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Let's not beat around the bush: this is what an amplifier is supposed to look like. The silver front panel contains over a dozen knobs and switches, yet somehow avoids seeming cluttered. The solid wood cabinet wouldn't look out of place next to Hugh Hefner's cognac decanter. And the controls! The SQ-38u is as full-function as they come ("as they used to come" would be closer to the truth), with a Balance knob, separate Bass and Treble Tone Controls, a low-frequency cutoff (aka "rumble") switch labeled Low Cut, a Mono/Stereo switch, and a mute button; plus switching and connectors for two…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Two-channel tubed integrated amplifier. Tube complement: four EL34, four ECC83S, three ECC82. Line inputs: 4 plus tape loop. Phono inputs: 1 (switchable for MM, high-output MC, or low-output MC). Input sensitivity: 1.0V. Output power: 25Wpc into 8 or 4 ohms (14dBW or 11dBW), 30Wpc into 6 ohms. Frequency response: 20Hz–100kHz, –3dB. Total harmonic distortion: 0.5% at 30Wpc, 1kHz.
Dimensions: 17.2" (440mm) W by 7.6" (196mm) H by 12.1" (310mm) D. Weight: 44 lbs (20kg).
Serial Number Of Unit Reviewed: G81100022.
Price: $5990. Approximate…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog Sources: Garrard 301, Thorens TD 124 turntables; EMT 997, Schick tonearms; Ortofon SPU, EMT OFD 25 & OFD 65 pickup heads.
Digital Sources: Wavelength Proton USB D/A converter; Apple iMac G5 computer running Apple iTunes V.10.2.2, Decibel V.1.0.2 playback software; Sony SCD-777ES SACD/CD player; Sony PlayStation 1 (as CD player).
Preamplification: Auditorium 23 Standard (SPU version), Silvercore One-to-Ten step-up transformers; Shindo Masseto preamplifier.
Integrated Amplifiers: Leben CS300
Power Amplifiers: Shindo Corton-…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
I measured the Luxman SQ-38u with Stereophile's loan sample of the top-of-the-line Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 "As We See It" and www.ap.com). The maximum voltage gain for the line-level inputs measured 39.1dB into 8 ohms, measured at the speaker terminals, and 14.5dB at the Pre Out jacks. This suggests that the power-amplifier section offers a low 24.5dB of gain, which was confirmed by measuring the gain via the Main In jacks. Measured at the Tape Out jacks, the phono stage offered 37.6dB of gain in MM mode, 60.3dB in MC High, and 57.2dB…
Given that Quad's founder, the late Peter J. Walker, wasn't around to design the Quad II Classic Integrated, the English firm relied instead on Tim de Paravicini, whose credits include the comparatively recent Quad II-eighty mono amplifiers and QC-twentyfour preamplifier (not to mention his own line of E.A.R./Yoshino electronics and countless other well-regarded products). It's with respect for both men that I say: In turning to Tim de Paravicini, Quad has probably chosen the closest approach to the original.
The new integrated is, essentially, a pair of Quad II amplifiers (ca 1953)…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Two-channel tubed integrated amplifier. Tube complement: four KT66, four 12AX7, two 6922EH. Line inputs: 3 plus tape loop. Phono inputs: 1 (switchable, MM or MC). Input sensitivity: 275mV (line), 2mV (MM phono), 200µV (MC phono). Rated output power: 25Wpc into 8 ohms (14dBW). Frequency response: 20Hz–20kHz, –1dB. Total harmonic distortion: <0.6% at 15Wpc, 700Hz.
Dimensions: 12.1" (310mm) W by 7.8" (200mm) H by 14.8" (380mm) D. Weight: 42 lbs (19.1kg).
Finishes: Champagne Gold, Lancaster Grey.
Serial Number Of Unit Reviewed: Q2100086.…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog Sources: Garrard 301, Thorens TD 124 turntables; EMT 997, Schick tonearms; Ortofon SPU, EMT OFD 25 & OFD 65 pickup heads.
Digital Sources: Wavelength Proton USB D/A converter; Apple iMac G5 computer running Apple iTunes V.10.2.2, Decibel V.1.0.2 playback software; Sony SCD-777ES SACD/CD player; Sony PlayStation 1 (as CD player).
Preamplification: Auditorium 23 Standard (SPU version), Silvercore One-to-Ten step-up transformers; Shindo Masseto preamplifier.
Power Amplifiers: Shindo Corton-Charlemagne monoblocks.
Loudspeakers: Audio…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
As always, I used Stereophile's loan sample of the top-of-the-line Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 "As We See It" and www.ap.com) to measure the Quad II Classic. Assessed through its CD input, the Quad's maximum gain was on the low side for an integrated amplifier, at 34.4dB into 8 ohms. Set to moving-magnet, the phono input gave a maximum gain of 76.9dB measured at the speaker output, 42dB measured at the Tape Out jacks. Set to moving-coil, the phono-input gain at the Tape Out jacks was 61.5dB. All the inputs preserved absolute polarity (ie,…
Songs My Mother Taught Me
Arturo Delmoni, violin; Meg Bachman Vas, piano
Kreisler: Tempo di Menuetto; Brahms: Hungarian Dance No.1; Valdez: Gypsy Serenade; Paradis: Sicilienne; Sarasate: Romanza Andaluza; Massenet: Meditation; Tartini: Variations on a Theme of Corelli; Smetana: From the Home Country; Gluck: Melodie; Vieuxtemps: Romance "Desespoir"; Faure: Apres Un Reve; D'Ambrosio: Canzonetta; Mendelssohn: Song Without Words ("May Breeze"); Kreisler: Sicilienne et Rigaudon; Dvorak: Songs My Mother Taught Me
Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFCD 877 (CD), North Star DS 0004 (LP, footnote…
Arturo Delmoni, violin; Meg Bachman Vas, piano
Kreisler: Tempo di Menuetto; Brahms: Hungarian Dance No.1; Valdez: Gypsy Serenade; Paradis: Sicilienne; Sarasate: Romanza Andaluza; Massenet: Meditation; Tartini: Variations on a Theme of Corelli; Smetana: From the Home Country; Gluck: Melodie; Vieuxtemps: Romance "Desespoir"; Faure: Apres Un Reve; D'Ambrosio: Canzonetta; Mendelssohn: Song Without Words ("May Breeze"); Kreisler: Sicilienne et Rigaudon; Dvorak: Songs My Mother Taught Me
Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFCD 877 (CD), North Star DS 0004 (LP, footnote…
In recent years, Adcom has carved an enviable niche for themselves in the entry-level category of high-end audio. Their excellent GTP-400 tuner/preamplifier, which I reviewed in September 1989 (Vol.12 No.9), has further enhanced their reputation for musically satisfying sound at affordable prices. The GFP-565 is Adcom's newest preamplifier and their most expensive to date. The GFP-565 was designed to offer more than simply excellent performance for the price asked. This new arrival is Adcom's attempt at manufacturing a preamplifier which can compare favorably to the most expensive state-of-…