Pride comes before the fall

[Barry]

Yesterday I was in an exceptionally good mood. Following a six-monthly blood test, I had a session with the nurse, who looks after my diabetes and hypertension, to discuss the results and to cut a long story short: "all systems are operating within their normal parameters". So pleased was I that I opened a bottle of wine, we had an excellent dinner and I used my beloved hi-fi to listen to music; the latter being something that is done every day we're at home.

Today - oh dear! The system just would not switch on: the mains switch on the preamp had failed. No ordinary toggle switch this and it can only be replaced by the manufacturer. Quick phone call and yes it can be repaired - but the turn around time will be about 30 days!

Now I cannot bare being without music, so a Roberts FM portable radio was quickly resurrected to provide some music, whilst I thought about what to do concerning CD and vinyl replay.

I am fortunate in the sense that I have sufficient 'spare' equipment to assemble a couple of extra systems. I can substitute a replacement preamp (and tuner, though there is nothing wrong with the latter - it is just more convenient to use a different one whilst the original preamp is being repaired). Unfortunately, however, my main system uses a mish-mash of connectors: phono, DIN and XLR, so this afternoon I've been finding and making up appropriate signal and mains leads. Would you believe that the mains leads I will be using use miniature Bulgin 3-pin line sockets and American flat blade two prong plugs!

Still I mustn't grumble - at least I have the spare equipment to cobble together a temporary replacement 'lash up'. Neither should I really complain about the switch failure - the preamp is 30 years old and I calculate the switch has, over that period, been operated 22,000 times!

Regards

[Rare Bird]

I doubt very much a Q44 power switch is a special switch!

I seem to remember the early 44's had muting problems are you sure it's the power switch? are you sure it's the power switch?

[Barry]

I doubt very much a Q44 power switch is a special switch!

I seem to remember the early 44's had muting problems are you sure it's the power switch?

It's not special - just something you can't get from RS Components or Maplin.

It's not a muting problem -the LEDs don't light up. You're right, some 44s did have muting problems caused by mains spikes.

Regards

[Rare Bird]

It's not special - just something you can't get from RS Components or Maplin.

It's not a muting problem -the LEDs don't light up. You're right, some 44s did have muting problems caused by mains spikes.

Regards

Are you any good with a soldering iron..Temp bypass the switch see what happens, you be cheaper asking em to send you one if it is

[Spectral Morn]

At least you are well Barry that is all that matters, a Quad power switch can be fixed a Barry power switch can't....


Regards D S D L

[DSJR]

Seriously glad the meds and your diligence are keeping things in relative equilibrium :)

Have you looked at dada's website? They have a selection of bits new and used for Quads old and new(ish).

Just a thought.

P.S. Is your 44 an early or late one? I may be imagining it, but I thought the later ones reproduced atmosphere better. I couldn't afford one I saw for sale a while ago and I'm glad I didn't get it ultimately, as the Croft came along shortly after and, like most of Glenn's products, you develop a "relationship" with them - generally very positive :lol:

[Steve Toy]

Yesterday I was in an exceptionally good mood. Following a six-monthly blood test, I had a session with the nurse, who looks after my diabetes and hypertension, to discuss the results and to cut a long story short: "all systems are operating within their normal parameters". So pleased was I that I opened a bottle of wine, we had an excellent dinner and I used my beloved hi-fi to listen to music; the latter being something that is done every day we're at home.

Today - oh dear! The system just would not switch on: the mains switch on the preamp had failed. No ordinary toggle switch this and it can only be replaced by the manufacturer. Quick phone call and yes it can be repaired - but the turn around time will be about 30 days!


I had exactly the same chat on Monday with the nurse over the same six-monthly blood tests with the same favourable outcome - all is normal. My BP was recorded at 119/80, my 3-month blood sugar 5.5, kidneys, liver etc all normal.

Marco was at my house alone at the time listening to my system which was in fine fettle although I had been without it for a week because one of my Tesla KT88s was playing up but Anthony was able to fix it - there was a bad connection on one of the pins!

[Barry]

I had exactly the same chat on Monday with the nurse over the same six-monthly blood tests with the same favourable outcome - all is normal. My BP was recorded at 119/80, my 3-month blood sugar 5.5, kidneys, liver etc all normal.

Marco was at my house alone at the time listening to my system which was in fine fettle although I had been without it for a week because one of my Tesla KT88s was playing up but Anthony was able to fix it - there was a bad connection on one of the pins!

That's good news Steve. Your figures are better than mine: BP 122/84, blood sugar 5.8, cholesterol 4.5. Are you on medication for your diabetes?

Good news too on your amp. I'm now up and running again. Basically I have exchanged a Series 4 Quad system (Quad 44/405, FM4) for a Series 3 system (Quad 33/303, FM3). This was done for the sake of expediency.

Isn't it awful to be without music?

Regards

[Barry]

Seriously glad the meds and your diligence are keeping things in relative equilibrium :)

Have you looked at dada's website? They have a selection of bits new and used for Quads old and new(ish).

Just a thought.

P.S. Is your 44 an early or late one? I may be imagining it, but I thought the later ones reproduced atmosphere better. I couldn't afford one I saw for sale a while ago and I'm glad I didn't get it ultimately, as the Croft came along shortly after and, like most of Glenn's products, you develop a "relationship" with them - generally very positive :lol:

My 44 is an early sample: Quad 'snot green' in colour with large LEDs. The later samples which had a greater range of 'tilt' slopes and dispensed with the 'cancel' LED were reckoned to be better.

I have decided to send the 44 back to Quad for a service as well. All capacitors will be replaced at no extra cost.

Anyway I'm now up and running again: have replaced a Series 4 system with a Series 3 system. First impressions are that the 33/303 might be a touch warmer.

Will have to compare notes with you, André and Nick (Beechwoods).

Regards

Regards

[The Grand Wazoo]

So what does Dusty sound like now, Barry?

[Steve Toy]

My cholestorol was 5.1 and I take 2 x 500 mg Metformin per day for the diabetes.

[Barry]

So what does Dusty sound like now, Barry?

Well, so far the 33/303 seems to have slightly better depth and width and is possibly a touch warmer. Bass probably has less grip and is probably not quite as firm. No complaints so far, but it will be interesting to return to the 44/405 after say a month.

The 33/303 is the 'pipe and slippers' system par excellence! It is very smooth. Just played 'Dusty in Memphis' and to paraphrase the Heinekan ad.: "Dusty reaches the parts of me that others cannot".

Regards

[Rare Bird]

Well, so far the 33/303 seems to have slightly better depth and width and is possibly a touch warmer. Bass is probably has less grip and is probably not quite as firm. No complaints so far, but it will be interesting to return to the 44/405 after say a month.

The 33/303 is the 'pipe and slippers' system par excellence! It is very smooth. Just played 'Dusty in Memphis' and to paraphrase the Heinekan ad.: "Dusty reaches the parts of me that others cannot".

Regards

Why not wip out the '303' & plug in the '405' see what you think!

[Barry]

Why not wip out the '303' & plug in the '405' see what you think!

That was my original plan. However there are problems with the 'ancient' mains connectors used on the 33. I might 'cobble' something together in the next few days, to do what you suggest.

Regards

[The Grand Wazoo]

"Dusty reaches the parts of me that others cannot".


Ooh-er, missus.

[DSJR]

The 303 is cap coupled IIRC and replacing these and the supply caps with something modern, lower ESR and higher value (4,700uF is usual but I'm sure HFW tried 10,000 and found it even better) would significantly tame the cuddly warmth and enable the mid to shine even brighter.

I really need to get a late 303 soon to add to the Quad collection (33/FM3/FM2/II's) :) Love 'em to bits :lolsign:

[Rare Bird]

I really need to get a late 303 soon to add to the Quad collection (33/FM3/FM2/II's) :) Love 'em to bits :lolsign:

You need to fit Net Audio 303 Mk.3 boards..

[Barry]

The 303 is cap coupled IIRC and replacing these and the supply caps with something modern, lower ESR and higher value (4,700uF is usual but I'm sure HFW tried 10,000 and found it even better) would significantly tame the cuddly warmth and enable the mid to shine even brighter.

I really need to get a late 303 soon to add to the Quad collection (33/FM3/FM2/II's) :) Love 'em to bits :lolsign:

Hi Dave,

Yes that's something I ought to do, once my 44 is back with me.

Actually my use of the phrase 'pipe and slippers' was said with a certain amount of sarcasm, since that is what a a lot of people think of the 33/303 combination. Yes, it might be a tad warmer than the 44/405, and I think it also might present a slightly wider and deeper soundstage - I'm certainly more than happy to listen to it whilst the 44 is being attended to.

When the 33/303 is recapped, I'll have to do the same for the 405.

Regards

[DSJR]

The Net Audio kits look great and so do the Dada ones. I suspect that any 303 I buy will be re-capped first, before wholesale replacement of the internals (the regulator board is important too I think).

I must say that the 33 has improved noticably with the Dada kit, but it still lags behind the re-vamped X10-D (have you paid the cheque in yet Clive?), which now compares with the Croft line stage IMO (I have a 4A rated 12V transformer in use with it). The absolute phase inversion of the 33 may be the key here (especially through headphones).

[Rare Bird]

The Net Audio kits look great and so do the Dada ones. I suspect that any 303 I buy will be re-capped first, before wholesale replacement of the internals (the regulator board is important too I think).



The replacement NET Power PSU & Bridge rectifier boards are superb aswell..