Should I replace my Quad 34 for modern Dac/preamp

[rswift]

I have an old, but good system. Quad 34/405-2, ESL 63's.

I would like to be able to use my MAC book on occasion, and also use a separate DAC to upgrade my CD & DAB tuner.

My thoughts were with the Arcam DAC, but I have been thrown a wildcard in the way of the Audio Lab 8200, DAC & Pre-Amp .... of the man in the shop (keen to sell me one) reckons it will be much better than my Quad 34 preamp.

I'm not convinced, and to be honest would rather spend £250 than £550 !

Any thoughts or experiences before I investigate any further ?

[FlossyThePig]

Use your ears to make your decision.

[OldSkoolRS]

See if he'll put his money where his mouth is and let you take it for a home demo (maybe against a credit card deposit). I've done this for various bits of AV gear, especially speakers, since it's hard to tell in a shop demo how they will sound in your room. It worked in the dealer's favour the last time as I wasn't impressed with the shop demo, but at home they sounded much better.

FWIW I think you'll be find with the separate DAC and keep the Quad, but let your ears be the judge.

[rswift]

Thanks, yes he's cool with a home demo, as long as I pay for it, having never heard of this pre-amp combo before I was hoping someone may have experience.

I use my well trained ears for work, so ultimately they will tell me what is best for my set up ! but I don't have as much time, and if I'm honest inclination as I did when I first bought the system ... probably 20 years ago now !

[hman]

until quad stop being able to service my 34 and 405-2 every 15 years or so ( so far) I shall never be changing it- love the sound.

[rswift]

hman said:

until quad stop being able to service my 34 and 405-2 every 15 years or so ( so far) I shall never be changing it- love the sound.

Now you mention it, this alone is probably the reason for keeping it. I took the ESL's back then years ago for an £800 refurb !!

[Crackie]

Asynchronous DAC eg http://www.musicalfidelity.com/products/vSeries/v-... between Mac and Quad Pre

[outnumbered]

The Quad stuff is pretty well regarded, so I don't think you'd gain much from changing it, just get it serviced perhaps.

I'd start off by buying a low cost DAC like the Maplin one, Behringer UCA202, ODAC rather than dropping hundreds to begin with. All those provide good sound quality if you don't need any preamp features.

[telecat]

Firstly I'd be very wary of the current Audiolab kit. It does not have the reputation of the older British Built Audiolab and TAG stuff. Since the sale to IAG and the move of production to China the main thrust appears to be keeping the kit cheap with long term reliability not up to the original kit. Secondly you have what to many is a setup to aspire to! Just add a DAC and plug it into the Amp. The M-DAC from Audiolab is pretty good providing you get an early one. The later ones seem to be suffering from Quality fade.

[Crackie]

rswift said:

I have an old, but good system. Quad 34/405-2, ESL 63's.

I would like to be able to use my MAC book on occasion, and also use a separate DAC to upgrade my CD & DAB tuner.

My thoughts were with the Arcam DAC, but I have been thrown a wildcard in the way of the Audio Lab 8200, DAC & Pre-Amp .... of the man in the shop (keen to sell me one) reckons it will be much better than my Quad 34 preamp.

I'm not convinced, and to be honest would rather spend £250 than £550 !

Any thoughts or experiences before I investigate any further ?

This into the Quad 34 http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/products/dacmagic-10...

or this instead of the Quad 34 http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/products/dacmagic-pl...