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Finale 168R Integrated Amplifier For sale is a quite rare and honestly phenomenal compact integrated Finale Audio 168r made by Frank Ng at Triode Lab in Canada. The amp has 2 inputs and runs a quad of 6BM8/ECL82 tubes. Interesting tube that contains both a power pentode and triode in one bottle, so it can be used for input and output. There are plenty of NOS matched quads around, but Frank did say they don't need to be matched or even the same brand. He converted the unit to 240v and is an absolute gentleman. The sound produced by this little amp is nothing short of reference. The tone just so
Ambitious asking price at AUD2,300. The Quad Finale 168R isn't a model I can confidently benchmark from current used market data—newer Quad integrations like the 3 hover around AUD4,200 new, but vintage solid-state pieces from Quad's 168 series typically trade used in the AUD1,200-1,800 range depending on condition and era. Without solid comps for this exact variant, it's hard to call it a steal; feels high unless it's pristine and low-hours.
Before biting, verify the output transistors and power supply caps—Quad amps from that lineage often suffer heat-related failures after 15-20 years. Insist on bias checks, full functionality across all inputs, and original manual/remote; missing bits or service history should knock it down to AUD1,800 max. Test with your speakers to confirm that signature Quad clarity holds up.
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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