I'm looking for advice on getting a tube amp for my Quad 989's. My room size is 16x13x11. I'm looking to spend 1500-2500 used. I could go to 3000 if there was a compelling reason. I've been considering BAT, Quicksilver, and Manley.
"Great if all you like is chamber music" I think, most think that, because most don't use the right amp for them. Some time ago I listened to ESL 63 and it was driven from a FM Acoustics and it was simply unbelievable. Very loud, very holographic and very fast. I think, OTL amps are the other design which works very well with these.
I ended up getting the Quicksilver V4. It sounds fantastic. Listening enjoyment is a very personal thing. What makes me happy may be completely different than someone else. I've been a hobbiest for almost 30 years. I find the Quads to suit my taste better than anything I have heard. Candidly I don't listen to chamber music. I tend to listen to Jazz, Acoustic Blues, vocals, and the QUADS are perfect for me. I'm using the Pre in my YBA and it works great. This way I can also have a great Solid State and Tube option.
Hello; I own 988's and have ordered 989's. I currently drive the system with the mid fi 99 CD_P, 99 pre and 909 amp. Thought about the quad QC24 with the new monoblocks but the comments I have read, are "mixed" to the point that I may want to avoid. Would you care to comment from your experiences? thanks.
There is a special synergy between the Quads & ARC amps - the older ones not the VT100. The Quad's are not easy to drive correctly since their impedance curve starts off above 30 ohms down low and dips down to ~2 ohms at the top end. Use the 16 ohm tap from either a D115 or D70 and you'll have no problems with wieght or volume. I think most people who complain about the Quads have never heard them properly driven.
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