Quad 909 Sonic signature

[admin_exported]

Hi People,

I'm seriously considering a Quad 909 amp and wanted to ask about the sound, as I'm worried it could be a bit dull or laidback. I dont really care about bass, but i want a midrange that is clear and has dynamics to it. Does the 909 deliver?

 

[jc.com]

Yup!

 

[jaxwired]

The reviews I've read for the 909 all praise the midrange as among the very best solid state amps have to offer. It's what the 909 is famous for, clean, realistic mid-range. And my personal experience is that the 909 is a very clean clear sounding amp. I also think the bass is quite good.

Is it more laid back than some amps? I would say in a subtle way yes it is, but on the other hand nobody wants a bright or harsh sounding amp either. The only way to be sure is to demo it, preferably a home demo. Good luck.

 

[Anonymous]

I actually dont mind a slighty bright sound (within reason), my old amp is a Cyrus 8vs2. My concern with the 909 is that it might sound slighty laidback, but on the other hand people rave about it. Im all for a realistic sound, i just hope its nice and clear and dynamic and crisp. Any thoughts on the Quad 99 mono amps which for a pair are the same price as the 909?

 

[Frank Harvey]

quantum: I'm seriously considering a Quad 909 amp and wanted to ask about the sound, as I'm worried it could be a bit dull or laidback. I dont really care about bass, but i want a midrange that is clear and has dynamics to it. Does the 909 deliver?You'll find the 909 more dynamic than the 8vs2, and a little more curtailed at the frequency extremes (but not lacking). It's the best power amp you'll get under £1k for midrange - I pitched it against a Musical Fidelity P180 once, which was a great power amplifier, and the Quad couldn't match the MF's lower or higher frequency extention , but it walked all over the MF's midrange, making the MF seem like you were using a loudness button. I've used the 909 to drive (quite hard) KEF Reference 201/2's, which are a 4ohm, 86dB load - it didn't blink.

I actually dont mind a slighty bright sound (within reason), my old amp is a Cyrus 8vs2. My concern with the 909 is that it might sound slighty laidback, but on the other hand people rave about it. Im all for a realistic sound, i just hope its nice and clear and dynamic and crisp. Any thoughts on the Quad 99 mono amps which for a pair are the same price as the 909?In comparison, the 909 monoblocks will be more stable at higher volumes and produce more current, giving better dynamics. Stereo separation will also be improved due to less crosstalk between channels.

Which speakers are you using?

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the feedback its much appreciated. My speakers are Epos M22's and are actually quite stubborn to drive (the Cyrus 8vs2 just doesnt cut the mustard). Unlike the 909, the 99 mono's are not class A, so i would have thought that the 909 would have been better by virtue of that? Have you heard both and done comparisons? How would you rate the Cyrus mono X amps against the quads?

 

[Frank Harvey]

Sorry, when I read it earlier, I thought you said 909 mono's. The 99 mono's will still have the stereo seperation advantage, but as you say, doen'st have the Class A smoothness. Having said that, you can still tell they're from the Quad family. Part of Quad's smoothness is due to their pre-amps, so you'll find the power amps are a little more lively than they are when they're partnered with the matching 99 pre.

Both the Cyrus and the Quad power amps have a similar continuous power on tap - both around 150w into 8ohms, and both will have quite a high 'peak' output, which in the Cyrus's case is 1,500w, but for average usage, that won't be approached, unless your speakers are power hungry.

The Cyrus will have the stereo seperation advantage, but if you factor in 909 mono's, they'll be quite similar in these respects. The Cyrus won't be as smooth as the Quad, but they are smoother than much of the entry level Cyrus equipment.

You'd really need to try them out to see what you think, but all are exellent power amplifiers.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks David, can you explain what you mean by smoothness? If the Quad 99 monos are more crisp and dynamic than the 909 then I might prefer the monos.

 

[Frank Harvey]

Sorry Quantum, I didn't see this reply.

I'd say the 99's are more neutral than the 909, which has more 'character', although the 99 can't match the current output of the 909.

By smoother, I mean that the 909 is more refined than the 99, more musical, more listenable. But as I say, you can still tell the 99 is a Quad product.