Realistic sound = tubes and analogue

[RGA]

Yes the OTO could not play the Quad very loud for sure, but then quality is not the same as quantity. The N801 sounded marvelous with an 11 watt Set from Wyatech labs or Nuvista can't remember - best actual sound quality I have heard from the speaker. But the money outlay and the volume capability limits would make the scenario unnacceptable - the problem was that they tried McIntosh, Rotel, Bryston, MF, Sim Audio, Classe (all SS brands they carry). All could play loudly to satisfy but none sounded as nice. Certainly a frustrating situation for those of us with good ears who can actually hear the limitations of both the SET and the SS.

The Quad 2905 on the other hand can't play loud and doesn't have any real bass to speak of anyway and it's not like the "typical" buyers are interested in bass and volume. I suppose people who tried stacking them realized the huge failing - wanted the midband but more drive - stack them is the answer. But virtually everyone I know who did that eventually gave up and went to a boxed speaker.

The dealer had a guy travel 500km to listen to the 2905's on their top SS power amps from MF or Classe and the guy kept wanting to turn it up and up and Paul (Soundhounds dealer) just had to say this is all it can do - they'll break beyond this. The fellow was roundly dissatisifed. They're not about loud and they're not about bass so if you play them at low medium levels the OTO can do it. (I should make a correction - this was the OTO PP version not the SE version - my mistake).

But it would be the same as the B&W SET issue that the money outlay would demand something else because you will want to turn it up from time to time. Tube amps do have a knack of sounding a little louder than their watt ratings and they also seem quite fine being pushed beyond their limits(though they distort). I'd probably look more at 40Watt+ tube amps for the Quad. Grant Fidelity's Rita is 45watts but is very powerful sounding and can ramp it up to 450watts - though it has a slightly leaner presentation. BAT makes a 150Watt zero feedback amp (monoblocks) that might be overkill. Andy Grove of Audio Note designed Quad's top amps several years back. Manley Labs also makes less expensive high power amps. Shengya PM 150 monoblocks at 300 watts into 4ohms is a very interesting tube hybrid power amp with better bass depth than the Rita and a fuller sounding presentation. And can hit very very hard. $1600 for a pair and they each weigh in at over 40lbs.

As for people liking Magnepan with Bryston - you are probably correct. I am going by a sample size of one Magnepan dealer who also sells Bryston and my own auditions. Granted subjective opinions are subjective - after all if "majority" votes counted then Bose is the best speaker maker and McDonalds makes the best hamburger. George Bush got a second term and Britanny Spears probably outsold the entire classical musical catalog combined in her big years and Ace Ventura pet Detective made a lot more money at the theaters than The Shawshank Redemption and Quiz Show combined (both nominated for best picture). Like the saying goes "there's no accounting for taste."

Edit: Correction Andy Grove designed the Quad TwentyFour/II Forty preamp power amps. They are designed for the panels and are 40 watts. My prediction of 40 watts plus wasn't too shabby. http://www.allegrosound.com/Quad_II-forty.pdf