Simon Quarry has worked at Musical Fidelity for more than 20 years and is the engineer responsible for resurrecting the company’s A1 amplifier. It wasn’t a simple job, given the more restrictive legal requirements of today and the need to maintain the much-loved character of the mid-’80s original. We talk with Simon about his career, the various Musical Fidelity products he has worked on and what makes the A1 such a desirable amplifier.
What Hi-Fi?: What is your job title and role at Musical Fidelity?
Simon Quarry: My job title is Audio Designer. In that role, I design and re-evaluate the analogue sections in Musical Fidelity products – both new and historical – and have a hand in the concept and design of casework, digital control etc.
When did you start at the company, and what did you do before?
I joined Musical Fidelity in February 2001 when founder Antony Michaelson was in charge. I started as an IT assistant as I had spent my
