Quad 3 with Wharfedale Super Linton Speakers & Matching Stands

In 2024, QUAD paid tribute to its distinguished heritage by unveiling a thoroughly modernised version of one of its most iconic products: the 33/303 pre/power amplifier – a two-box design that revolutionised home audio in the 1960s. Since the reissue's debut, demand has been remarkable, capturing the imagination of discerning audiophiles both in the UK and internationally. Once again, this timeless combination has found itself in the limelight, achieving best-seller status among music enthusiasts who appreciate both history and high-fidelity performance.

Introducing the QUAD 3

Following on from that success, QUAD now introduces an all-new integrated amplifier styled in a similarly classic vein: the QUAD 3.

Unlike the 33/303 project – which focused on modernising a classic design while preserving its essence – the QUAD 3 is a completely fresh creation. However, it retains unmistakable design hallmarks of its forebears. With industrial design by David McNeill – lauded for his acclaimed update of the 33/303 – the QUAD 3 takes visual cues from the 1967 33 and the 1959 22 preamps. These influences are cleverly reimagined with premium craftsmanship expected in 2025, from the flush-mounted rotary dials to the updated two-tone finish and subtle orange accents. These nods to heritage led QUAD to name the new integrated amplifier simply ‘3’ – a logical continuation of its legacy.

New Circuitry, Classic Intuition

While it may echo the past in form, the QUAD 3 is cutting-edge in function. In contrast to the analogue-only reissued 33, the QUAD 3 integrates digital capabilities, thanks to an internal DAC. It boasts a comprehensive range of inputs – including HDMI, USB, and Bluetooth – along with a built-in phono stage and headphone amplifier. Despite its wealth of features, it remains compact, with a chassis just 30cm wide, making it perfectly suited for the modern living space without compromising on performance or aesthetics.

Innovative Control with Analogue Integrity

One of the QUAD 3’s most intriguing features is its blending of traditional control design with modern functionality. The row of flush-mounted rotary controls, reminiscent of 1960s QUAD models, are now digital encoders managing functions like input selection and tone adjustments.

The standout feature is the ‘tilt’ control, first introduced by QUAD’s founder Peter Walker in 1982. Unlike conventional tone controls, tilt adjusts treble and bass together in 1dB steps around a 650Hz pivot point, allowing subtle sound shaping. These tone controls operate entirely in the analogue domain, eschewing digital signal processing, which preserves audio purity. A larger volume dial, with LED indicators, complements these refined adjustments, while an orange-backlit LCD display subtly references the vintage 33 preamp.

A Central Hub

Designed as the central hub of a high-end audio setup, the QUAD 3 caters to an extensive range of sources. For digital input, a USB Type B connection supports the highest-resolution audio, alongside coaxial and optical S/PDIF options. HDMI ARC (HDMI 2.1/eARC compliant) allows seamless connection with televisions, enabling control via the TV remote and delivering audio quality that far surpasses typical soundbars.

Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX HD ensures excellent wireless performance. Analogue sources are also well-supported, with two line-level RCA inputs and a dedicated turntable input. The phono stage, based on a low-noise FET design, provides superb clarity for vinyl playback.

A separate headphone amplifier, integrated beneath the chassis, delivers high-quality audio via a 6.35mm output – ensuring headphones receive the same attention to fidelity as speakers.

State-of-the-Art Digital and Amplification Technology

At the heart of the QUAD 3’s digital performance lies the ES9038Q2M DAC from the renowned 32-bit Sabre family. Enhanced with ESS Technology’s HyperStream II and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator, this setup ensures low noise and exceptional dynamic range. Proprietary clocking and power systems elevate its capabilities further, along with a Class A post-DAC filter for refined audio reproduction.

Hi-res playback is fully supported up to 32-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD512, and it includes MQA decoding and Roon Tested certification. Users can upsample to 352.8kHz or 384kHz, and select from five DAC filter profiles. Meanwhile, QUAD’s bespoke Class AB output stage features a CFB topology, powered by a 235VA toroidal transformer. This configuration ensures excellent linearity and stability, delivering 65W per channel into 8 ohms (and 100W into 4 ohms). Precision analogue circuitry and discrete low-noise power supplies for each section guarantee the QUAD 3 not only looks the part, but sounds exquisite too – a true union of classic inspiration and modern British engineering.

The Evolution of the Linton

The original Linton speakers first appeared in 1965 as a two-way model, later evolving into the three-way Linton 3XP in 1975. The 2019 Linton continued this three-way design, merging vintage aesthetics with updated acoustic engineering, offering rich, natural sound that appeals to today’s music enthusiasts. The new Super Linton builds upon the 2019 model’s design with a slightly taller cabinet and structural enhancements. Key upgrades include new drivers, a more robust bass driver motor system, a redesigned crossover with high-quality components, and even an improved speaker grille for refined sonic output.

Linton Speakers Power Up

Wharfedale has introduced an upgraded version of its beloved Linton speakers, now dubbed the ‘Super Linton’. Since their relaunch five years ago, the Linton speakers have seen remarkable sales success, becoming Wharfedale's best-selling speaker and one of the most popular hi-fi speakers worldwide. This success has been driven by the Linton's appealing classic style and exceptional musicality. However, Wharfedale’s engineers, led by Director of Acoustic Design Peter Comeau, saw potential for further improvement, leading to a thorough redesign of the drive units, crossover, and cabinet, resulting in the new Super Linton.

Wharfedale’s Heritage and Innovation

Wharfedale has been crafting renowned loudspeakers since 1932, with many of its models becoming icons in British audio history. Its Heritage Series pays homage to the classic designs of the 1960s and 1970s while reimagining them with modern engineering techniques. This range includes both timeless favourites and new designs, blending vintage appeal with contemporary performance. In 2019, Wharfedale revived the Linton, a model which significantly contributed to the popularity of vintage-style speakers. The Super Linton follows this trend, joining the Heritage Series as an enhanced version of the Linton, showcasing the latest in Wharfedale’s technical capabilities.

Upgraded Cabinet & Bass Driver

The Super Linton’s cabinet, though with the same footprint as the regular Linton, is 4cm taller to increase internal volume, which benefits its acoustic performance. Enhanced construction features include dual fibreboard layers joined by damping glue to reduce resonance. Inside, long-hair fibre and acoustic damping foam aid in managing internal reflections. The increased cabinet volume also allowed improvements in the bass driver. While the 200mm woven Kevlar cone remains, a stronger motor system now extends bass reach to 32Hz, adding depth and precision for a more impactful bass experience.

Super Drivers 

The Super Linton’s treble unit inherits advanced design elements from Wharfedale’s premium Dovedale speakers. Its 25mm fabric dome, driven by a ceramic magnet system, benefits from a damped rear chamber, lowering resonance and enhancing treble detail and harmonics. A revised front plate design also improves high-frequency dispersion. The midrange driver, a 135mm Kevlar cone, is now housed in a dedicated chamber with acoustic damping to minimise back-wave interference. This upgrade ensures seamless integration of all three drivers, delivering lifelike detail and scale across instruments and vocals.

Crossover and Grille Enhancements

The new crossover network has been divided onto two circuit boards to minimise electromagnetic interference, incorporating top-quality inductors, capacitors, and upgraded internal cabling for optimal audio performance. These improvements contribute to a more refined sound, with better clarity and separation across frequencies. The speaker grille has also been redesigned to complement the crossover’s power response, further aiding driver integration. The Super Linton’s cumulative enhancements, from crossover to cabinet, elevate its sonic capability, positioning it as a versatile choice for today’s high-performance audio setups.

Quad 3 Specifications

Super Linton Speakers Specification