Quad Elite QSP – ON SPECIAL - was $2695 - Now $2399

The Quad Elite QSP is the latest in the line of legendary Current Dumping amplifiers from the original 405 designed in 1975, made famous by the 606 and carried through several generations to the recently replaced 909. As soon as you see the QSP in the flesh, it's obvious that this amplifier means business - the new black finish, improved ventilation and obvious solidity make it clear that this is a seriously capable and powerful amplifier.

Todays Elite QSP (Quad Stereo Power amplifier) builds on all that has gone before and proves that a very good design not only stands the test of time, but with improved componentry and manufacture, can continue to maintain its exceptional reputation for both performance and value for money.

Despite the 'Elite' tag, the QSP is the best value power amplifier Quad have ever produced. At just NZ$2400 it's more more affordable in real dollar terms than any of its predecessors and proves more than competitive with both value-for-money and high end brands. You have masses of power - 140 watts per channel. Exceptional driving ability - it's the natural partner to electrostatic speakers and able to deal with any other load or type of speaker with safety and ease. And sound quality that is immediately apparent in almost any system - the Elite QSP might be part of Quad's range but with high sensitivity, low noise and high resolution it will be at home in an almost infinite number of settings.

The low cost/high value of the Quad Elite QSP is due to 3 straight forward reasons:
1. The elegant Current Dumping design which does more with fewer components and neatly sidesteps many issues other designers solve with much greater complication and cost.
2. The design is evolutionary and so while the QSP is the latest version, all the original design and development costs were recouped long ago, so with the QSP, you really do get what you pay for in material terms.
3.The QSP is built in the new IAG factory in China - the reality is that not only does this brings costs down dramatically, the quality is immeasurably improved over the original Quad units made in the old british factory.

Why own a separate power amplifier?

Two simple reasons - better sound and more power.

Despite claims to the contrary, every integrated amplifier is a compromise - packing the pre and power sections of any design into one box may save a few dollars but performance is always degraded by the proximity of sensitive preamplifier circuitry to high voltage and current power amplifier components. The actual power supplies to each are inevitably shrunken and issues of heat dissipation and limited real power suddenly become apparent. If all integrated amplifiers were seen as entry level and low cost this wouldn’t be a problem. But with many integrated amplifiers now costing as much or more than the Quad QSP, it’s time to bring some sanity back to the debate.

The Elite QSP has been designed without compromise to be a power amplifier - so every part and design choice can be about better sound quality. It's a simple in and out connection proposition - so doesn’t have to be built around a list of features, formats and adherence to a look or size. The QSP is only as big as it needs to be with no wasted space. But more importantly, nothing is crammed in either.

Power is at the heart of what the QSP does - 140 watts per channel is the number and it comfortably delivers this and more. While we don’t make too big a deal of specification, the QSP has roughly twice as much power as many integrated amplifiers. This alone will give a significant lift to almost every system and speaker. The Quad produces a big rich sound, taking control of speakers, adding warmth and depth. But the QSP also has the ability to deliver fine detail with finesse from a vanishingly low noise floor - Quad amps don’t hum. What really sets the Quad QSP apart is it’s unfailing listenability - always communicative but never harsh or flat. The QSP and it’s predecessors consistently satisfy their owners, year after year. The rarity of second hand Quads on the market is testament to this.

Where the QSP improves upon the 909 is both in build quality and better internal componentry and layout resulting in more detail and speed. Reliability which was already exceptional can only be made better by cooler running and standby modes.

There is simply no other power amplifier that sounds better than the QSP at it's price and a great many for considerably more that would be embarrassed if a straight forward comparison were to be made.

Quads own preamplifier - the Elite Pre is a feature packed analogue alternative that is more affordable than you might think. And their Stereo Power Amplifier provides a smaller alternative to the QSP but still with plenty of reliable power (2x80 watts), precision and musicality.

Quad Elite Preamplifier was NZ$ 1,795 - now $1099

Quad Elite Stereo amplifier was NZ$ 1,495 - now $849

Quad Elite QSP amplifier was NZ$ 2,695 - now $2399

Therein lies the wonderful thing about pre/power amp combinations - you can easily tailor a system to not only your practical needs but also to any level of sound quality you want - it’s flexible in a way that integrated amplifiers can never be. And makes for a far easier upgrade path as formats and tastes change in the future.

The benign character of the Quad sound benefits many disparate speakers - small speakers will gain a sense of scale, large speakers will both be controlled and extended by the generous power. Forward sounding designs will be enhanced by the superb mid-range but never lapse into harshness. While warm analogue oriented speaker systems will simply be fed more of what they thrive on.

Whatever your present system, it's highly likely that the inclusion of the Quad QSP will make a great improvement. And there is no better place to start a new system from.

Simply put, there is every reason to enjoy the new Quad Elite QSP - why not talk to us now about it now.

Current Dumping explained

The QSP Amplifier incorporates QUAD's patented current dumping technology developed by QUAD's founder Peter Walker, and is one of the finest audio amplifiers available. One of the few truly innovative amplifier topologies, it is essentially a combination of two amplifiers to give the best of both in each channel. The current dumping circuit like the Quad QSP Amplifier consists of a very high quality class A low-power amp which provides the details of the signal, while a high-power current dumping section provides the grip to keep the speakers under control. These two amplifier circuits are combined with a precision network to perfectly impose the finesse of the class A output onto the power of the current dumper.

This technology eliminates the problems of crossover distortion, quiescent current adjustment, thermal tracking and transistor matching. There are no internal adjustments or alignments and the choice of power transistor types is less restrictive.

Direct Contact

John Ransley and Carolyn Guytonbeck are the principals behind Totally Wired. It’s our own business and we take pride in building something worthwhile.

If you want to contact us directly per mail:

• John Ransley
• Carolyn Guytonbeck

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