A Bottlehead pre to match with Quad II's

[intrentnet7]

I'm new to the world of Hi-fi.

Now that we got that out of the way here is my rather pleasant dilemma; I recently inherited a pair of Quad II valve amps from my father in-law (Lucky me). I'm just wondering if anyone has paired them with the Quickie and if that's a good match. I need a pre and I'm student... in other words, I'm poor. very poor. But why should that stop me from enjoying the nicer things in life? So i'm considering the Quickie mostly because of price and reputation but I might be able to swing the new Smash preamp if that's a better option to run with the Quad II's. Also considering getting the Cambridge Audio 641p for a phono preamp into the smash/quickie. Again, I'm new and I don't know much about running pre and power amp combos.

Advice? Thoughts?

Using a Linn Basik Plus TT, Speakers are Bose 601 series iv for now... I'll be getting a pair of the Quad ESL Speakers from my in-law once he and I can figure out the best way to pack and ship them from his place across the Atlantic. Don't know if any of that makes a difference in choosing a preamp.

Thanks.

[Paul Joppa]

That Quad II is a real classic - treasure it!

It is, like most Quad amps, quite sensitive so you won't need a lot of gain in the preamp. Either preamp will work well. Basically, I'd get the Quickie if you expect to experiment with modifications and parts swaps, and the Smash if you expect to build it and just listen to music. The Smash is going to sound better in stock form, and won't make you replace the batteries, tempt you to roll tubes, swap capacitors, play with damping the vibrations, etc. etc. as much.

I looked up that Cambridge and it says all the right things. For a solid state phono preamp it looks like they have really done their homework. Naturally I refer tubes myself but Reduction is still 50% more costly, and you are just starting the journey.

Best advice is to listen to lots of stuff, form your own opinions, and stay flexible as long as possible.

[RayP]

If the amps are coming across the Atlantic then you will have to do something about the AC voltage difference. Take a look at the photos on these amps on Ebay and you will see they are set up for 200, 220 or 240 volts.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-X-Quad-II-Valve-Tube-Power-Amps-Scruffy-Working-But-Will-Need-Attention-/191141133226

Are you getting the control unit as well? Typically if you had the Quad II amps, you had the control unit as well. If you look at the photo in this auction you will see special plugs for power and signal that connect to the amplifiers.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Quad-22-STEREO-Pre-Amplifier-AMP-Control-Unit-for-Quad-II-Power-Amp-/111328107091

Anyhow, congratulations on inheriting them. Oddly enough Quads amps were the first stereo amps I heard. They belonged to one of my father's friends and he used them to drive a pair of Tannoy GRF Autographs.

ray

[intrentnet7]

Thanks for the help and advice. I'm still debating between the Quickie and the Smash. Leaning toward the quickie at the moment. Good to know either will work well. thanks Paul.

Ray,
Yeah, I have voltage step up/line conditioner for the amps.

When he bought them they had already been modified with RCA inputs so I won't have to worry about the Jones 6 pin connector either. That and the voltage seemed to be the common issues people had.

The in-law wasn't a fan of the quad 22 so he never had it. Lately he was using a more modern intregrated Harman Kardon amp (not sure which one) with preamp outs to run the Quad II's. He still uses the HK for his TV/Blu-ray.

Funny you mention Tannoy, that's what he has replaced the Quad ESL speakers with. They were Tannoy Canterbury's I believe. Gorgeous! and sounded just amazing. The Mark Levinson set up he's got running everything now doesn't hurt either. Everything sounds so detailed and crystal clear. Incredible. Just blew my mind. Never knew how much i was missing from my music.

Thanks again.