'Speakers to match Quad 303

[lewiz]

The first thing I would look at with a Quad 33/303 is the age, which is probably 25 years give or take. The capacitors may go.

It was serviced within the last five years so I expect it to hold out a little longer One owner (sort of -- Grandfather->Father->Me) since new so I have all the documentation, etc. The pre-amp is pretty terrible (lots of cross-talk) but I'm going to try and address that later...

However, since they seem to be working fine, they probably don't need any servicing. It is a neutral amp, and I expect your CDP is, too. Don't believe everything people tell you about sound quality.

So... am I right in thinking that if I have two neutral components I am really not limited to any specific 'speakers (i.e. bright, warm, whatever else they say)?

As I recall, the Quad 303 is rated for 50 watts into 8 ohms, so it should drive quite a few speakers well enough. I would look for speakers that are reasonably sensitive around 90 dB or so and that have a reasonable impedance curve, not below 5 ohms or from the bass through the midrange.

Aha! This is the kind of info. I was after! I know little about this so I can certainly use this to help match the graphs to my situation. The 303 is actually 45Watts/channel and I think the B&Ws were sensitive around 90dB (although I haven't double checked).

As with any amp, you should make sure it can drive the speakers you want. You might like Paradigm Studio 20s or 40s, but you should listen to a number of different speakers to decide what you like. I recently listened to some B & W 705 speakers and they were very good, though without much bass. Sorry, I an bit up on British prices.

Thanks, I'll take a look at the Paradigms; I looked at the Quad 22Ls at the recommendation of the previous poster and I was impressed with the reviews. They're a little more expensive but I think I can ignore that.

You say there wasn't much bass with the 705s... I've read a review that said that about the NS-1000Ms and I was in disbelief. I've certainly never heard a 'speaker handle bass as well as those (although I must admit my experience is a little limited). If you have any experience of the NS-1000Ms could you tell me how they compare?

Personally I am not a big fan of too much bass (I always turn the bass down and the treble up a little on my pre-amp) so I don't stricly think this would be a problem for me.

I really need to get to some shops to listen (preferably somewhere I can take along my amp!) to some 'speakers but unfortunately I've had little luck finding any shops (at all) in Manchester.

Thanks a lot for your reply, very valued!