The QUAD FM3 was the final piece in my restored QUAD HiFi setup, alongside the legendary 33 preamp and 303 power amp, an iconic trio known for timeless design and build quality. While the 33 and 303 still perform beautifully today, the FM3 tuner had become obsolete in the streaming era. Rather than let it sit idle, I reimagined it as a modern music streamer, discreetly upgrading the internals while preserving its vintage charm.
Inside, a Raspberry Pi paired with a high-quality DAC powers the audio, while a warm orange/yellow LCD display shows track info and playful retro animations, like a bouncing ball. The original tuner knob now functions as a control dial: skip, play/pause, and rewind—all while staying true to the original aesthetic. It connects via USB-C for power and uses the classic 5-prong DIN output. It even powers on automatically with the rest of the system via the 33’s rear ports. A respectful blend of past and present.
