The Marco-boy main system, as of August 2020

[Marco]

If I were to go down the passive route, I'd go LDR in favour of any Quad preamp (purely based on internet research). The Quad 66 is intriguing, although my interest is really due to my fondness for the partnering "Control Panel".

The 66 isn't something I considered, but intriguing, especially now I've seen pictures of it and said partnering 'control panel' - shexy!

I totally agree about the LDR, and it sounds great with the 306, but if I'm going down the road of getting a dedicated preamp for the 306, I'd also like it to be Quad. Doesn't need to be a vintage one, just as long as it sounds good!

So is the 66 rated reasonably for SQ, or certainly better than the 33?

You're not wrong, those IC's are a proper bargain. I think I'll pick myself up a pair when I eventually get the Garrard spinning again. My current DIY efforts were built with Mogami 2549 / MS Audio, what were you using before the HDX?

I was using some Sommer Carbokab with MS Audio silver plugs, which were great, but the HDX1s are notably better in all areas. Just great cables that don't get in the way of the music, or display any kind of overt sonic signature, unlike many expensive so-called 'high-end' varieties!

Marco.

[Marco]

Okay my two cents:

The 33 is a waste of time. You'd have to mod it anyway if you want to use a DAC or CD player into it as they'll overload the line inputs otherwise.

I've compared a 34 to a Croft Micro Basic and I can't imagine anyone would prefer the 34. Looks good and good build quality but like the 33 it's veiled. I don't know how you'd begin to sort that out as my guess it is just how the design is. If you really want one to match the 306 the best mod would be to rip all the gubbins out of it and turn it into a stepped attenuator passive.

Churz for that, and yes I agree. However, see my last post. If a preamp's coming into the equation, it's gotta be a Quad! So have you heard a 66 or know anything about it?

Marco.

[Macca]

Churz for that, and yes I agree. However, see my last post. If a preamp's coming into the equation, it's gotta be a Quad! So have you heard a 66 or know anything about it?

Marco.

No, never heard one. I always wanted the 66 system though, from when it first came out. Still got the copy of HFR with Noel Keywood's review from 1990.

There was someone selling one here a while back for a reasonable price and I would have gone for it but it was collection only from London. The remote 'console' and the tilt control are still super cool - orange display too which is pure class. If you must have a QUAD pre that would be the one.

[walpurgis]

I agree with Martin. The 33 won't even match the 306 in dimensions or looks/colour anyway.


A fun project might be to grab this last remaining Quad 34 clone case from China and get somebody to bung a decent stepped attenuator in it.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-All-A...cAAOSwbWhdPvI9

It should match the 306 for looks and dimensions (check though) and you'd keep everybody guessing as to what it really is. The switch holes would need blanking. not difficult.

[Marco]

Yeah, that would be fun lol, but LDRs aside, as they work differently, I'm not really a fan of passives, as to my ears they invariably sound 'soft' and lacking in drive and dynamics, compared with the best active designs, valve or SS, so that wouldn't really be a solution.

No, If I do doing down this particular road I think it'll be a 66, even though it won't match the 306. It's the sound that matters most!

Marco.

[Barry]

Anyone...?? Come on, surely some of you Quad fans must've modified a 33 preamp!

So, don't be shy, tell me what difference it made

Marco.

No, I never modded mine - I just keep it in my Quad archive as an 'objet d'art' (I love the styling of the Quad Series 3 electronics).

I know little of the 66 preamp, though I have heard one. I can see the attraction of the remote control 'palette', and obviously it has an input appropriate for CD. But it comes from a period in Quad's history where they were having teething problems with the matching CDP and seemed to have 'lost their way and direction', so I would approach it with caution.

[Macca]

Yeah, that would be fun lol, but LDRs aside, as they work differently, I'm not really a fan of passives, as to my ears they invariably sound 'soft' and lacking in drive and dynamics, compared with the best active designs, valve or SS, so that wouldn't really be a solution.

No, If I do doing down this particular road I think it'll be a 66, even though it won't match the 306. It's the sound that matters most!

Marco.

You could have an active zero gain pre like the DCB1 built into the case - no lack of drive or softness with one of those. In any case those issues with passives are due to compatibility with the power amp, not the passive itself. Plenty of integrated amps use passive pre-amp stages but because they are properly matched to the power stage there's no issue.

[walpurgis]

You could have an active zero gain pre like the DCB1 built into the case - no lack of drive or softness with one of those. In any case those issues with passives are due to compatibility with the power amp, not the passive itself. Plenty of integrated amps use passive pre-amp stages but because they are properly matched to the power stage there's no issue.

Yes, I've experienced the sound lacking in substance when using a passive with some power amps, but not with the 306 or any of my other current amps. Even the cheapo Little Bear unit sounds just fine as does my home made ALPS item.

[Marco]

No, I never modded mine - I just keep it in my Quad archive as an 'objet d'art' (I love the styling of the Quad Series 3 electronics).

I know little of the 66 preamp, though I have heard one. I can see the attraction of the remote control 'palette', and obviously it has an input appropriate for CD. But it comes from a period in Quad's history where they were having teething problems with the matching CDP and seemed to have 'lost their way and direction', so I would approach it with caution.

Noted, Barry. I'll certainly bear that in mind. I also love the look of the early quad preamps, which is why it's so annoying they don't sound as good as they look!

Marco.

[struth]

mate has the 33/303 combo with tuner.. it is in nice nick and sounds ok.. a bit polite for my liking tho