Quad 77

Bus system The components of the 77 series are connected to each other via the so-called Quadlink system. Connected in this way, they form an integrated whole that responds flawlessly to all commands given via the control scepter. Flat, short cables of a very sturdy type with 15-pin connectors ensure the transmission of both the signal and supply voltage as well as the data. This concept has much in common with that of the PC with a printer, modem, joystick, mouse, keyboard and monitor connected to it. And just like that, the Quad software can be upgraded to a higher version! It is anything but conventional... Preamplifier The first thing that strikes you is that the preamplifier looks strikingly similar to the 77 integrated amplifier. Internally, the cards are clearly different, because there is now also a provision (and what a provision!) for an mm or mc element. The tone control does not completely solve our complaints, but is much more musical than what we usually find with almost all brands. The tilt control has a setting range of +3 to -3 dB and is active outside the musical midrange. The switchable noise filter, on the other hand, gradually flattens the frequency curve in the midrange to easily filter out the signal from approx. 7 kHz, -3 dB with 6 dB per octave. Simple and effective. Crackle and hiss that are almost baked into old recordings and LPs are now effectively suppressed without immediately equalizing the shine of the entire musical journey. The bass reproduction can be amplified or weakened from 300 Hz (+ or - 4.5 dB). Finally, on the phono input, in addition to the flawlessly calibrated RIAA correction, there is a rumble filter of 6 dB per octave with the -3 dB point at 5 Hz. That could have easily been 12 dB per octave from 20 Hz onwards, in my opinion, because below that frequency the problems with LP playback are much greater than the blessings. The construction of the interior is of the well-known Quad quality and exudes class. The components are -and that is also a Quad tradition!- housed on a large, double-sided printed circuit board, with the input circuits and the electronics for the display functions neatly on a separate board. No sign of the cost-cutting trend that has affected everyone: I will spare you the parts list, but be convinced that the circuits and ICs are of high quality and designed for a long lifespan under intensive use. That also applies to the volume control in 32 steps, although I still find the conventional continuous setting the nicest. Inputs and outputs The manual proudly states that the preamplifier via the 15-pin bus connector is suitable for a maximum of 256 devices in the Quad 77 series (or other devices with the same bus configuration). However, the importer rightly calls for modesty: the maximum in practice is 31, but no one will ever come home to that... In addition to the Quadlink buses, there are 3 regular line inputs and 1 x phono and 1 x tape (also a line input), whose sensitivity can be adjusted in no time. Quad again puts the music experience at the center. We really don't come across this every day: phono mc 100, 200 or 400 uV, phono md 1, 3 or 7.75 mV, line 1,2 and 3 and tape 100, 300 or 775 mV. This removes a lot of adjustment problems in one go. Guaranteed that all those exuberant CD players (2 V output voltage or more at maximum 0 dB) will sound more enjoyable and the volume control can be turned way up! But also the signal strength of the tuner, analog cassette deck, etc. can be tastefully adjusted in that way. This is a non-negotiable advantage that deserves uniform application. There are countless manufacturers who do it all just a little bit differently, so that you are always and forever stuck with mismatches that require a dive into the volume control. All sorts of things are promised, the non plus ultra does not seem good enough yet, but with such elementary things they are over the top. In addition to the usual pre-out (output signal to power amplifier), there is a tape output whose output voltage keeps pace with the input sensitivity of the chosen signal source. A record selector is missing: so you cannot listen to source A while recording from source B. Also a headphone output shines (again!) through its absence. They just don't want to have it in Huntingdon! 77 CD player This top-of-the-line player was therefore discussed earlier, but was brought out again to test its powers in this 77 system. The 18-bit Delta-Sigma chip with 64-fold oversampling remains one of the best of its kind and that can be heard too. Of course, you will never be anywhere if the remaining electronics are bought and built in loosely. In combination with the scepter, you get all the playback functions presented that you could ever wish for. Nice to mention is the edit function with which the name of the CD player can be changed. Which is useful if you connect multiple players to the system. 77 FM tuner with RDS That had to be waited for a very long time, but it was worth it!. The tuner can only be used in combination with the 77 system (smart, or not) and offers two coax antenna inputs: one for the own outdoor antenna and one with lower sensitivity for the cable cai'. Via a push button on the front panel, you easily choose the desired antenna connection. Quad is rightly sure of its case: this tuner indeed deserves a rotatable antenna! That turns out not only on the test transmitter, but also in daily practice. Studio quality, so, also via the cable. Our own Concert Radio programs brought almost CD quality into the living room. With 25 preset stations you can get by for now and supplemented with (automatic) scan, RDS and mono functions, there is actually nothing left to wish for. You can give every preset your own name, which is handy when both the Dutch and the Belgian Radio 2 are programmed: confusion is avoided by naming them e.g. with HSUM 2 and BRT2. The RDS data are clearly indicated in the display of the scepter. Tuning can be done neatly in steps of 50 kHz. On the back, next to the Quadlink bus connection, there is an additional analog output for a cassette deck or similar. Via the back door you still get a touch of that missing record selector (if you at least want to record the radio this way)!

No remote!