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Doug Brady

Quad Artera Play+ CD Pre Amplifier

£1,299.00
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The Artera Play+ is the latest addition to the Artera range. The Artera Play+ Combines the sleek user interface with the latest high definition audio technology. The CD player and DAC is the perfect match for the high power drive of Artera Stereo, while you enjoy your music with ultra-high resolution playback up to 32bit/384kHz in addition to DSD64/128/256 files through the USB input...

Classics For The Modern Age

The Artera range combines the qualities that have made Quad one of Britain’s most revered hi-fi marques for many decades with fresh industrial design and the very latest high-performance audio technologies.

Artera’s crisp, clean aesthetic both evokes Quad’s past and looks forward to the future, with a textured aluminium front panel, thick glass top and CNC-routed heat sinks on either side. The housing provides a rugged structure that resists interference from external vibrations, while the facia of each player incorporates an intuitive touch-sensitive control, contributing greatly to its sleek design.

Hi-Res Compatibility

Despite their attractive simplicity, the three Artera components deliver exceptional sophistication beneath the skin. At the heart of the Artera Play and Artera Solus nestles the ESS Sabre32 9018; a 32-bit, eight-channel hybrid multi-bit Delta-Sigma DAC considered by many to be the finest D/A converter chip available for stereo sound.

This is Quad’s first series to utilise the ESS Sabre DAC, and external digital sources can benefit from its exceptional quality via a range of digital inputs. These include USB, with support for PCM data up to 32-bit/384kHz and also DSD64/128/256, ensuring the Artera Play+, and Artera Solus are fully equipped to make the most of today’s hi-res music formats, as well as future advances in ultra-high-definition digital sound.

Filters To Suit Every Ear

For CD replay, a new slot-loading mechanism buffers data from the disc before feeding it asynchronously (in order to minimise time domain errors known as ‘jitter’) to the DAC section. Four digital filter options enable users to tailor the Artera Play’s, and Solus's sound, with both CDs and external digital sources, to suit personal taste and the nature of the source material.
Each player within the series features a preamp section which boasts a balanced Class A output stage. Two coaxial and two optical inputs cater for external digital sources alongside the USB input, with a pair of RCA phono inputs handling analogue sources. Analogue outputs are supplied in both single-ended RCA and balanced XLR varieties; a pair of digital outputs (optical and coaxial) and a 12V trigger output complete a comprehensive array of connectivity options.

Specifications

General Description CD Player, DAC, Pre-Amp
Key Technology & Features DSD (up to DSD256 Compatible)
Bluetooth aptX
Audio File Formats ALAC, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, WMA, MP3, AAC, AAC- HE, AAC+, DSD64, DSD128, DSD256
D/A Converter ESS ES9018 32bit DAC
USB Input USB B (PC / MAC)
Digital Audio Inputs 2 × Optical Toslink, 2 × RCA(DIG1, DIG2)
Digital Audio Outputs 1 × Optical Toslink, 1 x RCA (DIG)
Analogue Inputs 2 × RCA(AUX1, AUX2)
Analogue Outputs 2 x RCA, 2 x Balanced XLR, 6.3mm Headphone Jack
Sample Rate (USB B) 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 384kHz
Sample Rate (USB A) 44.1kHz, 48kHz
Sample Rate (Digital Inputs / Outputs) 44.1 - 192kHz
Standby Power Consumption <0.5W
Pre-Amplifier Section
Output Level (1kHz) Variable Output 0 - 4 Vrms (Pre Outputs)
0 – 8 Vrms (Balanced Outputs)
Frequency Response 20Hz-20kHz, 1kHz (± 0.2dB)
Total Harmonic Distortion <0.002% (20Hz-20kHz)
Signal to Noise Ration(S/N) >103dB (1kHz)
>110dB (A Weighted, 1kHz)
Channel Separation >100dB (1kHz)
Dimensions (Unpacked) (H x W x D) 320 x 105 x 320mm
Net Weight 9.04kg

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Testimonials

Bought some Rega Kyte speakers, stands and chords from DB online and they were incredibly helpful. They updated my delivery address very quickly and recommended a longer cut of cables which they did complimentary. They also noticed I didn’t order with banana plugs so called me back to double check, which I did mean to order. When i had some issues connecting my cables and speakers, I called for some advice which they happily gave. Excellent service and next day delivery to London. Thoroughly recommend.

James F.

Probably one of the best companies in the world. They had to special order in the speakers which took a fair bit of time, which is totally understandable, but they kept in touch with me throughout the entire time with updates (even on a Sunday!!!) and once the speakers were with them, they were dispatched and arrived next day.

The entire sound system that I purchased is insanely good, but still not as good as Doug Brady HiFi!

Guy H.

I have recently purchased a HiFi package with Doug Brady and I could not be more thrilled with my experience with them.
When I walked into the store, I was made to feel welcome and was introduced to some of the products. I produces a list of specific items I was interested in and John was really helpful in showing me these items. He set the system up so I could experience it, he made some suggestions which made the package even better. Nothing seemed too much trouble for him, he was very knowledgeable about the products and gave great advice. I didn't feel pressured to buy anything, or didn't feel that he was upselling at any point. I left with an amazing package and I'd like to thank John and the team for the fantastic experience.

Kaylay L.

It’s now two weeks since I bought home my new system and I wanted to say thanks again for all your help, advice and guidance, not to mention cups of tea. I now have a system that meets all my requirements and sounds fantastic. Special thanks to Jon, who I hope is on the road to recovery from his operation and to Roger, who helped me finalise my choice. The Rega Saturn, Hegel H190V and Dali Rubicon 2 is undoubtedly the best system I have ever owned.

Bryan M