QUAD 3 – Classic Design, Modern Technology and True British Hi-Fi Heritage

The QUAD 3 is an integrated amplifier that combines QUAD's historic engineering philosophy with the connectivity required by a modern Hi-Fi system. Visually inspired by the iconic QUAD 22 preamplifier and the latest QUAD 33/303 generation, it features an elegant compact design together with a comprehensive selection of analogue and digital inputs.

Its Class AB amplification delivers 65 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 100 watts per channel into 4 ohms, while the ESS9038Q2M DAC provides high-resolution digital audio capability. HDMI ARC, USB, Bluetooth aptX HD, MM phono, optical and coaxial inputs and a dedicated headphone amplifier make the QUAD 3 an exceptionally complete solution for a contemporary stereo system.

Design Inspired by QUAD's Heritage

The industrial design of the QUAD 3 pays tribute to some of the British manufacturer's most iconic components, particularly the classic QUAD 22.

Its retro aesthetic is reinterpreted in a modern, compact format, with an orange-illuminated LCD strip displaying information about the selected source, volume, settings and operating parameters.

The display brightness can be adjusted or switched off completely, allowing the appearance of the amplifier to be adapted to the listening environment and personal preference.

65 Watts per Channel Class AB Amplification

Despite its compact dimensions, the QUAD 3 uses a genuine Class AB power amplifier section supplied by a 235 VA toroidal transformer and 30,000 µF of reservoir capacitance.

The amplifier delivers 65 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 100 watts per channel into 4 ohms, with a maximum output current of 10 A.

This capability allows the QUAD 3 to drive a wide variety of Hi-Fi loudspeakers, combining power and stability with QUAD's traditional approach to musical reproduction.

ESS9038Q2M DAC and High-Resolution Audio

The digital section uses the renowned 32-bit ESS9038Q2M DAC, combined with a Class A post-DAC filter circuit.

The USB input supports PCM audio up to 768 kHz and DSD512, while the optical and coaxial digital inputs support resolutions up to 192 kHz.

The QUAD 3 can also apply upsampling to audio received through the S/PDIF and USB inputs, converting the signal to 352.8 kHz or 384 kHz.

HDMI ARC for TV Connection

The HDMI ARC input allows a compatible television to be connected directly to the QUAD 3, making it easy to integrate TV audio into a genuine stereo Hi-Fi system.

Films, TV series, concerts and other content can therefore be reproduced through the system's main loudspeakers, with the added convenience of using the television remote control for functions such as volume adjustment.

Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX HD

For wireless playback, the QUAD 3 features Bluetooth 5.1 with support for aptX and aptX HD codecs.

Music can be streamed directly from compatible smartphones, tablets and other devices, providing convenient everyday wireless playback while maintaining excellent sound quality.

Dedicated MM Phono Stage

Vinyl enthusiasts benefit from a dedicated phono stage designed for Moving Magnet (MM) cartridges.

The phono input is specifically engineered for low noise and accurate RIAA equalisation, allowing a turntable fitted with an MM cartridge to be connected directly without requiring an external phono preamplifier.

The Classic QUAD Tilt Control

The QUAD 3 revives one of the most distinctive features in the company's history: the QUAD Tilt control.

Unlike conventional bass and treble controls, Tilt adjusts both ends of the frequency spectrum simultaneously around a 700 Hz axis. Increasing the lower frequencies proportionally reduces the higher frequencies, or vice versa, allowing the overall tonal presentation to become warmer or brighter.

This adjustment can be particularly useful for compensating for differences between recordings, room acoustics or simply adapting the sound to personal listening preferences.

The QUAD 3 also provides an independent bass control with ±3 dB adjustment and a left/right balance control.

Dedicated Headphone Amplifier

The QUAD 3 incorporates a dedicated Current-Feedback headphone amplifier rather than simply deriving the headphone output from the main power amplifier.

Compatible with headphones from 20 to 600 ohms, it provides a high-quality solution for private listening directly from the amplifier.

Comprehensive Connectivity for a Modern Hi-Fi System

In addition to its digital inputs, Bluetooth and phono stage, the QUAD 3 includes two analogue RCA inputs for connecting CD players, DACs, streamers and other line-level sources.

A preamplifier output provides additional system flexibility, while 12 V Trigger connections simplify integration with other compatible components.

Combining Class AB amplification, ESS9038Q2M DAC, HDMI ARC, USB, Bluetooth aptX HD, MM phono and the historic QUAD Tilt control, the QUAD 3 represents a modern interpretation of the British manufacturer's traditional philosophy: bringing reproduced music as close as possible to the original performance.

Key Features

• Class AB integrated amplifier
• 65 watts per channel into 8 ohms
• 100 watts per channel into 4 ohms
• 10 A maximum output current
• 235 VA toroidal transformer
• 30,000 µF reservoir capacitance
• 32-bit ESS9038Q2M DAC
• USB Audio up to PCM 768 kHz and DSD512
• Optical and coaxial inputs up to 192 kHz
• Upsampling to 352.8 kHz or 384 kHz
• HDMI ARC
• Bluetooth 5.1
• aptX and aptX HD
• Dedicated MM phono input
• 2 analogue RCA inputs
• QUAD Tilt control
• ±3 dB bass adjustment
• Balance control
• Dedicated Current-Feedback headphone amplifier
• Preamplifier output
• 12 V Trigger
• LCD display with adjustable orange illumination
• Remote control included

Technical Specifications

Type: Class AB integrated amplifier
Power output: 2 × 65 W into 8 ohms / 2 × 100 W into 4 ohms
Maximum output current: 10 A
Power amplifier gain: +29 dB
THD: <0.003% (1 kHz, 30 W/8 ohms)
Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (±0.3 dB)
Signal-to-noise ratio: >110 dB (A-weighted)

DAC: ESS9038Q2M
USB: PCM up to 768 kHz / DSD64, DSD128, DSD256 and DSD512
Optical/Coaxial: up to 192 kHz
DAC THD: <0.001% (1 kHz @ 0 dBFS)
DAC signal-to-noise ratio: >116 dB (A-weighted)

Analogue inputs: 2 × RCA
Phono: MM
MM phono impedance: 47 kΩ / 100 pF
MM phono sensitivity: 3.6 mV
MM phono gain: +47 dB

Digital inputs: 1 × Coaxial, 1 × Optical, 1 × USB-B, 1 × HDMI ARC
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX/aptX HD
Outputs: Loudspeakers, Pre-Out and headphones
Trigger: 12 V

Headphone impedance: 20-600 ohms
Headphone output impedance: 2.35 ohms
Headphone THD: <0.01% (1 kHz, 50 mW)

Dimensions (W × H × D): 300 × 101 × 332 mm
Weight: 8 kg
Standby power consumption: <0.5 W