• Re: thanks nt - Manuel 16:11:26 10/26/06 (0)
  In Reply to: amp for Quad 988 again posted by Manuel on October 21, 2006 at 15:53:42:

  .
  _____________________________________

  I am from Galicia, so if you find me in a staircase, you won´t know whether I go up or down ...
  
  

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• Quad 988 via CJ, ARC, and BAT - saltyflies 08:02:46 10/23/06 (0)
  In Reply to: amp for Quad 988 again posted by Manuel on October 21, 2006 at 15:53:42:

  Here’s my impressions of the 988 via CJ, ARC, and BAT.
  Believe what your ears say - not hearsay.
  

  • http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/amp/messages/76879.html   (Open in New Window)

  
  

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• Re: input data - Manuel 02:31:57 10/22/06 (0)
  In Reply to: amp for Quad 988 again posted by Manuel on October 21, 2006 at 15:53:42:

  Thanks, I should have posted more information, here it goes:

  My room is "L" shaped, the listening side 35x15, free speaker placement, long or short wall, depending on the mood. 7.5´ ceiling, on the low side.

  Budget ... 2500-3000 USD, 2nd hand better. I could go further if necessary, but I don´t feel comfortable paying more than that.

  I don´t like high SPLs, 85db average is loud enough, but I do like effortless sound, so the amp should get out 90-95db from the Quads without strain.
  It seems that Quads love voltage, it´s said that between 30-50 volts, so I need more voltage than brute power.

  I prefer tubes. I´ve had before these tube amps, but not with these speakers:
  - Cary 805C, great music, a bit too sweet
  - Atma-sphere M60, great sound but a bit cold for me
  - Berning 270, same than M60s
  - PrimaLuna One, great amp for the price, a bit too "tube classic" sound, I´d like more resolution

  So I am looking for something between Cary-PrimaLuna and Berning-Atmasphere cliché sound: relaxed (better than overly sweet or warm) with extension and resolution (better than on-your-face detail).

  I am enjoying SETs lately, now I have a Welborne DRD300B and FI-X 2A3 (love them but low powered for ESLs)
  I´d be happy trying Lamm ML2, Wyetech Topaz, Joule VZN, etc, but they are way out of my budget.

  Summing up:
  - Around 3000 USD top budget, 2nd hand better
  - 18-20 W SET with hefty power supply, stable and great voltage delivery or
  - 50-70 W push-pull

  I´ve searched the archives, and most people use Quad II-40 or Conrad Johnson amps, but I am afraid of Cary-style sound, not for me.
  _____________________________________

  I am from Galicia, so if you find me in a staircase, you won´t know whether I go up or down ...
  
  

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• Re: amp for Quad 988 again - Peter_S 22:06:08 10/21/06 (0)
  In Reply to: amp for Quad 988 again posted by Manuel on October 21, 2006 at 15:53:42:

  I thoroughly agree that the Quads need lots of control. My experience has mostly been with EL34 amps, of which the most control has come from a Wolcott P220S. That's relatively higher budget. I've actually liked the Quads with SS amps, and what really caught me by surprise was a low budget Aragon 2004. It may not make the most of the midrange liquidity, but it takes the Quads by control and gets great bass and imaging out of them. I've used the 509ii's and thought they were a bit bullish - didn't get out the sublety the way my Cary SLM-70 EL34 amps (70 wpc modified for triode) did.

  Good Luck. Peter S.
  
  

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• Re: amp for Quad 988 again - AJ 19:28:49 10/21/06 (0)
  In Reply to: amp for Quad 988 again posted by Manuel on October 21, 2006 at 15:53:42:

  Hi,

  What's your budget?.. how big is your room? How loud to you want to play? understantding that the quads will only go so loud before they sort of shut down literally and figuratively.

  Push-pull works well to grab hold of the panels and take control; no more than 100watts is necessary. Audio Research or VTL works. I've had good luck and spooky bass with the Berning ZH270.

  I have the original Quad II on hand, Citation II, Marantz 5&8b etc..

  Although, recently,I have had great sounds come out of the USA monitors (the 988's cousin) with a 18 wpc Wyetech 211 SET with no real compression at all. It's a pretty special amp though. So I wouldn't necessarily say that 18 wpc is enough in all cases.. You must try and see. The Wyetech is really quite something.I think it bests everything I've tried.

  So, your budget and priorities will dictate your amp. I'm more inclined to believe you should go 6550 push-pull if you want to stay traditional. The quads need control and these larger amps do it well. You do lose some of that inner air and sweetness though. I like the the el34 but not on the later quads. The Berning is awesome if you can find one or wait for one to be built and have the funds.The bass from the Berning has to be some of the best in the business.

  Good Luck...YMMV and all that..lot's of opinions on this in the archives...
  
  

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