Quad 606 MK2

[southall-1998]

Any owners of this particular Quad power amp here?

How does it sound when compared. Lets say for example- the 303?

S.

[awkwardbydesign]

I had the 606 years ago, after the 306. Good solid amp.

[eisenach]

No idea how it sounds in comparison to a 303, but I've had a 606II for several years now (thanks Jerry !) and it's very happy driving my ESL63s. The only reason I "might" consider changing it is for an amp with balanced inputs to match the preamp, but whatever came up would have to be very good indeed to match it. It's much better than the TAG amps I had before that.

[southall-1998]

Is Quad in ''Huntingdon'' still operating on servicing their old gear?

I've read some rather interesting posts. About their service work, not being that good as it used to be!

S.

[jandl100]

(thanks Jerry !)

:thumbsup:

[mikmas]

Is Quad in ''Huntingdon'' still operating on servicing their old gear?

I've read some rather interesting posts. About their service work, not being that good as it used to be!

S.

I had a 33 serviced a few months back - took forever (over two months). When I phoned them and asked about the delay the lady apologised and said the guy who repaired the older models had been off for a while ... make of that what you will.

Did a good job though sorting out a problem with the frequency push switches.

[struth]

Id imagine that would be the case. Quad would be an expensive option or at least will be perceived to be, so may not have enough work, re older equipment. Also a lot of folk do these up themselves /and there are lots of folk who do mods etc.
It would be sad if Quad don't keep the service alive but if there is not the demand on them to do so, then I guess it will happen, possibly when this guy retires

[jandl100]

Quad used to do same day servicing on their stat speakers. Book in advance, drop them off early morning, pick them up late afternoon.

That was 25 years or more ago, mind. :wheniwasaboy:

[Tea24]

I have both the 606 mk 2 & the 306. I was advised to upgrade to drive my Kef 104/2s. Both amps are very good indeed; the 606 has just that bit more 'oomph'.

Sad if Quad's legendary good service right back top their first models isn't what it was - I should ring them first re turnaround time first.

If not there are other places you can try.

[Andy831]

From my experiences with Quad gear, the early Solid State design ie the 303 sounds very soft and valve like in its presentation whereas the 306 is more "up and at em" in its presentation. The 606 is very much the bigger brother to the 306 with more balls.

I have a 303 which I will probably keep forever because I like it and as a youngster in the early 70's I always aspired to own one but could not afford one.

I have a 306 which I use for casual / background / digital streaming duties and is played more often than any other equipment in my home.

I would upgrade the 306 to a 606 in a heartbeat on the proviso that I could find one that was in almost perfect cosmetic condition (very few are) I would not worry about servicing as thats available cheaply from a variety of places.

Andy

[jandl100]

From my experiences with Quad gear, the early Solid State design ie the 303 sounds very soft and valve like in its presentation

So you've not heard much in the way of valve gear then? ;)

Quad II would fit that description but a lot of valve amps wouldn't.
I wonder - was the 303 the intended direct replacement for the II?

[southall-1998]

Any other good UK places, that do a great job at fettling Quad amps?

S.

[Arkless Electronics]

I do Quad amps along with all other makes. Just rebuilt some Quad II's last week.

[PaulStewart]

I wonder - was the 303 the intended direct replacement for the II?

Yes!

[Martyn Miles]

Peter Walker ( bless his cotton socks ) said all competent amplifiers should sound the same.
So does Alan Shaw of Harbeth, but that is another story.

I have a 303 and I'm keeping it...

[eisenach]

Any other good UK places, that do a great job at fettling Quad amps?
S.

Robert (RobHolt), on here and other forums, gave my 606 a once-over. Good job.

[southall-1998]

Robert does indeed carry a good reputation for his work on Quad amps.

Has anyone tried Red Hill Audio?

S.

[jandl100]

From my experiences with Quad gear, the early Solid State design ie the 303 sounds very soft and valve like in its presentation whereas the 306 is more "up and at em" in its presentation. The 606 is very much the bigger brother to the 306 with more balls.


So you've not heard much in the way of valve gear then? ;)

Quad II would fit that description but a lot of valve amps wouldn't.
I wonder - was the 303 the intended direct replacement for the II?


Yes!

Aha! - that makes sense, then. :)

Shane, from what I have read here and elsewhere about the 303 and from my own experience with a refurbed pair of Quad II - you really should get to hear a pair of Quad II amps if you can. Very special in their own way. Rich tonal colouring and texture - just jaw dropping.
But not to my taste in other ways! - they tend to smooth over micro-dynamics, and are a bit slow on the macro as well, which rules them out for me, but fine for those who can live with a more relaxed rendition of the music.

[southall-1998]

Aha! - that makes sense, then. :)

Shane, from what I have read here and elsewhere about the 303 and from my own experience with a refurbed pair of Quad II - you really should get to hear a pair of Quad II amps if you can. Very special in their own way. Rich tonal colouring and texture - just jaw dropping.
But not to my taste in other ways! - they tend to smooth over micro-dynamics, and are a bit slow on the macro as well, which rules them out for me, but fine for those who can live with a more relaxed rendition of the music.


Jerry,

If you don't mind me asking. Who refurbed your Quad II?

S.

[Arkless Electronics]

As I mentioned in another thread the other day I found the Quad II's I'd refurbed for a customer to be better than I'd remembered. Still quite coloured but impressive mid range... even if not accurate! I still prefer my modified Leak Stereo 20 though ;)

[julesd68]

Robert does indeed carry a good reputation for his work on Quad amps.

Has anyone tried Red Hill Audio?

S.

Yes they do a very good job upgrading my 405/2 some years back ...

[jandl100]

Jerry,

If you don't mind me asking. Who refurbed your Quad II?

S.

They weren't mine, Shane, so I don't know who did the refurb.

I swapped them for 2 weeks for my Leak Stereo 20 amp as we were both interested in what the other amp did!
Holy Moly - talk about different sounding valve amps! :eek:

[Starterman]

Any owners of this particular Quad power amp here?

How does it sound when compared. Lets say for example- the 303?

S.

I've owned 909 (Chinese made version) and 606MKII. Wish I'd kept the 909, glad to see the back of the 606. I wonder is mine was a duffer?
303 needs careful matching and generally sounds easy going and "nice".

[southall-1998]

I've owned 909 (Chinese made version) and 606MKII. Wish I'd kept the 909, glad to see the back of the 606. I wonder is mine was a duffer?
303 needs careful matching and generally sounds easy going and "nice".

Which speakers have you tried with the 303?

S.

[Starterman]

Which speakers have you tried with the 303?

S.

Murphy CAOW1, but I can't remember if I was running them full range or crossed over below 120Hz.