FS: Quad 405-2 Monoblocks

[JohnJo]

Bought these recently from Ian Walker here on AoS.

Here's a link to the original sale thread as there's some additional info here.

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?50717-Quad-405-2-monoblocks&highlight=quad

These are amplifiers that walk the line of detail, musicality and coherence with aplomb.

For me their biggest strength is their voicing; they don't spotlight any frequency but present music in an unforced, natural and realistic fashion which makes a lot of other presentations sound false. They truly get out of the way and let the music do the talking.

I've copied Ian's photos of the internals (hope you don't mind Ian:)). The externals are servicable but obviously not where their beauty lies.

These were a last throw of the dice for me with regard to solid state amps for the Lockwoods but my speakers just don't give their best with SS which is a shame as it would save a lot of hassle with valves but there you go. For what it's worth I enjoyed these more than the big money pre-powers I tried as they just gave you the music instead of the hifi but at the same time offered all the separation and clarity of anything else but just in truly coherent fashion. They are a time machine type of amp, hours can pass by easily.

Just looking to recoup costs so £600 collected or £650 including insured, next day delivery.

http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee462/castle48/Quad%20405-2%20Monoblocks/B98489DC-7BF5-4525-90C0-5B7CE416FBD8.jpg (http://s1229.photobucket.com/user/castle48/media/Quad%20405-2%20Monoblocks/B98489DC-7BF5-4525-90C0-5B7CE416FBD8.jpg.html)

http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee462/castle48/Quad%20405-2%20Monoblocks/9EE40826-4D30-47EA-B190-87F27C0E6918.jpg (http://s1229.photobucket.com/user/castle48/media/Quad%20405-2%20Monoblocks/9EE40826-4D30-47EA-B190-87F27C0E6918.jpg.html)

http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee462/castle48/Quad%20405-2%20Monoblocks/128E3705-15AF-46EB-805A-68453783EA01.jpg (http://s1229.photobucket.com/user/castle48/media/Quad%20405-2%20Monoblocks/128E3705-15AF-46EB-805A-68453783EA01.jpg.html)

http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee462/castle48/Quad%20405-2%20Monoblocks/1E86DD00-F9E1-4D18-9EC8-ADFF9D99ED73.jpg (http://s1229.photobucket.com/user/castle48/media/Quad%20405-2%20Monoblocks/1E86DD00-F9E1-4D18-9EC8-ADFF9D99ED73.jpg.html)

http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee462/castle48/Quad%20405-2%20Monoblocks/AB2386E1-77F9-4986-B3FB-F9A2818930E1.jpg (http://s1229.photobucket.com/user/castle48/media/Quad%20405-2%20Monoblocks/AB2386E1-77F9-4986-B3FB-F9A2818930E1.jpg.html)

http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee462/castle48/Quad%20405-2%20Monoblocks/Quad%20405%20mono%202..jpg (http://s1229.photobucket.com/user/castle48/media/Quad%20405-2%20Monoblocks/Quad%20405%20mono%202..jpg.html)

http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee462/castle48/Quad%20405-2%20Monoblocks/Quad%20405%20mono%201.jpg (http://s1229.photobucket.com/user/castle48/media/Quad%20405-2%20Monoblocks/Quad%20405%20mono%201.jpg.html)

[JohnJo]

Bit more technical info on the mods done.

"All the work done on these was carried out by Duncan (Tubehunter).Rebuilt to exactly the same spec as his (now Barry's), these have been upgraded with four F&T 22,000 power supply capacitors, four 35 amp bridge rectifiers one per rail. RCA Phono connectors and power switch fitted.
There is one 405 mk2 board in each case, which is up to Keith Snook's Mod 3 level. Including 20A output transistors, PRP 1% resistors through out with Z-foils in key areas, OPA604AP Op-amps, new inductors, transistors polystyrene small value caps and Elna Cerefine capacitors. Limiters have been removed and Vellaman K4700 loudspeaker protection boards fitted."

[JohnJo]

Some more discussion on this thread:

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?37825-Tubehunter-s-monoblock-405-amplifiers (http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?37825-Tubehunter-s-monoblock-405-amplifiers)

[Simon_LDT]

These look interesting. Does anyone know how they'd fare against my current Arcam P1's? What about the input impedance for when using a passive?

[JohnJo]

These look interesting. Does anyone know how they'd fare against my current Arcam P1's? What about the input impedance for when using a passive?

Hi Simon, never heard Arcam P1s so can't comment on a comparison.

Both Ian and myself used the Quads with passive preamps and they worked perfectly. Not sure what the input impedance is but AFAIK they are the standard input sensitivity for a 405-2 which is 0.5Vrms for full output.

[Simon_LDT]

Thanks for the reply John. Did some quick research and seems the Snook 3 board has 220kohm impedance if I've read it right so that is good. I'm tempted for sure but not sure if it'll be more of a lateral move.

[JohnJo]

Did some quick research and seems the Snook 3 board has 220kohm impedance if I've read it right so that is good. I'm tempted for sure but not sure if it'll be more of a lateral move.

That's interesting, thanks for the info Simon. Should definitely be OK for passives preamps then. Certainly worked fine for me.

I understand your dilemma, we're all in the same boat, it's virtually impossible to hear any used equipment in your own system before buying.

[Barry]

I have a pair of Duncan's 'monoblocked' 405s. They are excellent: I demo'ed them at MiBO last year to good effect.

Shame they haven't worked out for you John, but good luck with the sale.

[JohnJo]

I have a pair of Duncan's 'monoblocked' 405s. They are excellent: I demo'ed them at MiBO last year to good effect.

Shame they haven't worked out for you John, but good luck with the sale.

Thanks Barry. They really are excellent amps, solid articles too. Always remind me of a concrete block when I lift them up :eek: Bargain for someone.

Bump!

[JohnJo]

Another bump for a great pair of 100w monoblocks.

Must be good for someone, a lot of performance for the money.

[JohnJo]

Another bump for these, seriously, they ARE excellent. I'll stick my neck out and say you won't beat them at or near this price. These are a bargain for someone.

They go loud very cleanly too. Had them on this morning for a blast. Some more blue LED goodness below :)

http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee462/castle48/Quad%20405-2%20Monoblocks/DD130264-52DD-4ABE-8453-881700A86DCD.jpg (http://s1229.photobucket.com/user/castle48/media/Quad%20405-2%20Monoblocks/DD130264-52DD-4ABE-8453-881700A86DCD.jpg.html)

[JohnJo]

Bump

[JohnJo]

I've just put a simple valve buffer upstream of these, added a mains filter and I'm knocked out by how these are sounding. They've really responded to the mains filter especially, but the mains is bad here.

Think I'll hold on to these rather than give them away :)

[JohnJo]

Sale postponed, I'm reassessing if I really want to part with these :)

[Barry]

Sale postponed, I'm reassessing if I really want to part with these :)

Good man - you would have regretted it if you had.

[Macca]

Get bigger cabs for your Tannoys and extend the bass response some. Reckon that will sort your problem, There is nowt wrong with those amps, but they don't have a load of bottom end sludge masquerading as deep bass.

[JohnJo]

Thanks fellas :)

[JohnJo]

Well after *much* deliberation I've decided to stay with valves and so am offering these for sale again :rolleyes:

I think these are actually very good value as I had a look at the cost of upgrading 405s to this sort of spec and it's *not* cheap!

Open to sensible offers - John

[JohnJo]

Sold!

Bon voyage!

[Eelco]

And incoming!!! Oh Yeah..

Can't wait . Hope they will work well with the Yamahas.
John thanks for your swift responses.
Been an absolute pleasure dealing with you.