Discussion
I’m thinking g if setting up a study at home and kitting it out with a good stereo hifi. I’m looking at some older gear like Linn or Quad power/pre-amp arrangements and buying second hand.
Are there dangers in purchasing second-hand or vintage gear like Linn and Quad power amps?
The alternative is to just use integrated and new gear like the Quad Vena II play.
Any opinions on the relative benefits of the alternatives?
Are there dangers in purchasing second-hand or vintage gear like Linn and Quad power amps?
The alternative is to just use integrated and new gear like the Quad Vena II play.
Any opinions on the relative benefits of the alternatives?
It’s going to depend on what you want from it and how much you’re willing to spend, as ever.
Without looking into it too deeply, I’d probably go for the Quad pre and power option. Easily and cheaply repaired and serviced, when and if required, and I think the sound will suit an office. Good resale too if you buy at the right price now.
And to me, the Quad 303 stuff just looks cool.
Without looking into it too deeply, I’d probably go for the Quad pre and power option. Easily and cheaply repaired and serviced, when and if required, and I think the sound will suit an office. Good resale too if you buy at the right price now.
And to me, the Quad 303 stuff just looks cool.
Tony1963 said:
It’s going to depend on what you want from it and how much you’re willing to spend, as ever.
Without looking into it too deeply, I’d probably go for the Quad pre and power option. Easily and cheaply repaired and serviced, when and if required, and I think the sound will suit an office. Good resale too if you buy at the right price now.
And to me, the Quad 303 stuff just looks cool.
The 303 has a cool look, you're right. I was thinking more the 405, but I may look at the 303 too for comparison. I like vintage gear but don't want to get saddled with the need for repairs. Without looking into it too deeply, I’d probably go for the Quad pre and power option. Easily and cheaply repaired and serviced, when and if required, and I think the sound will suit an office. Good resale too if you buy at the right price now.
And to me, the Quad 303 stuff just looks cool.
There's two versions of the 405 as it was updated over the years. Have a feeling the mk2 could drive more difficult (lower impedance) speakers more successfully.
They also use 4 pin DIN connectors, I've seen these be replaced with phono sockets but its something else to consider. All discrete components inside so easy to get them serviced.
The later quad amps- 707/909 etc sound great too.
They also use 4 pin DIN connectors, I've seen these be replaced with phono sockets but its something else to consider. All discrete components inside so easy to get them serviced.
The later quad amps- 707/909 etc sound great too.
As well as sounding great, a Quad 34 preamp, FM4 tuner and 306 power amplifier in its correct Quad rack is one of the most elegant audio creations that doesn't wear a "Bang & Olufsen" badge, IMHO, so that's what I;d go for.
Well, if it wasn't for the fact that I'd go the Bang & Olufsen route, obviously.
Well, if it wasn't for the fact that I'd go the Bang & Olufsen route, obviously.
The pitfall with buying vintage gear is that it may need money spending on it, which probably won't add to its resale value.
Also, it may not be 'as good as new'.
Unless you've got a whole lot of test equipment, or you buy from the best of the 'refurbishing' people, you never know whether it's as it should be.
Even if you've just paid hundreds to have it repaired and serviced, it's still a bunch of ancient components, any of which might fail next week.
And how good were the people who've had it apart in the past?
Also a lot of the old stuff seemed good at the time, but more modern kit may achieve the same or better levels of distortion etc, with better stability over time. And some old kit is wide open to some of the interference which infests the modern world.
The flip side is that modern stuff is expensive and expensive to repair, if it can be repaired at all.
Personaly, I think a lot of vintage stuff is over-hyped, but there are some good amps out there which are simply 'a bit old' for bargain prices.
I'd quite like to own some of the classic kit, but I've got motorbikes and boats to spend my cash on, that's limited what I'm prepared to spend on Hifi for 50 years and counting....
Buy both and let us know which you prefer, and why?
Also, it may not be 'as good as new'.
Unless you've got a whole lot of test equipment, or you buy from the best of the 'refurbishing' people, you never know whether it's as it should be.
Even if you've just paid hundreds to have it repaired and serviced, it's still a bunch of ancient components, any of which might fail next week.
And how good were the people who've had it apart in the past?
Also a lot of the old stuff seemed good at the time, but more modern kit may achieve the same or better levels of distortion etc, with better stability over time. And some old kit is wide open to some of the interference which infests the modern world.
The flip side is that modern stuff is expensive and expensive to repair, if it can be repaired at all.
Personaly, I think a lot of vintage stuff is over-hyped, but there are some good amps out there which are simply 'a bit old' for bargain prices.
I'd quite like to own some of the classic kit, but I've got motorbikes and boats to spend my cash on, that's limited what I'm prepared to spend on Hifi for 50 years and counting....
Buy both and let us know which you prefer, and why?
I had a 405 many years ago, bought new. Never that impressed with it.
I replaced it with a Naim 110 - much better sound.
I've also got a Linn Majik integrated amp, with a "matching" LK100 power amp.
The Naim and Linns are still going strong, and were until very recently in daily use in my AV setup.
I replaced it with a Naim 110 - much better sound.
I've also got a Linn Majik integrated amp, with a "matching" LK100 power amp.
The Naim and Linns are still going strong, and were until very recently in daily use in my AV setup.
clockworks said:
I had a 405 many years ago, bought new. Never that impressed with it.
I replaced it with a Naim 110 - much better sound.
I've also got a Linn Majik integrated amp, with a "matching" LK100 power amp.
The Naim and Linns are still going strong, and were until very recently in daily use in my AV setup.
I worked with a test engineer from Quad about 25 years ago. Borrowed his 405 and 34. I liked it then.I replaced it with a Naim 110 - much better sound.
I've also got a Linn Majik integrated amp, with a "matching" LK100 power amp.
The Naim and Linns are still going strong, and were until very recently in daily use in my AV setup.
Been to the Linn factory about the same period. They seemed to be put together well.
I’ll look at Naim too.
Thanks
KingGary said:
I wouldn’t get too hung up on those 2, look through reviews of anything late 90s-mid 2000s and there are bargains to be had. Something like NAD masters range or some of the Marantz or Sony stuff is still good. Don’t forget speakers, I would recommend some ProACs from the same era.
All noted. I’ll have a look.OutInTheShed said:
The pitfall with buying vintage gear is that it may need money spending on it, which probably won't add to its resale value.
Also, it may not be 'as good as new'.
Unless you've got a whole lot of test equipment, or you buy from the best of the 'refurbishing' people, you never know whether it's as it should be.
Even if you've just paid hundreds to have it repaired and serviced, it's still a bunch of ancient components, any of which might fail next week.
And how good were the people who've had it apart in the past?
Also a lot of the old stuff seemed good at the time, but more modern kit may achieve the same or better levels of distortion etc, with better stability over time. And some old kit is wide open to some of the interference which infests the modern world.
The flip side is that modern stuff is expensive and expensive to repair, if it can be repaired at all.
Personaly, I think a lot of vintage stuff is over-hyped, but there are some good amps out there which are simply 'a bit old' for bargain prices.
I'd quite like to own some of the classic kit, but I've got motorbikes and boats to spend my cash on, that's limited what I'm prepared to spend on Hifi for 50 years and counting....
Some makes of ‘vintage’ gear were built properly in the first place. When you open them up, you see nicely laid out wiring, replaceable components, and if you’re handy with a soldering iron repairs and servicing are easy enough. Also, it may not be 'as good as new'.
Unless you've got a whole lot of test equipment, or you buy from the best of the 'refurbishing' people, you never know whether it's as it should be.
Even if you've just paid hundreds to have it repaired and serviced, it's still a bunch of ancient components, any of which might fail next week.
And how good were the people who've had it apart in the past?
Also a lot of the old stuff seemed good at the time, but more modern kit may achieve the same or better levels of distortion etc, with better stability over time. And some old kit is wide open to some of the interference which infests the modern world.
The flip side is that modern stuff is expensive and expensive to repair, if it can be repaired at all.
Personaly, I think a lot of vintage stuff is over-hyped, but there are some good amps out there which are simply 'a bit old' for bargain prices.
I'd quite like to own some of the classic kit, but I've got motorbikes and boats to spend my cash on, that's limited what I'm prepared to spend on Hifi for 50 years and counting....
If someone hears and really likes, for example, a Naim system with 1980s amplification, there’s every chance that nothing else will satisfy. It’s not for everyone, but a NAC62 pre, NAP250 power, with a HiCap of course, is something very special and available for under £2k in good serviced condition. And it’ll see out almost every modern amplifier when it comes to longevity.
My favourite is a little Creek amp which cost me about £20 as a non-runner.
I listen to a lot of music on it and only find it limited when I want to be in a bigger room with bigger speakers.
If I was spending 4 figures on amplification, it would probably not be traditional 2 channels feeding speakers with passive crossovers and all that.
I've heard some Linn active crossover systems which sound sublime and others which sound annoying in a way that's hard to nail down.
Quad, well don't forget they were all about those electrostatic speakers at one point, some innovative circuits and all that, but I'm not convinced.
It's just all easier if you split the audio band into sensible ranges of octaves.
I'm overdue some decent live music I think!
It's crazy to think that you could spend the cost of a Naim amp on a few Oasis tickets?
I listen to a lot of music on it and only find it limited when I want to be in a bigger room with bigger speakers.
If I was spending 4 figures on amplification, it would probably not be traditional 2 channels feeding speakers with passive crossovers and all that.
I've heard some Linn active crossover systems which sound sublime and others which sound annoying in a way that's hard to nail down.
Quad, well don't forget they were all about those electrostatic speakers at one point, some innovative circuits and all that, but I'm not convinced.
It's just all easier if you split the audio band into sensible ranges of octaves.
I'm overdue some decent live music I think!
It's crazy to think that you could spend the cost of a Naim amp on a few Oasis tickets?
Buying used from an authorised dealer may not be the cheapest, but will often get you the best looked after kit, as people trade-in their beloved old kit, it is sold on (often after having age-related issues sorted by the dealer).
The type of person that does this often has their kit serviced when required and aso looks after it cosmetically.
The type of person that does this often has their kit serviced when required and aso looks after it cosmetically.
Deranged Rover said:
As well as sounding great, a Quad 34 preamp, FM4 tuner and 306 power amplifier in its correct Quad rack is one of the most elegant audio creations that doesn't wear a "Bang & Olufsen" badge, IMHO, so that's what I;d go for.
Well, if it wasn't for the fact that I'd go the Bang & Olufsen route, obviously.
I have a Quad 34 paired to bridged twin Rotel power amps and it sounds brilliant. Well, if it wasn't for the fact that I'd go the Bang & Olufsen route, obviously.
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