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dantheman91
12-12-2013, 19:44
Hi Guys

My dad just picked up this lot :eyebrows: but i have concerns i'm wondering why theirs an earth lead on the 405 power amplifier & also what does it connect to?. Also was wondering have i connected up right if not please guide me as i will be trying it in the morning & just want to be sure.

Lovely Condition.

Many thanks
Dan
synsei
12-12-2013, 19:58
Oooo Dm2's :D Can't help you with your Quad question Dan but you are in for a treat once you get those DM2's hooked up to somet, as long as the Coles aren't shot that is, in which case they will sound as dull as ditchwater :eyebrows: If all's well your Tannoys will most probably show them the door but I reckon the DM2's may give your 770's a decent run for their money ;)
dantheman91
12-12-2013, 21:15
Hi Dave

The DM2's are sweet as a nut & sound excellent through a denon amp. The quads need a service.
Arkless Electronics
12-12-2013, 21:32
Hi Dave

The DM2's are sweet as a nut & sound excellent through a denon amp. The quads need a service.

The FM3 is still a reasonable tuner and the 303 isn't bad at all when working properly but I wouldn't bother with the 33 if I were you...
dantheman91
12-12-2013, 21:43
Hi

Yes but we are on 2 different levels i love it end of story each to there own though..i feel the forums has had this debate before....
synsei
12-12-2013, 22:10
The FM3 is still a reasonable tuner and the 303 isn't bad at all when working properly but I wouldn't bother with the 33 if I were you...

Looks like a 405 to me but hey ho... :eyebrows:

As with everything hifi, what is heaven for one may sound like tat to A. Nother. As long as A. Nother sticks to what he or she likes then everyone is happy ;)
Barry
12-12-2013, 23:36
Hi Guys

My dad just picked up this lot :eyebrows: but i have concerns i'm wondering why theirs an earth lead on the 405 power amplifier & also what does it connect to?. Also was wondering have i connected up right if not please guide me as i will be trying it in the morning & just want to be sure.

Lovely Condition.

Many thanks
Dan



Hi Dan,

Don't worry about the earth lead on the mains plug for the 405, it isn't needed. The 405 will be earthed via the braiding/screen of the audio lead connecting the 405 to the 33 preamp.

Some people are unhappy with this arrangement and prefer to directly earth the metal work of the 405 (or any other power amp for that matter) directly to the earth pin of the 13A mains plug. In theory this will form an earth loop, but in practice it will cause no problems: I added a supplementary earth wire to the 2-core mains lead connecting my 405 amp to a 44 preamp (whose switched mains outlets were IEC 3-pin types with earth).

PS From the photos you have connected up the units correctly. :)
Barry
12-12-2013, 23:42
Looks like a 405 to me but hey ho... :eyebrows:

As with everything hifi, what is heaven for one may sound like tat to A. Nother. As long as A. Nother sticks to what he or she likes then everyone is happy ;)

Yes it's a 405-1 (with the silver-grey anodised front heat sink).

Agree with your comment, except the 405-1 can benefit from a very simple and cheap upgrade by simply replacing the LM301 op-amp with a superior type.
synsei
12-12-2013, 23:44
Yes it's a 405-1 (with the silver-grey anodised front heat sink).

Agree with your comment, except the 405-1 can benefit from a very simple and cheap upgrade by simply replacing the LM301 op-amp with a superior type.

I should have quoted Jez, Barry as mine was a response to his post regarding the 33 ;)
Barry
12-12-2013, 23:50
I should have quoted Jez, Barry as mine was a response to his post regarding the 33 ;)

Ah - but though the 33 preamp design is very much of its time and now sounds dated (as do all preamps of that era, such as the Radford SC22, Leak 'Varislope', Sugden C51 etc.), the Quad 33 is not a bad sounding amp.

Rather than shell out for a new preamp, I would have the likes of NET or Dada upgrade the Quad 33.
Arkless Electronics
13-12-2013, 00:42
Looks like a 405 to me but hey ho... :eyebrows:

As with everything hifi, what is heaven for one may sound like tat to A. Nother. As long as A. Nother sticks to what he or she likes then everyone is happy ;)

Yes it's obviously a 405! phone rang part way through post and had FM3 and 33 in my head so....
The 405 is a truly underestimated amp once a few upgrades have been seen to! I reckon a sorted one (with a few basic upgrades to bring it up to date) is more than a match for a NAP250 ;)
Arkless Electronics
13-12-2013, 00:44
Ah - but though the 33 preamp design is very much of its time and now sounds dated (as do all preamps of that era, such as the Radford SC22, Leak 'Varislope', Sugden C51 etc.), the Quad 33 is not a bad sounding amp.

Rather than shell out for a new preamp, I would have the likes of NET or Dada upgrade the Quad 33.

Good advice if you really must keep the (cute looking) 33. In standard form not that good though... the pre amp out of a NAD 3020 will easily beat it.
dantheman91
13-12-2013, 08:28
Hi

Can anyone recommend decent stands to go with the DM2'S? Mini ones that is

Thanks
The Barbarian
13-12-2013, 16:40
Trouble is Dan they are big-ish Speakers.. Im not sure if a pair of Linn 'Isobarik' stands would fit! You'd have to measure up..
dantheman91
13-12-2013, 17:01
Trouble is Dan they are big-ish Speakers.. Im not sure if a pair of Linn 'Isobarik' stands would fit! You'd have to measure up..

Hi

Big boys toys :eyebrows:. I'm not sure what i was expecting in size but i got it wrong there huge and cabinetry is solid back when bowers were producing excellent speakers. I believe their transmission line front ported. They do weigh a hefty 21.5KG. I do have a pair of 6 inch target stands to try with them.
The Barbarian
13-12-2013, 17:12
Ah - but though the 33 preamp design is very much of its time and now sounds dated

I don't understand this 'Now sounds dated' ! if it sounded good back then it sounds good now if fully fettled & working A1.. or is the comment over comparing it to a Pre amp of today?
Barry
13-12-2013, 18:41
I don't understand this 'Now sounds dated' ! if it sounded good back then it sounds good now if fully fettled & working A1.. or is the comment over comparing it to a Pre amp of today?

Yes, that was what was intended. In its day (the late '60s) it was a very good preamp, compared with a lot of alternative preamps. Since then, designs have improved and so the 33 "now sounds dated". However, even in its stock form, it is not a bad sounding amplifier.
synsei
14-12-2013, 04:52
Hi

Can anyone recommend decent stands to go with the DM2'S? Mini ones that is

Thanks

I use Atacama SL400's with leadshot in the legs up to around a quarter of the height of each tube. DM2's work very well on these stands and they look good sitting on them too ;)

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/Sgtgrash/Hifi%20Stuff/5ca7f52e-9770-4eea-b301-d1673b9f1921.jpg (http://s1019.photobucket.com/user/Sgtgrash/media/Hifi%20Stuff/5ca7f52e-9770-4eea-b301-d1673b9f1921.jpg.html)