Best power amp for Quad 63


I have read a few discussions about powering the 63s but I am sure that in 2022 there are more options.

Currently I am using an upgraded Conrad Johnson PV11 and a lp70 power amp.  This combination is very good but a little too warm for me. I would like to hear more upper partials (frequencies) and bottom punch.

I am partial to Class A SS amps and looking at the used market.  Probably need to stay under 3K.because I will need to sell my lp70.  I am looking at the following pieces:

SPECTRAL DMA 90

MARK LEVINSON ML2, 23, or 432

KRELL KAV 250S

Plinius 

Esoteric F-03A 

Accuphase E- 530

Thanks in advance.

fortepiano50

Showing 1 response by markusthenaimnut

@fortepiano50

I’ve been meaning to add my .02 here for a few days, but have been busy.

I’m sure that many of the recommendations above will sound good. The OTL amps, in particular, will have a certain magic. I auditioned a pair of well-regarded Futtermans and thought they were great. But I was put off by the potential hassle of re-tubing those amps.

I also owned, and really loved, a Sanders Innersound Electrostatic amp. This was a circa ~2000 version of his current Magtech amp. It sounded awesome.

However, I caution folks about using a Sanders amp with any Quad ESL which has the "crowbar" protection circuit. The protection circuit is basically a dead short. It results in the amplifier dumping its prodigious power into the dead short in an instant, which basically can destroy the amp. Ask me how I know. This requires sending the amp to Coda for repair and service.

My very strong recommendation is to use one of the Quad amps - I’m now using a 909 and am very satisfied. It’s the only amp in the world designed to work with the protection circuit. It isn’t flashy. Not expensive. But an extremely fine all-rounder. Won’t have the transparency of the OTL amps, but substitutes rock solid reliability for that last little tiny bit of detail. That tradeoff is worth it, in my book.