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Our Thoughts RADAR AI

Against the recent used market, US$1,100 lands a bit above the US$1,006 median but well below the US$1,610 upper quartile, so this reads as a fair, near-market ask rather than a steal or an overreach. It is not cheap enough to call a bargain, but it is comfortably within the normal trading band for a Quad QC24.

That makes it interesting for buyers who want a serious line-stage rather than just a placeholder preamp. The QC24 is well liked for its composed, full-bodied presentation and strong musical flow, and examples in tidy, complete condition tend to hold value reasonably well. At this price, the real upside is finding one with a clean service history and all original bits included; if that checks out, it is a sensible buy.

Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.

About Quad

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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