Restore QUAD 303 OR Build Gainclone?

[Alaska]

Hi, ive been reading for some time on DIY audio but this is my first post.
I currently run a QUAD 303 power amplifier on my system but am very tempted to build one of the mainy gain clone designs around at the moment, my question to you. Is it worth spending some money resorting my QUAD 303 with NET audio upgrade boards or building a Gain clone using boutique parts from scratch? I am looking at this entirely from what will give me the best sound

 

[analog_sa]

I have no idea what the NET audio boards do but a stock Quad cannot compare to a boutique GC.

Fundamental limitations of the Quad:

- cap coupled load
- horrible speaker sockets
- frightful appearance
- designer didn't believe amps made any difference 🙂

 

[Shoog]

I seem to remember that the Quad 303 has DIN plug inputs, which limits your choice of quality interconnects to zero. Building a good Gainclone would probably cost less than upgrading the Quad.

Shoog

 

[Nuuk]

I spent a couple of years restoring/upgrading my Arcam A60's (a similar vintage to your Quad amp). Then I built some GC's and they were clearly superior.

When another A60 stopped working, I didn't bother repairing it, I did this !

So yes, if it is sound quality that you are after, go for the Gainclones. 😉

 

[johnm]

Hi there!

I perfromed the Net Audio mods (which are FANTASTIC) on my tatty Quad 303 a while back, and wrote an article on it for Hi-fi World.

I am afraid to say (as I have a soft spot for the 303) that the Gainclone blows it away in every department. There is just no contest. Finished my Audiosector board Gainclone yesterday and I am just blown away by the sound. You wont be disappointed.

BTW: The Quad 303 is a masterpiece of industrial design visually - love it's looks, but each to their own ;-) as for DIn sockets Naim still swear by them.... most other people swear at them - hahaha!

Cheers,

- John

 

[Alaska]

Things like the DIN connectors ugly looks and cruddy speaker connectors are all things that can be addressed with an upgrade. I was planing to get it resprayed white to match the rest of my system, to fit some RCA connectors and ive already fitted gold plated binding posts. Thanks for all the input so far

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

Things like the DIN connectors ugly looks and cruddy speaker connectors are all things that can be addressed with an upgrade. I was planing to get it resprayed white to match the rest of my system, to fit some RCA connectors and ive already fitted gold plated binding posts. Thanks for all the input so far

Spraying a 303 WHITE!!!! 😱

Isn't that a capital offence?.

 

[johnm]

You might also want to consider replacing the output transistors with motorola types 15003 I think (been a while!). This was an instant and cheap upgrade (well actually free as they were samples - haha!). Also replacing all caps makes a HELL of a difference. Also went overboard and handmatched all resistors... after all this effort the gainclone happily outperforms it....

p.s. think a white 303 would look cool. Iam considering doing my set of Quad II's a sort of 1970's 'burnt orange'. They are far from original and were in AWFUL condition when I got them so I have no qualms about doing this.

 

[jacco vermeulen]

Try running ESL's with the 303.
Then try this with a gainclone.

 

[Shoog]

Has our man got ESL's or is this just a red herring?

Shoog

 

[jacco vermeulen]

Both.

I agree that the 303 is hopelessly outdated, it already was 20 odd years ago, but the design is still a beauty.
Rip the components out and use the lovely case for a GC, think firy red.

 

[Aengus]

Analog_sa said:

- designer didn't believe amps made any difference

If I remember correctly, Peter Walker said that all properly-designed amps sounded the same; which I agree begs the question, but is a rather different thing.

 

[jacco vermeulen]

Haven't you heard ?
The triple compound output stage of the 303 was just a stroke of fortune by Peter Walker, what did he know.

 

[chrisb]

Analog_sa said:



If I remember correctly, Peter Walker said that all properly-designed amps sounded the same; which I agree begs the question, but is a rather different thing.

A major design goal of the 33/303 combo was to be stable into the load presented by the ESL57 - there they succeeded.

Personally I rather liked the funky look of the chassis and didn't mind the DIN input or speaker jacks at all - but they could easily be swapped out for more conventional connectors.

As others have said, it would make for an interesting fake out to build your GC inside, keeping the original connectors and AC input - but what would to do with all that extra space?

No question about it, any of the GC projects out there would surpass a stock 303, and for probably a lot less money than the whole gamut of "NET" mods.

 

[Shoog]

My Dad had a 33/303 combo and I thought they looked neat. Ripping out the guts and using the case for a Gainclone might just be the way to go. Could you use the transformer, I'de say it is meaty and should do an excellent job. Plenty of room for a good buffer circuit.
Building the case is always the worst fag of building any amp, so it would kill to birds with one stone.

Shoog

 

[Zen Mod]

Hi, ive been reading for some time on DIY audio but this is my first post.
I currently run a QUAD 303 power amplifier on my system but am very tempted to build one of the mainy gain clone designs around at the moment, my question to you. Is it worth spending some money resorting my QUAD 303 with NET audio upgrade boards or building a Gain clone using boutique parts from scratch? I am looking at this entirely from what will give me the best sound

build GC from scratch in some other enclosure and then leave your 33 in closet or ,even better , on the shelf ; restore it and tweak in few years when you have more xperience with modern and older gadgets

if you dismantle it now,you'll be sorry in few years,for sure.
I regret that I sold my FM3/33 combo,even if I'm capable today to make better preamp with one hand in a pocket

when you know more,then you'll have more admiration for that sort of historic pieces

ps.
don't listen all these cheapskates,they're just jealous

 

[jacco vermeulen]

Come on, Choky, there may be more 303 clones made than originals.
Gaincloning a Quad II would be a sin, using a perfect case for something better than a completely outdated amplifier with inherent limitations is not a shame.
I don't see how a single rail powersupply can be used for a GC.

 

[Zen Mod]

Come on, Choky, there may be more 303 clones made than originals.
Gaincloning a Quad II would be a sin, using a perfect case for something better than a completely outdated amplifier with inherent limitations is not a shame.
I don't see how a single rail powersupply can be used for a GC.

ya know-I'm sentimental bstrd.........

it's better to visit few junkyards and find even better parts and maybe nicer case than this one ,and leave old amp in well earned pension


almost every decent (read-not broken and still reliable) amp is good for something

besides,junkyard and flea market is more fun and avanturistic places for parts

 

[Shoog]

"I don't see how a single rail powersupply can be used for a GC."

Ye I just went and searched for the schematic, and your right a single secondary isn't much use for anything really. Shame.

Shoog

 

[Alaska]

Well it looks like ill be building a gainclone some time soon then
Thanks for all the input everyone!

To all those who sugested I used the qaud 303 case to house a gainclone, I could never bring my self to gainclone my quad 303 but id be lying if I said the thought had never crossed my mind.