Advice on Quad power amps.

[Bigman80]

It wasn't the Monarchy SM-70. They are extremely revealing and transparent, but not harsh. I think it may even have been my old one you heard.

The Quad 707 (brother to the 606) I've been using is the complete opposite in character. A huge amount of 'oomph', but done very smoothly and calmly and the silkiest treble you could ask for.

It was Geoff. It also had a brand new UK rated traffo. It is a very special amp and there's no harshness. Believe me.

Transparent, revealing and quite superb.

I was torn selling it but the Krell has allayed any worries I had.

[Bigman80]

I’d be wary of cheap passive pre amps with quads, my experience with the Tisbury amp was not so positive, at least try and hear one with a 34 or 44 preamp too to compare.

Agree. Just in general lol.

Get a good pre or NOTHING will sound as it should.

[Macca]

Have you got the same issue when using the Naim amplifier?

If so I'd suggest borrowing a set of speakers just so you can eliminate them as the problem. Usually distortion is amp related or amp/speaker mismatch. But could also be loose connections or a driver issue in the speakers.

Failing that the QUAD plus passive I suggested I guarantee will not sound harsh or hard. Buy them second hand, you won't lose any significant sum if you move them on later. That will at least give you a listenable system

[Roy S]

I didn't get on with the Quad 606, used with a Croft pre I found it a bit woolly but as Martin says you can try most Quads & move them on easily, I only had the 606 for a fortnight & sold it on for what I paid for it.

[walpurgis]

I’d be wary of cheap passive pre amps with quads, my experience with the Tisbury amp was not so positive

I'm not keen on the Tisbury either. The ultra cheap 'Little Bear' passive I got from China sounds way better, although it's not suited to use with Quad amps.

The Promitheus TVC pre-amp works very nicely with Quads, but they are getting scarce these days.

[STD305M]

It wasn't the Monarchy SM-70. They are extremely revealing and transparent, but not harsh. I think it may even have been my old one you heard.

The Quad 707 (brother to the 606) I've been using is the complete opposite in character. A huge amount of 'oomph', but done very smoothly and calmly and the silkiest treble you could ask for.

Hi Geoff

I think the Monarchy was the one you owned,
I now have it.
Got it from Oliver.
Would agree 100% with your comment on it's sound quality.
The problem when Mike heard it was most certainly his Nak preamp.
He's most welcome to listen again using my Dual Mono Dcb1, he'll find it a completely different beast to the Nak...

Steve

[fatmarley]

The ultra cheap 'Little Bear' passive I got from China sounds way better, although it's not suited to use with Quad amps.

Why's it not suited to use with Quad amps?

[Mikeandvan]

Hi Geoff

I think the Monarchy was the one you owned,
I now have it.
Got it from Oliver.
Would agree 100% with your comment on it's sound quality.
The problem when Mike heard it was most certainly his Nak preamp.
He's most welcome to listen again using my Dual Mono Dcb1, he'll find it a completely different beast to the Nak...

Steve

I wouldn't mind that Steve.

[Edward]

Mike I have a Paul Baldwin 405 clone you are welcome to borrow, try out and return. If you like it you can buy it (it will be cheap.)

In many ways nicer than the 405/2 I had some years ago. All you need to do is arrange a courier to pick it up. And if you don't want it return it to Steve (we are due to meet up sometime) or courier it back.

PM if interested.

[Mikeandvan]

Mike I have a Paul Baldwin 405 clone you are welcome to borrow, try out and return. If you like it you can buy it (it will be cheap.)

In many ways nicer than the 405/2 I had some years ago. All you need to do is arrange a courier to pick it up. And if you don't want it return it to Steve (we are due to meet up sometime) or courier it back.

PM if interested.

Thanks Edward, I'll see how I get on with the Monarchy again first, with a different pre, if Steves ok with that.