Okay,I am a recent convert to Hifi having set up a mono system for inherited Classical 78's. I have a Quad ESL 57, a Rega RP3, and a salvaged Leak Stereo 30 amp. This all sounds lovely, but my head has been turned by a Quad II amp that I heard at a friend's home. The story of Quad fascinates me, and the Quad II looks like something Jon Pertwee's Doctor Who would create to defeat the Autons (this is a good thing).
Of course the sound blew me away, but valves and valve amps are all new to me as a child of the Cd generation. I have learned through the Internet and my friend the following: why it is called a valve; a rough idea of the different types and how they work and that with Quad II's that the GEC and Mullard Tubes are considered the best. My questions mainly have to do with maintenance such as when do I replace the valves? What do I need to look for in replacements? Are the expensive Mullard and GEC's really worth it?These are questions I cannot even contemplate answers to by myself, so I really need your help. I would like to state that I understand the need for a preamp control unit ( I have found and bought a QC II UNIT ) and that this is a project I have carefully considered and want to continue with, but at this point I am on the fringes of my knowledge and need your help to continue. All the best from Bill.
Of course the sound blew me away, but valves and valve amps are all new to me as a child of the Cd generation. I have learned through the Internet and my friend the following: why it is called a valve; a rough idea of the different types and how they work and that with Quad II's that the GEC and Mullard Tubes are considered the best. My questions mainly have to do with maintenance such as when do I replace the valves? What do I need to look for in replacements? Are the expensive Mullard and GEC's really worth it?These are questions I cannot even contemplate answers to by myself, so I really need your help. I would like to state that I understand the need for a preamp control unit ( I have found and bought a QC II UNIT ) and that this is a project I have carefully considered and want to continue with, but at this point I am on the fringes of my knowledge and need your help to continue. All the best from Bill.