Build Soundstaging Midband

Would prefer IEC mains plugs (but being picky)

Recently bought this amp off a friend with a Quad 33 preamp. The preamp needed a bit of work on the output socket, but once this was sorted the amp combination was very impressive. I used to have an old Creek 4140s2 which I thought was good with my Rega EL8s, but the Quad turned them into new speakers! Soundstaging is excellent, and I'm discovering lots more detail in all my music. Also had a very good experience with Flashback sales (http://www.flashbacksales.co.uk) who sold me some great new DIN cables, fixed my preamp socket and provided cups of tea! Built like a tank with nice understated looks. Positive connections and hum-free.

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Quad 33 Preamp Creek 4140s2

well out of the hifi loop. just really good solid stuff.

second amp I bought smelt very strongly of mice (no really!)

ok so no insults or attacks on previous reviewers. H.Hill please seek professional help. Just bought my second 303 after my beloved quad 11's got burgaled. God forgive me for saying this but for me (ex session musician, ex-recording studio engineer ex-human being etc) these things deliver a much better version of some of the stuff I heard when it got recorded, ie I have a fair idea of what we wanted it to sound like. The 33 pre-amp (maybe mine's just a bad example) is a bit lifeless but bi-amp two 303's thru a musical fidelity x-pre and stand well back. The one I bought today has a sticker inside saying it was serviced in 1963, so that's fairly recent for quad equipment. There is no noise and no hum. Been around the block with hifi and these 303's are the dog's wotsits

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most budget to medium stuff

Warmth, Soundstage, Overall quality

Lacks some definition the very modern (and pricey) power amps have.

Yes, $10. :) Basically Im a microelectronics student lucky enough to find a defective one that came with the reference designs, so with $4 worth of modern components I was able to restore this device to its original spec (all measurements and requirements are as listed by quad). Anyway, first I intended to use this little amp for my center speaker, but I got lucky again, and got a Philips Professional DAC from a friend. Soo I decided to try the system computer digital out -> DAC -> Quad 303 -> Speakers (I have Mission 703's) And well as you perhaps can imagine, compared to my poor $800 sony surround receiver, this setup totally blows me away. Obviously I've eliminated the preamp out of this system, my computer controls the volume :) - Now I was worried that 55 watts were not enough for my main speakers, but it turns out I can turn them up to the dreaded 'Im going to have the room now'-level with this gear, which is all I need, volume wise. As for definition, soundstage, well, its better than I ever had. It's hard to review an amplifier without taking the speakers into consideration, but I can safely say that if you can find this amp for anything under $200, go for it without thinking.

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Kenwood, Sony ES, Akai (heh, don't ask)

Built like a shipyard, bulky amp can be hidden away.

will not play CD's who cares?

Having recently retired, I am turning out all my 78's and I am going to connect up the old Quad 33/303+Thorens TD124 to play them. I last had the pre amp serviced at Quad 28 years ago and until I was persuaded by the kids to by a new all swinging and dancing amp, about 4years ago I was perfectly happy with the sound through my Tannoy Lancasters. So here we go again!!

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Tannoy Lancasters, Thorens TD124,

i have had this quad equip for over 20 years..at first i had some down time with my 303 amp leaking twice..for the past 15 years not a problem...last night however the switch on my 33 pre amp broke...i need to get it fixed.I am in vancouver canada.I would like to up-grade to a 405 power amp as well.I run 2 paradigm 9se with this and the sound is great

amp had problems at first with leaking

i am very happy with this product over-all

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none

Well functional design, easy handling, high resistans against chortcuts.

Cost to switch to a new one of 2002´s is to high.

I''ve been using the 33 pre-amp since 1971 30 year now - the switches were going twice, no problem -just change-and lubricate with silicone oil. The peramp and 303 has been sligtly modifyed to fit my LP-turnable. The sound is increadeable well tempered, its neutral and clear together with normal speekers. The amp have al you need, if you dont feel for fancy design stuff.

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,

Good with the speakers it was designed for

Bad with most others

The 303, as I recall, has 25 watts per channel. It was designed to drive the original Quad ESL which is very easily damaged by high wattage and current. The 303 has a "current dumping" design whereas most amps these days are high current. I have used mine for about 20 years with the Quads and they are excellent with these speakers. Dynaco Stereo 70 is also good with the Quads but more likely to arch the panels. It is the same old story, "use the right tool for the job." My rating is based on using the amp as it was intended- with Quad ESL's and not for any other purpose.

Smooth natural sound,

none

It states above the year 1995 but it is actually from 1977.

I just want to respond to the idiotic review by Henry Hill listed on this page. Perhaps people with tin ears should stay away from this area. Judging by his review it is obvious that he did not have a system to go with this lovely little amp. Sure it is perfectly matched to the electrostics but I drove a pair Klipshorns with it for 10 years and it was convincing as a perfect match. It delivers its 35 watts cleanly and puts the listener at ease with its laid back sound. Now that I use the Anthem Amp 1 I believe I found a good replacement. I have heard my old 303 driving a pair of Psb Stratus golds and they sounded fabulous as did another 303 with the JMlabs Opal speakers in a shop around the corner. I only traded mine away because I live the warmth of tubes but for someone starting out in State of the Art audio this is perhaps the only intellegent old piece of equipment. If you can't find the 303 try the 405 which I believe is the earliest current dumping amp by Quad and not the 303.

I sold mine for twice what I payed for it and if you look around at the various auctions it often comes up for sale and you might snag it for a good buck. There is a shop on the (Dundas Canada I believe) that has one for under 400 dollars used.

So Henry, perhaps you didn't even try this amp or you simply have no taste or are just a sick little trash rock fan and in no need of sophisticated sound. Look up the word if you need.

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Quad 405, Anthem Amp 1

Unstressed clean, clear and relaxed sound, reliability

4 pin DIN connector (had to make up interconnects)

I use two of these amps bi-amped with a QUAD 66 pre and TDL RTL2 silver wired speakers and the sound is great. I can listen for hours without fatigue and definitely loud enough for a 20x13 room (even playing Nu Netal/Dance etc) . Highly recommended and made me jump off the upgrade bandwagon.

If you see one, buy, before they become too expensive like the QUAD 2s!

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Creek 3030, NAD, Garrard 401, SME 3009, shure V15, Denon CD

musical, small and unique look

"boom" when you turn it on."funy"conector.not enough space between speaker cable conector(i use the big m1 monster superb cables

its pure musical amp when you put a cd in you dont hear electronics or any kind of show off (trying to impres)but just an easy flow of sweet sound "warm" music.there is no need to squeeze the volume up because you get a full sound from a very low volume.i recomend to use it with different pre amp (i use an hafler)because the original one is kind of smeard sound and not to the level of the power amp.
i tried and listened to many big ,small,old,new,cheap,expensive amps but i love this one.
it just needs to change the conector to "normal" ones.
*by the way i have a pair of quad II mono blocks for sale*
and dont forget:enjoy first the music.

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many............