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This system first appeared in 1959, but the one featured here (my own system - complete with original valves) is from the early 1960's. The power amps - Quad II's were introduced as early as 1953, and Peter Walker's innovative design is still considered to be one of the best ever. This system first inspired my interest in vintage Quad audio, every aspect of it is perfect - from the aesthetics of the physical design, to the ingenuity and reliability of the electronics. If you set the design of the Quad 22 in the context of its origins in the late 1950's, where the extent of domestic hifi in most homes was the furniture-like radiogram, you can understand what a great leap forward this system was. In fact, it's still defining the direction of hifi design - consisting of "separates". Indeed, the most contemporary hifi design today is moving towards smaller units of very similar dimensions. Quad designed the units so they could easily be mounted into wooden cabinets (by removing the two rear screws securing the metal housing, sliding the units into a cut-out, and re-securing) in order to smooth the public's transition between Radiogram and domestic hi-fi. Features such as push-buttons to select the input source/voltage supplies, the advanced EQ filter system, and the two-light tuning indicators on the FM unit were all innovations for this period in home hifi. In the other elements of this section on the Quad 22 system, we'll look at some of these wonderful design features in more detail...now including the AM2...

You can also check out the official Quad Hifi site for more fascinating Quad History...