Tube amps for Quad 988's

I currently use a pair of Quad ESL-63's that I have owned for around 5 years. I have owned several different amps. The amps I am currently using are by far my favorite. They are a pair of Cary 805c's. They have more than enough power to drive the Quads, but tend to be slightly bass shy (of course, Quads are a little bass shy by nature). If you don't want to spend the $$ for the 805c's, try to find a used pair of Cary SLM-100's. My previous amps were a pair of those with KT-88 tubes. You get about 95% of the 805c sound and a little extra bass as compared to 805c's.

One last comment, the first amp I used with the Quads was an Audio Research integrated, and I have also heard Quad 988's powered by a pair of VTM-200's. To my ears Quad / Audio Research does not make a good match.

As a Quad dealer your budget would be very helpful since there are many fine tube amps available.
The Quad tube monoblocks are a great match since system synergy works very well in the Quad family, and the price is very reasonable for tube amps of this quality.
I also sell Thor Audio Tube amps, and I find that the Thor monoblocks are the best that I have ever heard on a Quad speaker, and I have heard many high quality tube amps on Quads.
The Thor TPA-30 monoblocks give the Quads plenty of power at 30 watts ultralinear.
The Thors give the Quads a huge soundstage, extraordinary seperation,and clarity that only a Quad can deliver.
I sell Thor because I really have never heard a tube amp that makes a Quad sound this good.
If you need more power the TPA-60 watt mono is absolutely amazing.
Many people complain that Quads are bass shy.
The Thor amps give the Quads more than enough bass. I never have the need for more bass when I have the Thors on the Quads.
To sum up, I used many other amps on the Quads and I used to have the volume gain on my preamp set at 11:00-12:30 when I played loudly.
With the Thors I rarely go beyond 10:00 and my room sings louder and clearer than with all of the others.
If you own Quads, you really should check out the Thor line of amps.
I know this sounds like a commercial, and as a dealer it most likely will to you, but you owe it to yourself to give your Quads a match that will satisfy you for many years without the need for a subwoofer.
I wouldn't sell them if they didn't sound this good, and there are plenty of tube amps out there.

Jim

I bought a pair of 989's from Galen Carol Audio a couple of years ago and also an EAR 534 tube amp at his suggestion. It is a great amp and worked magic with the 989's. Unfortunately the WAF on the 989 came to be and I let them go. I still have the 534 if you would be interested.