What to buy in addition to my Quad 33/303?

[FVD]

First of all hello I'm new to the forum.

And for a reason, because I got this old Quad 33/303 + tuner from my father.

I have sent it for revision, but I do not have any other HiFi components yet.

I'm looking for a CD player, I was thinking of a Denon. Why? The design appeals to me and it seems a decent brand. Are there any other options/suggestions on this? I have a budget around € 300, - for a cd-player.

Now my main issue: I have a computer upstairs, the HiFi comes downstairs in the living room. I download music (mp3) on my PC and want to also listen it downstairs eventually.

Suppose I burn music on a cd with my (cheap) CD writer / reader than I assume there is quality loss? And it will cost me lots of CD's. How do I get my MP3 PC music played on the Quad? What are the (digitally) possibilities here?

I thank you,

Frodo

 

[pauln]

If you have a TV in your living room you could get a nice Denon blu ray player off ebay that will play CD's very niicely and also play mp3's from a usb stick or an SD card depending on the model. (You obviously need the TV to browse the files on the memory stick/card)

Easy, cheap and a hell of a lot quicker than burning loads of CD's. It works for me anyway, got an ex-demo Denon DBP-2010.

 

[FVD]

If you have a TV in your living room you could get a nice Denon blu ray player off ebay that will play CD's very niicely and also play mp3's from a usb stick or an SD card depending on the model. (You obviously need the TV to browse the files on the memory stick/card)

Easy, cheap and a hell of a lot quicker than burning loads of CD's. It works for me anyway, got an ex-demo Denon DBP-2010.

Thank you for your tip, but I do not have any plans to connect the Quad to a TV.

I will keep this in mind, hope there are more options.

 

[nopiano]

Another way would be to buy a Logitech Squeezbox Touch, now discontinued. Assuming you have wireless in your home, the SBT wil pick up your mp3 and any other iTunes type music. It will also take music from a USB pen/stick.

You should find one within budget. There are various other permutations available, as already suggested.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[FennerMachine]

Nice amps!

What speakers do you have?

Not much else to add to what others have already said.

You could get a DAC with USB input and put the MP3's onto USB memory stick.

 

[FVD]

@nopiano

Nice tip thanks,

one downside I suspect is that I have to keep the pc running?

The alternative is using a usb-stick it seems 😀

@FennerMachine

A DAC? Never heard of that.. looking into this (sorry i'm a beginner).

I did not buy any speakers yet, I want to check the sound of the Quad first. Thx!

 

[nopiano]

@nopiano

Nice tip thanks,

one downside I suspect is that I have to keep the pc running?

you don't have to unless you want the music from your PC. It plays Internet radio and from USB independently.

I have to say that charming though the 33/303 is, I feel it it better in a museum than to listen to. Unsentimentally, I'd sell it and buy a streaming amp, like a naim Uniti, with the proceeds. That will do all you need, and if you can stretch to a Unitilite it will play your CDs too.

 

[pauln]

If you have a TV in your living room you could get a nice Denon blu ray player off ebay that will play CD's very niicely and also play mp3's from a usb stick or an SD card depending on the model. (You obviously need the TV to browse the files on the memory stick/card)

Easy, cheap and a hell of a lot quicker than burning loads of CD's. It works for me anyway, got an ex-demo Denon DBP-2010.

Thank you for your tip, but I do not have any plans to connect the Quad to a TV.

I will keep this in mind, hope there are more options.

Only saying this because you say that you don't know much about hifi; you wouldn't connect the Quad to the TV, you'd connect it to speakers...

I take it that you're not interested in movies as well then?

Anyway, I would agree with the advice given already - sell the Quad and start from scratch!

 

[FVD]

@Paul

I am sorry I misunderstood. Yes you option seem pretty nice. Will think about it I need a DVD player anyway.

Is the Denon DBT-1713UD an option? Or should i get a cd-player with usb? Like the Denon DCD-420SE what will the difference in cd quality be?

@Nopiano

The Quad I have to keep and use cause it's of emotional value, oke it's not the newest thing but it will work 🙂

 

[pauln]

@Paul

I am sorry I misunderstood. Yes you option seem pretty nice. Will think about it I need a DVD player anyway.

Is the Denon DBT-1713UD an option? Or should i get a cd-player with usb? Like the Denon DCD-420SE what will the difference in cd quality be?

Either of those would do the job; they can both play mp3s from usb devices and personally I doubt if you will hear much if any difference in CD playback, although others may claim otherwise. Depends really on if you want DVD/Blu Ray as well and how they compare in price.

 

[chebby]

I have sent it for revision...

What does that mean? A service or modifications?

 

[FVD]

I have sent it for revision...

What does that mean? A service or modifications?

Revision might be the wrong word. I meant overhaul plus update/modification to connect modern sources.