Advice on Quad power amps.

[Mikeandvan]

Having followed the very convoluted journey on this thread I would tend to agree ....

The older Quads do require some dedication (and often a fair bit of fettling) and given the confusion Mike is facing over something seemingly straightforward like a pot value ... let alone a matching DAC ... I would be inclined to a much simpler solution.
As he already has a GS phono stage the first generation Quad Vena would be ideal - and in the long run probably cheaper. I have one and the output certainly reaches the same spots as my older iterations - but also has the advantage of a very versatile DAC and aptX Bluetooth.

Can't go far wrong really.

Well, I've only just bought the 306, so I'll see how I get on with it. A lot of people like it. Can that Vena really be any good at only £600?

[walpurgis]

Can that Vena really be any good at only £600?

It doesn't appeal to me really. I like the British built units, in particular the current dumping power amps. The Vena is built in the far east I believe.

[mikmas]

Can that Vena really be any good at only £600?

Definitely - If I had to choose between my Vena or running my 405-2 with a passive and a DAC, I would probably opt for the Vena over the hassle and cable tangle of the latter.
I have had the first version for 18 months now and have found it to be pretty much faultless in it's musicality and versatility but the Quad Vena II has had improvements on top of that (added phono stage and beefed up trafo for starters).

Don't just take my word for it - PM Grant (struth) and get his opinion. He recently bought the Vena II and seems to be well impressed with its performance.

[Mikeandvan]

Definitely - If I had to choose between my Vena or running my 405-2 with a passive and a DAC, I would probably opt for the Vena over the hassle and cable tangle of the latter.
I have had the first version for 18 months now and have found it to be pretty much faultless in it's musicality and versatility but the Quad Vena II has had improvements on top of that (added phono stage and beefed up trafo for starters).

Don't just take my word for it - PM Grant (struth) and get his opinion. He recently bought the Vena II and seems to be well impressed with its performance.

Thanks Mike, I'll look into it.

[mikmas]

Thanks Mike, I'll look into it.

... forgot to mention ... it also has pre-out so you could run it through your 306 and just use the Vena as DAC/Preamp.... with remote control too

If you keep your GS phono stage you should be able to pick up the first model for between £300-400 (last one on here sold for £350 as I recall - was immaculate)

[montesquieu]

... forgot to mention ... it also has pre-out so you could run it through your 306 and just use the Vena as DAC/Preamp.... with remote control too

If you keep your GS phono stage you should be able to pick up the first model for between £300-400 (last one on here sold for £350 as I recall - was immaculate)

Didn't know it had pre-out. That's handy.

[montesquieu]

Definitely - If I had to choose between my Vena or running my 405-2 with a passive and a DAC, I would probably opt for the Vena over the hassle and cable tangle of the latter.
I have had the first version for 18 months now and have found it to be pretty much faultless in it's musicality and versatility but the Quad Vena II has had improvements on top of that (added phono stage and beefed up trafo for starters).

Don't just take my word for it - PM Grant (struth) and get his opinion. He recently bought the Vena II and seems to be well impressed with its performance.

Totally agree. I heard the original Vena at the Bristol show and was really very taken with it. Been pondering ever since.

However, now the MK2 is out and has a phono stage I'm tempted to replace much of the entire second system with one ... my biggest challenge is what CDP or transport to run with it that won't detract from its cool looks. (My Sony CDP555ES just dwarfs it but maybe that's not an issue).