Now, Audio Research versus a Quad system.

Archived from groups: rec.audio.high-end (More info?)

"Derrick Fawsitt" <46@fitzwilliamonline.com> wrote in message
news9mhbk037@news3.newsguy.com...
> Can I start by saying that I am aware the choice of a Hi Fi system is a
> very personal one and depends largely on an individual's own idea of their
> conception of an ideal "sound", correct me? However, we all look at other
> peoples experiences of Hi Fi and read endlessly about them, well I do.
> Taking the above as "read", can I therefore ask for some experiences of
> two manufactures wares, namely Quad and Audio Research. I have loads of
> friends who have the Naim system and yet I have bought and am perfectly
> satisfied with my new Quad separates, that is until a local dealer whose
> opinion I have to say I must respect said that he is disappointed in me in
> that I had said I wanted to end up with a system that was near or at the
> top whereas I have just got myself a good sound. He maintains that the
> Audio Research CD player, (no doubt together with their amps etc.), was
> "on another planet" as to the realistic audio reproduction.
> Up to then I had got myself both value and detailed, musical and very
> realistic audio reproduction and this extremely high praise for the Audio
> Research system has rather spoiled my feeling of having arrived at
> something of a state of the art purchase. Is this extraordinary high
> praise for the Audio Research justified and should I immediately go out
> and trade in my new Quad 99, 904 amp and their neat pre-amp? Your comments
> would be valued, you should know I am using B and W CDM7's loudspeakers
> the special edition, (se).

The Audio Research stuff is very, very good and has to be near the top of
anybody's list for sound quality. It is also a company that stands behind
every unit they have ever made, and still services them. That said, it is
an American company and if you are overseas, Quad might be more accessible
for dealer and factory support. It is also very fine sounding by
reputation. Why not take it piece by piece to the dealer who wants to sell
you Audio Research and do a face off. Then decide based on what you hear.
Discount what the dealer says, or his opinion is...he obviously will want to
sell you the ARC stuff. Decide for yourself.

Archived from groups: rec.audio.high-end (More info?)

In message <d9nlbm01mk4@news4.newsguy.com>, Tom Alaerts
<camembert@eudoramail.com> writes
>On 2005-06-26 17:24:36 +0200, Derrick Fawsitt <46@fitzwilliamonline.com> said:
>
>> Can I start by saying that I am aware the choice of a Hi Fi system is
>>a very personal one and depends largely on an individual's own idea
>>of their conception of an ideal "sound", correct me? However, we all
>>look at other peoples experiences of Hi Fi and read endlessly about
>>them, well I do.
>> Taking the above as "read", can I therefore ask for some experiences
>>of two manufactures wares, namely Quad and Audio Research. I have
>>loads of friends who have the Naim system and yet I have bought and
>>am perfectly satisfied with my new Quad separates, that is until a
>>local dealer whose opinion I have to say I must respect said that he
>>is disappointed in me in that I had said I wanted to end up with a
>>system that was near or at the top whereas I have just got myself a
>>good sound. He maintains that the Audio Research CD player, (no doubt
>>together with their amps etc.), was "on another planet" as to the
>>realistic audio reproduction.
>> Up to then I had got myself both value and detailed, musical and very
>>realistic audio reproduction and this extremely high praise for the
>>Audio Research system has rather spoiled my feeling of having arrived
>>at something of a state of the art purchase. Is this extraordinary
>>high praise for the Audio Research justified and should I immediately
>>go out and trade in my new Quad 99, 904 amp and their neat pre-amp?
>>Your comments would be valued, you should know I am using B and W
>>CDM7's loudspeakers the special edition, (se).
>
>If you are happy with the Quad system, then why bother what other
>people think? I'd rather use the spare money on CDs than being
>influenced by hifi dealers...
>
>Specifically about Quad: I think that these machines are well-designed,
>no-nonsense, sound neutral, all for a price that's not unaccessible.
>And they are very reliable.
>
>Tom
Thank you Tom, just what wanted, I needed to hear from someone who
actually had used or heard the Quad system. Have you had any experience
of the Audio Research, I only now need to hear from someone who may have
heard both and can tell me if its all its made out to be and worth all
that extra money. I won't be changing by system every year like some
people do, I have not changed anything up to now for Twenty year or so.

--
Derrick Fawsitt

Archived from groups: rec.audio.high-end (More info?)

>> If you are happy with the Quad system, then why bother what other
>> people think? I'd rather use the spare money on CDs than being
>> influenced by hifi dealers...
>>
>> Specifically about Quad: I think that these machines are well-designed,
>> no-nonsense, sound neutral, all for a price that's not unaccessible.
>> And they are very reliable.
>>
>> Tom
> Thank you Tom, just what wanted, I needed to hear from someone who
> actually had used or heard the Quad system. Have you had any experience
> of the Audio Research, I only now need to hear from someone who may
> have heard both and can tell me if its all its made out to be and worth
> all that extra money. I won't be changing by system every year like
> some people do, I have not changed anything up to now for Twenty year
> or so.

(2nd try to post)

I only once and only briefly heard an Audio Research amp set, and not
in good demo conditions either so I shouldn't really comment. Anyway, I
had the impression of a fluid, effortless sound. Not all too different
from McIntosh amps which I heard, again briefly, a few times. Better
than Quad? Maybe a bit, if you compare them directly, or maybe you'd
slightly prefer Quad. And whatever these not that dramatic differences,
simply changing loudspeakers has a much, much larger effect on the
total tonal balance. Your recent Quad system is just fine, and it is
better not into the upgrade spiral that greedy hifi dealers want to
lure us with. Again, I'd rather buy extra CDs instead of now already
upgrading.

all best, Tom