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At £1,700, this Quad II Forty listing is slightly ambitious compared to the typical used market for a pair, which often sits between £1,500 and £1,600 for good examples, though it remains competitive against the obvious alternative of buying two separate vintage QUAD II monoblocks that now frequently exceed £500 per pair. The price is fair rather than a bargain, reflecting the modern reissue’s reliability and warranty while acknowledging that true vintage QUAD II units are harder to source in decent condition.
What makes this worthwhile is the Quad II Forty’s blend of classic QUAD tone with modern robustness: it delivers the smooth, articulate midrange and controlled bass that QUAD is famed for, without the nagging worries of aged caps or Frankenstein repairs common in vintage units. The included three-year warranty from Audio Affair adds significant upside, making it a secure buying opportunity for enthusiasts who want the QUAD sound without the maintenance headache of 70-year-old electronics.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Quad, the venerable British hi-fi brand, traces its origins to 1936 in London, when engineer Peter J. Walker founded S.P. Fidelity Sound Systems, soon renamed the Acoustical Manufacturing Company. Relocating to Huntingdon in 1941 after wartime bombing, the firm shifted from public address gear to domestic audio amid post-war demand for superior sound reproduction. Walker's pioneering ethos—prioritizing "the closest approach to the original sound"—defined Quad from its early QA12 amplifiers, adopted by the BBC, to the iconic Quad I of 1953.
The brand excels in amplifiers and electrostatic loudspeakers, revolutionizing both categories. The Quad II power amplifier of 1953 introduced cathode coupling for vanishingly low distortion, while the 1956 ESL 57 delivered the world's first full-range electrostatic speaker, employing a massless film diaphragm for unparalleled transparency and transient speed. Quad advanced into solid-state with the 1967 303 and transistor designs featuring innovative "Triples" output stages, later expanding to integrated amps like the 99 series, moving-coil speakers, and modern electrostatic models such as the ESL 988 and 989.
Today, under the International Audio Group since 1997, Quad holds a prestigious position in the high-end market, revered by audiophiles for its unyielding pursuit of accuracy over trends. Its heritage components command vintage collector status, yet contemporary offerings maintain a niche boutique appeal among discerning buyers seeking refined, distortion-free reproduction that honors Walker's legacy.
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