Quad 22 Users?

[johnB]

Hi, I have two rather lovely Quad IIs purchased from a good man on this forum a couple of years ago (Thanks JohnM I really like them) I currently use my Croft as the preamp but given I now have a few days off work I’m tempted to try the Quad 22 pre-amp with the Quad IIs.
Does anyone run a Quad 22? all the inputs look a bit complicated to me and I’m wondering if someone could explain them to me?

Thanks
John

[hifi_dave]

The 22 looks the part but sonically it is challenged - all that wiring, switching and too close together oxidising sockets.

[Barry]

Agreed - in order to switch between single-channel mono, dual-channel mono and stereo, the switching arrangements and wiring are asymmetric between the left (yellow) channel and the right (blue) channel.

Your Croft preamp will offer better sound quality than the, now very dated, Quad 22. The Quad II amps have a low sensitivity: requiring 1.4V for full output. Provide the Croft has sufficient output voltage, I would continue to use it, and not bother with the Quad 22.

[Audio Al]

I used a croft micro basic with my Quad 11's and it worked fine :)

[hifi_dave]

Over the decades, I've sold numerous Croft pre-amps to go with Quad II. Far better than the 22, though that does have the appropriate style.

[johnB]

Thanks for the advice, all very wise, and I will heed it.

The Croft and Quad IIs sound great...just fancied trying the 22 as it look brilliant.

I’ve used the fettling time instead to listen to Bowie, Ryan Adams and now onto Eels.

Have a good weekend.

John

[Audioflyer]

Hi John

I’m currently running a seriously modified Quad 22 preamp into Quad II’s with JBL L40’s.
You would be welcome to come and have listen if you like?

Here the Thread of my Quad 22 preamp mods.

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?31794-Quad-22-preamp-revived

If you can't see the photos add “Photobucket Hotlink” (no quotes) to you Firefox browser to see the images.

Sharif.

[JohnM]

Hi, I have two rather lovely Quad IIs purchased from a good man on this forum a couple of years ago (Thanks JohnM I really like them) I currently use my Croft as the preamp but given I now have a few days off work I’m tempted to try the Quad 22 pre-amp with the Quad IIs.
Does anyone run a Quad 22? all the inputs look a bit complicated to me and I’m wondering if someone could explain them to me?

Thanks
John

I’m very glad to hear you’re still enjoying them John - I poured a LOT of effort into those.
To be honest I very much regret selling them (for sentimental reasons, one belonged to my Grandfather) - if you ever fancy a change get back in touch and I’ll buy them back :eyebrows:

I actually didn’t think the 22 was half as bad as people make out (using the Tuner input for CD) once the filter caps were replaced, a couple of coupling caps changed and switches cleaned. But your Croft is way superior for sure :)

Cheers,
John

[steveharman]

Hi John,

I run my Quad IIs with an entirely passive pre (Audio Synthesis Passion Ultimate). I started with a Quad 22 and as other have said, they look lovely but as opposed to the IIs the 22 seems to have been surpassed by other products over time (sonically speaking). Albeit I bet the heavily modified unit mentioned by @Audioflyer would be great to audition.

As a side note the Passion Ultimate has a remote control, something the late great Peter Walker neglected from the Quad 22 IIRC ? :-)

Cheers,

Steve