Recommended preamp/amp or integrated for Quad ESL 989
villager -- Fri, 06/15/2007 - 06:48
I know that there's lots of experience out there with these speakers. Would anyone be kind enough to recommend a preamp/amp combination, or an integrated amp to drive these speakers? I'll be using a digital source (CD/SACD), I listen to a wide variety of music types and my listening room is of moderate size.
Thanks!
Maybe more liquid solidstate like vitus, Pass Labs or high quality tube like Audio note.
If you can Why not to listen to with its own Quad electronics? May be they make a good sinergy. After all they have been designed and constructed together.
Quad is not as expert as others in amplifier design
I've had great success with the BAT VK-300xSE integrated with my Quad 988 speakers. Unfortunately, I need to move to separates for system configuration reasons, so I'm giving up the BAT. But dollar for dollar, the BAT is a remarkable bargain (which is why is was a TAS Product of the Year in 2002).
ear 509's valves will make them sing
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I have the Quad 2905's. Source equipment is a Weiss Medea DAC. Speaker & mains cable is Nordost Valhalla. Test CD Chesky Ultimate Demo Disc. I have tried the following:
Deltec DPA50S : Doesn't work, I guess can't handle the loading due to the design.
Graaf GM20 : Sounds beautiful, the bass authority comes when they're mono'd, otherwise a little shy of PRAT. Midrange/tops are dreamy, amps are a little demanding of attention with bias and offset drift....
Mark Levinson ML431 : Big 50Kg 200W amp drives the Quads beautifully - a combination as recommended by Stereophile. Changed my XLR interconnect from Nordost to Audioquest Anaconda to add a touch of warmth and dynamics, works very very well. There's no need for more power trust me, can drive at levels to loud for both me and the neighbours. Lots of PRAT yet delicate and detailed too. Wonderful 3D soundstaging.
Vitus SS010 : One of the trendy amps of the moment, IMHO justified too - I can't really describe what it does better than the Levinson but it seems to touch me deeper inside... Every other technical aspect on par with the ML but there's just something about this amp... When the system is playing in the background I drift off with the music more times with this amp than with any other - does that explain?
Susan Parker Zeus : A simple DIY Class A zero feedback design I have long been considering. Would require modifying the Quads to make them active, driven by XLR interconnect rather than speaker cables. The final transformers would be combined into a single unit. Would need a (tube?) preamp capable of a decent voltage output, I'm sure would be an incredible upgrade and maybe a path I'd have followed had the Vitus not arrived.... Maybe a project for a second hand pair of the 989s...
I agree the EAR amps would work wonderfully well, technically I don't like two transformers next to each other in the signal chain. I understand EAR used to make a dedicated direct drive amp for the Quads, some say it's still available.
I have had experience of BAT - good value for money but maybe not the best when it comes to transformer quality. As a tube the 6c33 (as used in my Graafs) is perfect for the ESL speakers due to it's relatively high current output. If you've got the money then the Opus 6c33 mono's would probably be as close to perfection as you can get... they also do a matching DAC/pre which is very well regarded. Don't discount Vacuum State also, Allen really knows his tubes...
Please try the Chesky disc as a reference, it makes comparisons a whole lot easier and let you know what's lacking and where. Good luck!!
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