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Quad 306 power amplifier, nice clean cosmetic condition with a few minor marks, in full working order.The Quad 306 is a solid-state stereo power amplifier made in Huntingdon, England by Quad Electroacoustics, rated at 50 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 70 watts per channel into 4 ohms.
Key specifications
Frequency Response: –0.25dB at 20Hz–20kHz; –1.0dB at 13Hz–40kHz
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: –105dB (unweighted)
Audio Inputs: RCA Phono
Audio Outputs: 4mm Banana Plug Speaker Sockets
Specifications
Audio Inputs: RCA Phono
Audio Outputs: 4mm Banana Plug Speaker Sockets
Colour: Grey
Number of Channels: 2
Power: 50W per channel into 8Ω; 70W per channel into 4Ω
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Year Manufactured: 1980s
Mains Voltage: 240V
Frequency Response: –0.25dB at 20Hz–20kHz; –1.0dB at 13Hz–40kHz
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: –105dB (unweighted)
Power Consumption: 30–250W depending on signal level; 220–240V or 110–120V AC, 50/60Hz
Dimensions (W × H × D): 321 × 64 × 207mm
Weight: 4.62kg
At US$418, this Quad 306 sits just above the US$406 median of 22 comparable listings: fair market value, though not a bargain. It remains below the US$460 75th percentile, so the price is reasonable if the amplifier is tested, clean, and correctly configured for local mains voltage.
The 306 is a particularly appealing compact vintage power amp: its 50 watts per channel, current-dumping design, open presentation, and strong bass make it an easy partner for many conventional speakers. The main upside is musical performance in a small, understated chassis rather than brute-force power. Given the age, confirm both channels are quiet and functioning, inspect the circuit board for damage, and ask whether the large power-supply capacitors have been serviced; those checks matter at this price.
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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