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Finale 168R Integrated Amplifier For sale is a quite rare and honestly phenomenal Finale Audio 168r integrated made by Frank Ng at Triode Lab in Canada. The amp has 2 inputs and runs a quad of 6BM8/ECL82 tubes. 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 sounds correct. It belies its 10w stated output and gives room filling presence. It gives a life like quality to the recordings
Is AUD2,500 a steal for this Quad FINALE 168R, or just wishful thinking? Hard to benchmark without confirming the exact model—Quad's lineup spans classics like the 405/606 series to newer retro designs—but if it's a recent integrated akin to the 2025 Quad 3 (launched around AUD4,200 new), this asking price looks ambitious for used, especially with unknown condition. Typical used Quad integrations in good shape trade hands for AUD1,500-3,000 on enthusiast markets, so you'd need pristine cosmetics and full function to justify it; otherwise, negotiate down hard.
Before biting, verify the power supply caps aren't bulging or leaking—common in Quad amps over 5-10 years—and test all inputs/outputs for hum or channel imbalance. Insist on original remote, manual, and box if possible; missing bits tank resale value fast. Fire it up with your speakers to check that signature Quad transparency 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.
See all Quad listings on RADAR.
