Heritage

1936 to 1950

First steps at Sutton Road

Before Peter Walker starts to manually coil the first transformers in Huntingdon (which would later become the head office for many decades) he gains initial experience in London`s Sutton Road. On April 2nd 1937 Wireless World reports on the foundation of the company whose facilities would later bombed out by the German Air Force during the Second World War. The cumbersome move to Huntingdon (90 miles north of London) offers the chance for a new start. The manufacture of transformers earnes Peter some money and gives him the freedom to develope better amplifiers for music reproduction The Italian Alfa 6C2300 as well as the German Mercedes and the BMW328 impressively show the power with which the aspiring automotive industry starts its rebound. Parallel to Peter Walker`s first steps, Tullio Campagnolo is about to invent bicycle gearing in Italy. Peter and Tullio have in common that both designs endure to this day and form the basis for the latest products of both manufacturer. 

1951 to 1967

intensive time for QUAD

Peter Walker´s description of the electrostatic loudspeaker in Wireless World Magazin attracts great attentions, worldwide. 2 years later, in 1957, half a dozen journalists get the chance to hear the ESL in the London Waldorf Hotel. The QUAD II is still used as an amplifier. Later in 1967 the first 303/33 come to market. Given that in the early 50s the QUAD I (still under the name Acoustical) and a suitable control unit are still in production, those two decades certainly can be referred to as very intensive times for QUAD. 

1968 bis 1970

die Musikwiedergabe nach den Gesetzen der Physik

While music reproduction according to the laws of physics is being invented in England, Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Germany and the Kingdom of the Netherlands are busy founding the EU. The United Kingdom then joins the EU in 1973. Two years after Walker introduces the transistor amplifier, the Americans land on the moon with Apollo 11. Automobiles become more elegant and are an expressive sign of an up-and-coming population. In England, Dr. Alex Moulton invents his "small weel bicycle", which, like the ESL57, is still produced almost unchanged today.

During this period, QUAD develops the following devices:

   
• QUAD 33 preamplifier
   
• QUAD 303 power amplifier
   
• QUAD FM3 FM radio 
 
• ESL57 electrostatic loudspeaker

1971 to 1987

Market readiness for the QUAD ESL 63

In 1981 sound engineers worldwide are introduced to a long-awaited tool: the QUAD ESL63. The developement has already started 18 years earlier with the introduction of stereo technology. In the late 80`s Peter´s son Ross assumes control for a short period and brings the QUAD 66 line on the market whose electronics are just what the times require. For the first time QUAD offers a CD player. For sound applications the 510, 520 and 240 series of professional power amplifiers are manufactured. In Switzerland sound engineer Jürg Jecklin invents the electrostatic headphone, called Jecklin FLOAT. In 1989 “QUAD Musikwiedergabe” is founded in Germany to act as distributor of QUAD products. QUAD Musikwiedergabe also becomes the most important service center for QUAD

During this period, QUAD brings the following devices to market maturity:

• QUAD ESL 63 electrostatic loudspeaker

1989 to 1990

QUAD Musikwiedergabe is founded

In 1989, QUAD Musikwiedergabe is founded in Germany and takes over the distribution of QUAD products. In addition to the distribution, QUAD Musikwiedergabe becomes more and more important for the service of QUAD devices worldwide and well-known studios and producers of long-playing records, such as Philips in the Netherlands and later SONY Classics in Hamburg, discover the ESL63 as a tool for their work.

During this period QUAD developed devices:

• QUAD 66 preamplifier
• QUAD 66 FM tuner
• QUAD CD66 CD player
• QUAD CD67 CD player
• QUAD 606 power amplifier

1991 to 2000

Classic electrostatic converters continue to be manufactured in the Eifel region

 In the mid-90s, the company is sold to a Chinese investor in England. Tools for the production of the classic electrostatic transducers are sent to Germany, where QUAD Musikwiedergabe now also starts manufacturing the actual transducers. In China, electrostatic transducers and electronics continue to be manufactured under the QUAD brand. QUAD Musikwiedergabe develops into a company specializing in the service and manufacture of classic QUAD electrostats. This is a time of upheaval in the world. Existing economic systems are breaking down and the tried and tested economic systems of the western world are gaining ground. Unlimited communication creates a perfect basis for small specialist companies. Even small niche markets can be served worldwide.

QUAD developed devices during this period:

• ESL988 electrostatic loudspeaker
• ESL989 electrostatic loudspeaker
• ESL2805 electrostatic loudspeaker
• ESL2905 electrostatic loudspeaker

2001 until today

Collaboration with Jürg Jecklin - Jecklin Float QA

QUAD Musikwiedergabe has long since developed into the place to go for QUAD friends from all over the world. 2005 saw QUAD Musikwiedergabe move into its new premises in the Eifel region. 2007 saw the launch of the latest versions of the ESL57QA and ESL63QA electrostats, and the collaboration with Jürg Jecklin led to the new production of the legendary Jecklin Float head speakers. True to the QUAD philosophy, QUAD Musikwiedergabe offers suitable amplifiers in transistor and tube technology for optimum operation of the electrostats. p>During this period, QUAD developed devices:

• ESL57 QA electrostatic loudspeaker
• ESL63 QA electrostatic loudspeaker
• QUAD 204 QA power amplifier
• QUAD 204V QA tube power amplifier
• TRANSDYN QA Preamplifier
• FLOAT QA headphones
• FLOAT QA power supply
• FLOAT QA power supply active
• FLOAT QA power supply active Transdyn