QUAD 11L - crazy to buy $3k AMP?

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Looking to discard my NAD integrated.

Is it silly to go all out and get an expensive pre/power combo for these bookshelves?
 
Very silly

Buy an expensive source first! Then get a decent pre/power and then you will want to replace the Quad speakers!
 
Sorry should have given more background - I have two good sources - 640C by Cambridge and E5-M by ESOUND.

Then there is my amp - NAD C355 which powers Quad 11L speakers. Seems from reviews that a lot of ppl spend more money trying to get their amps suited to the Quads. ie. the quads are harder to improve on by purchasing more speakers. The Quads are often cited as the best speakers under $1k, but the NAD rarely is...so logically it seems that the NAD should be the first to go.....
 
Lomavenye:
Looking to discard my NAD integrated.

Is it silly to go all out and get an expensive pre/power combo for these bookshelves?

Silly depends on whether you eventually plan to upgrade your speakers... if you do, then it makes sense to get the best amplification you can now, even if the Quads aren't able to make the most of it, since once you upgrade the speakers you'll already have appropriate amplification (saves you money you would have wasted from buying an intermediate amp, then upgrading speakers, then upgrading amp again)..
 
Good little speakers and would shine on a decent pre/power amp. I would definitely audition some to see how good it might get. There's not really any other answer to this kind of thing.
 
I agree. These speakers can live with a good pre/power amp. A quad 99/909 is as good a place to start as any...
 
lordmortlock:I agree. These speakers can live with a good pre/power amp. A quad 99/909 is as good a place to start as any...
My buddy used to have the 11L with Quad 909/99 and 99CD. Superb sounding system.
 
Cool - okay well the Quads can stay for now, in fact a lot of reviews seem to say they're the best bookshelves one can buy under $1000 USD.

Thanks for the help!
 
Yep, the original 11Ls were fabulous for the cash and they won't suddenly be out the frame now with just the passing of time. Have a listen and see what you think!
 
Mine are the 11l series 2 but i doubt that makes a big difference!
 
Good though the Quads are I think a 3K amp is probably going a bit over the top and I think the 11Ls can be bettered by small models from the likes of PMC and Spendor.

Having said that, the Quads never give their best until you partner them with something really good so if you plan to eventually upgrade your speakers as well (to get the best out of the new amplification) I'd go for it.

The Quad suggestions make complete sense but I'd also be investigating Sugden. Their amplification is absolutely superb - very musical indeed - and I think it would make a good match for the little Quads.
 
excellent - thanks!

the more I read about this hobby, the more it seems it is just about buying the best you can with the money you have (when you have it).

thanks for the help!
 
Lomavenye:
excellent - thanks!

the more I read about this hobby, the more it seems it is just about buying the best you can with the money you have (when you have it).

thanks for the help!

Ultimately its all about enjoying the music. If you come up with a system that really encourages you to listen to your music collection and explore even more music, then you've struck gold.
 
Lomavenye:

Sorry should have given more background - I have two good sources - 640C by Cambridge and E5-M by ESOUND

I'm sure these sources may be good for your current system but you should get a much better source for an expensive pre-power amp.
 
so, assuming the quads are a "decent speaker", an excellent source and an excellent amp should bring out the best from them, then it is simply a matter of changing the speakers when/if the need arises.

thanks for all the tips, definitely gives me a place to work from (ie. why improve the speakers if what is feeding them is not great? Why put Beckham in a primary school team if no-one can get the ball to him to score a goal....
 
...watching Beckham in a primary school team would be entertaining though
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