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Integrated amp for Quad 22L?

I am looking for an integrated amp, preferably used, to drive the Quad 22L speakers. I listen primarily to rock(70%) - classic, alternative, modern & some classical - instrumental, indian fusion(20%) & vocal(10%). I prefer a warm sound, with a good, tight bass, nice mids and smooth highs. The speakers will be in a small room(15'x12') placed along the width.

Budget is 1K & I am fine with either SS or tube but have never owned a tube product, so I am unsure about maintenance. Since I have a limited budget for now, I plan to use a Roku soundbridge playing my cd's ripped to FLAC/WAV from htpc.

- The 22L is rated 89dB at 6 ohms. What is the minimum power requirements for the amp? I don't play music at rock-the-house levels but need something which delivers impact on music like Zeppelin, Pink Floyd etc.
- I would like to use the optical out on the Roku. Are there any integrated amps which have digital input(coax or optical)?
- If I wanted to add a subwoofer in the future, can an integrated amp provide the necessary pre-out?

I should add that the dealer was driving them with a Quad cd player & pre-pro. He suggested that Arcam would also be a good match. How about NAD, Rotel & the Outlaw receiver(RR2150)?
srinivos
sonicbeauty
324 posts
 
What a great paper on the 22L2 Quads.

By the way, of course the Cayin TA-30 has been discontinued by Paul (thanks to Kevin Deal and his purchasing clout...). I was referring to being a bit patient in finding a used one, and contrary to what was said by someone else here MANY if not most, have the extended bias option.

I heard the TAD-60 only once, but in my opinion - sorry - the TA-30 beats it, and on build quality and looks, the small Cayin still has it in my humble opinion. But the TAD-60 IS a nice amp nevertheless, and IS a good buy.

I was told they sold many more Cayin TA-30's than TAD-60's, yet you often find anywhere from 1 to 3 TAD-60 units available here for sale on the 'Gon. The Cayin TA-30 is a harder find, and usuallly gets sold very quickly - proof is in the pudding. I was just saying that this amp is so good that it's worth the wait. I personnaly now have the Cayin A 88-T. Just as big a bargain, it's a stunner.
metman
233 posts
 
I'm definitely in agreement with you regarding the Cayin TAD-30 being an excellent amp as I still have mine and am reluctant to sell it. Mine only has the focus control, no extended bias and I am currently thinking about sending it back to him to see if he would be willing to to that mod as well as the external bias. I'm currently using Paul's Tad 1000 monoblocks paired with his Tad 150 preamp and won't be looking back anytime soon.
cytocycle
1,043 posts
 
Srinivos: Did you ever choose something? I'm looking at doing the Outlaw for my bedroom system with Blue Minipods and my 37" LCD connected to my Media Center.. I thought that buy using the USB direction connection I save the cost of my Squeezebox or other device, plus the bass controls are key as I need to use a sub. I've heard those speakers and they sound great.. especially as you pull them out into the room.

With the USB connection you can use Media Player, Itunes, Foobar, etc.. Softsqueeze (frontend client to freeware slimserver)
Curious as to what you decided on?
srinivos OP
5 posts
 
That's a coincidence. I just checked this thread after more than a month & there's a new post.

Cytocycle,

I went with the Audio Refinement Complete Integrated based on multiple recommendations. I bought it used on audiogon & it has been a great match so far. I moved it from the hall to a spare room & am experimenting with speaker position right now. How far from the side & back walls do you have your Quads?

I also bought an USB DAC on ebay made by MHDT Labs, a mfr in Taiwan. So I can use the Roku & Oppo DVD player along with a laptop as source components.
cytocycle
1,043 posts
 
Srinivos: I heard the Quads like 3' off the back wall and almost 1 foot of the side walls in a near field arrangement and it was pretty amazing...the speakers were 2/3 into the room, Rule of thirds is pretty good. with the seating position on the back wall to minimize bass problems. It's a really really different sound.. huge depth with this method.

Nice Setup and the Oppo players are a bargain!
Chris
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