UPDATE: Quad's new Elite line-up breaks cover, prices revealed
Updated 17.08.10
Quad has today released full details of its new Elite Series of hi-fi components, much of which we've already outlined below. The official line-up is as follows:
Elite CDS CD player £799.95
Elite FM tuner £599.95
Elite Pre preamp £849.95
Elite Stereo power amp £699.95
Elite Mono monobloc £649.95
All five models will be available from September. The Elite CD-P CD player/preamp and an additional stereo power amp to replace the existing Quad 909 will join the range by the end of this year.
We'll be reviewing the new series as soon as we can.
See our Quad blog for more details and pictures
Published 26.04.10
Quad's highly-regarded 99 Series components, launched in 1999, are set to be replaced over the next few months by an all-new Elite Series. Six models will be available, with the first two arriving in shops later in the Summer, and the line-up is similar to that of the 99 range.
There'll be an Elite CD-S CD player, using a Sony mechanism and Crystal 24-bit/96kHz digital to analogue conversion with upsampling, and an Elite CD-P CD player/preamp. This uses the same mech with 24-bit/192kHz Crystal conversion, and has three optical and three electrical digital inputs.
The Elite Pre preamp has three line-ins, one tape loop and moving magnet phono input, with moving coil available as an option: it can be used with either the 90W per channel Elite Stereo power amplifier or a pair of the 150W Elite Mono moboblocs. Connection between preamp and power amp(
is via conventional RCA sockets or Quad's AmpBus system.
Completing the range is the Elite FM radio tuner, and prices for the range are yet to be announced.
Quad says that while the Elite range takes some of the elements of the outgoing 99 Series, it has 'updated internal audiophile-class components, highly specified transformers, multi-layer circuit boards and the latest, most advanced software available.'
This, the company says, allows the new range to build on the classic Quad sound, but with added clarity and definition.
The new models are housed in high-quality cast alloy casework, in dark grey with a matt black front panel, and are designed to work together via an integrated system ensuring 'ease of use, seamless connectivity, fully balanced audio signals and intelligent control systems that allow complete control via the remote handset.'
The Quad Platinum system, seen at shows over the past couple of years, remains in prototype form, the company saying that when launched it will slot into the range above the new Elite models.
Also on the way from Quad is a new compact speaker design: the 11L Classic will be available later this Summer.
Comments
I have to say used to be a world beater and owning a superb pair of 405-2s is a privilege.
Being in the repair business I am sorry to see QUAD now like all the others making surface mount technology a design feature of their new products. Anyone in the busines should AVOID purchasing this technology unless you intend to sell and replace it on a regular basis. It breaks down with Lead free solder used. TheUSA miitary wont allow lead free solder, interesting eh?
Its claim to be more reliable is nonsense its just CHEAPER to make. You wont be able to get these type of products repaired to component level down the line by anyone except the manufacturer.
Usually by PCB swapout.
If QUAD go bust you will be stuck with no one able to fix a broken amplifier. We all know how bad CD players are after a few years as well
The 405 and 606 and 303 and 22 series can still be repaired and continue to be so by all who are skilled in electronics. Ask anyone who has a 66 Pre amp and cant afford to have Quad fit a new motherboard into it!!!
ITs not just Quad they are all at it now so before you buy have a look inside and if its like a PC's motherboard with surface mount Asian manufacture dont buy it, unless you can afford to repalce it out of warranty
Doug55
Looks very good value to me. Maybe a Quad system might be in reach eventually after all!
Glad to see Quad bringing some new gear out. I also would be interested to see what will happen to the 909.
You have to say the pricing is really keen - nice to see such a traditional hifi company still producing the goods (looking forward to the review)
ugly.
I hope they don't squash the 909. My plan is to buy 2 more to triamp my speakers. Wonderful amp.
Curious that they have stuck to an FM only tuner though. I know DAB is not what it could be, but they are limiting market penetration by not adding DAB/DAB+ support.
There's also a range of cables (Performance Series Cables) on the way. So you can put together an entire Quad branded system.
Together with the new Marantz kit, it's going to be a very interesting Autumn this year.
Interestingly, there is no replacement for the 909 in the Elite series. I wonder if that means that the Elite stereo and mono amps will now have Quad's current dumping tech, or if there will be a replacement for the 909 in the Platinum range.
Exciting stuff