Quad Artera Play CD Player & Pre-Amplifier and Stereo Power Amplifier Arrive

The Quad Artera Play is a compact up to date CD and pre-amplifier that is not just stylish to look at but packed with connections and features that will enable you to enjoy your music from many sources and in many formats.

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Ian unboxing the Quad Artera System

So, what connections are we talking about?

When we take a look at the inputs, of course we have the 2 RCA analogue inputs but this being a new QUAD product it also comes complete with a very competent Digital to Analogue Converter (DAC) that has optical, coaxial and USB inputs. This means that you can connect a wide variety of components to great little box of tricks. The DAC will decode through the optical and coaxial inputs from 44.1KHz up to 192KHz and the USB input will decode not only from 44.1KHz all the way up to 384KHz but also comes fully loaded with the ability to deal with DSD files up to DSD 256. This makes this pre-amplifier a very versatile box indeed.

THE QUAD ARTERA SYSTEM

This Artera play also comes with a very good quality cd player built in with a front loading no tray mechanism for a stylish clean look product.

It also has a variety of output connectivity for connecting to other media devices via digital optical and coaxial as well as RCA analogue output and balanced XLR for a solid performance as well as connection.

The Artera play comes with an easy to use remote control but also has limited touchscreen functionality on the display panel keeping the look clean and uncluttered. A quality Hi-Fi product for the modern age!

There is also a matching partner power amplifier being the QUAD Artera Stereo. This power amplifier is very straight forward. Input connectivity gives you the option of RCA analogue and balanced XLR. It has had Quad's patented current dumping technology applied to it, teamed together with a somewhat modest 140 watts per channel means that this is not an amp that you have to be picky when it comes to matching speakers to your amplifier. It will drive the majority of speakers on the market and all without breaking the bank.

All told, we find this new Artera system to be stylish and sleek, easy to use and most importantly offers great sound. A fantastic effort by a reputable manufacturer offering sleek looks, quality sound and great versatility.

Quad Hi-Fi products are available from the following branches of Audio T:
Brentwood, Brighton, Cardiff, Cheltenham, Enfield, Manchester, Oxford, Portsmouth, Preston, Reading, Southampton, Swindon

New Unison Research Amps and Quad S1 Standmount Speaker at Audio T Cheltenham

After Extensive listening we have added some exiting new products to our already extensive range at the Cheltenham branch. These have all been chosen purely on the basis of sound quality and to address where we felt we had gaps in our existing range.

Unison Research Simply Italy Valve Amplifier

We have always wanted to offer the valve experience without the need to spend multiples of thousands of Pounds. Enter the Unison Research Simply Italy Ultra Linear Single Ended Class A 12 Watt Integrated amplifier.

The Simply Italy utilises ECC82 valves on the pre amplifier / driver stages and EL34 valves on the output stages. The amplifier also incorporates a new "Quasi Dual Mono" power supply allowing extremely low cross talk and low distortion.

The Simply Italy really does offer the valve experience without the usual mind blowing price tag. It offers an exceptionally open and detailed sound, pinpoint imagery and surprisingly tight and tuneful bass for such a modest output.

Technical Data:

Output Power - 12W Per Channel (Approx.)

Negative Feedback - Switchable 5dB or 1.8dB

Inputs - 5 x Line Level

Valves - 2x ECC82 (12AV7) 2 x EL34 (6CA7)

Dimension - 26 x 35 x 19cm

Unison Research Unico Nuovo Phono Amplifier

For those that want the Valve experience but also want exceptional power delivery we now offer the Unison Research Unico Nouvo.

The Unico Nouvo is a hybrid integrated amplifier based on a single triode per channel design. It Utilises 2 x ECC83 valves in parallel configuration. The output devices are fed by a symmetrical current image stage, the outputs themselves are powered mosfets. This offers a more valve influenced sound, greater channel separation and enhanced musical detail. 

In this configuration the amplifier is powerful enough to drive speakers to very high levels an still offer the sound quality only normally achieved by more expensive esoteric valve amplifiers.

The Nouvo offers four line level inputs, a Switchable MM/MC phono stage, pre amp output and line level tape output.

Technical Data:

Output Power 95W RMS 8 Ohm

Input Stage Pure Class A, Parallel Tube Design, 2 x ECC83 (12AX7)

Output Stage Dynamic Class A, Power Mosfet

Dimensions 43.5 x 9.5 x 43cm

Quad S1 Bookshelf Loudspeakers

We are constantly asked for a small loudspeakers that offer the performance of larger floor standing loudspeakers in a small room. Enter the Quad S1 Loudspeaker.

The Quad S1 stands just 285mm tall. It incorporates a 100mm bass driver and a bespoke ribbon tweeter.

The ribbon tweeter is an up to the minute design utilising the latest techniques and materials. Ribbons have always had the reputation of being delicate and easily overpowered. The ribbon developed by Quad is made using a sandwich construction that is fully immersed in a powerful magnetic field so that it accomplishes the dual role of being voice coil and sound radiator. This makes it robust enough to handle very high powered amplifiers and still offer an exceptionally open and detailed sound.

The ribbon tweeter is coupled with a 100mm Kevlar coned bass / mid driver carefully tuned to a rearward firing reflex port.

The cabinets use a sandwich construction of alternative layers of MDF and HDF to reduce panel resonances to below the audible level.

Technical Data:

Tweeter -  12 x 45mm True Ribbon

Mid / Bass Driver - 100mm Woven Kevlar Cone

Sensitivity - 84dB

Recommended Power - 25 - 100W

Nominal Impedance - 8 Ohm

Frequency Response - 58Hz - 20kHz

Dimensions - 285mm x 156mm x 270mm (H x W x D)

N.B. Quad and Unison Research products are available from a select number of Audio T Stores, so as always we would recommend you call your nearest store before travelling or check the brands page for more details.