Price Paid:  $110.00 from Used

Summary:
Yes, of course you can get better amps than this! But at a price around USD 100 it is a "killer bargain"!

However, don't be satisfied with the original 405-1 or 405-2 there are upgrade kits out there, that will lift the sound of these small gems to new hights.

I've upgraded my 405-1 with new parts and a new dual mono power supply from Net Audio, UK. Just to upgrade the OP AMPs (two IC's that will cost you around USD 8) makes a world of difference. And the DMPSU gave so much more perspective and power in the lower bass.

I've digitized all my music (lossless of course), and use a Phase 24FW as an AD converter. It might not be the best there is - but again, at a price around USD 300 it sure beats CD players costing 3 times as much.

The Quad 405 run a pair of Magnerplaner 0.6 loudspeakers. These speakers are on the "bright side", and controlling the impedance, the bass and the treble has been a task none of my other amps have been able to fullfil.

So to sum it up. If you're familiar with eletronics and soldering, and you want a clear and powerfull sound, you can get your self a Hi-Fi system with the Quad 405 that sounds like a system worth USD 1.500 to 2.000 - now that's a bargain...

PS: And did I mention the design? You don't see products with this classic "vintage" design and small footprint anymore. Your wife/girl friend will love it!...

Strengths:
- Simple layout, makes it easy to upgrade
- Powerfull, detailed and clear sound.
- Works especially well with "bright" speakers, like "maggies"

Weaknesses:
- Funny 5-pin DIN socket and poor loudspeaker terminators, can however easily be replaced
- Probably needs replacement of main capacitors, due the age of the original parts

Price Paid:  $300.00 from Disc N' Dat, Windsor

Summary:
This unassuming little amp certainly sounds like a 200+w/ch amp. It also happens to be more transparent than one woould expect. It drives my Royd Sintra II's without causing listening fatigue as many amps seem to.

Strengths:
Vocals are particularly natural. The dynamics also seem to be only limited by the pre and source used.

Weaknesses:
The bottom end seems a tad ill defined and the background noise is unacceptable for today's standards.

Similar Products Used:
Quad 306

Price Paid:  $125.00 from used

Summary:
A good competant amp, but there are better.
Quad says the ESL 63 speaker was desigted for this amp. Again, it pairs OK, but there are better.
All the amps listed later except the Marantz sound better.

Strengths:
neutral, good base

Weaknesses:
too clinical sounding

Similar Products Used:
MacIntosh 3450, Adcom, Tandberg 3002, Berning EA 230, Crown Com Tech 100, and Marantz PM 94 amps.
Magnavox, Sony, JVC, CEC cd players. Ariston 400 turntable/Ortofon OM-40 mm cartridge.
Quad ESL 63 speakers

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
Got this hooked first to a Metaxas MAS Marquis, Then a NAD 3020 (Used as a pre)Then finally a Le Tube. One of the best SS Amps for the price. Anyone should get one if the price is right say somewhere below $300 in good condition. The most Neutral sounding amp I've ever tried. The QUAD revealed all the distinct qualities of the above mentioned preamps. In comparison to Adcom 525 - Adcom sounds a bit dark but has more uumph in the lower bass frequencies. In comparison to Hafler DH220 - Hafler sounds a bit veiled and restricted (a tube wannabe without the advantages of SS) Prefer the Adcom to Hafler. Would say Quad is the best among the three although aging. You wanna hear your preamp? The Quad is the best way to go. Your want more sound stage and delicate, airy highs and mids? Get a tube Amp. 40wpc on Tubes sound Like the equivalent of 100wpc that the Quad dishes out. But consider how cheap this amp is going for.

Strengths:
NEUTRAL, NEUTRAL

Weaknesses:
None except there's no power switch if you have to go away for an extended period of time

Similar Products Used:
Adcom 545, Hafler DH220, NAD 3020

Price Paid:  $10.00 from yard sale

Summary:
I traded a $10 Kenwood KR 2600 receiver that I bought at a swap meet , & an old cream seperator that I found in a scrap pile, for the SP-3500's.They pound out the tunes very well! I have them hooked up with a pair of ?? Dynaco A25 clones, that I also paid $10 Canadian for at Value Village. Good combo of speakers.

Strengths:
The SP-3500's gobbles up the power that my Yamaha CA810 amp puts out to them!!They sound pretty good...and the price was right once again!!

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
Realistic Mach 1's , Hart V20/20 MK2's