2. amps-preamps
  3. 1041938692

Tube amps you have heard with Quad 989

I listened to Quad 989s being driven by the new Plinius SA 102 amplifier, a 125 Watt high current SS design. The combination was pretty special, and belies much of what has been written about the Quads. These speakers were astonishingly good to my ears.

I would like to find a tube amplifier that works better than the Plinius, if there is one. The 989s can sound hard and unpleasant when paired with the wrong amplifier - innersound being a case in point.

Has anyone heard the 989s with tubes and liked them?
Are atma-sphere 60 watt monoblocks a possibility?
Has anyone heard them with the Wolcott Presence?

If you have any listening experience, you could save me some steps.

Thanks
judit
ed_sawyer
588 posts
 
I powered up a set with my CJ Premier 5s - it was very nice. 100wpc was more than enough (in triode mode). If it hadn't been I could have always switched back to Ultralinear for 200wpc. Ultimately I passed on the 989s, mostly for space/money reasons. But they are very nice and it was a good combo. (Coincidentally I have the amps for sale too... email if interested.)

thanks
-Ed
ivanj
35 posts
 
As a longtime QUAD owner I am glad they are back on a good path with their new production. Just goes to show the necessity of system matching and experience with real music. Judit, do they do that funky thing in the midrange with pianos that you posted previously? Guess not, you like them.
judit OP
217 posts
 
Ivanj,
Emphatically not. No honky tonk forwardness in the mid piano octaves with the QUADs. And believe me, I have searched long and hard to find speakers that light my fire.

Ed Sawyer,
Thanks for the offer. I will try to listen to a pair locally.
More to discover