John Darko
After showing prototypes at Munich High-End 2024, QUAD has formally announced the rebirth of two iconic products: the 33 pre-amplifier and 303 power amplifier. First released in 1967, the originals landed as all-transistor designs in a world dominated by tube amplifiers and with an industrial design that would eventually earn them a place in the MOMA.
The original 33/303’s success can be partially attributed to QUAD-founder Peter Walker’s ‘triples’ transistor output stage that didn’t sound hard or harsh and (according to QUAD’s press materials) “effectively forms a feedback amplifier-within-an-amplifier, requiring far less negative feedback, possessing exemplary thermal stability (meaning the current in the output stage is practically immune to temperature fluctuations) and producing lower distortion.”
Peter Walker passed away in 2003 but his ‘triples’ output stage has been carried over to the new 303 by a team of four ‘esteemed’ and long-standing QUAD engineers. It has been reworked as a symmetrical design to include a low-noise 200VA toroidal, five regulated supply rails and modern components (including “numerous reservoir/smoothing capacitors”) to offer 50wpc of Class A/B power into 8 Ohms – that’s 5 more Watts than the OG 303 – and 70wpc into 4 Ohms. Maximum current delivery has been increased to 10A. Bridge a pair of the new 303 into a mono for 140wpc into 8 Ohms.
Crucially, QUAD has maintained the original 303’s industrial design. That means a compact form factor with a vertical orientation upon which the heatsink fins face frontwards. QUAD trainspotters will note how the original’s taupe finish has been swapped out for matte silver, the heatsink fin count upped from eight to ten (and the fins squared off) and the standby button is now illuminated.
Modernising the details also appears to have been fundamental to updating the 33 pre-amplifier for modern audiences but without internalising a DAC or network streamer:
- the original’s vinyl filters are no more
- the bass, treble and slope rotaries have been replaced by (still analogue domain) bass, balance and tilt
- ’tilt’ swings the frequency response on a 700Hz axis (+-3db) for a warmer or cooler sound
- the orange strip that labels the three rotaries is now an LCD with orange backlighting
- the buttons beneath the rotary controls are no longer white but orange, illuminated from behind by LEDs
- between the two rows of orange buttons sit a 6.35mm headphone socket that fronts a high slew rate headphone amplifier and an IR remote control receiver
- the originalโs four DIN-socketed inputs have been replaced by four line-level inputs – 3x RCA + 1x XLR – and an MM/MC phono
- a choice of RCA and balanced XLR outputs and 12V trigger outputs
- a motorised ALPS volume pot
- microprocessor oversight with a back panel USB socket applying firmware updates
The QUAD newly-issued 303 power amplifier and 33 pre-amplifier will sell for ยฃ1199, โฌ1499 or US$1599 per piece. Shipping begins mid-November.
Further information: Quad
