A British Hi-Fi Brand Revives Its Vintage Amplifiers from the 1960s

Quad, the revered British hi-fi company, has a long history of delivering high-end audio components that look and sound like nothing else. Its revolutionary electrostatic loudspeakers, the 1957-released Quad ESL, are the most prominent example.

But the Quad 303 stereo amplifier and Quad 33 preamplifier — both originally released in 1967 — fall into that category, as well. These vintage components had a striking industrial design, featuring grey metal and orange plastic, and their transistor-based amplification was unique during a time when tube amplifiers were still king.

57 years after their release, refurbished models of the Quad 303/33 stack are difficult to come by but are still highly sought after by collectors. For those interested, however, a new (superior-sounding) option is now on the table — Quad has revealed modern versions of its iconic amplifiers.

Iconic amps, reimagined

Quad

Quad 33 Preamplifier (2024)

Specs

Frequency Response	20Hz – 20kHz (+/-0.2dB)
Inputs	RCA (3x), Balanced XLR (pair), Phono (MM/MC switchable)
Outputs	RCA (AUX), XLR, RCA (Pre Out), Headphone, 12V Trigger Out (2x)

• $1,599 at Quad

Quad

Quad 303 Stereo Power Amplifier (2024)

Specs

Power	50 watts per channel (8 ohms)
Frequency Response	20Hz – 20kHz (+/-0.3dB)
Gain	+29dB

• $1,599 at Quad

Vintage industrial design

Quad’s revived 303 stereo amplifier and 33 preamplifier’s designs don’t stray too far from the originals. They feature the same iconic silhouettes, but have been modernized inside and out.

The new Quad 33 preamplifier has been given a makeover that features a new anodized metal front panel and chassis and, most noticeably, a new orange glow. The original had an orange plastic tuner dial, while the new model has orange LED backlighting. When pressed, the buttons illuminate as well.

The Quad 303 stereo amplifier has been given a matching makeover with a new anodized metal chassis and CNC-routed heatsinks. (Like the original, it lacks LED lighting.)

Quad

Internal upgrades

Inside, the internals of both components have been reworked and upgraded to modern standards.

The Quad 33 preamp has new circuitry with a low-noise, custom-specified toroidal transformer, numerous smoothing capacitors and regulators — all of which promise improved performance.

The internals of the Quad 303 power amp have been updated completely, too. It features a new circuit design, advanced feedback topology, and Class A/B amplification — capable of outputting 50 watts per channel (into 8 ohms), which is a slight upgrade from the original’s 45 watts per channel.

The result, according to the brand, is “a compact, cool-running power amplifier that possesses the capacity to deliver dynamic power and maintain a firm hold on the music while providing rich sonic detail.”

Quad

Still old-school analog

Quad’s modern 33/303 stack stays true to the analog origins of the original. Neither component features a built-in DAC or supports any kind of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi streaming.

The Quad 33 preamp, specifically, features an upgraded phono stage (MM/MC) for wide turntable compatibility. And, unlike the original, it has a dedicated headphone amp.  

The other good news is that both components feature a wider, more diverse array of inputs and outputs, so you can add modern media players or streamers to the system.

Quad

Price and availability

The new Quad 303 stereo amplifier and Quad 33 preamplifier are designed to work together, but can be used and purchased separately. Both components are priced identically at $1,599.

You’ll be able to order both components from authorized retailers starting next month, in mid-November.

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