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Integrated amp for Quad 22L?

I am looking for an integrated amp, preferably used, to drive the Quad 22L speakers. I listen primarily to rock(70%) - classic, alternative, modern & some classical - instrumental, indian fusion(20%) & vocal(10%). I prefer a warm sound, with a good, tight bass, nice mids and smooth highs. The speakers will be in a small room(15'x12') placed along the width.

Budget is 1K & I am fine with either SS or tube but have never owned a tube product, so I am unsure about maintenance. Since I have a limited budget for now, I plan to use a Roku soundbridge playing my cd's ripped to FLAC/WAV from htpc.

- The 22L is rated 89dB at 6 ohms. What is the minimum power requirements for the amp? I don't play music at rock-the-house levels but need something which delivers impact on music like Zeppelin, Pink Floyd etc.
- I would like to use the optical out on the Roku. Are there any integrated amps which have digital input(coax or optical)?
- If I wanted to add a subwoofer in the future, can an integrated amp provide the necessary pre-out?

I should add that the dealer was driving them with a Quad cd player & pre-pro. He suggested that Arcam would also be a good match. How about NAD, Rotel & the Outlaw receiver(RR2150)?
srinivos
srinivos OP
5 posts
 
Draganm,

That is really a coincidence. Thanks for the warning on the Onix amp. I had considered it as one of the sub-1K tube amps for the Quad 22L.

I have received an equal number of recommendations for tube & ss amps. Some of them like the Cayin, Pathos Classic etc. are more than $1000 used on Audiogon. I want something which I can use for at least an year before I feel the need to upgrade. Something like the NAD C352 is a safe bet as a cheap but good quality integrated. At the same time, it seems to me that for around $800, I have a few more choices which are sonically in a different class.
facten
2,878 posts
 
If you are going ss might want to try a Portal Panche used ones have come up at $1K, and from time to time Joe Abrams at Portal Audio sells loaned out to reviewer models (bought mine that way still get full 3year warranty and Joe checks them out before resending them out) for slightly more than what you want to spend - it is a really nice amp - good across the range , but exceptional mids PS I have no relationship to Joe nor selling an amp - just think the panache is a fine amp
srinivos OP
5 posts
 
I just found out that Quad has released newer models of their L-series speakers. So its 22L2 now.

A white paper regarding the changes:
http://www.quad-hifi.co.uk/downloads/L2%20Series%20Moving.pdf
sonicbeauty
324 posts
 
What a great paper on the 22L2 Quads.

By the way, of course the Cayin TA-30 has been discontinued by Paul (thanks to Kevin Deal and his purchasing clout...). I was referring to being a bit patient in finding a used one, and contrary to what was said by someone else here MANY if not most, have the extended bias option.

I heard the TAD-60 only once, but in my opinion - sorry - the TA-30 beats it, and on build quality and looks, the small Cayin still has it in my humble opinion. But the TAD-60 IS a nice amp nevertheless, and IS a good buy.

I was told they sold many more Cayin TA-30's than TAD-60's, yet you often find anywhere from 1 to 3 TAD-60 units available here for sale on the 'Gon. The Cayin TA-30 is a harder find, and usuallly gets sold very quickly - proof is in the pudding. I was just saying that this amp is so good that it's worth the wait. I personnaly now have the Cayin A 88-T. Just as big a bargain, it's a stunner.
metman
233 posts
 
I'm definitely in agreement with you regarding the Cayin TAD-30 being an excellent amp as I still have mine and am reluctant to sell it. Mine only has the focus control, no extended bias and I am currently thinking about sending it back to him to see if he would be willing to to that mod as well as the external bias. I'm currently using Paul's Tad 1000 monoblocks paired with his Tad 150 preamp and won't be looking back anytime soon.
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