Pre amp for Quad 306

Hi,

I'm currently using a Beresford 7520 as a pre into a Quad 306, I'm happy with the sound, buy I imagine there should be an improvement with a proper pre, I could also do with a couple of analogue inputs, but no need for a turntable input.

The obvious pre to look at is the Quad 34, I haven't heard one but reviews are mostly positive. I have a budget up to £200, is there anything out there that will beat the Quad at that price range? I'm more than happy to buy 2nd hand kit.

Anyone used a 306 with various pre amps?

My current set up:

Sony xb930 CD player
Beresford 7520 DAC
Quad 306
B&W 602S3 speakers


Thanks

Gareth

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Originally Posted by gary_j

Anyone used a 306 with various pre amps?

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I'm using mine with a passive LDR pre. Before that I used it with a BTE passive pre. Both where clearly better than the 34. I must also add that I updated my 306 with modern components from Dadaelectronics (see sig.). I love this little amp it has never ever caused any problems since I have had it (oh, about 15 years).

I like the look of the quad 34/306 combo. Try and get a late 34 with the grey buttons and orange writing
I agree they are not the most transparent pre amp but suit the 306 very nicely and has a decent phono stage
Here is mine in my second system

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7278/...3df27a82_b.jpgQuad 3 by 337alant, on Flickr

Alan

Croft pre amps go well with the 306 .

@337alant
beautiful industrial design and bulletproof build [emoji7]

You may have to go slightly over budget, but a Croft Micro 25 Basic and a Quad 306 is a match made in heaven...

I've used the 306 with a Creek passive and liked the result. Only three inputs including the tape though.

I'm using the Creek with a 303 which I'm soak testing at the mo and it sounds fine. Leak Stereo20 too and a 405 when I had one. Takes up almost no room on the rack which is useful.

Im against having no Tone Controls so passives would be a no no for me.. i would personally opt for the '44' over the '34' You can configure the input choice on the '44' too.

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Originally Posted by The Barbarian

Im against having no Tone Controls so passives would be a no no for me.. i would personally opt for the '44' over the '34' You can configure the input choice on the '44' too.

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We have two amps with tone controls but as the 'direct' button is always pressed they are a bit redundant. I do like the slope controls on the Quads though.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by r100

I'm using mine with a passive LDR pre. Before that I used it with a BTE passive pre. Both where clearly better than the 34. I must also add that I updated my 306 with modern components from Dadaelectronics (see sig.). I love this little amp it has never ever caused any problems since I have had it (oh, about 15 years).

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+1 for the LDR pre. I'm using the Stereo Coffee LDR with a pair of Quad 303's bi-amped, and it works very well. I know that Chris Daly uses Quad's including 306's when he develops his LDR kits.

Another option would be the Beresford Caiman II as long as you only have digital sources. I found that to be quite an effective pre amp.