Audiolab 8300CDQ vs Quad Artera Play+ CD/Preamp/DAC

[Mark Dunlop]

I currently have an Audiolab 8300CDQ running through an Audiolab 8300 XP power amp. The Quad Artera (same idea - combined cd player, DAC and pre-amp) is coming in about £1300 - the Audiolab is currently selling for about £200 less than that. Anyone with any experience of both? I'm wondering if trading up is worth it, or whether I'd be better to save for something like an Audiolab 9000Q and use the CDQ as a standalone cd player?

m.d.

 

[manicm]

I currently have an Audiolab 8300CDQ running through an Audiolab 8300 XP power amp. The Quad Artera (same idea - combined cd player, DAC and pre-amp) is coming in about £1300 - the Audiolab is currently selling for about £200 less than that. Anyone with any experience of both? I'm wondering if trading up is worth it, or whether I'd be better to save for something like an Audiolab 9000Q and use the CDQ as a standalone cd player?

m.d.

I can't remember but the 9000Q analogue only?

 

[abacus]

Get down to a dealer and try them out, as your ears and preferences are unique to you, thus only you can decide.

Bill

 

[RoA]

IAG and PJC are very clever. All their brands are slightly differently voiced. Audiolab are a little ‘faster’ and detail/transparency orientated, Quad a tad more mellow and fuller sounding whilst Mission have a more rhythmic approach.

In the past and presently I had/have* great success mixing their brands of speakers and amplifiers to get the desired result ie. Audiolab/Quad.

*Currently using Audiolab and 25 year old Missions which predate IAG. They make a lovely team (imho).

 

[Mark Dunlop]

I can't remember but the 9000Q analogue only?

Apparently not. It has a ES9038Pro 32-bit DAC and Bluetooth. The 8300CDQ doesn't have Bluetooth, which is a bummer, and the Quad does. That's something in its favour...
m.d.

 

[Al ears]

Apparently not. It has a ES9038Pro 32-bit DAC and Bluetooth. The 8300CDQ doesn't have Bluetooth, which is a bummer, and the Quad does. That's something in its favour...
m.d.

Bluetooth has limitations I feel. Handy though it may be.

 

[Mark Dunlop]

Bluetooth has limitations I feel. Handy though it may be.

I don't use Bluetooth for music, but I do listen to the radio through BBC Sounds and it's handy to Bluetooth it. My Rotel A11 Tribute had Bluetooth, but the Audiolab doesn't. I wouldn't "upgrade" to the Quad just to have the radio, you understand, but the option would be handy.
m.d.