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The Quad 22 Control Unit Stereo is a classic valve control centre designed as the heart of a complete early Quad system. Built for discs, radio, tape, and microphone sources, it handles input selection, amplification, tonal correction, and tape recording feed in one compact and elegant unit. Designed to work with a pair of Quad II power amplifiers, it also brings proper stereo operation to the format while retaining mono flexibility when needed. In a period-correct Quad setup, the 22 is more than just a preamp. It is the natural partner for Quad II monoblocs, combining classic British styling, practical flexibility, and the kind of measured engineering that made Quad one of hi-fi’s most respected names.PSU works on 220V, EU power cord included.We ship worldwide, feel free to ask for a precise shipping quote.Price shown in EU includes 24% VAT unless you have entered your valid EU VAT number to your Reverb account. VAT can be deducted if you have a company with a valid EU VAT number or if you're based outside of EU. Non-EU buyer pays any import duties and tax as regulated by their local customs.
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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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