occurred. I took part at the London Heathrow - Ramadan Hotel Audio Show, in a Room exhibiting Tim De Paravicini designs, not sure if EAR existed back then.
Pink Floyd 'Pulse' Master tapes in use, where ESL 57's were direct coupled to Valve Power Amp's.
There have not been many exhibit rooms to cause my intention to have extensive experiences to cease, but this room did.
After a few months of this experience I threw caution to the wind and bought 57's that were one year young after full Quad Service.
Custom Design Commission Built Power Amp's were to follow, as Valve Power to drive the 57's.
Wind the clock forwards, 57's became Stacked 57's.
The Quads were for me such a attractive end sound experience.
I even become friends with other 57 advocates and experienced them in other systems driven by a variety of Power Amp's both SS and Valve. One Stacked Array was built by a 57 guru, who was informing that all drivers were 0.5dB matched.
Today I have local friends using Stacked Array and Single Array 57's. I can experience the end sound produced by them driven with a selection of Amp's regularly.
Additionally, I am able to experience in use regularly Quad ESL's that were TOTL models prior to the 'X' range launch.
In late 2025, Speakers were offered that I was extremely interested in, and I was extremely keen to learn more, which I did.
Today the Quad 57's are in storage since early 2026.
They are superseded in use by Towering Cabinet Speakers.
Everything I have become to admire about 57's is easy to detect, plus much, much more. I am stupidly happy.
What's more my Quad ESL owning friends are introduced and are so keen to encourage my hosting new get togethers.
Now and again, the saying " Need to Pinch Myself" really does have meaning.