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Monos for Quad 989

I'm getting a deal on a pr.of Quad 989s and thought that with the savings, I would increase my investment in amplification. I plan on going mono blocks and my research to date has me narrowing the choices to: Audio Research VM220, Audio Research VS110, Atma-Sphere MA-1 mkii3, or V4 Quick Silver. I am not able to easily preview any of these monos and before I make an investment, I'd like to get feedback from Quad owners who have any of these amps and/or owners of these amps. I'm most interested in your comments about sound, reliability, heat (no kids in the house but we do have a dog), customer service, etc. By the way, I have been a solid state owner for a long time but am looking forward to making the switch to tubes but know nothing about upkeep,etc. Also I am looking to purchase something that will last for years--maybe the last amp I will ever buy!!!
winston50
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
quad monos
jaffeassc
166 posts
 
I use Conrad Johnson Premier 12's with my 63's. They do get warm, but IMO really not an issue. Factory service and support is excellent and with proper care they will probably live longer than you. Also a very nice match with Quads, very musical.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
dlanselm
111 posts
 
Over the last year or two on my Quads 2805's and my friends 2905's I have heard in very controlled settings:

Audio Research VT 200 Mk III,
Quicksilver V4's,
2 Atmasphere Amps, (30 watt current model, and 140
watt prior model)
Quicksilver V4's
Convergent
Krell KSA Series Amp
Quad 80's,
Estoeric A-100,
Tom Evans Linear B's

My favorites in order:

1. Estoeric A-100 (My favorite by a mile)
2. Convergent
3. Tom Evans Linear B's
4. Quad Eighty Mono's

Of the amps you started the thread with I can not see any of them being the "last amp you may ever buy" they leave to much performance to be desired when matched to Quads, for my taste. Now I am not suggesting you must spend $18,000 dollars to be happy, many lower cost alternatives are good.

I like the Vac alternative that was suggested, performance wise. I used to own a Vac Phi 300, and it is a great sounding amp, with the Martin Logan Summits I owned at the time, but I have not heard the Vac Phi, with my Quads. Nonetheless, I do it expect it would be a very good match, I was moving towards going back to Vac, when I discovered the Esoteric, which is end game for me.

Sorry to ramble, good luck!
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