Anyone familiar with SAE Mark series?
 

I'm thinking of getting one of these power amps. Can find no reviews. Or
else I am looking at the Quad 405. Can anyone tell me what the Mark series
power amps are like? (I will be running it with SAE Mark IB pre-amp and Kef
Concerto speakers).

Thanks.

Anyone familiar with SAE Mark series?
 

"roke" wrote in message
...
I'm thinking of getting one of these power amps. Can find no reviews. Or
else I am looking at the Quad 405. Can anyone tell me what the Mark series
power amps are like? (I will be running it with SAE Mark IB pre-amp and
Kef Concerto speakers).

Thanks.
IME, the old SAE stuff is overrated. It has all the defects of that period.
It is much noisier than modern equipment.

Anyone familiar with SAE Mark series?
 

In article ,
"Robert Morein" wrote:

"roke" wrote in message
...
I'm thinking of getting one of these power amps. Can find no reviews. Or
else I am looking at the Quad 405. Can anyone tell me what the Mark series
power amps are like? (I will be running it with SAE Mark IB pre-amp and
Kef Concerto speakers).

Thanks.
IME, the old SAE stuff is overrated. It has all the defects of that period.
It is much noisier than modern equipment.

My experience supports your statement. I had a 1980-ish vintage amp and
preamp that were noisy and very prone to failure (especially the amp).

Anyone familiar with SAE Mark series?
 

Jenn wrote:
In article ,
"Robert Morein" wrote:

"roke" wrote in message
...
I'm thinking of getting one of these power amps. Can find no reviews. Or
else I am looking at the Quad 405. Can anyone tell me what the Mark series
power amps are like? (I will be running it with SAE Mark IB pre-amp and
Kef Concerto speakers).

Thanks.
IME, the old SAE stuff is overrated. It has all the defects of that period.
It is much noisier than modern equipment.

My experience supports your statement. I had a 1980-ish vintage amp and
preamp that were noisy and very prone to failure (especially the amp).

On the other hand the QUAD 405 is rock-solid, totally dependable and
pretty much indestructible. If you can get one, the 405mkII is better as
it provides more current into difficult loads, but as I recall, the KEF
Concertos weren't that difficult to drive, so the 405 Mk1 should work fine.

Only issue I can think of is that the QUAD power amps need only 500mV
for full power. Most preamps are designed to work with power amps
needing 1-2 volts, so you may find that the volume control is somewhat
fierce. That's easily solved with a 6 or 10dB attenuator at the output
of the preamp.

S.

Anyone familiar with SAE Mark series?
 

In article ,
Serge Auckland wrote:

Jenn wrote:
In article ,
"Robert Morein" wrote:

"roke" wrote in message
...
I'm thinking of getting one of these power amps. Can find no reviews. Or
else I am looking at the Quad 405. Can anyone tell me what the Mark
series
power amps are like? (I will be running it with SAE Mark IB pre-amp and
Kef Concerto speakers).

Thanks.
IME, the old SAE stuff is overrated. It has all the defects of that
period.
It is much noisier than modern equipment.

My experience supports your statement. I had a 1980-ish vintage amp and
preamp that were noisy and very prone to failure (especially the amp).

On the other hand the QUAD 405 is rock-solid, totally dependable and
pretty much indestructible. If you can get one, the 405mkII is better as
it provides more current into difficult loads, but as I recall, the KEF
Concertos weren't that difficult to drive, so the 405 Mk1 should work fine.

Only issue I can think of is that the QUAD power amps need only 500mV
for full power. Most preamps are designed to work with power amps
needing 1-2 volts, so you may find that the volume control is somewhat
fierce. That's easily solved with a 6 or 10dB attenuator at the output
of the preamp.

S.

I've never owned a Quad, but have been impressed on casual listening. I
sure love the ESLs!

Anyone familiar with SAE Mark series?
 

Serge Auckland said:


Only issue I can think of is that the QUAD power amps need only 500mV
for full power. Most preamps are designed to work with power amps
needing 1-2 volts, so you may find that the volume control is somewhat
fierce. That's easily solved with a 6 or 10dB attenuator at the output
of the preamp.


To keep things standardized, it's better to put the divider in the
power amp.
I do that, anyway.

One other thing of concern: a CD player puts out 2 Vtt max.
Most preamps are too sensitive at their inputs, a voltage divider at
the CD input, consisting of 2 resistors solves that as well.
That way, switching from CD to another source won't leave you with
bleeding ears and a quick twist of the volume knob every time ;-)

--

- Never argue with idiots, they drag you down their level and beat you with experience. -

Anyone familiar with SAE Mark series?
 

Sander deWaal wrote:
Serge Auckland said:


Only issue I can think of is that the QUAD power amps need only 500mV
for full power. Most preamps are designed to work with power amps
needing 1-2 volts, so you may find that the volume control is somewhat
fierce. That's easily solved with a 6 or 10dB attenuator at the output
of the preamp.


To keep things standardized, it's better to put the divider in the
power amp.
I do that, anyway.

One other thing of concern: a CD player puts out 2 Vtt max.
Most preamps are too sensitive at their inputs, a voltage divider at
the CD input, consisting of 2 resistors solves that as well.
That way, switching from CD to another source won't leave you with
bleeding ears and a quick twist of the volume knob every time ;-)

Good points.

S.

Anyone familiar with SAE Mark series?
 

"Serge Auckland" wrote in message
...
Sander deWaal wrote:
Serge Auckland said:


Only issue I can think of is that the QUAD power amps need only 500mV
for full power. Most preamps are designed to work with power amps
needing 1-2 volts, so you may find that the volume control is somewhat
fierce. That's easily solved with a 6 or 10dB attenuator at the output
of the preamp.


To keep things standardized, it's better to put the divider in the
power amp.
I do that, anyway.

One other thing of concern: a CD player puts out 2 Vtt max.
Most preamps are too sensitive at their inputs, a voltage divider at
the CD input, consisting of 2 resistors solves that as well.
That way, switching from CD to another source won't leave you with
bleeding ears and a quick twist of the volume knob every time ;-)

Good points.

S.

Much appreciated.

Ro

Anyone familiar with SAE Mark series?
 

On Thu, 25 May 2006 18:08:45 GMT, Jenn
wrote:

In article ,
Serge Auckland wrote:

Jenn wrote:
In article ,
"Robert Morein" wrote:

"roke" wrote in message
...
I'm thinking of getting one of these power amps. Can find no reviews. Or
else I am looking at the Quad 405. Can anyone tell me what the Mark
series
power amps are like? (I will be running it with SAE Mark IB pre-amp and
Kef Concerto speakers).

Thanks.
IME, the old SAE stuff is overrated. It has all the defects of that
period.
It is much noisier than modern equipment.

My experience supports your statement. I had a 1980-ish vintage amp and
preamp that were noisy and very prone to failure (especially the amp).

On the other hand the QUAD 405 is rock-solid, totally dependable and
pretty much indestructible. If you can get one, the 405mkII is better as
it provides more current into difficult loads, but as I recall, the KEF
Concertos weren't that difficult to drive, so the 405 Mk1 should work fine.

Only issue I can think of is that the QUAD power amps need only 500mV
for full power. Most preamps are designed to work with power amps
needing 1-2 volts, so you may find that the volume control is somewhat
fierce. That's easily solved with a 6 or 10dB attenuator at the output
of the preamp.

S.

I've never owned a Quad, but have been impressed on casual listening. I
sure love the ESLs!

In that case you should be introduced to a person named Phil Allison
over on aus-hi-fi.

On second thoughts maybe not... :-)

Anyone familiar with SAE Mark series?
 

"Serge Auckland" wrote

Only issue I can think of is that the QUAD power
amps need only 500mV for full power.

The Quad 405-2 signal input level:0.5V rms +/-
0.5 db for 100 watts into 8 ohms. Amp loads
input by 20K ohms in parallel with 220 pF.

Signal input overload: instantaneous recovery
up to +20dB overload.

Stability: Unconditionally stable with any load
and any signal... according to the brochure. :)

Anyone familiar with SAE Mark series?
 

roke wrote:

I'm thinking of getting one of these power amps. Can find no reviews. Or
else I am looking at the Quad 405. Can anyone tell me what the Mark series
power amps are like? (I will be running it with SAE Mark IB pre-amp and Kef
Concerto speakers).

You have an aversion to anything modern by any chance ?

Graham

Anyone familiar with SAE Mark series?
 

Serge Auckland wrote:

Jenn wrote:
In article ,
"Robert Morein" wrote:

IME, the old SAE stuff is overrated. It has all the defects of that period.
It is much noisier than modern equipment.

My experience supports your statement. I had a 1980-ish vintage amp and
preamp that were noisy and very prone to failure (especially the amp).

On the other hand the QUAD 405 is rock-solid, totally dependable and
pretty much indestructible. If you can get one, the 405mkII is better as
it provides more current into difficult loads, but as I recall, the KEF
Concertos weren't that difficult to drive, so the 405 Mk1 should work fine.

Sadly every single time I've heard a Quad 405 they sounded utterly lifeless and
dull. No other amp of that era has acheived this. No idea why. Of course it
needn't have been the 405 at fault.

Graham

Anyone familiar with SAE Mark series?
 

In article , Pooh Bear rabbitsfriendsandr
writes


Serge Auckland wrote:

Jenn wrote:
In article ,
"Robert Morein" wrote:

IME, the old SAE stuff is overrated. It has all the defects of that period.
It is much noisier than modern equipment.

My experience supports your statement. I had a 1980-ish vintage amp and
preamp that were noisy and very prone to failure (especially the amp).

On the other hand the QUAD 405 is rock-solid, totally dependable and
pretty much indestructible. If you can get one, the 405mkII is better as
it provides more current into difficult loads, but as I recall, the KEF
Concertos weren't that difficult to drive, so the 405 Mk1 should work fine.

Sadly every single time I've heard a Quad 405 they sounded utterly lifeless and
dull. No other amp of that era has acheived this. No idea why. Of course it
needn't have been the 405 at fault.

Graham


Yep!, my Audiolab amps sound like that, dull and lifeless..

Mind you the ESL63's sound just the same

...dull and lifeless....
--
Tony Sayer

Anyone familiar with SAE Mark series?
 

tony sayer wrote:

In article , Pooh Bear rabbitsfriendsandr
writes

Serge Auckland wrote:

On the other hand the QUAD 405 is rock-solid, totally dependable and
pretty much indestructible. If you can get one, the 405mkII is better as
it provides more current into difficult loads, but as I recall, the KEF
Concertos weren't that difficult to drive, so the 405 Mk1 should work fine.

Sadly every single time I've heard a Quad 405 they sounded utterly lifeless and
dull. No other amp of that era has acheived this. No idea why. Of course it
needn't have been the 405 at fault.

Graham

Yep!, my Audiolab amps sound like that, dull and lifeless..

Mind you the ESL63's sound just the same

..dull and lifeless....

Have you heard the original ESLs ? Totally wonderful.

They do need occasional maintenance though, so you might have come across duds that
had been neglected.

Graham

Anyone familiar with SAE Mark series?
 

In article , Pooh Bear rabbitsfriendsand
writes

tony sayer wrote:

In article , Pooh Bear rabbitsfriendsandr
writes

Serge Auckland wrote:

On the other hand the QUAD 405 is rock-solid, totally dependable and
pretty much indestructible. If you can get one, the 405mkII is better as
it provides more current into difficult loads, but as I recall, the KEF
Concertos weren't that difficult to drive, so the 405 Mk1 should work fine.

Sadly every single time I've heard a Quad 405 they sounded utterly lifeless
and
dull. No other amp of that era has acheived this. No idea why. Of course it
needn't have been the 405 at fault.

Graham

Yep!, my Audiolab amps sound like that, dull and lifeless..

Mind you the ESL63's sound just the same

..dull and lifeless....

Have you heard the original ESLs ? Totally wonderful.

Yes..mine date from 1981

They do need occasional maintenance though, so you might have come across duds
that
had been neglected.

Yes..very aware;!...

Graham


--
Tony Sayer

Anyone familiar with SAE Mark series?
 

In article , tony sayer

wrote:


Yep!, my Audiolab amps sound like that, dull and lifeless..

Mind you the ESL63's sound just the same

..dull and lifeless....

My handicap is that I can't really hear my ESLs or amplifiers. I keep
finding I hear the music instead... :-)

Slainte,

Jim

--
Electronics http://www.st-and.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scot...o/electron.htm
Audio Misc http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/AudioMisc/index.html
Armstrong Audio http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/Audio/armstrong.html
Barbirolli Soc. http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/JBSoc/JBSoc.html

Anyone familiar with SAE Mark series?
 

Pooh Bear wrote:

Have you heard the original ESLs ? Totally wonderful.

They do need occasional maintenance though, so you might have come across duds that
had been neglected.

Not stricty true to call it maintenance. I would call it occasional rebuilding
to completely dismantle a speaker and replace the diaphragms.

--
Eiron

No good deed ever goes unpunished.

Anyone familiar with SAE Mark series?
 

Eiron wrote:

Pooh Bear wrote:

Have you heard the original ESLs ? Totally wonderful.

They do need occasional maintenance though, so you might have come across duds that
had been neglected.

Not stricty true to call it maintenance. I would call it occasional rebuilding
to completely dismantle a speaker and replace the diaphragms.

Just trying to remember. Can't they just be re-tensioned ?

Foam surround speakers need their suspensions renewing from time to time too.

Graham

Anyone familiar with SAE Mark series?
 

"Pooh Bear" wrote in message
...


roke wrote:

I'm thinking of getting one of these power amps. Can find no reviews. Or
else I am looking at the Quad 405. Can anyone tell me what the Mark
series
power amps are like? (I will be running it with SAE Mark IB pre-amp and
Kef
Concerto speakers).

You have an aversion to anything modern by any chance ?

Graham


Not particularly. Just trying to upgrade within a certain budget. So, I
decided to keep the concertos, re-cap them, and re-build into a more modern,
tall, cabinet (stumbled across a good german design). For ~150euro don't
think I can do much better with regard speakers.

Then, throwing out my Yamaha CR640 integrated amp. Found the SAE IB for a
great price by accident. Works perfect. Now looking for a power amp for
~150euro. Reckon I can get more bang for the buck with vintage gear, and
would probably match my KEFs better. So I was looking at the SAE Mark gear,
405, and I have my eye on something else which has come up which I won't
mention at this time in case of competition!!

See how it goes..

Ro

Anyone familiar with SAE Mark series?
 

"roke" wrote in message
...

"Pooh Bear" wrote in message
...


roke wrote:

I'm thinking of getting one of these power amps. Can find no reviews. Or
else I am looking at the Quad 405. Can anyone tell me what the Mark
series
power amps are like? (I will be running it with SAE Mark IB pre-amp and
Kef
Concerto speakers).

You have an aversion to anything modern by any chance ?

Graham


Not particularly. Just trying to upgrade within a certain budget. So, I
decided to keep the concertos, re-cap them, and re-build into a more
modern, tall, cabinet (stumbled across a good german design). For ~150euro
don't think I can do much better with regard speakers.

Then, throwing out my Yamaha CR640 integrated amp. Found the SAE IB for a
great price by accident. Works perfect. Now looking for a power amp for
~150euro. Reckon I can get more bang for the buck with vintage gear, and
would probably match my KEFs better. So I was looking at the SAE Mark
gear, 405, and I have my eye on something else which has come up which I
won't mention at this time in case of competition!!

See how it goes..

Ro
Also thought the Quad 405 faciliated a good upgrade route... because you can
easily get the Quad 405 upgraded... lots of kits out there...

Then, next amp after the 405 will probably be good Valve monoblocks. But I
don't want to go down the road of having to mess around with and tweak what
I would be able to buy for 100euro a block. Will wait till I can throw a lot
more cash at it. Also, I want a bit more power.

Ro

Anyone familiar with SAE Mark series?
 

roke wrote:

Then, next amp after the 405 will probably be good Valve monoblocks. But I
don't want to go down the road of having to mess around with and tweak what
I would be able to buy for 100euro a block. Will wait till I can throw a lot
more cash at it. Also, I want a bit more power.

Ro



Oh, the irony! QUAD gave up valve monoblocks when they went to
solid-state, first with the 303 and then the 405.


S.

Anyone familiar with SAE Mark series?
 

"Serge Auckland" wrote in message
...
roke wrote:

Then, next amp after the 405 will probably be good Valve monoblocks. But
I don't want to go down the road of having to mess around with and tweak
what I would be able to buy for 100euro a block. Will wait till I can
throw a lot more cash at it. Also, I want a bit more power.

Ro

Oh, the irony! QUAD gave up valve monoblocks when they went to
solid-state, first with the 303 and then the 405.


S.

Eh, the Quad II forties??

Anyone familiar with SAE Mark series?
 

roke wrote:
"Serge Auckland" wrote in message
...
roke wrote:

Then, next amp after the 405 will probably be good Valve monoblocks. But
I don't want to go down the road of having to mess around with and tweak
what I would be able to buy for 100euro a block. Will wait till I can
throw a lot more cash at it. Also, I want a bit more power.

Ro
Oh, the irony! QUAD gave up valve monoblocks when they went to
solid-state, first with the 303 and then the 405.


S.

Eh, the Quad II forties??



Sadly, that was a "cashing-in" exercise when QUAD were on their uppers.
It would *never* have happened in Peter Walker's days.

Now he *was* an engineer.

S.

Anyone familiar with SAE Mark series?
 

"Serge Auckland"

Eh, the Quad II forties??

Sadly, that was a "cashing-in" exercise when QUAD were on their uppers. It
would *never* have happened in Peter Walker's days.


** The famous Quad II amp is now back in production, almost 40 years after
the last original ones were made.

http://www.stereophile.com/tubepoweramps/805quad/

Still hand wired as before, but with little Chinese fingers instead of
British ones.

Wonder who will be the first to buy 5 of them for a HT system .....




........ Phil