Quad Artera Solus Integrated System

Here we have an all-in-one integrated system from British based company – Quad. It combines a compact disc player, DAC, headphone amplifier, power amp and pre amp all in one box! Plus you can also stream music from mobile devices via the aptX Bluetooth route. Our example comes in very good condition, and will be supplied in original factory packaging. It also comes with remote control unit, manual, mains cable, Bluetooth antenna and our regular three month warranty.
Quad Say….
Quad gave its team of designers and engineers a specific brief for Artera: combine 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 and the Artera Salus fascia incorporates an intuitive touch-sensitive control that contributes greatly to its sleek design.
The Artera Solus – a multi-tasking hi-fi system packed into a single sleek and sophisticated box, combining a CD transport, DAC, pre-amplifier, and power amplifier in a single compact chassis, with extensive connectivity options including Bluetooth connectivity.
Specifications:
Model: Artera Solus
General Description: CD Player, DAC, Pre-Amp with Integrated amplifier
Key Technology & Features: DSD (up to DSD 256 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 x Optical TOSlink, 2 x RCA (DIG 1, DIG 2)
Digital Audio Outputs: 1 x Optical TOSlink, 1 x RCA (DIG)
Analogue Inputs: 2 x RCA (AUX 1, AUX 2)
Analogue Outputs: 2 x RCA, 2 x Balanced XLR, 6.3mm Headphone jack
Speaker Outputs: 2 x Speaker Binding Post Terminals
Sample Rate (USB B): 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz, 384 kHz
Sample Rate (Digital Inputs/ Outputs): 44.1 – 192 kHz
Standby Power Consumption: < 0.5 W
Pre-Amplifier Section:
Output Level (1 kHz) Variable Output: 0 – 4 Vrms (Pre Outputs); 0 – 8 Vrms (Balanced Outputs)
Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz, 1 kHz (± 0.2 dB)
Total Harmonic Distortion: < 0.002% (20 Hz – 20 kHz)
Signal to Noise Ratio (S/N): > 103 dB (1 kHz); > 110 dB (A Weighted, 1 kHz)
Channel Separation: > 100 dB (1 kHz)
Power Amplifier Section:
Rated Power Output: 2 x 75 W (8Ω)
Frequency Response: ± 0.5 dB (20 Hz – 20 kHz, 1 kHz)
Total Harmonic Distortion: < 0.009% (10 W 20 Hz – 20 kHz)
Signal to Noise Ratio (S/N): > 100 dB (A Weighted, ref.75 W)
Channel Separation: > 82 dB (A Weighted, ref.1 W)
Dynamic Range A-wtd: > 98 dB
Power Requirement: 230 V ~ 50 – 60 Hz; 115 V ~ 50 – 60 Hz; 100 V ~ 50 – 60 Hz
Dimensions: 320 (W) x 320 (D) x 105 (H) mm
Weight: 11.84 kg

For a review from US magazine Stereophile please click HERE