|
|
Quad 306
Mar 26, 2016 20:49:17 GMT
via mobile
Post by Clive on Mar 26, 2016 20:49:17 GMT
I'm hankering after playing with a Quad 306 for use with my open baffles...100db and 94db speakers. I like the single pair of output devices...I find amps sound better that way. What sort of sounds can I expect to get from a recapped 306 into very sensitve speakers? Detailed or warm, soundstage size etc?
Am I mad wanting to try a 306?
|
|
|
|
Post by dsjr on Mar 26, 2016 21:10:39 GMT
Quads are traditionally as neutral as an amp from the particular era and technology can allow. I found the 306 gutless, but I seem to be alone in this these days and I admit to not having tried one with a good passive preamp (the 34 preamp *in stock form* is a disaster for percussive music with a fine 'diluting' veil over everything imo). Since the caps first fitted can leak all over the respective motherboards, a good service is essential I think.
Oh yeah, I seem to remember that the 303, 306 and 405 series of power amps invert the phase, so something to be aware of if a non Quad preamp is to be used.
Good well cared for 306's hold their value well now and I'd try to get a later one in dark grey if you can. I suspect a serviced one is perfectly fine and I was just too youthful and rock-orientated (into more difficult speakers) when I last tried one at home). Into less efficient speakers (87db and less), I'd say a 405-2, 520 or 606 would be much better for rock music.
|
|
|
|
Post by Clive on Mar 26, 2016 21:28:31 GMT
Thanks Dave. My interest is partly due to the class A section and that as I have very sensitive speakers the current dumping element should only be lightly required, maybe a good match? Also the amp is very sensitive and should work well with a passive pre. Phase inversion is something I need to account for with my active bass so thanks for the heads up.
|
|
|
|
Post by shuggie on Mar 27, 2016 7:41:51 GMT
I just sold mine. As DSJR says, they are actually very good when liberated from the pretty but grey-sounding 34 preamp. The 306, just like ESL 57, is a true audiophile bargain - bizarrely under-priced.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2016 9:14:14 GMT
Quads are traditionally as neutral as an amp from the particular era and technology can allow. I found the 306 gutless, but I seem to be alone in this these days and I admit to not having tried one with a good passive preamp (the 34 preamp *in stock form* is a disaster for percussive music with a fine 'diluting' veil over everything imo). Since the caps first fitted can leak all over the respective motherboards, a good service is essential I think. Oh yeah, I seem to remember that the 303, 306 and 405 series of power amps invert the phase, so something to be aware of if a non Quad preamp is to be used. Good well cared for 306's hold their value well now and I'd try to get a later one in dark grey if you can. I suspect a serviced one is perfectly fine and I was just too youthful and rock-orientated (into more difficult speakers) when I last tried one at home). Into less efficient speakers (87db and less), I'd say a 405-2, 520 or 606 would be much better for rock music. If I was searching for a word to describe my listening experience, "gutless" would actually cover it. I'm not sure how it would fare with something efficient like Snells: probably fine. With anything else though, it just sounded weak. I thought the 606 was a far better amp in every way. It's a long time ago though, and who knows what I'd think today with different kit. I never tried the 306 with anything other than the 34 and 44 preamps and that may well have been a big factor. The 306 is certainly beautifully built. |
|
|
|
Post by Clive on Mar 27, 2016 10:28:01 GMT
The gutless comment is a worrying one but I've heard someone else say the 306 punchy paired with their modern preamp so the 34 preamp and speaker pairing could be the issue. With my main speakers being 100db/m, maybe shouldn't be too concerned. It's probably an itch I'll just have to scratch.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2016 12:50:43 GMT
At 100db I'd forget all about any such worries. I worked for a dealer back in the 80s when I was playing with them. The average sensitivity of speakers we had then was probably 84-87db and it was a big room too. Sensitivity makes all the difference in my experience, I remember loving my Audio Innovations 300 with Snells, but wondering what had gone wrong when it completely failed with Rega Elas. Good luck and don't let me or anyone else put you off. I've had my own recollections turned on their head many times when I've revisited hifi bits years later in a different setup. The only way to know is to try in the room and system you have. Let's face it, that's half the fun  |
|
|
|
Post by Clive on Mar 27, 2016 13:00:25 GMT
I've just pulled the trigger. It's hardly big bucks and I can always sell it....as you say it is about having fun and I'm motivated to try a 306 so here I go.....
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2016 13:07:05 GMT
I'm really looking forward to your thoughts ........and some pics of possible I've always liked the looks of the 306, internally and externally. There's something about high efficiency speakers that just sounds right to me. They really can be a game-changer when it comes to amps too. |
|
|
|
Post by Clive on Mar 27, 2016 13:13:19 GMT
I'll report back...with pics. I'm committed to high efficiency speakers for all sorts of reasons, one of which is that exotic amps are not needed or indeed that helpful. Many modern speaker may be technically closer to ideal but the requirements they make on amplifiers is not ideal. We all have our own individual philosophy where this is concerned...there's room for all.
|
|
|
|
Post by pre65 on Mar 27, 2016 14:14:37 GMT
There's something about high efficiency speakers that just sounds right to me. They really can be a game-changer when it comes to amps too.
Oh so true in my opinion. 
* |
|
|
|
Post by chukka on Mar 27, 2016 19:08:39 GMT
Quads are traditionally as neutral as an amp from the particular era and technology can allow. I found the 306 gutless, but I seem to be alone in this these days and I admit to not having tried one with a good passive preamp (the 34 preamp *in stock form* is a disaster for percussive music with a fine 'diluting' veil over everything imo). Since the caps first fitted can leak all over the respective motherboards, a good service is essential I think. Oh yeah, I seem to remember that the 303, 306 and 405 series of power amps invert the phase, so something to be aware of if a non Quad preamp is to be used. Good well cared for 306's hold their value well now and I'd try to get a later one in dark grey if you can. I suspect a serviced one is perfectly fine and I was just too youthful and rock-orientated (into more difficult speakers) when I last tried one at home). Into less efficient speakers (87db and less), I'd say a 405-2, 520 or 606 would be much better for rock music. reads like DQ "prose"  |
|
|
|
Post by dsjr on Mar 28, 2016 19:40:09 GMT
I'm deeply insulted!!!!!!! Having been equally insulted by DQ accusing me of stating personal experiences as 'irrefutable facts,' I'm trying to be as careful as I know how and to word carefully. I totally agree with singularity here in thinking that the 34 is the major culprit - this can be significantly updated I think with the innards of a dada kit (new op-amps and caps at least and maybe increasing the output). Good luck |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2016 21:17:15 GMT
Take heart Dave: Somehow I doubt you'll be the only one who's less than flattered I thought Chukka was joking. |
|
|
|
Post by Dave on Mar 30, 2016 10:13:57 GMT
'Gutless' is not a term I recognise in regards to my 306, mind you my MA's are very efficient. I've been through a fair few power amps and so far the 306 has stayed the longest and really earned its keep |
|
|
|
Post by Clive on Mar 30, 2016 12:43:51 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by dsjr on Mar 31, 2016 16:50:22 GMT
The Dada kits are really good and with detailed pics and instructions. Those BHC should be good quality, but maybe had they been 63V ones, they might not have aged like that?
IAG Quad service dept will fix faults and fit update kits as necessary, but it seems to me from past 1990's dealings history, that they DON'T replace things for the sake of it unless asked specifically to do so. In 2009, the supply caps may have looked far better and in all honesty, in the days of the mk1 405, it only took eleven years of a few hours a week for them to bulge and leak. Leaving on 24/7 may not as been so kind, although the caps wouldn't be heating and cooling inside so may not have suffered so. Computer motherboard caps only had a two year life quite often before terminally bulging.
|
|
|
|
Post by Clive on Mar 31, 2016 17:12:39 GMT
The Dada kits are really good and with detailed pics and instructions. Those BHC should be good quality, but maybe had they been 63V ones, they might not have aged like that? IAG Quad service dept will fix faults and fit update kits as necessary, but it seems to me from past 1990's dealings history, that they DON'T replace things for the sake of it unless asked specifically to do so. In 2009, the supply caps may have looked far better and in all honesty, in the days of the mk1 405, it only took eleven years of a few hours a week for them to bulge and leak. Leaving on 24/7 may not as been so kind, although the caps wouldn't be heating and cooling inside so may not have suffered so. Computer motherboard caps only had a two year life quite often before terminally bulging. I have Dada's instructions, I don't need all they offer and it's not clear if their caps are 50V or 63V or whether they've increase the capacitance a little. Anyway I have 4 Kendeil 6,800uF 63V 105C caps due hopefully tomorrow. I've removed the gassy ones in readiness. It's clear from the flux residue left by IAG that they replaced the binding posts, RCAs and maybe even the transformer. The soldering on the PC caps looks to be original with no flux residue so I'd agree they look like the original caps. I'll clean up the IAG work before powering up.... |
|
|
|
Post by dsjr on Mar 31, 2016 20:29:42 GMT
Sounds cool to me. Good luck...
I can't remember when Quad changed this on the input, but the 606 has the op-amp away from the signal path I believe, where the 405 doesn't. I cannot remember of the 306 follows later and less invasive practise (the 405 benefits from a gentle op-amp upgrade - OPA134 and so on, rather than the over-wide bandwidth modern alternatives)
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2016 20:50:45 GMT
The tops of caps are often just a soft cover. It might have nothing do with them being ready to blow.
|
|
