Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Velvety smoothness and ease are offered when the music requires, and the units can deliver when something rockier is played
- Voices and instruments are reproduced with great clarity on a wide soundstage, while delivering extremely natural timbres
- The units feel dense and are built very well, very solid and sturdy thanks to the chunky aluminium casework
- Excellent phono stage that works well with both MM and MC cartridges
Product Considerations
- The print (grey-on-silver) on the 33 is hard to read
- The remote control is plastic and does not have the same quality feel as the main units
- Some might find the overall presentation slightly too relaxed, and some could feel that the bass is too careful
- No Bluetooth or digital inputs
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- HiFi Rose RA280 has a bigger scale of sound and more authoritative bass, while QUAD has smoother vocal and treble delivery
Takeaway: The QUAD 33/303 is a combination of classic design and modern audio quality. It is easy to live with and provides an enjoyable sound.
All
QUAD 303
reviews
Manufacturer details
- Design Philosophy: Class AB Power Amplifier
- Inputs: 1 x Line, 1 x XLR
- Outputs: 1 x Stereo Speaker, 1 x 12V Trigger (Link)
- Gain: +29dB
- Rated Power Output Stereo: 2 x 50W (8 ohms, THD<1%)
- Rated Power Output Stereo: 2 x 70W (4 ohms, THD<1%)
- Bridged: 140W (8 ohms, THD<1%)
- Bridged: 170W (4 ohms, THD<1%)
- Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz (+/-0.3dB)
- Total Harmonic Distortion: <0.002% (1kHz)
- Input Impedance: 15k ohms (Line), 22k ohms (XLR)
- Input Sensitivity: 700mVrms (Line), 1.5Vrms (XLR)
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio: > 108dB (A - weighted)
- Max. Output Current: 10A
- Standby Power Consumption: <0.5W
- Net Weight: 8.4kg
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 120 x 176 x 325 mm
Still one of the most popular models in the history of one of the world’s most poignant Hi-Fi brands, the QUAD 33 and 303 are benchmarks in almost every angle of desirable audio equipment – performance, reliability, industrial design, value and musical romance.
The outstanding performance of the QUAD 303 is still celebrated to this day, and is largely due to the unique output circuit developed by QUAD.
In reissuing the QUAD 303 power amplifier concept, exactly like the matching 33 preamplifer, QUAD’s incomparably experienced service team was matched with the equally adept engineering team to reinvoke the design, romance and performance in a thoroughly modern iteration of a hi-fi legend.
As with the new QUAD 33, every aspect of design and performance has been analysed and re-engineered way beyond simply modernising components and refreshing of specifications.
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- Quad, a British hifi manufacturer with a long history dating back to the 1950s, is renowned for its iconic QUAD II Power Amplifier and ESL electrostatic speaker, maintaining a brand heritage built on exceptional sound quality.
- The brand has a long history of developing electrostatic panel loudspeaker technology, which has influenced the design and sonic qualities of their planar magnetic headphones, aligning with their heritage.
- Quad products are known for offering an exceptional price/performance ratio, often delivering superb sound quality and features that punch far above their price point.
Select products
Vena II
- Positioning: The entry-level integrated amplifier in Quad's lineup.
- Description: Offers a compact design with a powerful Class AB amplifier, making it ideal for small rooms or those seeking a neat setup. It features a high-quality phono stage for vinyl enthusiasts, which is not available in the more advanced Artera models, providing excellent value for those with a diverse music collection. Its Bluetooth streaming capability and multiple digital inputs make it versatile for modern digital sources, unlike the more traditional QII-Integrated.
QII-Integrated
- Positioning: A mid-range integrated amplifier that combines classic design with modern functionality.
- Description: Features a push-pull KT66 output configuration, delivering a warm, rich sound that appeals to those who appreciate vintage audio aesthetics. Unlike the Vena II, it includes a high-quality built-in phono stage, making it a great choice for vinyl lovers who want a classic tube sound. Its power output is lower than the Artera models.
Artera Solus
- Positioning: A high-end all-in-one system combining a CD player, DAC, pre-amplifier, and power amplifier.
- Description: Features sleek design and comprehensive functionality, integrating a CD player and Bluetooth connectivity, which the QII-Integrated lacks. Uses an ESS ES9018 DAC for superior digital audio performance, making it ideal for users who want a high-quality, all-in-one solution. Its power output and connectivity options surpass those of the Vena II.
Artera Solus Play
- Positioning: The flagship model, adding wireless streaming capabilities to the Artera Solus.
- Description: Enhances the Artera Solus with DTS Play-Fi technology, allowing high-resolution wireless audio streaming, which is not available in the other models. The advanced streaming features and high power output provide a multi-room audio experience with the convenience of wireless connectivity.
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Used
QUAD HIFI
What if you spend more?
Evolution Elegance is the most powerful amplifier in the Evolution series. It is constructed as push-pull using well known 6550 (KT88) output tubes. Output power is 50W per channel, which is sufficient for most speakers, even those with lower than average sensitivity. This is a power amplifier, requiring preamplifier and opening endless possibilities for system configuration.
Based on previous work on negative feedback, -6dB reaction has been tuned to provide sound equivalent to a good Single Ended application. Cathode feedback was used as the most musical one. Bass is well controlled, dynamic response is excellent and this amplifier belongs to the very top of its class.
Same as all previous models, well designed power supply utilizes 300VA toroidal transformer, C-L-C filter and Nippon Chemi-Con electrolytics. Output transformers are based on a Double-C core configuration and Solen fast capacitors are used throughout. Adding well thought-out concept to the mix results in a recognizable high quality sound of our amplifiers.
Modern styling of Trafomatic Audio amplifiers has been extended to this model as well, which makes a perfect sonic and visual fit with Evolution Line One preamplifier. An excellent starting point for full immersion in good sound. See and hear for yourself.
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Product Strengths
- Top-quality finish and material selection
- Beautifully smooth and particularly natural sound reproduction
- Little sound of its own, so no typical tube coloring
- Tight bass
- Excellent price-performance ratio
Product Considerations
- Tubes require occasional extra attention
- Tubes need to be replaced every few years
- The power amplifier requires more space due to heat dissipation
Takeaway: The Trafomatic Evolution Line One and Elegance offer top-class pre- and power amplifiers with star quality for the price of an excellent integrated amplifier. Any music lover should quickly be able to embrace these two products.
Video review
Our take on the brand
The EVO 300 features PrimaLuna's exclusive AC Offset Killer technology that provides an extremely quiet background by reducing transformer noise to unprecedented levels. It includes a Bad Tube Indicator system that puts the amp into protection mode if a tube fails, with LED indicators showing which tube needs replacement.
The amp uses premium Takman resistors from Japan, known for their low noise and musicality. It can be operated in either stereo or monoblock configuration by simply flipping a switch. In monoblock mode, it provides dual output transformers for optimal speaker coupling and adds a 2-ohm speaker tap.
The unit employs custom toroidal power transformers that radiate minimal magnetic field interference and feature potted designs for noise reduction and protection. It uses super-wide-bandwidth output transformers designed and wound in-house for extended frequency response.
The EVO 300 features PrimaLuna's Adaptive AutoBias technology, which monitors and adjusts tube operation in real time, reducing distortion and extending tube life. The amp is hand-wired point-to-point using Swiss-made, silver-plated, oxygen-free continuous crystal copper wire with Teflon dielectric in critical signal paths.
The amplifier is compatible with a wide range of tubes including 6L6G, 6L6GC, 7581A, EL34, EL37, 6550, KT66, KT77, KT88, KT90, KT120, and KT150, offering users flexibility in fine-tuning their sound.
Product Strengths
- The EVO 300 runs EL34 tubes at a conservative 440 volts, increasing tube life and reliability
- Adaptive auto bias ensures tubes work together in their perfect linear operating position, reducing distortion and extending tube life
- Point-to-point wiring gives the product an intrinsic value and increases longevity
- High-quality components like TACMAN resistors, Nichicon capacitors, and Swiss-made silver-plated oxygen-free copper wiring are used
- It includes an AC Offset Killer to reduce mechanical hum from the power transformer
Product Considerations
- EL34 tubes are not as durable as KT120s
- If KT-150 tubes are used, the tube cage cannot be installed, because the tubes are too tall
- Switching from ultralinear to triode operation cuts the power in half, requiring volume adjustment for fair comparison
- The reviewer recommends using the speaker tap that 'sounds best' rather than relying on the speaker's impedance rating
Takeaway: The EVO 300 Power Amp is a high-quality amplifier designed for everyday use and long-term reliability. Its flexible design lets you experiment with different tubes and sound signatures.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Building on NAD’s long tradition of identifying and developing cutting-edge amplification technology, the M23 HybridDigital Stereo Power Amplifier features Purifi Audio’s Eigentakt™ design, a once-in-a-decade innovation that virtually eliminates harmonic and intermodulation distortion. Noise is inaudible, for a completely black background and exquisite micro-detail. Conservatively rated at 2x200W continuous into 8 ohms and 2x380W into 4 ohms, the M23 can deliver live performance levels through any loudspeaker. With its unique combination of features, performance, and value, the M23 represents the new benchmark for the stereo power amplifier.
Our summary
Product Strengths
- The M23's build quality feels solid and elegant, with impressive small design details
- The sound is striking in its purity and clarity
- It offers up to three levels of gain, switchable on the back panel, to best fit the system
- It provides a clear sound without sounding hard
- It features Purifi Eigentakt Class D amplification, which provides virtually unmeasurable distortion levels
Product Considerations
- The bass is clean but may be perceived as a little on the cool side and not as 'wompy-sounding'
- The M23 is not a forgiving amplifier that makes everything sound sweet and wonderful—it's not for those seeking a soft and mellow sound
- Bridging with speakers below 5 or 6 ohms is not recommended, as the amp will current limit and potentially shut down
- The reviewer found ergonomical challenges using fancy speaker cables in bridged mode due to wide terminal spacing
- The capacitive touch power button can accidentally trigger
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Bel Canto C6i: The M23 offered a layer of refinement and better reproduction of the recording space
- Vs Pass XA25: The M23 had more transparent sound and detail, especially in the treble and upper mids, but lacked the organic quality of the XA25
- Vs HiFi Rose RS 520: The M23 sounded cleaner and had better separation/depth, HiFi Rose seemed to have an EQ built-in, emphasizing midrange and bass
- Vs NAD C298: The M23 is more neutral, deals with decay more naturally, and has better casework, making it look high-end
- Vs Anthem M1 monoblock amplifiers: The M23 was slightly more transparent throughout the entire frequency range
- Vs Bryston 4B 3: The Bryston had more grunt but the M23 is more neutral
Takeaway: The NAD M23 is a powerful and precise amplifier that delivers clean and clear sound, making it a great choice for audiophiles who want to hear their music as accurately as possible. It is especially well-suited for those looking to build a high-end system around a quality preamp or DAC.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Most tube integrated amps and preamps use a solid state op-amp chip for running headphones. Stand alone tube headphone amps will vary in quality like any other tube amp. Headphones are simply small speakers that require less power. Some amps will use smaller output tubes that groan to have enough dissipation to run power-hungry planar headphones. Other brands, including those costing $5,000 or more like Mal Valve, will use larger output tubes, then use a voltage divider network to drop the power down to an acceptable level for headphones. This is how we do it. We simply took advantage of the fact that we make the best tube integrated amplifiers. Now you don't have to pay for a separate state of the art headphone amp. PrimaLuna integrateds are the favorite of owners who use everything from Audeze to Hifiman to Sennheiser!
PrimaLuna engineers wanted to make owning a tube amp so simple you would have no excuse not to have your tube dreams come true. If a tube fails, Adaptive AutoBias will instantly put the amplifier into protection mode so no parts can get damaged. A red LED will light up in front of the tube that needs replacing. Simply plug in another tube, and listen. No guesswork. No smoking amp. No getting out the soldering iron or dropping your amp off at UPS.
Product Strengths
- Combines the tonal qualities of tubes with the power of solid-state amplification, combining the great aspects of both technologies
- Delivers a clean, detailed, dynamic, and musically insightful sound
- Well-built with high-quality components, including point-to-point wiring in the preamp section
- Includes a headphone amplifier powered by the same internal amp as the speakers, not an op-amp
- Multiple inputs and functions, including home theater bypass, subwoofer output, and tape output
Product Considerations
- Lacks balanced inputs and a pre-amplifier output
- The volume control can be very sensitive at low levels
- Optional MM phono stage requires additional purchase
- Requires good ventilation due to running warm
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Versus Cambridge Audio Edge NQ / 2 x Gold Note PA-10 setup, the EVO 300 Hybrid delivers a level of engagement that was captivating, the improvement over the normal setup slightly disconcerting
- Versus Schiit Jotunheim, the PrimaLuna bested it, with a slightly cleaner sound that let a touch more detail through
Takeaway: The PrimaLuna EVO 300 Hybrid offers a balance of tube warmth and solid-state power to give listeners the best of both worlds. Its detailed sound, robust build, and versatility make it a worthwhile addition to any audiophile's system.
Video review
Our take on the brand
What competes at this price?
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Vacuum tube design using four 12AX7A valves, two per channel with stainless steel individual cage surrounds
- Detailed, dynamic, and very musical
- Versatile, bridging the gap between the audiophile and custom install worlds
Product Considerations
- Sound was initially warmer than expected
- May sound too warm for some listeners' preference
- More expensive cables are not always the better option, system compatibility plays a big part
Takeaway: The C8 offers a unique combination of tube and solid-state technology, providing detailed and dynamic sound. It is a great option for those looking for a musical and engaging listening experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Clarity and natural tonality in the midrange and high frequencies rivals much more expensive amplifiers
- Exceptional imaging precision and soundstage depth—due to a pitch-black background
- Top-quality components are used, including WEMA film caps and a Blue Beauty Alps volume pot, which are unusually good for the price
- The circuit is DC coupled between stages, improving clarity and reducing coloration
- Hand built in Durham, England by MVA, a small hifi manufacturer driven by enthusiasm
Product Considerations
- Bass lacks definition and grip—affecting the overall rhythm
- Limited power may struggle with inefficient speakers or larger rooms
- Speaker matching is critical to achieve optimal performance; unwise choices can lead to disappointment
- Careful selection of speaker cables is required, avoiding shielded or twisted geometry cables with high capacitance to prevent potential oscillation
- The acrylic casework and lack of remote control may not appeal to all users
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Exposure 2510: S80 surpasses it in clarity and natural tonality in the mid-range and high frequencies
- Vs Hegel H190: S80 surpasses it in sheer levels of insight in the mid-range and high frequencies
- Vs Accuphase E280: S80 matches it in clarity and surpasses it in natural tonality
- Vs Cambridge Audio AXA35: Cambridge Audio AXA35 does an equally good job of hanging on to the rhythm section
Takeaway: The S80 power amp is a great piece of kit for people who value clarity and natural sound. It offers a unique approach to amplifier design.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Open, neutral, and extremely rewarding sound quality
- Excellent phono stage and headphone amplifier
- Beautifully made with a solid build quality
- Transparent sound allows the listener to shape the system's character
- Integrated amp can be partnered to double down on transparency or to shape the system you want
Product Considerations
- Remote control can be a bit difficult to use in low light
- Offers less functionality compared to some rivals at the same price point
- Some reviewers found certain performances to be slightly cool
- Volume adjustments with the remote control could be more sophisticated
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The MOON 250i v2 sounds more open than the MOON 600i v2
- The MOON 250i V2 is not as tactile in the treble region, when compared to Naim Nait XS 3
- The MOON 250i V2 has more bite in the treble region, when compared to Exposure 3510
- The Pass Labs amplifier has a more transparent—involving sound, when compared to the MOON 250i V2
Takeaway: The MOON 250i v2 is a well-made amplifier that delivers transparent sound quality suitable for various audio systems and listening preferences. It is a great choice for those looking for quality audio reproduction without needing all the latest digital features.
Video review
Our take on the brand
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Delivers a tube-like sound, with a warm and musical presentation
- Robust power supply with substantial capacitance (200,000 microfarads) provides good bass control and dynamics
- Transparent and precise sound, with a wide and deep soundstage
- Balanced design with both RCA and XLR inputs, the latter offering a cleaner and more dynamic sound
- Offers excellent value, outperforming other amplifiers in a similar price range
Product Considerations
- Requires a pre-amplifier to control volume
- May exhibit slight transformer noise when close to the unit
- Does not have pop control, requiring caution when plugging/unplugging connections
- Some reviewers found the logo placement slightly off-center and the blue LED power light too bright
- Bass control is not as punchy or defined for some tastes, leaning towards a tube-like bass delivery
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The TSA-75 has a different, more flavorful sound signature compared to the Orchard Audio's neutral sound
- The TSA-75 provides superior micro detail, cleanliness, clarity, and stereo imaging, compared to Schiit Audio Vidar 2
- Performance is head-to-head with the Denafrips Thalo, depending on sound preference—the more balanced, snappy presentation of the Thalo, or the more V-shaped sound with greater depth and soundstage of the TSA-75
- The TSA-75 has a distinct sound signature, unlike Emotiva amps
- The TSA-75 outperforms the McIntosh MC275 Mark VI in audiophile performance
Takeaway: The Galion Audio TS A75 is a well-built amplifier that delivers a warm, tube-like sound with good bass and a wide soundstage. It provides excellent value and is a great choice for those looking for a musical and engaging listening experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Robust, effortless power with excellent control makes it easy to drive all speakers with authority and deliver a satisfying listening experience.
- Balanced and neutral sound, with a solid low end that prevents it from sounding dull or anemic, while also ensuring it is not too aggressive to cause listening fatigue.
- Excellent timing makes music engaging and foot-tapping, and is particularly impressive with genres such as R&B and soundtracks.
- Built in the USA, it has a 5 year warranty and 15 day satisfaction guarantee
Product Considerations
- Not ideal for listeners seeking a romantic, sweet, and smooth midrange, or those who prefer a very lively sound.
- The amp required careful system matching to achieve its full potential, particularly needing a high-end preamp to unlock greater refinement and resolution.
- Bass performance might be seriously challenged by more modern amplifiers.
- There is a slight differential in gain
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to Emotiva A1s, the Tyr has more bass, more clarity in the bass, and is less veiled overall
- Reminiscent of McIntosh 7270—the Tyr gives off similar 'Mac vibes'.
Takeaway:
The Schiit Tyr monoblocks deliver a lot of power and control, making music sound good with a balanced and neutral style. It's a great option for an amplifier that can handle almost any speaker and is versatile.
Video review
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