All about the new Quad 3 integrated amplifier and matching components; history made modern.
Quad products are designed with the single aim of reproducing recorded music as accurately as possible. Simplicity of use and elegance of design are purely consequential to the application of sensible engineering principles. Quad have never sought to design statement pieces or style icons, yet almost every Quad product has become regarded as such.
After a hiatus of several years we are delighted to re-introduce you to Quad. Today’s Quad components may draw directly from the aesthetics of their iconic early models but everything inside is absolutely modern in the best possible way.
We’ve just received the new Quad 3 integrated amplifier and matching CD transport, with the 33/303 pre and power amplifier options to follow soon.
- Quad 3 integrated amplifier 65 watts, DAC, phono stage and remote included.. NZ$2995 including GST & delivery.
- Quad 3 CDT high precision CD transport NZ$1495.
- Quad 33/303 preamplifier and stereo power amplifier (Bridgeable to mono) NZ$2795 each.
The Quad 3 is a comprehensively featured 65 watts per channel integrated amplifier with both digital and analogue inputs including a phono stage. You may well remember the Quad Vena we introduced you to in 2014. The Quad 3 is far more than an updated version of this. It has to be; over that period of time we have seen real progress highlighted by the models in the NuPrime range.
This is very much the return of an old friend for us; the first few minutes of playing established that the Quad 3 is everything promised – everything simply fell into place. The matching CD transport worked perfectly from the outset and as a combination I simply can’t fault them.
The build quality and richness of features of the Quad 3 is a real eye opener; it does everything you could want and more, yet never feels compromised by this – the design and execution in terms of engineering inspire confidence. Our photos barely do justice to how good these units look in the flesh. Unmistakably Quad and highly recommended.
The new Quad 3 is already very well reviewed so let’s look at some highlights;
‘Incontestably, the Quad 3 proved sensational from the first notes it played. As dazzled as I am by the manufacturer’s 33/303 pre/power set-up, which certainly outperforms this new arrival in terms of absolute finesse and slam, I was flabbergasted repeatedly by the Quad 3’s amazing value for money. From any other maker this would cost much more.
What can I say? Quad’s 3 changes the landscape for integrated amplifiers at this price point. It does everything you could want – for analogue and digital – and it acts like it has twice the power it possesses. It looks fabulous, the build quality is exceptional, and the outlay is exactly the same you’d have paid 60 years ago for a Quad 22/II stereo set-up.’ Ken Kessler – HiFi News
‘This was certainly a well-thought-out design, keeping me fully engaged in the music and not my clock. I could have sat and listened to all his symphonies, though that would have kept me up over 12 hours. All that detail and excellent soundstage continued when listening through the headphone stage. This is a great all-rounder.
QUAD has done it again with another retro model that should not only get interest from those who began their audio journey with the original 22 but also those much younger wanting to start their journey. This is a really easy-to-use and versatile unit that gives an organic and fluid performance, whatever the source. At £1249, this is great value, even just for the looks. As a complete amplifier, it’s a bargain.’ www.hifipig
‘The Quad 3 Integrated Amplifier gets the fundamentals right—and then stays out of its own way. What it does well is immediately obvious: tonal weight, midrange density, and a sense of proportion that makes long listening sessions easy and engaging. It pairs particularly well with speakers that lean lean, fast, or overly explicit, adding body and coherence without smothering detail. Vocals—especially female vocals and well-recorded jazz, soul, and singer-songwriter material—are a clear strength, and the amp’s quiet operation, stability, and consistent behavior across sources speak to conservative, competent engineering.
What it does great is system building. The Quad 3 is forgiving without being sloppy, expressive without being soft, and it manages to flatter a wide range of loudspeakers without imposing a single, rigid personality.’ www.eacoustics.com
‘A riot of colour, texture and out and out aesthetic joy that not a lot else anywhere near the price can get near. This is what the Quad is going to do brilliantly for years to come and it’s why it comes enthusiastically Recommended. ‘ www.avforums.com
Quad 3 CDT
‘Like the Quad 3 amp, the 3CDT’s design is steeped in ‘Quad DNA’, both in the way it looks and the desire of its maker to deliver ‘the closest approach to the original sound’. It shares the amp’s compact 30cm-wide footprint and two-tone colourway, its matt silver front panel contrasting beautifully with its dark grey main enclosure. The amp’s design is also duplicated in the CD transport’s contoured fascia and orange backlit LCD display – a striking homage to iconic Quad amps of decades past.
But while the 3CDT is an obvious match for the Quad 3 amp aesthetically and sonically, its focus on the mechanics of exemplary data retrieval and signal integrity through elevated engineering makes it an excellent CD-spinning companion for any high-quality DAC or integrated amp with digital inputs.’
Quad 33/303 pre and power amplifiers
‘This is classic, timeless audio engineering at its best, beautifully functional, versatile, elegant, essentially self-effacing, and possessed of a calm, almost relaxed musicality respectful of its legendary roots in Quad audio history. Evidently, much thought has gone into the reinvention of these classic Quad solid state amplifier separates. The new 33 full-function preamplifier and 303 power amplifier complement each other in sound, style, and price. I am won over by the high-quality engineering, the sensitive interpretation of the classic modern style and finish, and not least the fine performances I experienced through all the range of inputs. The monoblock 303 in particular has potential beyond this pairing; bridged, as I auditioned them, these monoblocks should pair well with more costly units, though they do prefer more efficient, higher-impedance speakers. Quad has not overplayed its hand. This versatile new 33/303 pre-power pairing is just right.‘ Stereophile
‘We are awash with integrated amps or pre/power pairings under £2,500, but the new Quad 33/303 stands out from the rest. We can’t help but find ourselves seduced by a listening experience that’s every bit as delightful as that of the original’s, with resultant night-long sessions. The 33/303 is a charmer, and Peter Walker would be proud. We’ll be buying a set as our mid-priced reference. What more can we say?’ HFC
‘The thing is… this is retro done brilliantly. This house is full of audio equipment. I don’t need more of it, I have too much as it is. Even so, I covet this silver and orange duo far more than I thought I would because they look and feel so different to anything else on the market. Even if they merely sounded ‘OK’, I suspect Quad would have sold plenty but when their actual performance is taken into account, this rejuvenated classic has to be seen as a Best Buy.‘ avforums
