QUAD II 40's - Anyone rate them?

[Ali Tait]

Thought I'd give you an idea of a DIY amp-

http://www.wduk.worldomain.net/gallery/index.php?n=55

[The Black Adder]

Hi, is that link not working? - I can't seem to get in to the gallery.

Anyhoo... I think I'll knock the Quads on the head, I'm hearing too much about the build quality, albeit the lack of... I'm sure they are fine but I'm after something a bit special...

I'm still in limbo with valve or solid... can you tell me if valve amps (in general) are meant to be left on like SS?

[The Grand Wazoo]

No, I wouldn't be leaving a valve power amp on for long periods unattended.
It'll cost you in electricity, valves and........just possibly, your house.

It sounds to me like you've got to get out there and listen to a load of different stuff & see what takes your fancy from your experience.
Just a thought

[DSJR]

Listening to "loads" in a short time will cause mega confusion I found.

My honest advice is to start low but good, as in a basic WD amp for a few hundred quid which will be easy to move on if the presentation doesn't suit. if kit or ready-built kit isn't to taste, then look at a Puresound, which is sorted for the UK and will be reliable (Guy posts here too). use speakers with an easy impedance curve and you'll be fine.

The mega valve amps can come later once the "apprenticeship" has been served I think.

[The Grand Wazoo]

Dave, I said listen to 'loads' but I didn't intend for it to be carried out in a short time. I completely agree that would confuse things. But Joe is considering spending up to a tidy sum & I'd want to be sure I'd listened to a good representation of what's available if it were me.

[The Black Adder]

Cheers Dave, Chris. Yeah, I've listened to the Quads and also some Quad II's, also a Lumey Reference but not the new world stuff yet.

To be honest, It's hard for me to get about at the moment, and I don't want to make a mistake. But I do still like SS, so that is deffo still on the cards.

Another make is Audion - Someone on PFM is selling a Stirling and amp - Has anyone got an opinion on these?

I'm after something that won't burn my house down too... I know this is a bold statement but I've had a fire recently and I must admit valve amps do have a reputation in this area.

[The Black Adder]

Cheers Dave, Chris. Yeah, I've listened to the Quads and also some Quad II's, also a Lumey Reference but not the new world stuff yet.

To be honest, It's hard for me to get about at the moment, and I don't want to make a mistake. But I do still like SS, so that is deffo still on the cards.

Another make is Audion - Someone on PFM is selling a Stirling and amp - Has anyone got an opinion on these?

I'm after something that won't burn my house down too... I know this is a bold statement but I've had a fire recently and I must admit valve amps do have a reputation in this area.

[Ali Tait]

Hi, is that link not working? - I can't seem to get in to the gallery.

Anyhoo... I think I'll knock the Quads on the head, I'm hearing too much about the build quality, albeit the lack of... I'm sure they are fine but I'm after something a bit special...

I'm still in limbo with valve or solid... can you tell me if valve amps (in general) are meant to be left on like SS?

Hi,link works fine for me.I agree with what all are saying,you need to decide first exactly what it is you want.If it is a valve amp,then WD or similar would be a good place to start.If you want the best amp for the money spent,then having an amp made for you will give you the best SPPV,given the amount you have to spend.The friend I mentioned has built some of the best amps I've ever heard,and that includes silly priced Audio Note stuff and similar.

[Stratmangler]

Hi Ali

I've justed logged out on the WD site and tried the link - you get a page that comes up with something about logging in to access the images.

The link works fine when I'm logged in.

[DSJR]

Dave, I said listen to 'loads' but I didn't intend for it to be carried out in a short time. I completely agree that would confuse things. But Joe is considering spending up to a tidy sum & I'd want to be sure I'd listened to a good representation of what's available if it were me.

S'allright, I think I knew where you were coming from... i just think that it's mad to spend a small fortune all at once without having tried and owned a few cheaper goodies first, as after taking for granted the expensive and hopefully "better" stuff for a while, the itchy feet start up (been there and done it).

I think this hobby is far more fun if you start low and good and then carefully work your way up. A Rogers Cadet III or 1970's Sugden A21/A48 could lead to a WD KEL84 or AVI LSI and then either bigger ss or valve with Harbeths/Tannoy DC's or even a decent active monitoring system (ADM9.1's WITH SUB, or ATC/PMC/Adam etc...).

I'm not saying the OP should do a Jerry and serial box-swap every few months (although I'm surprised the Chord integrated lasted as long as it did), but carefully working your way up with good items that are easy to sell on later..

It's difficult for me to type what I mean, but hopefully you have the gist of it