Quad 44 Preamp - Is it worth keeping and upgrading

[eldarvanyar]

Hi,

I have a Quad 44 which I bought a couple of years ago. It's all standard and a mark II version according to the Dada Electronics website.







I have been doing some reading regarding the Quad 44 and I am unsure about the real potential of this preamp and whether I should invest some money in it before using it, or just sell it and put the money into something else.   

I am also thinking about having a passive preamp made by BTE Designs as well, so have to decide on which to do first.

Either amp would feed into a Quad 606 MK1 power amp, which I bought earlier this year and immediately sent to Quad for a service, and they also upgraded the PSU to 909 spec.

I am aware that there is the DIY route with DADA Electronics
Quad 44 MKII DIY Upgrade and Revision kit Deluxe
http://www.dadaelectronics.eu/shop/quad-upgrade-kits/quad-44-mkii-diy-upgrade-and-revision-kit-deluxe-opa604-1

I would have to get someone to do the soldering and upgrading for me

Redhill Audio
QUAD 44 PREAMP UPGRADE - STAGE 1
Elna Cerafine audio-grade electrolytic capacitors
Additional, high-quality Panasonic PPS film capacitor decoupling added to remove noise from critical areas
Solid Film MKS signal path capacitors
Unnecessary signal path capacitors bypassed for reduced grain and a cleaner sound
A well chosen blend ofLME49710NA/LM4562NA National Semi & Texas Instruments Op amps for better refinement and improved detail
http://redhillaudio.co.uk/hifi-upgrades/quad-upgrades/quad-preamp-upgrades/quad-44-preamp-upgrade-stage-1

QUAD 44 PREAMP UPGRADE - STAGE 2
Increased capacity Low-ESR Power Supply Capacitors
Output signal path capacitors upgraded to solid film types
Elna Cerafine Decoupling capacitors
LME49710 & TI/National Semi Opamps
Panasonic PPS Bypass Capacitors
2 x Red Hill Audio Mini-Shunt Voltage Regulators +/-15v
Signal Path Improved with Audio Wire "Silver Signal"
http://redhillaudio.co.uk/hifi-upgrades/quad-upgrades/quad-preamp-upgrades/quad-44-preamp-upgrade-stage-2

Amplabs who do upgrades as well.
http://www.amp-labs.co.uk/q44fs-a.htm
Rob from Amplabs serviced and upgraded a Quad 303 that I bought a couple of years ago
http://www.amp-labs.co.uk/servicing.htm
He originally serviced a Yamaha CR1000 for me which I stupidly sold a couple of years ago but he only works on Quad now I think.

I have read online that the Quad 44 suffers from the 4066 CMOS Chip which was originally designed for and used in the Plessey System X Telephone exchanges, and is naturally bandwidth limited.
Other issues include the use of the Op-Amp TL071 as was used in the 405 power amp.

With the modular design and ability to have different boards the Quad 44 could be quite an asset if it sounds any good. Are the MM and MC cards any good or able to be upgraded to anything worthwhile?

Any advice, thoughts or experience much appreciated

Thanks

Lee 

[Graeme]

I had a 44 402 combo. They were ok. I then fully modded them with net audio stuff and they improved alot. Ultumately though, savagely beaten by a £500 wd kel84 valve amp kit so i sold them.

In my opinion, this era of quad gear are design classsics. They look amazing, they sound ok to quite good depending, buy easily beaten for the same money.

All depends if you like the design and what sound quality your after.

Having said that, im going to buy a 33 303. It will be poor compared to what i already have, but just look at em!!!

[cygnus2014]

Hi Lee, I own and use a complete Quad system since 1991. My set contains a 606 MK2, 34, FM4 and CD 66. Except for the CD66 I have done revisions off all units with the DaDa revision sets. I am not an electronical engineer but I managed to do so with help of the DaDa manuals and using good quality tools (soldering iron). I like the design and the sound of Quad but this is very personal of course. 

If you want to learn more about Quad, revision and/or upgrade options see: http://www.quadrevisie.eu/home.html

Good luck.

Marcel

[JacquesD]

... im going to buy a 33 303. It will be poor compared to what i already have, but just look at em!!!

Well, the Quad 33 is in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, albeit in the industrial design section. The design is actually the fourth model in a quite continuous series from 1951 to 1967, from the QC-1, over the QC-2 and QC-22, to the 33.

The 44 moves away from that line. If you want to keep it for the looks, surely do.

As far as the sound is concerned, you have a preamplifier from the early 1980s with touch-button and CMOS 4066 switching and TL071 op-amps in about every part of the circuit. The tone controls and the filter are IMO better than the average baxandall-like arrangements. With the possibility to connect several tape recorders, it was also targeted at the recording amateur. MC and MM Disc inputs are not the best out there; even if a new plug-in board could be made with a different circuit, it would be quite a hassle.
The 44 (and its lesser brother the 34, as well as some 405 production units) suffer a bit from the penny-pincher attitude in the parts purchasing department. Even some quality parts would need replacement after 35 years, depending on how the unit has been used. So you may have to invest quite a lot and if you have to rely on servicemen then the total may add up considerably. It all depends on how badly you want to keep the unit...

Cheers,

[mjkelshaw]

Hi,
    I use a Quad 44 in my 2nd system, it's one of the later versions with the 'grey' case & buttons. For me, it's advantage is that it can be configured to accept the input from 3 turntables (Garrard 401, Goldring G99 & Thorens 124) in addition to the CD and Tuner inputs. I am currently using it in conjunction with a Quad 306 driving a pair of Celestion Sl6 speakers.
I have also used it with Quad 303 and 405-2 amps. The 44, 405-2 and 303 were all be serviced by Rob at 'Amplabs' prior to use. Rob has also serviced a 2nd Quad 44, my FM3, FM4 plus a Leak Stereofetic tuner prior to his decision to restrict his workload to mainly Quad products, but I do notice that his 'pricelist' still lists both Leak and Rogers amplifier services.
I like early Quad kit, I find it aesthetically pleasing, and whatever source I listen to, I enjoy. There are so many variables when listening via any particular piece of kit, for instance all my turntables sound different, which isn't really surprising, given that they each have different tonearm / cartridge combinations, and the 2 MC cartridges have different makes of phono amps (Graham Slee & Heed).
As to whether you should spend any money on your '44, that is such a personal decision, as your system, in your room, and especially with your 'ears', may not produce the same results or satisfaction that I experience.

Regards

Mike Kelshaw

[eldarvanyar]

Thanks Mike, really appreciate your input.
Rob at Amplabs services my Yamaha CR-1000 Receiver which I no longer have, as well as my Quad 303 power amp.
I bought a 606 power amp last year but sent it to Quad for a service and upgrade to 909 spec.

[mikeyb]

I've tried a BTE passive amp and in my system it was as flat as a pancake so I can't recommend that route. Mind you it was one of those basic/cheaper ones so they might be better the higher you go.

(Primaluna Dialogue Premium HP power amp, Tannoy Berkeleys)