Quad Artera Solus Music System
Quad Artera Solus combines a CD transport, DAC, preamplifier and 75W power amplifier in a single compact chassis, with extensive connectivity options including Bluetooth wireless streaming. Alongside the conventional CD playback, the Solus has 2 analogue inputs and five digital inputs, capable of handling 32-bit PCM data as well as DSD.
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.
At the heart of the 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 Solus is fully equipped to make the most of today’s hi-res music formats, as well as future advances in ultra-high-definition digital sound.
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 Solus's sound, with both CDs and external digital sources, to suit personal taste and the nature of the source material.
General Description CD Player, DAC, Pre-Amp, Integrated amplifier and Bluetooth Connectivity
Key Technology & Features
DSD (up to DSD256 Compatible) BIuetooth (aptX)
Audio File Formats ALAC, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, WMA, MP3, AAC, AACHE, AAC+, DSD64, DSD128, DSD256
D/A Converter ESS ES9018 32bit DAC
USB Input USB B (PC / MAC)
Digital Audio Inputs 2 x Optical TOSI ink, 2 x RCA(DIG1, DIG2)
Digital Audio Outputs 1 x Optical TOSI ink, 1 x RCA (DIG)
Analogue Inputs 2 x RCA (AUX1, AUX2)
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, 48kHz, 88.2 kHz, %kHz, 1 76.4kHz, 192kHz, 384kHz
Sample Rate (Digital Inputs / Outputs) 44.1 -192kHz
Standby Power Consumption <0.5W
Pre-Amplifier Section
Output Level (1 kHz) Variable Output 0 - 4 Vrms (Pre Outputs) 0 - 8 Vrms (Balanced Outputs)
Frequency Response 20Hz-20kHz, 1 kHz (± 0.2dB)
Total Harmonic Distortion <0.002% (20Hz-20kHz)
Signal to Noise Ration(S/N) > 103dB (1 kHz) > 11 0dB (A Weighted, 1 kHz)
Channel Separation > 1 00dB (1 kHz)
Power Amplifier Section
Rated Power Output 2 x 75W 8Ohms
Frequency Response ± 0.5dB (20Hz-20kHz, 1 kHz)
Total Harmonic Distortion <0.009% (1 OW 20Hz-20kHz)
Signal to Noise Ration(S/N) > 100dB (A Weighted,ref.75W)
Channel Separation >82dB (A Weighted,ref.1 W)
Dynamic Range A-wtd 98dB
Dimensions 320 x 320 x 105mm
Net Weight 11.84kg