Quad 33/303 Pre-Power Combo

About The Quad 33/303 Pre-Power Combo 

Much to the joy of many audio enthusiasts, QUAD have reintroduced its iconic 33 preamplifier and 303 power amplifier, blending classic design with modern enhancements. The 303 power amplifier now delivers 50W per channel into 8-ohm loads and 70W into 4-ohm loads, with a maximum current delivery of 10A, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of contemporary loudspeakers. The 33 preamplifier complements this with intuitive controls, including Quad’s renowned ‘Tilt’ adjustment for refined tonal control, and offers a warm, musical sound signature, appealing to both new listeners and longtime enthusiasts.

A notable feature of the updated 303 amplifier is its ability to operate in bridged mono mode, where two units can be combined to function as monoblock amplifiers. This configuration increases the power output to 140W per channel into 8-ohm loads, providing enhanced sonic performance and control without sacrificing the amplifier's renowned finesse. This makes the new 303 particularly adept at driving demanding loudspeakers, including QUAD's own electrostatic designs.

We have given buyer’s the choice of either one 50W 303 power amp or two 140W 303 power amps bridged into mono. Budget permitting the bridged mono option is definitely the one to go for. Bass impact to die for, enhanced spaciousness, effortless dynamics – what’s not to love?

Quad 33 Preamplifier

The original Quad 33's renowned performance and unmistakable design helped to secure its own chapter in the annals of Hi-Fi history, making it instantly recognisable to generations of audiophiles. Today’s 33 is just as iconic. The same uncompromising design efforts. The same stunning aesthetic. Now made for the modern listener.

Quad 33 preamplifier features a high performance, low noise MM/MC phono stage, a dedicated headphone amplifier, 3 x RCA and 1 x XLR inputs, XLR out, and Quad’s renowned ’Tilt’ adjustment, all within an iconic chassis that’s home to physical tone controls, input selections, and a delicate LED backlit display.

The brand new phono stage is Moving Magnet and Moving Coil compatible with the ability to simply switch between the two options – no mods or board upgrades necessary. With a gain of 46dB for the MM and 63.5dB for the MC, the input stage uses ultra-low noise audio op-amps.

The controls are comprehensive but simple. Again, this echoes the original design concept. Logically grouped to facilitate selection and control of the programme, a backlit LCD screen relays settings, adjustments and values. The same backlighting principle is applied to each of the push buttons, further enhancing the intuitive design with a visual indication of input selection and mode. Illumination settings for buttons and the LCD screen allow for brightness adjustment, contrast adjustment, and a simple on/off setting to suit the user’s preference.

The master volume control is a fully analogue, precision motorised ALPS potentiometer offering long-life and low-noise performance. The volume control is not only tactile and precise; its motorised operation will automatically rotate when adjustments are made via the remote control. A further row of three endless rotary encoders offer intuitive and immediate control over the Quad-specific fine-tuning settings.

The Quad 33 presents bass adjustment, tilt control and balance control to allow tuning to a fine degree without intruding unnecessarily into the harmonic range essential for realistic reproduction. The bass control allows adjustment from-3dB to +3dB. Perfect for subtle adjustments in the low-end, as a solution to adding body to thinner source material. Or conversely, reducing bass tones in the event of room-affected 'boominess'. In comparison to the time of launch of the original Quad 33, loudspeakers and source materials have evolved mainly for the better. This evolution saw the adoption of ‘Tilt’ control in the Quad 33’ssuccessor, the Quad 34 (1982).

Developed by Quad founder, the legendary Peter Walker, the Tilt control is an audiophile-quality solution for adjusting tone. Its design stems from the belief that traditional tone and EQ controls are inadequate and clumsy when adjusting tonal balance. The Tilt control differs in that it adjusts both ends of the frequency spectrum together, either attenuating the bass and lifting the treble, or lifting the bass and attenuating the treble in 1dB steps.

Essentially, it rotates – or tilts – the audible frequency range on a 700Hz axis, thereby adjusting the overall sound balance with 'warm' or 'cool' hints without altering volume or adding colour to the sound. This feature is unique to Quad and offers a subtle, precise, and consistent way to adjust your system's performance and compensate for recordings or environments.

Get further information & specifications on the Quad 33 Preamplifier

Quad 303 Power Amplifier

The Quad 303’s legendary performance and distinct design have earned it a lasting place in Hi-Fi history, becoming an icon recognised by audiophiles across generations. Today’s 303 carries on that legacy. The same dedication to design. The same striking looks. Now crafted for the contemporary listener.

Quad 303 is a 50W Class AB power amplifier sporting a custom 200VA toroidal transformer, Quad’s iconic 303 triples output stage, 10 amperes into difficult loads, and bridge mode selection for dual mono setups – all encased in Quad’s iconic anodised chassis with CNC-routed heat sinks.

The new Quad 303 maintains its faithfulness to the original by employing the famous Quad ‘symmetrical triples’. Employed to provide a completely symmetrical output stage, greatly reducing distortion and rendering the resting current independent of output transistor temperature. The use of ‘triples’ permits simple and effective control of the output current and since the voltage is also controlled, the output transistors are completely protected and must always operate within their ratings with the obvious advantages of greatly improved reliability under all conditions, without the use of elaborate and expensive circuitry.

Due to the lack of complementary transistors (NPN and PNP power transistors) in earlier times, the older Quad 303 used a quasi-complementary output stage. The new version of the Quad 303 now uses a fully complementary output stage, providing better linearity, more stable static bias, and improved stability under high voltage and large current conditions. Using premium power transistors, the 303 offers excellent gain linearity for accurate reproduction of the input signal with greater dynamic range.

The 303 is loaded offers 50W @ 8 Ohms (70W @ 4 Ohms) with a maximum current delivery of 10A into difficult loads. Perfectly suited to the more demanding requirements of the modern audiophile, it ensures any speakers – even including Quad’s electrostatic designs – can be driven with ease. Connectivity options comprise single-ended RCA and balanced XLR inputs, a 12V trigger input and high-quality speaker binding posts. Simple, solid and thoroughly authentic, inside and out. The power output for 'bridged mode' (for use as a mono-block power amplifier) reaches 140W @ 8 Ohms or 170W @ 4 Ohms (bridged mono).

Get further information & specifications on the Quad 303 Power Amplifier

Included in this Pre-Power Combo

• Quad 33 All-Analogue Preamplifier
• Quad 303 50W Power Amplifier

Complete the Setup

Complete this System with these Recommended Components

• Bluesound Node Icon Music Streamer
• Rega Planar 6 Turntable
• Wharfedale Linton Heritage Speakers
• REL Classic 98 Subwoofer
• Isotek EVO3 Premier Power Cable
• Van den Hul The Integration Hybrid RCA or XLR Cables
• Van den Hul The D-352 Hybrid Terminated Speaker Cable

Note: All Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE.