Kicking back loving my uber low rent system :)

[Idlewithnodrive]

Sitting listening to tunes on a real cobbled together system tonight and loving every minute

A few weeks back I bought a real cheapo Quad 405-2; just as one of those things I've always wanted to try. I didn't want to invest a lot of money in it, so managed to snag a QED SDR passive pre for about a tenner, fed it via my Hagerman Bugle phono (£40) into my old Ditton 44's and voila, glorious really enjoyable tunes.

Never ceases to amaze me what you can knock together for beer money.

[RobbieGong]

Hi Mike, Nice one ! sounds good. Get it up on the gallery then - It's not all about high brow, high end, mega bucks systems on there :)

[southall-1998]

Good one, Mike!

S.

[struth]

Sitting listening to tunes on a real cobbled together system tonight and loving every minute

A few weeks back I bought a real cheapo Quad 405-2; just as one of those things I've always wanted to try. I didn't want to invest a lot of money in it, so managed to snag a QED SDR passive pre for about a tenner, fed it via my Hagerman Bugle phono (£40) into my old Ditton 44's and voila, glorious really enjoyable tunes.

Never ceases to amaze me what you can knock together for beer money.

alky ;)

[Barry]

Yep, all of them no-nonsense components. Glad you are enjoying the results Mike; "and voila, glorious really enjoyable tunes." is what it's all about. :)

Regards
Barry

[Idlewithnodrive]

Hi Mike, Nice one ! sounds good. Get it up on the gallery then - It's not all about high brow, high end, mega bucks systems on there :)

I think this is one lash up that maybe I don't want to expose the gentle reader to. It sure ain't perty !! :)

[Firebottle]

Oh come on ;)

You've already called it 'uber low rent' (great description BTW), so what's not to like?

:)

[jandl100]

:worthless:

I am far from being a Quadie, but I do have a soft spot for the 405/2 -- the 1st real hifi amp I ever owned, quite a revelation at the time and so much better than the mk1.

And a pair of Ditton 44, too. Yum.

- a fine sounding system, I am sure. :thumbsup:

[walpurgis]

I spent many happy years using a battered old Quantum pre & power amp pair. Interspaced with a couple of Leak stereo 20s (which liked working with the Quantum pre-amp). All bought for peanuts.

Then I bought a rather more serious (and rare) pairing, the Legend P300 MOSFET power amp and Rappaport Pre 2 pre-amp. These were superb together.

[Gordon Steadman]

I spent many happy years using a battered old Quantum pre & power amp pair. Interspaced with a couple of Leak stereo 20s (which liked working with the Quantum pre-amp). All bought for peanuts.

Then I bought a rather more serious (and rare) pairing, the Legend P300 MOSFET power amp and Rappaport Pre 2 pre-amp. These were superb together.

My Stereo20 was free and I'm still using it - from choice. The ESLs were £50 and the 301 was £10. Times have changed for some items but there are always some goodies out there for not a lot that can do the business. Very impressed with the Sony TA-F300 that was part of a £40 system, drives the KEF101s beautifully..

So, where are those pics then?

[Idlewithnodrive]

I liked the Quad 306 and so, had a yearning to try the 405-2.

One came up for £90 and the rest naturally followed. Impressed how clean sounding and musical the Quad is. Pretty well defined but not the most textured bass, detailed but not analytical. Not a bad find at all.

The QED pre seems to have all the characteristics of an attenuated piece of wire, just as you might expect.

[jandl100]

I liked the Quad 306 and so, had a yearning to try the 405-2.

I'm familiar with the 405-2 but not the 306.
How do they compare in your view?

[Idlewithnodrive]

I'm familiar with the 405-2 but not the 306.
How do they compare in your view?

They're really very similar Jerry. The 405-2 is a touch more open and a smidge 'leaner' sounding whereas the 306 is a bit sweeter / fuller sounding.

I would think for your tastes the 405 would suit better but you wouldn't be disappointed by the 306.

[jandl100]

Thanks for that. :) I've fancied a go with a 306 for some time, but I'll probably give it a miss.

[twotone]

Thanks for that. :) I've fancied a go with a 306 for some time, but I'll probably give it a miss.

I've one, sounds excellent to me.

I've also a 'souped' up 34 pre feeding it.

[dantheman91]

Some of my best systems are beer money systems.......lot of bang for buck as they say

[walpurgis]

Never owned Quads apart from the 2/22 valve combo, but I've used a good few and heard loads and I can say I've never heard the 306 sounding anything other than good. It's a nice amp.

[Idlewithnodrive]

Never owned Quads apart from the 2/22 valve combo, but I've used a good few and heard loads and I can say I've never heard the 306 sounding anything other than good. It's a nice amp.

'tis indeed a nice amp.

For me, the 405-2 just edges it.

[jandl100]

The only time I've heard a 306 was at a hifi show in a midprice dem system - the whole shebang sounded very good indeed, hence my interest in the amp.

So --- where are the photos? -- or it didn't happen! ;)

[Idlewithnodrive]

OK, you asked for it.


Don't say I didn't warn you :)




http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/ac143/TheMJMan/IMG_03501_zps8t6mjycr.jpg

[Gordon Steadman]

Looks fine to me. The problem with all this hi-fi porn we keep seeing is that the homely ones don't look so exiting. Better for you long term though:)

I have a 306 and have had a 405 in the past. Can't remember how they compare though. I actually prefer the 303. It does things more like the Leak which suits me and the music to which I listen. It also goes better with a passive pre than the others which need a bit of drive.

[jandl100]

... and the speakers?

[Pete The Cat]

Sometimes a system where you don't agonise over sourcing the "best" components, tweaking, improving etc can be...all fun.

I had good times with a 34/405-2 combo, even better with 2 x 405-2s, and still keep a 33/405. Given their age they merit respect for what they achieve.

Pete

[Idlewithnodrive]

I must admit, the 405 is growing on me. Seems to be a really quite capable amp.

[Lodgesound]

A pair of Quad 405-2's drive my monitoring speakers and also the BBC LS 5/8's that we demonstrate at Scalford.

When rebuilt and serviced they sound utterly stunning - with no rebuild and no service they also sound amazing.

Some of the best amplifiers I have ever encountered.

[Idlewithnodrive]

Just bagged myself a 34 pre, so I'm quite excited to see how it gets on with the 405-2 :)

[pgarrish]

A pair of Quad 405-2's drive my monitoring speakers and also the BBC LS 5/8's that we demonstrate at Scalford.

When rebuilt and serviced they sound utterly stunning - with no rebuild and no service they also sound amazing.

Some of the best amplifiers I have ever encountered.
One of the best sounding systems down there in 2014.

[Box13]

Sitting listening to tunes on a real cobbled together system tonight and loving every minute

A few weeks back I bought a real cheapo Quad 405-2; just as one of those things I've always wanted to try. I didn't want to invest a lot of money in it, so managed to snag a QED SDR passive pre for about a tenner, fed it via my Hagerman Bugle phono (£40) into my old Ditton 44's and voila, glorious really enjoyable tunes.

Never ceases to amaze me what you can knock together for beer money.

Hmm, I would not really call Quad, "low rent".

[Lodgesound]

One of the best sounding systems down there in 2014.

Thankyou for saying...we hope to be there in 2016 too...

[Idlewithnodrive]

Hmm, I would not really call Quad, "low rent".

I was referring to how cheaply I picked up the amp for, not its sound quality or heritage Box :)

[Marco]

Get the 405s converted to monoblocks, and it'll blow your mind... ;)

Marco.

[Idlewithnodrive]

Get the 405s converted to monoblocks, and it'll blow your mind... ;)

Marco.

Give me a chance; I need to do a bit of listening to find out if I'm keeping the one first :)

[jandl100]

The 34 pre will hold the 405-2 back quite a bit, imo. Not the world's best pre by any means.
Get a nice passive pre (like a Tisbury, transparent but cheap) to hear what the 405-2 can really do. :thumbsup:

[walpurgis]

The 34 pre will hold the 405-2 back quite a bit, imo.

Quite right. The 34 sounds a bit on the thick side.

[Idlewithnodrive]

The 34 pre will hold the 405-2 back quite a bit, imo. Not the world's best pre by any means.
Get a nice passive pre (like a Tisbury, transparent but cheap) to hear what the 405-2 can really do. :thumbsup:

I'm using a QED passive pre at the moment Jerry. Great sounding combo. I've read various reviews and been told that an active pre is better than a passive (and vice versa) so really only one way to find out :)

[jandl100]

:hmm:
The QED passive is a fairly poor example of the breed, tbh. You will be astonished at the opening of a mucky sonic window with the Tizzie passive pre. ;)

[Idlewithnodrive]

They seem to be pretty well reviewed with a couple of comments saying they were 'suggested' as a worthy pre by Quad, though this could of course be rumour. Dunno but sounds pretty good to these ears.

[Gordon Steadman]

They seem to be pretty well reviewed with a couple of comments saying they were 'suggested' as a worthy pre by Quad, though this could of course be rumour. Dunno but sounds pretty good to these ears.

The Quad amps have been knocked for years for being dull, boring and lifeless as well. I have never found them so and find the up front glitzy, harsh and thin sound with a bit of added boom of so many well reviewed pieces of equipment to be unlistenable.

To me the Quads just sound natural and quite close to the Leak which is also a bit low rent for some. If you are enjoying the sound then is good isn't it? I haven't heard the QED but I imagine it isn't a mile off the Creek that I use. That sounds fine to me too.

I think you should trust your ears.

[jandl100]

I agree, both the Creek and the QED are decent ... until you hear something better. ;)

I don't have a Tiz to hand, but I'd be happy to loan out a stepped attenuator passive pre that is in the same quality band as the Tisbury -- and which imo would show both the Creek and even more so the QED a thing or three about transparency.
Drop me a PM with your address, Mike, if you'd like to hear what I am on about. :) I can send it out Saturday if you'd like to give it a hearing.

[Marco]

Whilst I agree with Jerry, you also have to consider system balance. Installing a 'wide-open window rez machine', such as the Tissie, in a system balanced to sound good with a less revealing/transparent passive or active preamp, isn't guaranteed to end well.... ;)

Marco.

[jandl100]

Very true, Marco .... but often enough you don't really know what you are missing until you hear it - all passive pres are not born equal, ime, and I suspect a Tiz will be a jawdrop experience for many folks.

But if you prefer a broader wash of sound then a device like the Tiz or the Hifi Hangar PSA-02 I have for loan may well result in sensory overload. :D

[Marco]

Absolutely, Jerry. At the end of the day, you like what you like. I'd go for brutal transparency every time [open that window as widely as possible], over any form of 'induced cuddliness' - providing that the kit I was using was up to it! :)

Marco.

[Idlewithnodrive]

I agree, both the Creek and the QED are decent ... until you hear something better. ;)

I don't have a Tiz to hand, but I'd be happy to loan out a stepped attenuator passive pre that is in the same quality band as the Tisbury -- and which imo would show both the Creek and even more so the QED a thing or three about transparency.
Drop me a PM with your address, Mike, if you'd like to hear what I am on about. :) I can send it out Saturday if you'd like to give it a hearing.

Very generous offer Jerry; I'd be foolish not to take you up on that.

I'll PM my address, just let me know what I owe you for postage.

[Idlewithnodrive]

You lot really don't know what you are talking about; good job I don't listen to you :)

The 405-2 is absolutely superb with the 34 !

[Gordon Steadman]

You lot really don't know what you are talking about; good job I don't listen to you :)

The 405-2 is absolutely superb with the 34 !
:exactly: Someone else with ears who listens to music and not the boom and tizz from most hi-fi:eyebrows:

[Idlewithnodrive]

:exactly: Someone else with ears who listens to music and not the boom and tizz from most hi-fi:eyebrows:

Always ;)

[Idlewithnodrive]

Latest iteration -

http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/ac143/TheMJMan/CIMG5147_zpsce8mknla.jpg

:)

[jandl100]

You lot really don't know what you are talking about; good job I don't listen to you :)

The 405-2 is absolutely superb with the 34 !

My leetle stepped attenuator passive pre is on its way to you , I look forward to your thoughts. :)

[Idlewithnodrive]

Thanks Jerry. I'll let you know how it does :)

[Floyddroid]

I agree, the 405/2 are fantastic amps.
:worthless:

I am far from being a Quadie, but I do have a soft spot for the 405/2 -- the 1st real hifi amp I ever owned, quite a revelation at the time and so much better than the mk1.

And a pair of Ditton 44, too. Yum.

- a fine sounding system, I am sure. :thumbsup:

[Neil McCauley]

Sitting listening to tunes on a real cobbled together system tonight and loving every minute

A few weeks back I bought a real cheapo Quad 405-2; just as one of those things I've always wanted to try. I didn't want to invest a lot of money in it, so managed to snag a QED SDR passive pre for about a tenner, fed it via my Hagerman Bugle phono (£40) into my old Ditton 44's and voila, glorious really enjoyable tunes.

Never ceases to amaze me what you can knock together for beer money.

If uber low might mean <£200 for a CD-based system then this might entertain: http://www.hifianswers.com/tag/systems-under-200-gbp/

[walpurgis]

If uber low might mean <£200 for a CD-based system then this might entertain: http://www.hifianswers.com/tag/systems-under-200-gbp/

Some reasonable selections there (I didn't look through the lot).


There's little doubt a usable system of second hand equipment can be put together cheaply. Choose carefully and even something half decent sounding can be achieved.


Just wondering what I'd suggest. Hmm.

Turntable. We're talking basic here, so I'd go for a Pioneer PL-12D. Plenty about, they sound good enough for a budget system and seem to last forever. Pay £50 to £70. Not more. But it will need a cartridge and that's a bit trickier. Decent sounding MMs tend to be a bit dear in budget terms. I'd look for a good used Grado for about £40. They always sound musical, even the cheap ones and the PL-12D works well with them.

CD. Maybe a NAD 524. Not common, but surprisingly good sounding for maybe around £60.

Amp. An old favourite of mine, a vintage Rotel RA-611 sounds very nice. Good MM phono stage too (bare wire speaker terminals though). They seem to just keep on going, so they are not hard to find. Around £80 I'd say. Alternatively, a Denon PMA-350SE can likely be found for about £70. Problem is finding one with the built in optional phono stage. Good amp though.

Speakers. Got to be Mordaunt Short Pageant 2. They are very musical and reliable. A simple recap may help. Again £60 to £80 likely price. You could consider the AR4xa too at about the same money. Also very musical and durable.


Excluding cables, that little lot would work out to around £300 and sound pretty presentable.

[Audio Advent]

No suggestions involving a class-D mini-amp for £30 odd secondhand?

Add a Rasberry Pi with DAC for another £80 and then get get speakers for £89... such as these Ruark Talisman's for £81 : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ruark-Talisman-Main-Stereo-Speakers-/271929185201

[jandl100]

A nice low rent system for me would be a t-amp with probably a Technics 490 cdp and Celestion UL series speakers; not much over £100 the lot, I reckon. :)

It's the speakers that would be the problem for me, and those ULs get the midrange right and the treble doesn't squeal.