I just noticed one that should do a good job if you want to use solid state, the Audiophile Boutique is closing out the Van den Hul Array 1 for under $1700 US, about 40% of original cost. They are very overbuilt for their output and should be able to drive Quads, I would check with them to make sure. If you are not familiar with Van den Huls work look him up, he knows what he is doing. My first post was not intended to say you could not use transistors on Quads, obviously I did. I just did not experience a greatly increased bass. I use transistors for the same reason Mr. T uses tubes, better vocals and top end. Many like the euphonic coloration tubes add, I prefer accuracy. On the power question, a transistor amp SHOULD double its power when you halve the impedance. Those that do are called voltage source amps, the ones that level off or decline are current source amps. The voltage amps require much bigger supplies and heat sinks etc. and are usually much more expensive. The output of a speaker is governed by the efficiency of the speaker as well as the output of the amp. The efficiency is given in terms of what its output in dbs are for one watt input. Doubling the amps power output will raise the output of the speaker 3db. So a speaker of 89db efficiency will require 1/8 the power of an 80db speaker if my math is on. [ 1 watt times 2 =2 watts, times 2 =4 watts, times 2=8 watts. ] You can see how very efficient speakers require little power.
