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.
They should have produced it as a cheaper DACless transport if it was designed to pair with the amp.

 

[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.

 

[abacus]

If the design is good, and the quality control is good, then it doesn't matter where it is made as the quality will be the same.
Where is does differ, is in the price, in that it is cheaper to produce something in China than in the UK. (Mainly due to the lower wages and cost of living in China compared to the UK)

Bill

 

[abacus]

Streaming comes in all qualities and the DAC has to process all these different quality's before outputting to the amplification stage , (Some DACs are better at this than others) this amplification stage is where the final quality is determined, and depends on design and quality of components of this stage, this is why DAC units can sound a little different between brands and prices. (Its the analogue part that makes the difference)
If a streamer has a digital out, and does not alter the data stream at all, plus the external DAC (Or the DAC in another item) can do the same, then you will have the best quality possible. (Providing the external DAC etc is better than the DAC and analogue section in the streamer)

Bill

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

That’s where the Platina scores…..
It’s got a DAC and it’s arguably tuned as good as the revered 9000N.
In time, it’ll keep its huge walloping transformer and quality of internal analogue amplification and a new streamer could be added.
An EVERSOLO T8 into the Platina may well be heavenly

 

[daytona600]

Quad / Audiolab both same under the hood , IAG design and parts bin in different Casework & Logos
£3500 gets you hand built in the UK/EU/Japan/USA

 

[manicm]

Quad / Audiolab both same under the hood , IAG design and parts bin in different Casework & Logos
£3500 gets you hand built in the UK/EU/Japan/USA

NOT the Platina, it's a ground up new design, not based on any IAG group products.

 

[Revolutions]

NOT the Platina, it's a ground up new design, not based on any IAG group products.

I saw on another forum that, according to a well-known youtuber, they are almost identical in board design etc...



Darko on the similarities between Platina Stream and Audiolab 9000N

Playing Snap with the Quad Platina Stream and Audiolab 9000N

Darko Audio​

When Quad announced its 200wpc Class A/B Platina Integrated last week, we learned that it would contain an ESS 9038PRO-based DAC circuit, a dedicated headphone amplifier and an MM/MC phono board...but no streaming. That would come later with the arrival of the Platina Stream.​

Today, that 'later' arrives. According to the press release, the Platina Stream is Quad's first-ever streaming DAC. Right out of the gate, we notice striking similarities to the Audiolab 9000N -- not on outward appearance, but internally.

The Quad and the Audiolab share a very similar internal board layout (SNAP!) and back panel socket arrangement. Moving left to right: balanced XLR and single-ended RCA analogue outputs, coaxial and TOSLINK inputs, Ethernet, USB-B for source devices and USB-A for USB storage devices (SNAP!).

The Platina Stream also mirrors the Audiolab's DAC chip of choice and its supporting hardware (double SNAP!): an ESS ES9038PRO is laid out in a balanced configuration with dual master clocks, five user-selectable filters and an emphasis on the quality of the "post-DAC and power supply circuitry".

At 4.3", the non-touch screens are the same size (SNAP!) and sample rate support - up to 32-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD512 - is identical (SNAP!).


We can't even separate the Quad from the Audiolab on streaming support: Qobuz Connect, Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect (with lossless), Roon Ready, UPnP, Apple AirPlay 2 and Plexamp (SNAP!), all of which are handled on both units by an ARM Cortex-A53 processor running Linux (SNAP!).

On paper, there are more technical similarities between Quad's Platina Stream and the Audiolab 9000N than there are differences. None of this is surprising when we remember that Quad and Audiolab are both owned by China's IAG, which is most likely sharing design resources between the two brands. Why design a new streaming board for Quad when you've already done the hard work for Audiolab?

To be clear: I am not suggesting any grand deception by IAG or Quad. However, this website's news posts must be more than just press release regurgitation. The buying public isn't stupid. They too will spot the Quad<--->Audiolab crossover. Prospective buyers are advised to audition the Audiolab and the Quad side-by-side at their local IAG dealer, taking note of each streaming DAC's 1) accompanying app, 2) casework heft and 3) knob feel. Perhaps the Quad offers superior build quality to the Audiolab. Or maybe the Platina Stream is aimed squarely at those who already own a Platina Integrated and want the curtains to match the carpet.

From the press release: "The Platina Stream is a perfect aesthetic match for its amp sibling. It shares the same steel chassis and thick aluminium front panel, with side-mounted heat sinks and anti-resonance feet, providing a reassuring [sic] sturdy feel. It also sports the same elegant fascia, adorned only by a subtle trio of function buttons, a power button...and a rotary control".

However, some might quibble at how the Platina Stream and Platina Integrated share the same DAC chip. This might be just an optics issue but even if both units' converters enjoy different circuit layouts and are bookended by different power supplies and output stages, seeing an ESS ES9038PRO on both units' spec sheets could cause some buyers to hit pause on the Stream...and feed the Platina Integrated digitally with a more affordable third-party device, especially as the Platina Stream sells for £2999 -- £500 more than the Audiolab. Your choice of black or silver.

 

[Gray]

An EVERSOLO T8 into the Platina may well be heavenly

And probably all the quality most people could ever want - even if they'd have to make do with some appearance mismatch.

 

[manicm]

I saw on another forum that, according to a well-known youtuber, they are almost identical in board design etc...



Darko on the similarities between Platina Stream and Audiolab 9000N

Playing Snap with the Quad Platina Stream and Audiolab 9000N

Darko Audio​

When Quad announced its 200wpc Class A/B Platina Integrated last week, we learned that it would contain an ESS 9038PRO-based DAC circuit, a dedicated headphone amplifier and an MM/MC phono board...but no streaming. That would come later with the arrival of the Platina Stream.​

Today, that 'later' arrives. According to the press release, the Platina Stream is Quad's first-ever streaming DAC. Right out of the gate, we notice striking similarities to the Audiolab 9000N -- not on outward appearance, but internally.

The Quad and the Audiolab share a very similar internal board layout (SNAP!) and back panel socket arrangement. Moving left to right: balanced XLR and single-ended RCA analogue outputs, coaxial and TOSLINK inputs, Ethernet, USB-B for source devices and USB-A for USB storage devices (SNAP!).

The Platina Stream also mirrors the Audiolab's DAC chip of choice and its supporting hardware (double SNAP!): an ESS ES9038PRO is laid out in a balanced configuration with dual master clocks, five user-selectable filters and an emphasis on the quality of the "post-DAC and power supply circuitry".

At 4.3", the non-touch screens are the same size (SNAP!) and sample rate support - up to 32-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD512 - is identical (SNAP!).


We can't even separate the Quad from the Audiolab on streaming support: Qobuz Connect, Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect (with lossless), Roon Ready, UPnP, Apple AirPlay 2 and Plexamp (SNAP!), all of which are handled on both units by an ARM Cortex-A53 processor running Linux (SNAP!).

On paper, there are more technical similarities between Quad's Platina Stream and the Audiolab 9000N than there are differences. None of this is surprising when we remember that Quad and Audiolab are both owned by China's IAG, which is most likely sharing design resources between the two brands. Why design a new streaming board for Quad when you've already done the hard work for Audiolab?

To be clear: I am not suggesting any grand deception by IAG or Quad. However, this website's news posts must be more than just press release regurgitation. The buying public isn't stupid. They too will spot the Quad<--->Audiolab crossover. Prospective buyers are advised to audition the Audiolab and the Quad side-by-side at their local IAG dealer, taking note of each streaming DAC's 1) accompanying app, 2) casework heft and 3) knob feel. Perhaps the Quad offers superior build quality to the Audiolab. Or maybe the Platina Stream is aimed squarely at those who already own a Platina Integrated and want the curtains to match the carpet.

From the press release: "The Platina Stream is a perfect aesthetic match for its amp sibling. It shares the same steel chassis and thick aluminium front panel, with side-mounted heat sinks and anti-resonance feet, providing a reassuring [sic] sturdy feel. It also sports the same elegant fascia, adorned only by a subtle trio of function buttons, a power button...and a rotary control".

However, some might quibble at how the Platina Stream and Platina Integrated share the same DAC chip. This might be just an optics issue but even if both units' converters enjoy different circuit layouts and are bookended by different power supplies and output stages, seeing an ESS ES9038PRO on both units' spec sheets could cause some buyers to hit pause on the Stream...and feed the Platina Integrated digitally with a more affordable third-party device, especially as the Platina Stream sells for £2999 -- £500 more than the Audiolab. Your choice of black or silver.

So the streamer may be based on the 9000N, but the amp is all-new.

 

[matthewpianist]

Some people with cash to spare will lay out the asking price for the aesthetic matching, but I suspect most will not given there are plenty of options for much less.

 

[daytona600]

NOT the Platina, it's a ground up new design, not based on any IAG group products.

BS Shared platforms all built in the same factory with different logos

OR hand built in yorkshire , no slave labour , workers are allowed the leave the factory & no suicide nets
A combination of superb sound and solid engineering has made the A21 a reference amplifier for fifty years.
can be on a 9month Waiting list , . last for decades , will never lose value , most are exported globally for twice the UK price

Always