[iFi audio]

the Stereo 50 simply isn't even close in build quality or heritage & in a highly resolving system just doesn't have that last bit of everything that differentiates very good from world class sound.

If I may ask, did you enjoy Stereo 50?

 

[E8ArmyDiver]

ABSOLUTELY.It is a wonderfully musical amp,it's just the Quad has a bespoke build quality & honestly I can't live with Switch Mode power supplies...I HIGHLY recommend the Stereo 50 for those who don't have superbly resolving speakers...

 

[iFi audio]

ABSOLUTELY.It is a wonderfully musical amp,it's just the Quad has a bespoke build quality & honestly I can't live with Switch Mode power supplies...I HIGHLY recommend the Stereo 50 for those who don't have superbly resolving speakers...

Thanks, now I can sleep soundly

I haven't seen that Quad amp in real life, but on photos looks really good!

 

[E8ArmyDiver]

Thanks, now I can sleep soundly

I haven't seen that Quad amp in real life, but on photos looks really good!

I

Thanks, now I can sleep soundly

I haven't seen that Quad amp in real life, but on photos looks really good!

I forgot to mention that my comments are based on speakers as main listening devices & with headphones there is NO CONTEST,the Stereo 50 wins by a mile with headphones...

 

[E8ArmyDiver]

I'm using mine in a small room (my hobby shop) with a pair of Proac Tablette 10's and the sound is astonishing. Reminds me of my Quads, especially on vocals.

Hi,do you still have this rig?I just yesterday bought a pair Tablette Anniversaries & am waiting on the new VA-One+ amp to ship..Will be a desk top/bedroom system for the next year then will become my one & only rig.Any tips on set up?Comments on the sound?Associated components?I would appreciate it...

 

[iFi audio]

I forgot to mention that my comments are based on speakers as main listening devices & with headphones there is NO CONTEST,the Stereo 50 wins by a mile with headphones...

Much appreciated, thanks. If you're still enjoying it, that's all that matters!

 

[cantor]

Hi folks.I wanted to dust off this thread for several reasons...To recap the VA-One was a beautifully voiced all in one unit with 1 HUGE flaw(& 1 small flaw) so I sold mine..In order to bias the amp after changing power tubes the unit had to be
UPSIDE DOWN,OPEN & POWERED UP using a screwdriver & multi meter!This is dangerous,labor intensive & simply unacceptable in todays tube electronics...
So what does that have to do with anything now?Well the VA-One has been UPGRADED & UPDATED!
First the DAC chip & associated circuits have been upgraded to the ESS SABRE 9018 K2M that plays up to DSD256 and 384kHz via the USB-B input – as well as inclusion of the Bluetooth aptX receiver...IMO the original VA-One's AKM chipset was soft at the freq.extremes so I think this is a big move up in low level resolution..
Next the headphone circuit received the new PA-One+ upgrades,moving power output to 500mw @ 32ohms,not a powerhouse but plenty of drive for sane levels from most higher end cans & driven of the speaker output should be simply glorious in it's presentation...
Lastly & ABSOLUTELY MOST IMPORTANT update is the inclusion of Fully Automatic Biasing after power tube replacement!!!
For anyone who wants a superb,all in one unit that can handle any digital source,phono & BlueTooth in a small,bespoke quality unit has few choices..The iFi Stereo 50 is the natural competitor but in all honesty,having owned both the Quad & iFi,the Stereo 50 simply isn't even close in build quality or heritage & in a highly resolving system just doesn't have that last bit of everything that differentiates very good from world class sound...I bought mine this mourning,look for a full review in a few weeks...

Hi E8ArmyDiver, very interesting informations on the VA-One+. I got mine two weeks ago as a demo unit. I am with you with your description and udates but one thing I could not realize. As I was told by the German Quad distributor IAD the VA-One+ has NO Automatic Biasing included. I even got the schematic from them. I wonder from where you got this info. It is a pity, so I thhink we have to live with this huge flaw. But I love the amp even though...

 

[cantor]

Hi folks.I wanted to dust off this thread for several reasons...To recap the VA-One was a beautifully voiced all in one unit with 1 HUGE flaw(& 1 small flaw) so I sold mine..In order to bias the amp after changing power tubes the unit had to be
UPSIDE DOWN,OPEN & POWERED UP using a screwdriver & multi meter!This is dangerous,labor intensive & simply unacceptable in todays tube electronics...
So what does that have to do with anything now?Well the VA-One has been UPGRADED & UPDATED!
First the DAC chip & associated circuits have been upgraded to the ESS SABRE 9018 K2M that plays up to DSD256 and 384kHz via the USB-B input – as well as inclusion of the Bluetooth aptX receiver...IMO the original VA-One's AKM chipset was soft at the freq.extremes so I think this is a big move up in low level resolution..
Next the headphone circuit received the new PA-One+ upgrades,moving power output to 500mw @ 32ohms,not a powerhouse but plenty of drive for sane levels from most higher end cans & driven of the speaker output should be simply glorious in it's presentation...
Lastly & ABSOLUTELY MOST IMPORTANT update is the inclusion of Fully Automatic Biasing after power tube replacement!!!
For anyone who wants a superb,all in one unit that can handle any digital source,phono & BlueTooth in a small,bespoke quality unit has few choices..The iFi Stereo 50 is the natural competitor but in all honesty,having owned both the Quad & iFi,the Stereo 50 simply isn't even close in build quality or heritage & in a highly resolving system just doesn't have that last bit of everything that differentiates very good from world class sound...I bought mine this mourning,look for a full review in a few weeks...