Opinions on Quad clone amps

[wilro15]

Whilst lazily browsing eBay, I found a number of Quad clone power amplifiers like this one.

Does anyone have experience of these? Curious why they are reasonably priced for their rated performance.

 

[Petherick]

Well, if you take the development costs out of a product and only have the production costs, it's possible to sell them at a much-reduced price and still make a profit.

Of course the down-side to this is that you are stealing!

 

[chebby]

I'd want evidence that they have been tested and approved to at least British Standards or CE standards for electrical safety.

 

[wilro15]

Well, if you take the development costs out of a product and only have the production costs, it's possible to sell them at a much-reduced price and still make a profit.

Of course the down-side to this is that you are stealing!

As I understand it, they buy in cheap components from China, which clone the original design, then they assemble and sell on. I guess it is a fine line between stealing and "being inspired by" a design.

 

[Al ears]

I'd also like to see if they are built to an electrical standard and would question the 'normal' use in the warranty. What is abnormal use when it comes to power amps?

Would you really go for one of these when second-hand real Quad 405s are going for about the same price?

 

[wilro15]

I guess the only concern with real Quads is their age.

 

[Al ears]

I guess the only concern with real Quads is their age.

True, they have been around since the mid eighties but still serviceable and upgradeable. The more recent 606's go for not a lot more.

The question to ask is, would you rather own a copy or the real thing? ;-)

 

[wilro15]

Hand on heart - the real thing.