Quad Platina Range.

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

New Platina range been released.
The amp appears to be an absolute cracker, loads of power and finesse and priced (£3500) fairly assuming it’s competition is the Rega Aethos and Naim Supernait 3 of which it offers HDMI and in built DAC !
However, no streaming module ! In order to get that matching, the streamer is £2999 ! Seriously !
Mad.
My EXN EXA combo has similar crossover of functionality and I’d not go down that route again. But the pricing of that streamer is mental.
Forum thoughts welcomed !

 

[daytona600]

Rega Aethos and Naim Supernait 3 would be 1/3th the price if made in china
If Quad was made in the UK would be £9,000

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

Rega Aethos and Naim Supernait 3 would be 1/3th the price if made in china
If Quad was made in the UK would be £9,000

I’m not too sure about that…….🤷🏻
The Aethos case and Platina case similar and both the Rega and Quad using good transistor and capacitors…
My dealer has them both in stock…. As well as the AE1 40th and Dynaudio Special 40s..
I’m going to ask him to set it up for a demo.
Throw in a Sugden as a left field option too.

 

[Gray]

However, no streaming module ! In order to get that matching, the streamer is £2999 ! Seriously !
Mad.

You must've seen the amp review on AV Forums - I like the look of it, if only because it's a fairly good visual match for my tuner 🙂

Of those those that could contemplate spending 3.5 grand on an amp, I reckon there'd be quite a few able and willing to spend another 3 grand on a matching streamer (but I agree it's a ridiculous ask).
To avoid the doubling up issues you've mentioned, an Evesolo T8 would seem like a better option for buyers of such amps - at half its current price, I'd give it a second look myself 🤔
Personally, I'm happy for streaming to always be separate from my amplification.

 

[Al ears]

You must've seen the amp review on AV Forums - I like the look of it, if only because it's a fairly good visual match for my tuner 🙂
View attachment 10517
Of those those that could contemplate spending 3.5 grand on an amp, I reckon there'd be quite a few able and willing to spend another 3 grand on a matching streamer (but I agree it's a ridiculous ask).
Personally, I'm happy for streaming to always be separate from my amplification.

Yep, I keep everything separate from my amplifiers.
No idea why the streamer is so expensive, and why would you need the same DAC chip in each component if they are meant to be paired.

 

[Gray]

Yep, I keep everything separate from my amplifiers.
No idea why the streamer is so expensive, and why would you need the same DAC chip in each component if they are meant to be paired.

Indeed, it's very wasteful - and the reason why that T8 should appeal to many as a streamer (Although less than half the price of the Quad streamer, that's still more expensive than it needs to be 🤨).

 

[daytona600]

£3500 for a chinese amp with shocking value in a few years
will get you Rega , Sugden , Naim that will have good resale/trade in values in 20+ years
& plenty of great made in Europe integrated or pre=powers

You can plug in dac boards / Phono boards if required
Heed Lagrange

Elipson P1 Pre Amplifier + A2700

 

[Revolutions]

some nice amps there. I’m being hugely tempted by Gold Note at the minute.

I’m not sure the Chinese amps will have poor resale value. All amp/streamers will have problems in the future as software becomes obsolete.

As for the Quad amp, it looks great. Mystifying why the streamer might cost £3k, which is a shame as the matching pair are quite good looking. I suppose maybe they are competing with Naim if you include the £4k power supply they sell 🙃

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

Rega Aethos and an INNUOS Stream 1 same RRP as the Platina pair.
I strongly suspect Rega are developing an Aethos plus internal DAC at the moment though.
Supernait 3 now in run out and no sign of a mid tier integrated from Naim Focal in the foreseeable…
NVA have some interesting offerings….
Sugden A21SE just a bit more….. Different mindset though…..
Atoll IN300 or 400….. brackets the Platina RRP

 

[Al ears]

Rega Aethos and an INNUOS Stream 1 same RRP as the Platina pair.
Sugden A21SE just a bit more….. Different mindset though…..

Perhaps but why?
Producing a very good amp and then trying to pair it with an overpriced streamer using exactly the same DAC is madness

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

Perhaps but why?
Producing a very good amp and then trying to pair it with an overpriced streamer using exactly the same DAC is madness

Exactly, utter madness.

 

[daytona600]

I’m not sure the Chinese amps will have poor resale value. All amp/streamers will have problems in the future as software becomes obsolete.

5year old chinese amp which keeps 25% of value
5year old Rega amp which keeps 75% of value with a lifetime warranty

The quality will remain when the price is forgotten. Henry Royce , Rolls Royce

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

5year old chinese amp which keeps 25% of value
5year old Rega amp which keeps 75% of value with a lifetime warranty

The quality will remain when the price is forgotten. Henry Royce , Rolls Royce

Indeed. I’m now rethinking my layout. My EVO150 is going up for sale and my EX combo will take its place in the snug.
I’m going to buy a REGA or SUGDEN for my main system as an end game amplifier to see me into retirement and to simplify connections, functionality and boost signal and sound quality.
All the wiz bang functions , connections and engineering wasted on me as all I ever need is a streamer input and possibly phono……HDMI only in the snug……

 

[nopiano]

There are loads of great integrated amps around three grand. Two of my favourites are the Exposure 3510 and the Denon PMA-110, now superseded by the PMA-3000NE. Both are hefty class A/B designs, or for class D take, then the Marantz Model 30 or Primare I35.

None is UK assembled though, hence I appreciate Rega and Sugden may appeal to traditional tastes.

 

[matthewpianist]

The Quad looks interesting if you have that kind of budget, though I'd personally be looking at the Audiolab 9000A and questioning whether it's actually worth going much further. Relatively neutral and balanced sound, with good power delivery to grip most speakers.

As for streaming, I really fail to see the point of going beyond a solid affordable option such as a WiiM Ultra, Bluesound Node, Bluesound Icon or Eversolo DMP-A6, even if its the main source in a system. I've realised I'm not bothered about having a screen on a streamer, and I'm not interested in anything that uses Play-Fi, or something which isn't widely supported.

Given what you can put together with relatively entry-level components, I'm beginning to question the point of anything more.