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Quad 44 Pre-Amplifier & Quad 405 Power Amplifier WORKING Stereo HiFiBoth in excellent working condition with no damage or major scratches that I can see. No scratchy pots or anything like that. Has probably been refurbed in the past but can't confirm that. The Quad 44 is a "Late" Grey/Yellow version. This unit has the grey chassis and yellow/orange buttons, which replaced the earlier "fawn/brown" color scheme around 1982. The rear panel features RCA/Phono inputs for CD/AUX and Disc, whereas early versions used 5-pin DIN connectors for everything. This places the unit roughly between 1984 and 1989.The Quad 405 is a late-production Quad 405-1. Because it is the "Grey" version with the 4-pin DIN, it was likely manufactured between 1981 and 1982, just before the 405-2 was officially launched. This was sold to me as a "405-2" however i've never opened it up to check if it's been upgraded to 405-2 spec or if the seller was uninformed. Comes with the correct DIN cable and two power leads.
At USD947 for a used Quad 405 with cables and accessories, you're looking at an ambitious ask compared to a solid Cambridge Audio or Naim power amp in similar shape, which often lands under USD700. Typical used 405s in decent nick trade for USD500-800 on the vintage market, making this a touch steep unless it's pristine or the later 405-2 variant with beefier protection—hard to call without photos, but I'd negotiate down to USD700 max for a fair deal.
Buyers, zero in on the output transistors and current dumping circuit, as these iconic '70s/'80s units can fail from heat or age, so demand proof of recent recap and bias checks. Verify all cables are original or high-quality spares, and test for hum or channel imbalance—pair it with your preamp before committing, as these shine with Quad 33/44 but falter on mismatches.
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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