My inclination would be to stick with the Quad amplifier.

Firstly, it will have presumably been designed and tested to work with the
989 'speakers, (as well as being able to drive other loads).
The 989 'speakers will have been designed with a view of being driven by the
909, although of course other power amps could be used.

Then there is the specification of the 989 to consider: The maximum
programme input to the 989 is 40v. The permitted maximum is 55v. Now, the
909 is rated at 140 W rms into 8 ohms, thus generating 33v rms or 47 v peak.
It seems to me that therefore the 909provides the optimum power output for
the 989 'speakers. Any more power, and you would exceed the maximum ratings,
any less power, and you would be losing some potential peak loudness
capability.

But I think the main reason for not changing is that what improvement can
you expect? When the 909 already provides optimum power, vanishing low
distortion and noise, what possible audible improvement will you get?

S.



"Derrick Fawsitt" wrote in message
...
I have just acquired Quad 989's Electrostatic Speakers and I find them the
ultimate and definitive solution, at least for me. I currently use entirely
Quad units to drive them, i.e. Quad 909 with its pre-amp together with a
Quad 99 CD Player. However, I noticed one US reviewer of the speakers
stated that while the 909 Amp must have been designed with the Speakers in
mind he found that he got the best results with other amps, is this true
and what therefore do you consider the "best" setup to drive and to use
with the 989s.
--
Derrick Fawsitt