..... new amp for ultra

[Yooy257]

I have had an Ultra for two weeks now and was also searching for a suitable amplifier. It turns out that here in the Netherlands a company had the idea to make a suitable amplifier for the Ultra and it was introduced last week. I ordered it immediately and expect to receive it at the end of this week.

https://internetofmusic.nl/product/iom-ultra/

 

[Murf99]

H
Agree with what you are saying.
Completely understand Quads view.
Upgrades along the lines of DaDa are what I’m guided by.
My 405/2 sounds very nice just can’t help wondering that things must have moved on in the 42 years since I bought it, so I have ordered a Cambridge MXW 70.

 

[Murf99]

H
In regard to Quad ( IAG ) service, I could not be happier, they refurbed my 42 year old 405/2 with 2 new Main Caps, 6 smaller Caps and 5 new resistors and a clean all for £250 inc VAT, absolutely incredible service.
Murf

 

[pieterv1]

First the owner and his engineer split, next the forum disappeared and finally the shop was taken down. Reportedly after having taken orders from some paying customers that wouldn't be fulfilled. I have no first hand information what has happened there, but it's all history.

Ha yes, I actually used to live 50 meters from his shop. Stefaan was always very helpful with tips for my 405-2, even though I ordered a lot of the standard electronic parts from mouser etc.

My 405-2 got the full treatment with the standard Dada upgrades, speaker protection boards, dual-mono PSU. There's only so much you can do though and they're not the most detailed amps. I sold the Quad when I found a good deal for my current Rotel RB-06. I was already using the matching preamp, the RC-06, with the Quad - a bit of an odd pairing.

 

[Murf99]

Hi P
So you are saying the RB 06 sounded better than a DaDa modified 405/2 ?
My 405 was serviced by Quad and only mod I made was Ti OPA 134 chip, for a 42 year old amp sounds really good.
Have now ordered a Cambridge MXW 70, should be here on Friday, let’s see how that sounds

 

[pieterv1]

Hi P
So you are saying the RB 06 sounded better than a DaDa modified 405/2 ?
My 405 was serviced by Quad and only mod I made was Ti OPA 134 chip, for a 42 year old amp sounds really good.
Have now ordered a Cambridge MXW 70, should be here on Friday, let’s see how that sounds

Eventually it all comes down to personal preference & speakers, I suppose!

I was using my Quad first with JBL 4312A's and then with my current Wharfedale Linton Heritage. It definitely sounded warm and very pleasant.
The RB-06 brought just a bit of extra detail and transparency. This was a welcome improvement with the Linton's not being the brightest speakers as well. Specifically for watching TV and movies it made spoken dialog less boomy and a bit more pronounced.

And again: there was also just the visual aspect Because the Quad with a Rotel preamp looked a bit weird. In the meantime I've ditched the preamp and I'm using the WiiM Ultra instead.

 

[Murf99]

Agreed

 

[Skull]

Been using my ultra with a pair of Sonos 5s for a year now
Decided to go back to separates due to the Sonos software debacle, I got my new amp last week but not getting my speakers for 2 more weeks
Tested the amp with an old pair of Boston cubes I used for surround speakers back in the day and was surprised by the sound quality it was close to the Sonos for clarity
The amp it’s a Fosi Za3 and I hope my speakers will be a pair of Wharfedale 12.3 floor standers
Will update when the system is ready

 

[Murf99]

Hello

The Cambridge MXW 70 arrived this morning, set it up let it run for a couple of hours, I then watched BBC news and was immediately struck by how clear speech was, good start.

Then started listening to music, streamed via Qobuz Connect to WiiM Ultra / MXW 70 / PSB Imagine T 54, well to say I’m impressed would be a massive understatement - a HUGE improvement in EVERY AREA compared to Quad 405/2 ( which I’d been quite happy with up till then )

Spent the next 5 hours of track after track ( SRV, Joni, Jeff, JM, RT etc etc ) I know all these songs very well, haven’t heard them so clearly since I had my Krell KSA 100.

As you may have guessed I am very very impressed by this tiny £500 Class D amp.

( yes I have heard Fosi and Topping etc, but in my my opinion this MXW is in a different league altogether )

I haven’t even tried vinyl yet, should sound pretty good with my Oracle Delphi 2 / FR 64 Black ( Ltd Ed ) / Denon 103 D ( Le Son modified ) Tisbury Domino Phono, .

So it seems at 71 my 53 year Audio journey may be over.

Murf

 

[Murf99]

I’m now watching TV, the difference in clarity is just ridiculous.

 

[Mr Ee]

I’m now watching TV, the difference in clarity is just ridiculous.

New glasses too
But seriously, I was similarly impressed with the amp ultra.

 

[Murf99]

Yep this Class D stuff is certainly shaking things up.

 

[Murf99]

Been using my ultra with a pair of Sonos 5s for a year now
Decided to go back to separates due to the Sonos software debacle, I got my new amp last week but not getting my speakers for 2 more weeks
Tested the amp with an old pair of Boston cubes I used for surround speakers back in the day and was surprised by the sound quality it was close to the Sonos for clarity
The amp it’s a Fosi Za3 and I hope my speakers will be a pair of Wharfedale 12.3 floor standers
Will update when the system is ready

Hi Skull
If you haven’t already bought 12.3s ( fine speakers, no doubt ) I would say go to a Sevenoaks store and have a listen to PSB T54 currently on sale at £799 an absolute steal at that price ( I paid £1250 and I am delighted with them ) and interest free credit !!!
Regards
Murf

 

[Skull]

Hi Skull
If you haven’t already bought 12.3s ( fine speakers, no doubt ) I would say go to a Sevenoaks store and have a listen to PSB T54 currently on sale at £799 an absolute steal at that price ( I paid £1250 and I am delighted with them ) and interest free credit !!!
Regards
Murf

Thanks for the suggestion but as a pensioner on state pension it’s a bit beyond my budget
I am also thinking in my advanced years large speakers may be an issue at some point so my mind has been diverted to Q acoustics 3030i as an option, as I already have a subwoofer installed

 

[Murf99]

Thanks for the suggestion but as a pensioner on state pension it’s a bit beyond my budget
I am also thinking in my advanced years large speakers may be an issue at some point so my mind has been diverted to Q acoustics 3030i as an option, as I already have a subwoofer installed

Ok, enjoy

 

[Skull]

Ok, enjoy

Thanks if Sonos hadn’t messed me about I wouldn’t have had to mess about doing this
However I wouldn’t have bought the ultra which is one of the best music devices I have come across

 

[Murf99]

Thanks if Sonos hadn’t messed me about I wouldn’t have had to mess about doing this
However I wouldn’t have bought the ultra which is one of the best music devices I have come across

Agreed, the Ultra is fine piece of kit, incredible value as well.

 

[harkpabst]

I bet the WiiM Vibelink Amp is a tough competitor for the MXW 70.

 

[Murf99]

Could well be.
All I can say is I’m delighted with the MXW.

 

[EddNog]

Could well be.
All I can say is I’m delighted with the MXW.

You should be; the Hypex power stage inside is top-grade stuff. No doubt Cambridge's input buffer stage is up to task, too!

-Ed

 

[Murf99]

You should be; the Hypex power stage inside is top-grade stuff. No doubt Cambridge's input buffer stage is up to task, too!

-Ed

I am it sounds great.