Quad Artera Play CD Preamplifier – Where Digital Meets Pure Performance The Quad Artera Play CD Preamplifier delivers more than “just another digital front end.” It bridges the gap between your CD collection, streaming sources, headphone downtime and serious hi‑res listening with authority. It holds its own among high‑end separates while offering convenience features that modern listeners value. Core Design & Sound Character Quad equips the Play with the ESS Sabre32 Reference (ES9018) DAC chipset. It converts incoming digital data – whether via CD, optical, coaxial or USB – with resolution up to 32‑bit / 384kHz PCM, and supports DSD64, 128, 256. The slot‑loading CD transport sends buffered data asynchronously to reduce jitter, and you get four selectable digital filters so you can tailor the sound to your ears and your source material. The preamplifier section impresses with its dual outputs: single‑ended RCA and fully balanced XLR. The analogue output stage after the DAC now rides on improved filter topology and op‑amps selected to preserve clarity and dynamic headroom. Quad also beefed up the power supplies, adding a larger toroidal transformer and isolated, low‑noise stages for critical circuits. Usability & Build Quad keeps its Artera styling crisp and modern. Touch‑sensitive controls surround the circular OLED display. The chassis uses a textured aluminium front, glass top panel, and substantial heatsinks to ensure not just looks but physical stability and low vibration. Bluetooth aptX makes wireless streaming possible. A front‑facing headphone socket handles serious cans, driven by discrete circuitry to deliver more than casual listening. Specification Detail General Description CD Player / DAC / Pre‑amplifier D/A Converter ESS ES9018 (Sabre32 Reference) 32‑bit DAC Output Level (1kHz) PRE Outputs (single‑ended): 0‑2.5 Vrms Balanced Outputs (XLR): 0‑5.0 Vrms L/R Channel Difference ±0.02 dB (1 kHz) Frequency Response ‑0.2 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz (ref 1 kHz) Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) <0.001% (20 Hz‑20 kHz) Linearity ±0.01 dB (20 Hz‑20 kHz) Signal‑to‑Noise Ratio (S/N) >110 dB at 1 kHz; >118 dB weighted at 1 kHz Channel Separation >100 dB (1 kHz) USB Input 1 × USB‑B; supports HID; PCM up to 32‑bit/384 kHz; DSD64/128/256 Digital Inputs 2 × Optical Toslink; 2 × Coaxial/RCA (DIG) Digital Outputs 1 × Optical Toslink; 1 × Coaxial RCA (DIG) Analogue Inputs 2 × RCA (AUX1, AUX2) Analogue Outputs 1 × RCA PRE; Balanced XLR; also single‑ended RCA outputs Dimensions (W × D × H) 320 × 320 × 105 mm Weight 8.5 kg
