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.
Futterman H3 OTL if you can find one in nice shape. I believe they were also sold under the Harvard Labs brand. These were the original Futtermans built by Julius Futterman. Wonderful synergy with older Quad Electrostatics. The H3 was also available as mono block amplifiers. Happy 4TH of July to everyone! 😀 |
You want more HIGHS with Quad's??? Well, my advice is a Phase Linear 700 from the old days. It is as shrill as they get, and with the shrillness of the Quad's, you should be happy. If you are my age, over 70, your high frequency hearing may be slightly less than it used to be...maybe get it checked? Cheers!
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For what it’s worth, I had the treble panels replaced on my ESL 57’s at a high end shop in the late 80’s. On a Saturday, they demoed them for me using a Spectral amp. It was a show stopper in a crowded store, mouths wide open. At home using the original quad mono blocks, I never achieved the realism I had heard with the Spectral. Good luck |
i owned quads for years
i was also a cj dealer the pv11 is your problem the latej cj gear was way more transparent
you should just get a new preamp.
please give our store a call we have a great warm sondind but more transparent solid state preamp which we can send you which should perk up that system and still be sffordable for you
Dave and troy Audio intellect nj
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@fortepiano50 When I owned Quad63USAs I also found the best matches were tube amps in my case Berning ZH270 and Dehavilland 845 monos. I'd suspect that the Atma-Sphere M60s suggested would have also been a great match. OTOH, I understand SS adding punch. My Soundlabs are run w/Krell FBP-300 which trounced hybrid Lamm monos that I originally paired with them. IMHO, the Krell, Plinius, Accuphase & Spectral would all work fine, but I'd seriously consider tubes if you are open to that. One caution w/Spectral, when I bought DMA amp and preamp many years ago, I recall some atypical impedance specs that made use of both their pieces a best practice; some of their gear isn't suited to mate with other brands to quite the same extent as others. Do your research to be sure it's a good fit w/your pre. Cheers, Spencer |
