Quad Newbie - Quad 34 Inputs

[chris_s]

Hi All,

Recently acquired Quad 34 (late grey with rca sockets) along with a matching 306 from Monty (thanks Paul!)

Question over inputs more specifically with regards to use with my Technics SL1210 Mk2 / Firebottle MM + setup. (hoping i'm hitting upon a winning formulae of kit for me, here!)

I'd like to maintain the use of the Firebottle MM+ PhonoStage rather than using the phono input on the 34 (which is a MC card i think anyway - "200uv / 100R / 22n"?),

So my input options are either CD / Tape Playback / Radio.

Looking inside the input flags for Tape Rec/Playback & CD are 300mv.

Should i use any of those in preference?

Thanks!

Chris.

[Barry]

What is the gain of your Firebottle MM phonostage? I would suggest using the CD input as that will have the greater overload figure.

[Firebottle]

The gain of the Firebottle Plus is 44dB, I don't think it will make any difference which input you use.
If the 34 is serial number 8001 onwards then the inputs go into op-amp buffers so I don't think you will have any problem.

:cool: Alan

[chris_s]

First listen with everything hooked up and well warmed up, with a copy of Pink Floyd The Division Bell spinning - VERY different to the Onkyo (unsurprisingly) and will no doubt take a bit of getting used to , but I like it! And sure it's something I'll grow to love!

One thing I noticed with the setup going into CD input on the 34 is I can only turn upto no.3 out of 21 for evening listening otherwise it will upset the neighbours! (And the missus upstairs!)

Is that because of the gain of the Firebottle going into the cd input?

Chris

[The Barbarian]

You would have been better with the 'Q44' The modular aspect is very attractive

[amigarobbo]

You can change the flags to change the sensitivity, a bit on it here: http://quadrevisionspot.blogspot.co.uk/2006/01/quad-34-input-sensitivity.html

But I'm not sure what actual value of the resisters. Unless you've got the official Quad flags someplace?

[chris_s]

Thanks stephen, i kind of thought that might be possible. Need to experiment a little with it at some point to change the resistors, although to be honest i'm enjoying it's sound too much at the moment! :)

[hermit]

If you wanted to avoid any fiddling just buy a pair of Rothwell attenuators.

[mikmas]

Need to experiment a little with it at some point to change the resistors,

Just for future reference :)
I recently acquired the same model 34 with RCA inputs and have no problems cranking the volume to 8 for normal listening and 10/12 for a loud session - this is with a DAC with nominal 2v output. I checked the R135/R136 flags for the CD input when I got it and they read a value around 17k which might give you a good starting point if you do want to desensitise a bit to get better use of the pot. My power amp is a renovated Quad 303.