Quad 405 re-vamped or quad 606

[bigrod]

Over the next year or so I’m going to have several of my vintage amps upgraded ..Revox ,Pioneer SA706, and maybe another 405 .. I had one done about 10 years ago and wondered what difference would there be if I had another done .. It would be the original model as my already done one .. Or should I spend the money on a good Quad 606 ..

 

[uzzy]

If you go 405 make sure it is a 405/2 .  The original 405 only worked at its optimum at 8 ohms (into lower impedances the power goes backwards just as it does as you increase the load past 8ohms but more drastically so) hence the hasty introduction of the 405.2 

Personal view is there is not a great deal of difference sound wise between the two.  Sound for pound I guess the 405/2 comes out better as they can be had fairly cheaply.  However the 606 has a bigger power delivery and  replacing the class A circuits op amp (Texas Instruments TLC271) with a much a higher quality one, say a Burr Brown OPA627AP and upgrading some capacitors may yield even better sound. 

 

[DomT]

Why not go for a 909?

 

[kernow]

Yeah, 909 

 

[garn63]

The 306 when updated well is a jewel of an amp imo.  If you scratch around,folks who have done this often prefer it to the 405 ?

* In fact it's that good that mine is in a box in my spare bedroom  xD

 

[Ian]

The 306 when updated well is a jewel of an amp imo.  If you scratch around,folks who have done this often prefer it to the 405 ?

* In fact it's that good that mine is in a box in my spare bedroom  xD

Exactly this, even to the extent of not being able to part with mine and it being in a box in my wardrobe !

 

[Ian]

Over the next year or so I’m going to have several of my vintage amps upgraded ..Revox ,Pioneer SA706, and maybe another 405 .. I had one done about 10 years ago and wondered what difference would there be if I had another done .. It would be the original model as my already done one .. Or should I spend the money on a good Quad 606 ..

Who are you going to for the service ? Rob at Amplabs is top with Quad gear. Oh, and you may as well get a 303 while you're at it .

 

[Colin123]

The 306 when updated well is a jewel of an amp imo.  If you scratch around,folks who have done this often prefer it to the 405 ?

* In fact it's that good that mine is in a box in my spare bedroom  xD

Can you give us more info on the 306 upgrades please.

 

[Colin123]

Exactly this, even to the extent of not being able to part with mine and it being in a box in my wardrobe !

What upgrades Ian.

 

[Ian]

What upgrades Ian.

No upgrades, just a bespoke service from Amplabs. I'll post what he said in an email re: my service later, just got to pop out.

* Oh, except the speaker terminals were replaced, the originals were rubbish. So that was the upgrade !

I'll post in a new thread so not to clog up this one from of Bigrods Colin,

 

[Ian]

Over the next year or so I’m going to have several of my vintage amps upgraded ..Revox ,Pioneer SA706, and maybe another 405 .. I had one done about 10 years ago and wondered what difference would there be if I had another done .. It would be the original model as my already done one .. Or should I spend the money on a good Quad 606 ..

Also, if you're fussed about cosmetics (and I know you're a chap of style ), it's pretty hard to find a good looking 606. The finish on them didn't seem to wear well.

 

[garn63]

Can you give us more info on the 306 upgrades please.

Will P.M. you when I've found the info. Best the thread doesn't veer off 

 

[Colin123]

Will P.M. you when I've found the info. Best the thread doesn't veer off 

Thanks

 

[Colin123]

No upgrades, just a bespoke service from Amplabs. I'll post what he said in an email re: my service later, just got to pop out.

* Oh, except the speaker terminals were replaced, the originals were rubbish. So that was the upgrade !

I'll post in a new thread so not to clog up this one from of Bigrods Colin,

Thanks

 

[bigrod]

Also, if you're fussed about cosmetics (and I know you're a chap of style ), it's pretty hard to find a good looking 606. The finish on them didn't seem to wear well.

I fancy getting one blasted and having the casing chromed as I know quite a few guys who can do it ..

 

[Ian]

I fancy getting one blasted and having the casing chromed as I know quite a few guys who can do it ..

Well I don't know what Peter Walker would have had to say about that !

 

[bigrod]

Well I don't know what Peter Walker would have had to say about that !

It will match the chrome Gales 401’s

 

[Ian]

We you might give me a laughter like brother bigrod but I'm not sharing your shiny vision

 

[It Cost How Much!?!]

I fancy getting one blasted and having the casing chromed as I know quite a few guys who can do it ..

A Mission 776/777 combo would look fab.