The new versions are heavily reminiscent of the originals that were released in the 1960s, but of course modern technology is incorporated under the hood. In fact, they are just new amplifiers. The gray housing and orange accents are from the previous century. Shipping is expected to begin in November.
Quad 33 & 303: The Phoenix Has Risen From The Ashes
Many audio manufacturers have understood that there is a strong nostalgia for the past. And that is not a bad thing, especially when the nostalgia is combined with modern technical insights, features and build quality. British audio brand Quad Audio showed prototypes of two iconic products to the public at the recent High End audio fair in Munich, namely the preamplifier 33 and power amplifier 303. The originals, first released in 1967, entered a world dominated by tube amplifiers as all-transistor designs and with an industrial design that would earn the two devices a place in the Museum Of Modern Art (MOMA).
The success of the original 33 and 303 can be attributed in part, according to experts, to the ‘triple’ transistor output stage of Peter Walker, founder of Quad, which was neither harsh nor shrill. The design was essentially a feedback amplifier within an amplifier, requiring much less negative feedback and possessing exemplary thermal stability. This has the advantage that the current in the output stage is virtually immune to temperature fluctuations and that the output stages produce less distortion.
Quad 303 in 2024
Peter Walker passed away in 2003, but the ‘triples’ output stage he invented has been carried over to the new 303 by a team of four long-time Quad engineers. There have also been numerous modernisations. The new 303 has been reworked into a symmetrical design with a low-noise 200VA toroidal transformer, five regulated supply rails and modern components such as the latest smoothing capacitors.
The 303 works just like the first version in class AB and can deliver 50 watts into eight ohms and 70 watts into four ohms. That is a bit more than the old version. A new feature is the possibility to bridge the output stages. A single 303 then behaves as a mono amplifier and can deliver 140 watts into eight ohms (170 watts into four ohms).
The shape of the original 303 has been more or less retained. The 303 is still compact (325 x 176 x 120 millimeters) and vertically oriented. The cooling fins are directed to the front (earlier eight, now cooling fins) and the housing is made matt silver. The central on/off button is illuminated orange. The DIN input has been deleted and has made way for a cinch input and an XLR input. The new 303 has also been given a 12-volt trigger input.
Quad 33 in 2024
The Quad 33 looks like its 60s ancestor but there are important differences. No, a DA converter is not built in and streaming functions and everything that needs software are left out.
Let’s list the most important differences:
- The built-in phono amplifier has been renewed and is suitable for both MM and MC cartridges.
- The tone control has been changed, but still analog. Balance control has been added.
- Quad’s signature ’tilt’ function tilts the frequency response on a 700Hz axis (+-3db) for a warmer or cooler sound.
- The orange strip marking the three rotary knobs on the right front is now an alphanumeric LCD display with orange backlight.
- The buttons below the LCD screen are no longer white but orange and equipped with LED lighting.
- Between the two rows of orange buttons is a 6.35mm headphone jack with a high-slew rate headphone amplifier and an IR remote control receiver. The original 33 had no IR remote control, nor a headphone jack.
- The four DIN connections have been replaced by four line inputs, i.e. 3 x stereo cinch and 1 x stereo XLR and a cinch connection for a turntable.
- Connection to a power amplifier is possible via cinch or XLR and there is a 12-Volt trigger function.
- The volume control is done with a motorized ALPS volume control.
- The 33 is controlled by a microprocessor. If there is a sensible firmware update, it can be installed via the USB-A port on the back.
Quad 33 and 303 in 2024: prices and delivery information
The new Quad 33 and 303 will be available for delivery in November, each priced just under €1,500.
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