More Info on Quad II-40
Tim
issue of HFN. And there are some new info on this much anticipated new
tube amp from Quad for almost 40 years.
- Listed price is GBP3995 for the pre/power combo. They are NOT
available separately even as I expect a higher demand for the power
amp, as the case for the re-issue McIntosh C22/MC275.
- The power amp has a very similar circuit as the original Quad II. But
the KT66s were replaced by KT88 (Russian), GZ32 by 5U4G, and EF86 by
the metal 6SH7.
- The pre-amp is line-only and is not in any way similar to the Quad 22
except for the outlook. It uses a SINGLE pencil tube, the 6111WA double
triode made popoular by the Audio Note Zero series pre-amp/DAC. Not
that much of a surprise consider the designer Andy Groove is from ex-
Audio Note UK.
- On the inside, it is mainly PCB instead of point-to-point hard wiring
- Output taps for 4 and 8 ohm ONLY. Unfortunately no 16 ohm tap for
vintage 15 ohm speakers.
- It is NOT a limited production but only 1000 set will be build each
year
Tim
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Before you buy.
adri...@my-deja.com
Did KK make a sonic comparison with the old Quad II? It would be
interesting to do a shoot out using high sensitivity speakers. I bet
if one replaces the old components from a Quad II with new, high
tolerance parts, the II will probably stomp all over the II-forty. One
must also use original Mullard or GEC mesh EF86, Mullard GZ32 and GEC
KT66. The KT66 is simply a superior tube sonically to the KT88 (even
if you compare the GEC tubes, which the new Quad II-forty doesn't have).
Tim
He did. But the merit of the II-40 KK emphasised on is driving power.
Sort of like "unlimited driving power but yet retain the magic tube
sound of Quad II. My guess is that if a highly sensitive speaker is
used, even KK will agree the original is better. But you should know
that KK has also make clear that he much prefer Radford MA15/MA25 to
Quad II in term on sonic quality.
> I bet
> if one replaces the old components from a Quad II with new, high
> tolerance parts, the II will probably stomp all over the II-forty.
I have very serious doubt about this. In my own experience, the new,
high tolerance parts VERY SIGNIFICANTLY worsen the sound of vintage
amps from UK. This should never be attempted we should follow the
golden rule that "if it ain't broken, you shouldn't try to fix it".
One
> must also use original Mullard or GEC mesh EF86, Mullard GZ32 and GEC
> KT66. The KT66 is simply a superior tube sonically to the KT88 (even
> if you compare the GEC tubes, which the new Quad II-forty doesn't
have).
In my own experience, the best EF86 to be used on the Quad II is TFK
EF806S, which sound much better the GEC Z729 and Mullard long mesh
plate EF86 in that amp (but not necessaily others).
I have tried both GZ32 and all versions of Mullard GZ34 on the Quad II
and I still prefer GZ32 even as metal base GZ34 is more "hifi"
sounding. Unfortunately, I have not been able to locate any early cup
getter GZ32.
For the KT66, VT75 is best but early large bottle EL37 is a close 2nd.
IMHO, it is very very hard to compare amp using different output tubes.
How can one really compare a KT66/6L6 PP amp with a EL34/KT77 PP amp
and with a 6550/KT88 amp? This will largely depend on taste and
application.
To me, the 50W Quad II-40 perhaps should not be compared to the 15W
Quad II but with other great KT88 PP amp such as original McIntosh
MC275, Leak TL50+ or even a modern ARC VT70. We will see.
ho...@hotmail.com
that Quad is now owned by a HK group, so the tranformers could be wound
in China or by a company in UK.
Hon
i...@netvision.net.il
the AN kit1, Quest and the rest of the AN amps and I believe the Silver
Night (Audion) amps. Andy Grove used to work for AN and also Peter from
AN used to work for Audion and Audio Innovation .......
I have a strong feeling they are all using the same transformer
manufacturer ......
Danny
In article <8u2015$vga$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>,
Tim
i...@netvision.net.il wrote:
> Who ever makes these transformers is also making the transformers for
> the AN kit1, Quest and the rest of the AN amps and I believe the
Silver
> Night (Audion) amps. Andy Grove used to work for AN and also Peter
from
> AN used to work for Audion and Audio Innovation .......
>
> I have a strong feeling they are all using the same transformer
> manufacturer ......
This would mean that it is highly likely that the transformers are
coming from our fatherland.
Tim
adri...@my-deja.com
Does anyone know if these amps use the cathode feedback configuration
of the old Quad IIs? (This preceded the ultralinear transformers from
Acrosound, but the credit for the ultralinear circuit went to Hafler
instead of Walker.
Adrian