Quad amps servicing

[bumpy]

When I look at used Quad transistor amps I am amazed at how many have been serviced before sale compared to other makes priced similarly.

Do they go out of trim faster than amps from other manufacturers?

[hifi_dave]

No, they are robust and practical amps but probably because of age they have required servicing.

One very good selling point of Quad amps is that they have a proper service dept.

[Kember]

No, they are robust and practical amps but probably because of age they have required servicing.

One very good selling point of Quad amps is that they have a proper service dept.

Not to mention several independent specialists.

I use the estimable Rob Beales at Amplabs in Worcestershire. He can also fettle older Quads to allow them to take CD line voltages and can adapt socketry to RCA etc.

He serviced my 44 and 405.2 recently and made said adaptations. I must say that, paired with my Kef Corellis and an old Sony Biotracer, I do wonder if I’ve spent four decades on a fool’s errand upgrading my HiFi, but that’s another story for another column.

I don’t have one, but clearly Quad tuners start wandering over time (as most do) and they need putting back on the straight and narrow, too.

In partial answer to the OP’s question, the prevalence of serviced Quads might also be explained in that Quad stuff is high quality and has more serviceable parts/boards than many contemporary units. Quad owners may also be temperamentally disinclined to throw them away which speaks to the quality of (at least) the older units. I am not qualified to comment on modern Quad as the newest unit I have is a 99 power amp.

Peter

[Macca]

No, they are robust and practical amps but probably because of age they have required servicing.

One very good selling point of Quad amps is that they have a proper service dept.

testament to them that they sold a lot over the years and that those from 1970s still in use as just as good as modern options.

what does 'servicing' mean anyway? Usually just that some capacitors have been replaced whether they needed to be or not.

I think the whole concept of 'servicing' started with Naim for two reasons. 1 - money-spinner 2- idiotic idea that they need to be left switched on all the time

so amps get sent to be 'serviced' prior to sale as then this can be mentioned in the ad as a plus point to distinguish them from 'unserviced' examples and maybe fetch a premium price as a result.

[hifi_dave]

I've got a pile of Quad here from the II + 22 right up to the latest Artera etc and it all works.

Agree with the 'servicing' thing plus it's always handy to be able to say "of course it doesn't sound great, it needs servicing".