How much a decently fettled pair of Quad II's?

[Wakefield Turntables]

Ive been thinking about getting a pair for some time but I'd like to know how much a decent pair goes for nowadays?? Any ideas guys??

[DSJR]

Seversal hundred plus usually...

I ought to add that when my Croft-rebuilt II's were freshly done, we compared them to a then new Croft Series V and in all honesty, the Croft was slightly more capable with modern speakers, the Quads sounding glorious as always, but not quite as neutral at the frequency extremes. The now vintage Series V was not as "hearty-toned" as the Series IVS was when it was new (it seems a set of KT120's updates the latter nicely), but if you see a Series V, I'd give it close consideration (I was a bit cross when Shane2468 here sold his on, since IMO it's better than a lot of the stuff he's had since - sorry Shane :))

[Wakefield Turntables]

Thanks Dave, as always!

[DSJR]

The II's do have something about them though, but "true High Fidelity?" Not really sure there, BUT and it's a HUGE BUT, the MUSIC always takes over and you always end up with a smile on your face, or tears if the song is a sad one. Know what I mean guv'nor?

[Audio Al]

£500 a pair needing rebuilding

or

£2000 freshly rebuilt with new internals and valves and ready to go :)

[Firebottle]

£2000 freshly rebuilt with new internals and valves and ready to go :)

Cor that's a lot :eek:
Is that based on your findings Al?

[Audio Al]

Cor that's a lot :eek:
Is that based on your findings Al?


It must be true its on ebay ;):lol:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/QUAD-II-Power-Amps-Matched-pair-IN-STUNNING-CONDITION-/271139179877?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiF i_Amplifiers&hash=item3f21278d65

[Spur07]

Ive been thinking about getting a pair for some time but I'd like to know how much a decent pair goes for nowadays?? Any ideas guys??

If you can find a pair these days for £500 you'll have done well. More realistically on ebay you'll be looking somewhere between £600-800, and they'll most definitely need servicing. They shouldn't really be run with the original Hunts capacitors in place and most the erie resistors will probably have drifted. If you're serious PM me - I might be able to put you on to a friend who services Quad II's as a sideline. He's a top bloke and knows the amp inside out.

Try and look for a pair that have been in recent use and not stored away for an indefinite period if you want original KT66's that actually work. When I got mine I serviced them to original spec with original KT's, in which case I think they're best employed with the vintage speakers they were originally intended to be matched with. I wouldn't swap mine for anything, accept a Leak perhaps :D

[Wakefield Turntables]

IF I do buy a pair they will be used with my One Thing Audio ESL 57's :eyebrows: mainly for Jazz, accoustic music etc. I would get them services but TBH your spoilt for choice. Do you use AnthonyTD, Lurcher, or send them to be "Crofted", additionally classique sounds are well recommended. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!

[Spur07]

IF I do buy a pair they will be used with my One Thing Audio ESL 57's :eyebrows: mainly for Jazz, accoustic music etc. I would get them services but TBH your spoilt for choice. Do you use AnthonyTD, Lurcher, or send them to be "Crofted", additionally classique sounds are well recommended. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!

Excellent choice! My friend runs his Quad's into original 57's, they sound sublime. If your 57's haven't been tampered with I'd say get the Quads serviced to original spec and use original GEC KT's.

Like I said, if you want to save yourself a few pennies drop me a line. I wouldn't trust my Quads with anyone else.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Send me a PM with his details. It's also worth having another contact just in case. ;)

[walpurgis]

Any particular reason you have your mind set on Quads?

I personally would sooner have a good Leak Stereo 20, I've owned both and rate the Leak more highly. Don't get me wrong, the Quads sound pleasant enough, but lack a bit of drive and the bottom end isn't too convincing to me. The Stereo 20 is a great all rounder and sounds superb with the right pre-amp. the Leak might prove cheaper too.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Just fancied a pair mate! ;) Leak could be an option, but just wanted some monoblocks. I have a very nice Radford setup. I also want a Krell KSA100 but I cant seem to find one. :(

[Barry]

Andrew, are you intending to use the Quad IIs with your '57s?

If so, then the Quad IIs were obviously designed for use with the Quad ESLs ('57s). And indeed they do work well, displaying a sublime mid-band performance that is often un-appreciated by many. However, the frequency extremes are found wanting.

You already have a Radford STA25 amp, which many would agree is a near perfect match into '57s. So, if you want to look elsewhere, I would suggest you look at the Leak 20. I'm not sure if it would be any better than your Radford, or would be that much cheaper than the Quad II, but worth at least auditioning.

But why not be a bit radical? Have a listen to a refurbished/re-capped Quad 303!

Monoblocks? Well, there are the Quad 50Es or the Mark Levinson ML-2s to consider as well.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Andrew, are you intending to use the Quad IIs with your '57s?

If so, then the Quad IIs were obviously designed for use with the Quad ESLs ('57s). And indeed they do work well, displaying a sublime mid-band performance that is often un-appreciated by many. However, the frequency extremes are found wanting.

You already have a Radford STA25 amp, which many would agree is a near perfect match into '57s. So, if you want to look elsewhere, I would suggest you look at the Leak 20. I'm not sure if it would be any better than your Radford, or would be that much cheaper than the Quad II, but worth at least auditioning.

But why not be a bit radical? Have a listen to a refurbished/re-capped Quad 303!

Monoblocks? Well, there are the Quad 50Es or the Mark Levinson ML-2s to consider as well.

Bloody hell Barry you've now given me more choices... Aaarrgghhhh :doh:

I'm not really looking for SS monoblocks but I'd like to own a pair of valve instead. Hence thinking about the quad II for the 57s. The leak 2o has been mentioned before. So it looks like a toss up :lol: between the quad 2 and the leak.

[The Black Adder]

I had some fettled by Glenn once. Running KT88's and they were great little things but not enough grunt to drive Tannoys properly though.

[Wakefield Turntables]

I had some fettled by Glenn once. Running KT88's and they were great little things but not enough grunt to drive Tannoys properly though.

Thats what the Radford's for! Altough I'm still on the look out for a Krell KSA50 or 100 :eek: That should definitely drive the 15" tannoys :eyebrows:

[walpurgis]

I turned a pair of Quad IIs down for £20 about twenty years ago. I'd already owned a decently fettled set and was never that impressed. I much prefered the Leak Stereo 20.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Well whilst I'd like a pair of the quad ii I think I have come to the conclusion that I have enough stuff in my listening room to keep me going for another ten years. I have five of speakers, a full valve setup and a full SS setup. I can only fit myself in :lol:

[Ali Tait]

You can never have too much kit, build an extension!

[Wakefield Turntables]

You can never have too much kit, build an extension!
Already have and that's where my kits installed :lol:

[walpurgis]

You can never have too much kit, build an extension!

Absolutely! Imagine not having loads of kit to play 'mix & match' with. Horrible thought.

[thebeathunters]

Well whilst I'd like a pair of the quad ii I think I have come to the conclusion that I have enough stuff in my listening room to keep me going for another ten years. I have five of speakers, a full valve setup and a full SS setup. I can only fit myself in :lol:

totally agree with you, i recently downsized my gear BUT kept the QII -over Mc30 actually - for ESL57...
there's currently a very Nice SET of full restored quads around 1K , which is a good price, be sure they have their KT66 in good shape And enjoy the music

[The Black Adder]

Hi Andrew.

I had a pair of Crofted ones and they were very nice indeed. Glenn certainly knows the amps like the back of his hand and can (like the ones I had) can make them use a regulated power system. I'd give Glenn a shout.

If not then Paul at Classique Sounds.. I bought them from him and he really knows his onions too.

[Barry]

You can never have too much kit, build an extension!

Oh, I think you can - I do:

1 pair of Quad 50E monoblocks
2 x Quad 303
3 x Quad 405 (a Mk.I heavily modified, and two Mk. IIs, also modified)
1 x Quad 520f
1 x Cambridge P50
1 x Radford STA15 Mk. III
1 pair of Mark Levinson ML-2 monoblocks.

And that's not considering, preamps, tuners, tape machines, cassette decks, or turntables and pick-up arms; let alone pick-up cartridges. :doh:

[Wakefield Turntables]

I forgot I wrote this thread, thats oldtimers disease catching up with me! I've not really added much more stuff to the collection apart from a Sansui AU717 integrated amp and a pair of no-name speakers for the downstairs living room. I'm still no further in picking a pair of monoblocks. One day, maybe.....:)

[topoxforddoc]

I just sold my GT Audio (TRON) rebuilt Quad IIs for £1150. They were fab and the new owner is very happy. I only sold mine after buying a TRON Voyager 6W SET for £10k. Rebuilt Quads can be very good indeed - much better than the pipe and slippers brigade might make out.