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Post by André on Apr 6, 2024 17:31:08 GMT
If I was in the market for cable, I’d definitely try Mogami. I’d never even think of changing cables now though. I just like enjoying the music and I don’t miss the “listening for differences” malarkey. So what yer bin doin' this last few days then guv'nor??? 
Don't mind me, as I still have 'gear-listening' sessions occasionally in between loving the music, but as you say above, the music soon takes over and that's what it's for, as Andr'e reminds me often
I have a hinge-top 'tuff-crate' affair dedicated purely to RCA audio cables I've accumulated over the decades. They're mostly home made, so short of cutting the plugs off and selling these separately, most aren't worth anything to anyone really...
Im allowed to look as well seen as its also based on Nostalgia with me where as modern shit you best not looking  |
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Post by dsjr on Apr 7, 2024 8:49:52 GMT
So what yer bin doin' this last few days then guv'nor???
Don't mind me, as I still have 'gear-listening' sessions occasionally in between loving the music, but as you say above, the music soon takes over and that's what it's for, as Andr'e reminds me often
I have a hinge-top 'tuff-crate' affair dedicated purely to RCA audio cables I've accumulated over the decades. They're mostly home made, so short of cutting the plugs off and selling these separately, most aren't worth anything to anyone really...
Im allowed to look as well seen as its also based on Nostalgia with me where as modern shit you best not looking Oh I dunno - some of the rinky dinky chip amps coming along which generally perform so well for peanuts are really cute.................. Toppings and related amps CAN run for many years as well and not all end up in landfill after three years or so - depends how you thrash 'em apparently |
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Post by Westie on Apr 7, 2024 10:40:14 GMT
Im allowed to look as well seen as its also based on Nostalgia with me where as modern shit you best not looking Oh I dunno - some of the rinky dinky chip amps coming along which generally perform so well for peanuts are really cute.................. Toppings and related amps CAN run for many years as well and not all end up in landfill after three years or so - depends how you thrash 'em apparently As much as I hate to admit it, some of the Chinese stuff can be good. My little Breeze Audio chip amp sounds easily good enough as a main amp and has worked faultlessly every day for a few years now. It’s left constantly on and is used with the TV, but could just as easily work with a laptop or streamer and a pair of Q acoustics to make a lovely neat system. It’s not even badly made. Having said that, I totally get why it won’t work for Andre. I couldn’t just have something like this without owning other stuff that fills my need for build, design and pride of ownership. |
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Post by dsjr on Apr 7, 2024 13:50:10 GMT
I don't mean to sound pompous in this, but I've kind-of gone beyond that now. Sure I've surrounded myself with a motley stash of gear which really needs thinning out now, but got to say I've a few items I'd really like to keep if possible. One chap complaining about the dinky size of some of these amps which have a 'power brick' to work them usually sat on the floor, suggested one of the numerous decent 3U height amp-boxes with heatsinks available around and about (Mod-U Shop?) and sticking say, a pair of Fosi mono amps AND their power bricks inside (there's another kit chip amp without case which may be even better but it's not my main interest right now so forgive my lack of links and so on). But yeah, none of these are a gorgeous looking vintage amp - or even a delicate looking Quad 66 pre with 66 tuner, maybe 67 CD player and a 606/707/909 amp |
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Post by André on Apr 7, 2024 14:15:22 GMT
Na even those aint nice looking. 33/FM3/303 is tho. Then again id would not buy another set for a number of reasons. Plastic back panels being the main & who really needs a separate Pre/Power in a normal size living room!. unless you want them for the looks & the fact they are classic is great, but for sound You aint gonna like it but good cheap Japanese amps sounds better. Thats not an issue with me Nostalgia overrides ultimate SQ but i just dont have any desire for British Hi-Fi anymore, i think it goes hand in hand with snobbery of the hobby.However Build Quality etc is very important.
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Post by Westie on Apr 7, 2024 15:59:23 GMT
I must admit I like the later (grey buttons) 304, FM4, 306, 606 and 66 or 67 CD players. I think they make a lovely system sat together. The earlier Quad stuff appeals too, but for me, they were the best-looking Quads. Everybody’s different though.
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Post by André on Apr 7, 2024 16:05:47 GMT
I must admit I like the later (grey buttons) 304, FM4, 306, 606 and 66 or 67 CD players. I think they make a lovely system sat together. The earlier Quad stuff appeals too, but for me, they were the best-looking Quads. Everybody’s different though. The Quad Racks for the 34/FM4/306 were made by Castle |
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Post by dsjr on Apr 8, 2024 8:40:39 GMT
I must admit I like the later (grey buttons) 304, FM4, 306, 606 and 66 or 67 CD players. I think they make a lovely system sat together. The earlier Quad stuff appeals too, but for me, they were the best-looking Quads. Everybody’s different though. The Quad Racks for the 34/FM4/306 were made by Castle Castle made a lot of boxes for a lot of people including ATC back then...
Other one later was Timberworx, latterly owned by Spendor I believe and now not making for anyone else I was told. No idea where the few relaining UK speaker makers get their carcasses made...
Westie, the last 34/44 preamps in dark cosmetic, RCA's and grey buttons had internal improvements too I believe and 'sounded' better than ever. I wasn't sure about the 66 preamp in my ignorance, but it has a sonic 'lightness of touch' I grew to adore. My leaning then was to AVI and by the time I learned my lesson as regards 'personalities' I'd kind of moved on and the Quad 77 and 99 era was with us.
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Post by André on Apr 8, 2024 9:11:32 GMT
CJ WALKER 'CJ55' & MANTICORE 'MANTRA' plinths
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Post by Westie on Apr 8, 2024 13:20:43 GMT
I’d forgotten about the 66 preamp! That was lovely too, and I didn’t rate the 34 or 44, so I’d have preferred a 66. If I had pots of money and (more importantly) shed loads of space, I’d have liked to own a set.
I’ve never owned anything Quad apart from a pair of 66 CD players which weren’t at all bad.
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Post by dsjr on Apr 8, 2024 14:44:40 GMT
I’d forgotten about the 66 preamp! That was lovely too, and I didn’t rate the 34 or 44, so I’d have preferred a 66. If I had pots of money and (more importantly) shed loads of space, I’d have liked to own a set. I’ve never owned anything Quad apart from a pair of 66 CD players which weren’t at all bad. Back in the day, the 66CD players liked a mains filter on them (as did most TDA1541 based machines). Not sure the 'forced on them' 67 model was like that, but I used one anyway (I had a DPA PDM1mk2 which was INCREDIBLY mains sensitive and needed a bloody filter to sound any good at all despite me running it 24/7 in the year or two I had it (I forgot I had one after the Meridian 207, used with borrowed decks as transport and before the Nak OMS7E - to my ears back then of course...
There was definitely a change in the 34 and 44 preamps with the cosmetic I'm sure and the 66 had something of an internal transformation as well halfway through its life. I need to study the Dada update files as these give serial numbers and also changes made. I was suspicious of the 66 being remote only (needless as it happens) and the 77 was a delightful compromise I felt, with sweet atmospheric sound (maybe the sweetness is a colouration but I didn't care) and a really decent phono stage too. If the two way remote was working, the tone tilt and filters could be used too 
Just my vibe, but the later 606mk1s onwards were excellent amps with sh*t visuals! The very first ones had less reservoir supply cap values (easily updated) and late ones were mk2's (using a toroidal tranny) in mk1 cases. the 707 had Speakon connectors which I disliked (they're not standard still but to pro's, best connector of all) but this and UK made 909's were delightful right from switch-on. Chinese made 909's not so sure on as the caps were from the bad era but this was sorted out and the current Artera Stereo amp is excellent once again.
Got to add and apologies for the thread drift westie, my local audio salon is full of Chord, Naim and Accuphase and if they still have the Artera gear, I'd say the Quad Artera pre and power amp beats the lot and undercuts on price by multiples  Not showy enough through... |
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Post by Westie on Apr 8, 2024 15:51:46 GMT
All really helpful info thanks, Dave. I have always loved the aesthetics of most Quad, apart from the early 34 with vile coloured buttons. I even love the look of the 606 if the casework is pristine.
If I ever do dabble wit more Quad, it will really just be to own and admire rather than to use for main listening. I think I’ve always been into the aesthetics as much as the sound.
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Post by Westie on Apr 11, 2024 20:48:24 GMT
I just took a look at those Quads and the power amp looks lovely. The preamp isn’t bad, but I so wish the circular display had been the same shape as the 66 series. The circle makes it look a bit “cyclops”.
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Post by André on Apr 11, 2024 20:55:35 GMT
All really helpful info thanks, Dave. I have always loved the aesthetics of most Quad, apart from the early 34 with vile coloured buttons. I even love the look of the 606 if the casework is pristine. If I ever do dabble wit more Quad, it will really just be to own and admire rather than to use for main listening. I think I’ve always been into the aesthetics as much as the sound. Those Yellow/Red buttons were on the early units that had DIN Sockets. Yeah they did look vile. |
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Post by Westie on Apr 30, 2024 18:30:27 GMT
I saw a very sorry-looking pair of Neat Petites on EBay and just had to rescue them. They arrived today and are still as entertaining as ever. They will need a lot of love to make them right again, but it will be done. I won’t be selling these when refurbed because they have sentimental value and will be absolutely perfect.
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Not showy enough through...