If the Quad philosophy is that an amplifier should be a straight wire with gain....

[Ianp]

....then why don't they make a passive preamp ?

Please discuss

 

[James Evans]

Because it wouldn’t have gain?

 

[Ianp]

Brilliant response. Close thread

 

[Ianp]

But.......it would seem a lovely move for Quad.

 

[tuga]

But.......it would seem a lovely move for Quad.

But isn't a passive preamp just an input selector with an attenuator?
What would Quad do that others cannot? Their transistor gear isn't particularly excellent.

 

[Tony L]

I think Quad meant their power amps should be ‘a straight wire with gain’, the preamps have all had tone-shaping controls, filters etc.

 

[Zombie]

I think Quad meant their power amps should be ‘a straight wire with gain’, the preamps have all had tone-shaping controls, filters etc.

I'd like a passive power amp.

 

[dohraeme]

Whatever their philosophy, it allowed them to add a tilt control to several preamps since the model 34 in 1982.

Not so much a straight wire with gain as a tone control.

​

 

[les24preludes]

As I understand it, ‘a straight wire with gain’ was a phrase that first comes from Stewart Hegeman, designer of the famous Harmon Kardon Citation II amp and several speakers, particularly omni-directional. I take the term to mean that the audio signal flows through a minimalistic circuit with the fewest possible components, thus ensuring the purest possible sound for the gain achieved. Frankly very few amplifiers do this, but it is also my own goal with my 2 stage single ended tube amps. Very simple circuits, though fed by substantial power supplies with at least 2 chokes and premium polypropylene caps.

It's a while ago, but I seem to remember Quad challenging people to tell the differences between 2 amps, implying that amps had no distinct sound of their own. A pretty wacky idea - even components sound different to trained ears. I don't know if anyone remembers this?

 

[misterdog]

I use a Benchmark AHB2 with my Quad 989 Electrostatics because it is one of the best 'measured' (wire with gain) amplifiers.

Some find it 'lacking' because with near zero distortion, it has no 'sound'.

Though many on here use one, or two.

 

[Zombie]

It's a while ago, but I seem to remember Quad challenging people to tell the differences between 2 amps, implying that amps had no distinct sound of their own

It was three Quad amps, and they couldn't hear any difference. It is documented.

 

[awkwardbydesign]

But isn't a passive preamp just an input selector with an attenuator?

Only if it is a resistor based passive.

 

[tuga]

Only if it is a resistor based passive.

What are the other types?

 

[Puggie]

Autoformers will give you gain at the expense of current, passively.

 

[awkwardbydesign]

TVCs can too, and impedance match much better than resistors. I thought you would have known that.

 

[mindlagoon]

TVCs?

 

[RJohan]

In our day and age it seems that some people think that the ideal cable is like 'an amp without gain'

 

[Fourlegs]

TVCs?

Transformer Volume Control

Such as used in Music First Audio passives.

 

[GT]

I'd like a passive power amp.

Thats what integrated amplifiers are today...

 

[mandryka]

It was three Quad amps, and they couldn't hear any difference. It is documented.

I think I could tell the difference between the 303 and the 306.