Was browsing ebay and came upon a few listings for quad albums.

http://cgi.ebay.com/COLUMBIA-SQ-QUAD-33-1-3-LP-JOHNNY-MATHIS_W0QQitemZ290081300398QQihZ019QQcategoryZ306 QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I assume a special table and cartridge are required to play these? Or is it a matrix scheme that required a special receiver to decode like early dolby surround?

SQ was a matrix quad format. CD-4 was the "compatible, discrete" 4-channel format for vinyl.

"SQ" is a matrixed 4-channel scheme that does require an SQ or "QS" (Sansui's similar scheme) circuit to properly decode but which does not require a special turntable or phono cartridge. The only real requirements for a cartridge is that they be reasonably "phase accurate." An SQ record can be played back in stereo with no loss of fidelity or seperation. It can also be played back using a Dolby Pro-Logic decoder, although that may not give the quad effect intended. The reason is that SQ is an ancestor of Dolby Pro-Logic but rather different as the rear-channel algorithms involved are somewhat different.

SQ sounded best played back on an SQ (or QS) full-logic decoder. This gave more seperation than the basic SQ/QS (or even the somewhat compatible regular matrix "RM" decoders). On a good decoder the quad effect was very good. On a plain decoder, much less so.

SQ records are fairly rare and that is what makes them relatively valuable compared to their regular stereo versions.

I assume a special table and cartridge are required to play these? No special turntable is needed. Any two-channel stereo cartridge will work fine for this matrix format.

Or is it a matrix scheme that required a special receiver to decode like early dolby surround? SQ decoders, like the one shown below, were sold as add-ons for audiophiles wanting to “upgrade” to quadraphonic sound. SQ quadraphonic decoders were also built into most of the quadraphonic era receivers, as SQ was the most popular format. There were a lot titles released and millions of records pressed.

One can use modern matrix type processors to decode SQ records. Although the decoders do not have the exact parameters to properly decode the SQ matrix, they can and often do sound better than the SQ decoders built into the quadraphonic era receivers and add-ons. If you have a receiver or processor with Dolby Pro-logic II, dts nero or Circle Surround, give it a try.

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k206/xtcdriver/Sony%20PS-T20/SQD-2070-1.jpg
The photo shows a add-on SQ decoder, SQ quadraphonic record and SQ quadraphonic tape.

The only thing I've ever noticed about SQ recordings when played back on 2 channel equipment is the fact theres a bit more audio in the music that sounds out of phase compared to the 2 channel equivalient. The QS LP's I have actually sound better to me on 2 channel equipment then the SQ LP's. I too heard that Dobly ProLogic II is supposed to work very well with these SQ discs. I've got both Project 3 LP's of QS encoded music and some Columbia SQ LP's(Santana, and Mile Davis Bitches Brew) So, I've been kinda lucky to experience both formats

- Mike

And now ladies and germs, for your imagined viewing pleasure, the 70salesguy museum of modern electronics has an Electro-Voice SQ decoder. Not in present use, but at one time I was running the SA-9100, a Zero100C with a Shure supertrack, the E-V decoder and the Kenwood KM-8002 for the back channels,

This was about 1982 and I can tell you that "Bette Davis Eyes' by Kim Carnes was an intense experience.

If anyone really cares, I can post a photo of the E-V.

And now ladies and germs, for your imagined viewing pleasure, the 70salesguy museum of modern electronics has an Electro-Voice SQ decoder. Not in present use, but at one time I was running the SA-9100, a Zero100C with a Shure supertrack, the E-V decoder and the Kenwood KM-8002 for the back channels,

This was about 1982 and I can tell you that "Bette Davis Eyes' by Kim Carnes was an intense experience.

If anyone really cares, I can post a photo of the E-V. Please, post the photo.

If your going to get into Quad. Why not let old Johnny Mathis take your there..:naughty:

Some day I'm gonna open a museum.

I had an SQ version on 7" reel-to-reel of Johnny Winter's "Still Alive and Well." I've not seen many SQ R2R tapes but they were around if one knew where to look. I did have one SQ cassette - it was Enoch Light or some other crap but it was a good demo, even if it was rather hackneyed music. All the rest of my rather meager quad collection was on LP, most of which I still have. Santana "Abraxas" is especially good as the quad effect is quite natural sounding and it's great music to boot.:music:

I had an SQ version on 7" reel-to-reel of Johnny Winter's "Still Alive and Well." I've not seen many SQ R2R tapes but they were around if one knew where to look.
A matrixed quad R2R tape? That is so bizarre!!

If your going to get into Quad. Why not let old Johnny Mathis take your there..:naughty:

Thats the lp that got my interest, Mathis Song Sung Blue.

Back in the day, when 4-channel came out, I hated it! Not the actual concept of 4-channel, but the fact that people were having to buy twice the gear with the same money. For example, $500-$600 would buy you a nice 25wpc receiver, turntable with a Shure Cartridge and a pair of CTS made private label 2-way 10-inch speakers. Nice little system with a good quality Pioneer or Kenwood receiver. NOW they want 4-channel. What do they get? A crappy 10-15wpc receiver, same turntable and cart and 4 8-inch or 6-inch 2-way speakers. Nowhere near the quality. Was glad to see it GO!

Speaking of SQ and 4-channel. We used to sell an Akai 4-channel open-reel deck to play 4-channel tapes with 4 discrete channels (1/4 track in one direction)
I believe the Pioneer 1020L or 1020H records 2 channel but can playback 4 channel.

There were some good quality 4 channel receivers like the Pioneer QX-949 and a real nice Sansui as well, but for that type of money you could have got the TOTL 2-channel unit and 2 top dollar speakers.

If your going to get into Quad. Why not let old Johnny Mathis take your there..:naughty:

Or Barabra Streisand, or Enoch Light for all that.

Too bad the Mathis auction ended already.

Since my HT receiver has Dolby Pro-Logic II I'm curious to hear how it sounds.

I was looking in the manual for my Pioneer SX-890 receiver and I see where it uses adapter out and in jacks to connect to an external FM adapter for Quad FM. I'm guessing a similar adapter would have been available for LP's as well.

Some day I'm gonna open a museum. That quadraphonic decoder is one of the earliest units sold. It was not and SQ decoder. It used the Electro-Voice matrix which never became very popular. I have a Heathkit kit version of that very same decoder. Ovation Records released a few records in the E-V matrix format.

I was looking in the manual for my Pioneer SX-890 receiver and I see where it uses adapter out and in jacks to connect to an external FM adapter for Quad FM. I'm guessing a similar adapter would have been available for LP's as well. Many receivers of the quadraphonic era (both two-channel and quadraphonic) had such a jack on the back of the unit. The jack was added to the units in anticipation of a quadraphonic broadcast system being approved by the FCC. An add-on adaptor would then be sold that would allow one to hear quadraphonic broadcasts, much like the multiplex adaptors sold to add stereo to mono tuners when stereo broadcasts started. Although at least one quadraphonic broadcast system was tested, no system reached the market.

There were many outboard quadraphonic decoders available during the quadraphonic era matrix records and tapes. These were most often hooked up through the tape monitor loop of a preamplifier, integrated amplifier or receiver. See my earlier post for a picture of just one such unit. Quadraphonic demodulator adaptors, used with CD-4 Quadradiscs, were also available for use with quadraphonic audio systems that did not have built-in demodulators.

These sound pretty good on the right systems and command a premium for hardcore collectors. Be careful though, hippies tended to be dirty so the quad units may need a little TLC.

Carl

That quadraphonic decoder is one of the earliest units sold. It was not and SQ decoder. It used the Electro-Voice matrix which never became very popular. I have a Heathkit kit version of that very same decoder. Ovation Records released a few records in the E-V matrix format.

You may be right. It took years of therapy to erase the whole 4-channel experience from my brain. We used to conduct the sessions at Hooters.

The operation of the device seemed to be some type of Left minus Right deviation and inversion. It still sounded pretty cool and was a great excuse for a second power amp and pair of speakers in the living room:banana:

The operation of the device seemed to be some type of Left minus Right deviation and inversion. It still sounded pretty cool and was a great excuse for a second power amp and pair of speakers in the living room. Yes, it was a lot of fun to add the extra speakers and amplifiers. I had really hoped for some separation though. The Electro-Voice Stereo-4 decoders had about a maximum of 3dB separation front to back and from Left Surround to Right Surround. The really great aspect of the Stereo-4 system was that it did not screw up the front channels unlike the much more popular SQ system.