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Preamp to use with Quad 909 Amp

I just purchased a Quad 909 amplifier. I need to get rid of my Cary tube amp for child safety reasons. (Currently listed for sale!) I was thinking of purchasing the matching preamp (Quad 99) to use with it.

I would like a preamp with built in phono and remote control. I already have Aragon and PSE preamps, but neither have remote control. I would like to spend $1,000 or less.

I want to know if anyone has alternate suggestions, meeting these requirements, that they have heard with the Quad 909. If you have comments on the 99/909 combination I would like to hear those also.

My system is posted so please take a look at the related components.

Thanks for your advice and information. This is a great forum.

Jim Perry

jperry
quadophile's avatar
quadophile
418 posts
 
Did you finally buy the preamp? Would appreciate your thoughts once you install it.
hififile
236 posts
 
Hi Jim,
I bought the Quad 11L's. These are superb little speakers, stand mounted monitors. Their reviews were so impressive by so many I bought them. They are a great match for the all Quad system.

However, I am keeping a pair of Quad 22L's in the back of my mind for a future purchase.

Hope this helps, Happy Listening,
Bennett
mdunjic
7 posts
 
Hi Jim
I have 2 Quad 909 power amps. I used Quad 99 pre-amp, at first, with them and was fairly happy. They seem to be made for each other and for the price 99 is a great deal. My speakers are Neat Motive 1, and I am bi-amping them with 2 Quad 909s. My source is Quad CDP-2 CD player (CD and DAC) and Mac Mini with 500 GB hard disks and tons of WAV (uncompressed) ripped songs - Mac goes through CDP-2's DAC.

In the meantime I have replaced my Quad 99 (couple years back) with an oldie but goodie Krell KRC-3 pre-amp (used bought for 1200$ CAD on Audiogon). Quad 909s and the whole system sounds even better.

So I believe that Quad 99 is an obvious choice, if you are on a tighter budget. But you may get better sound out of Quad 909 with somewhat more transparent and more expensive second hand pre-amp (Krell KRC-3 I can recommend, but any of Herron pre-amp would work good as well).

BTW I still own and use Quad 99 pre in my TV set up, driving (what else ? :-) Quad 306 power amp (50w / ch but basically the same current dumping design as 909) and pair of Monitor Audio Radius 90 bookshelf speakers - fantastic for TV setup.

Hope this helps.
vinyljunkie
1 posts
 
I'm using a 909 with a Hovland HP-100 with built in phono and the combination is wonderful. Speakers are Nola Viper Reference with Scoutmaster table and Kubala Expression cables. It's very full, rich, detailed and powerful. Amazing soundstage! I'm am however very intrigued with the possibility of all tube system and am thinking of replacing the 909 with a pair of Mckintosh 275's.
seanacape
11 posts
 
can any one tell me how old the quad 99 is...if it had or has a replacement...also the the price i have on retail is 900 to 1000...is this correct....last but not least,i understand there were issues with a popping noise being made and a long stay at repair centers to attemt to correct this...some times three months...
please advise...like this unit to go with an aragon 4004 amp
but don't want any headaches..was going to buy used off agon..
thanks...sean
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