The Marco-boy main system, as of August 2020

[struth]

drowns out the not had mine on for an age... ive given up on it due to the idiot next door. just use the cans..

[Marco]

Aye, it's amazing what it drowns out, including Del's 'requests'... 'WANT chips'. 'WANT Chocolate', 'WANT a drinky', WANT a foot rub, lol. Soz, can't hear what you're saying, pet... Wossat, you WANT a slap?

Marco.

[Marco]

Well, the Quad arrived today, and for the money sounds fab! I'm very impressed indeed by the quality of sound (huge, dynamic and detailed) this dinky little amp produces. It certainly has no problem whatsoever driving the Tannoys - well I guess it wouldn't with them being 95db efficient. 50W is certainly, erm. 'adequate'!

In terms of gain, I needn't have worried, as although the 306 is certainly sensitive, it turns out that Copper amp (on its current feedback settings) is even more sensitive So... No problems with any overloading!

I'll comment more on the 306, after it's been properly warmed up, and I get more used to its sonic signature, but it's certainly the best £285 I've ever spent on an amplifier, thus it will provide adequate back up for the Copper amp, when used in the sorts of situations I outlined earlier.

Delighted

Marco.

[DarrenHW]

I'm pleased it's a "good fit", sorry for casting any doubt. I'm glad you're happy with it, I'm looking forward to it myself providing this "firebreak" is only temporary?

[Marco]

I'm pleased it's a "good fit", sorry for casting any doubt. I'm glad you're happy with it, I'm looking forward to it myself providing this "firebreak" is only temporary?

Cheers, mate. It's great! A perfect 'second amp' - well behaved and just does what it says on the tin. It would be interesting having two, one for each channel, as some folks do to great effect. That's something I may look at in due course, and perhaps also adding a Quad 34 preamp to match!

It would make a nice little 'unobtrusive' solid-state alternative amp combo, then just keep the Croft for the Copper amp... Decisions, lol

The Copper amp is still significantly better, as you can imagine, but not to the extent that when I switch to the 306, that sounds 'broken', no siree... Far from it. It's just a different type of listen, and still eminently enjoyable. Furthermore, today I plumbed in the LDR (Stereo Coffee) of Chris', and it's SUPERB - best 'passive' I've heard so far by a country mile - and it goes great with both the Copper amp and 306!

So that's in the equation, too... And there's MORE, lol - I'm also experimenting with cables. I've recently gone for Mark Grant HDX1s throughout, for interconnects (and digital coax between the Sony transport and DAC), which for me are his best cables yet, and superb value. I've also taken delivery of some of his 6mm Van Damme speaker cable, which I'll be comparing with my rather more expensive VDH 'The Wind', so we'll also see how that goes

Marco.

[Marco]

Oh, I meant to say, in terms of the 'Firebreak' thing, barring any major disasters. which I can't see, it's defo temporary, and thus due to end on Nov 9th. What system is adopted after that, however (the most important thing) remains to be seen...

However, I believe that the Welsh First Minister will be revealing 'the plan' later in the week, so we'll defo hook up mate for a sesh, when the situation permits

Marco.

[walpurgis]

Glad you like the 306 Marco, I thought you would . I'd give the 34 (and 44) pre-amps a miss though, they really don't do the Quad power amps justice in my opinion.

[Marco]

Very pleased indeed with it, Geoff. So what's bad about the Quad preamps, and also in your opinion, which is the better of the two?

Marco.

[walpurgis]

Very pleased indeed with it, Geoff. So what's bad about the Quad preamps, and also in your opinion, which is the better of the two?

Marco.

I found them bland sounding and not very revealing. Some seem able to live with them, but not me. There's nothing to choose between them soundwise.

[Marco]

Mmm... That's rather disappointing. I don't doubt what you're saying, but it may be alleviated by some judicious cap upgrades... I've found that before with vintage preamps. Often there's a good sound struggling to get out because of either poor quality, or ageing out of spec electronic components.

I may need to investigate and see for myself!

Marco.