RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
Single‑Owner Quad 44 Preamplifier + Quad 405 Power Amplifier Both units come from the same original owner and were in regular use until being placed into storage in 2019. I do not have the cables or equipment to test them now, so they are listed as Non‑Functioning / Untested.Quad 44 PreamplifierA classic late‑1970s Quad preamp with interchangeable input modules and the well‑known “tilt” tone control system. All original switches, buttons and modules are present. Cosmetically good for age with normal wear from use.Quad 405 Power AmplifierLegendary current‑dumping power amp, rated at 100W per channel into 8Ω. All original rear connections and hardware intact. Again, stored since 2019 and untested.ConditionBoth units show age‑appropriate cosmetic wearNo missing knobs, switches or panelsNo modifications visibleClean, honest examples from long‑term ownershipSold strictly as untested / non‑functioningIdeal for servicing, restoration or partsProvenanceThese belonged to a single owner from new and were part of a well‑kept vintage hi‑fi system before storage.What’s IncludedQuad 44 preamplifierQuad 405 power amplifier(no cables included)Shipping / CollectionWell packed for courier delivery, or collection welcome.
The US$980 asking price for the used Quad 44 pre is slightly ambitious, sitting just above the 75th percentile of US$950 from your ground-truth database, while the median used price is US$738. This places the listing at the high end of the typical used market, meaning it is not a bargain but rather a premium offer for a well-regarded unit.
Despite the higher price, the Quad 44 remains a worthwhile buy due to its exceptional engineering, simplicity, and timeless sound quality that still pairs effectively with modern amplifiers like the QUAD 405.2. Its low harmonic distortion of 0.05% and robust phono stage offer meaningful upside for vintage enthusiasts seeking a clean, original-owner preamp with included accessories, turning this into a buying opportunity for those prioritizing quality over the lowest cost.
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.
