The Quad Artera Stereo power amplifier is fully balanced, although on the rear panel in addition to the XLR inputs there is also a pair of RCAs and an inconspicuous push-button input type selector. The path diverges across four boards (input, two terminations, a stabilizer with buffer capacitors of 2 x 10000 uF in each channel), the connections are optimized so that the power wiring is as short as possible. All this filling receives power from a large torus, which accounts for the bulk of the device.
The Quad Artera Stereo topology is newly developed, although it retains a proprietary circuitry feature that allows you to obtain class A linearity from an amplifier that actually operates in class AB. The description also mentions the presence of Current Dumping, a technology that Quad first used in the amplifier model 405 (by the way, the only winner of the Royal Prize in the “Technological Achievement” category). In Artera Stereo, this circuit is implemented in an improved version and provides, along with solid power (140 watts), the best control of the complex reactive load that is any multi-way speaker.
The Quad Artera Stereo amplifier is capable of delivering 140 watts per channel into an 8-ohm load. Patented proprietary Current Dumping technology allows you to combine two parallel amplification circuits in each channel of the terminal. One of them belongs to class A and allows you to get exceptionally pure musical sound, filled with nuances and details, and the second works in class B, provides high efficiency and reliable speaker control, copes with signals with large amplitude, and also delivers high current to load. Both circuits are coordinated with each other using additional circuits. As a result, it is possible to get rid of the distortions characteristic of a regular AB class and obtain a powerful dynamic sound with timbral accuracy, purity and excellent microdynamics.
The strict industrial design of the case with an aluminum textured front panel and an unusual removable glass cover installed on its top platform deserves special attention. The precision-machined ribbed sides of the amplifier act as cooling radiators, and also increase the rigidity of the entire structure and eliminate resonances. A stylish narrow indicator built into the center of the façade reminds you that the Quad Artera Stereo has exited standby mode and is ready for operation.
Directly behind the facade of the amplifier is a large toroidal power supply transformer, behind which four high-capacity electrolytic capacitors are installed. The boards of each channel are spaced apart and fixed on opposite walls of the case to avoid mutual interference. At the rear of the terminal there are two inputs – a regular RCA and a balanced XLR. A push-button switch installed next to them is used as an input selector. Two pairs of screw terminals are provided for connecting speaker systems.
Quad Artera Stereo provides a high signal-to-noise ratio and is ideally combined with the Quad Artera Play CD player/preamplifier. The components of this bundle complement each other perfectly. Nevertheless, this “powerful” is a universal device that will work perfectly with virtually any high-quality signal source.
Characteristics Quad Artera Stereo
Power 2 x 140 W (8 ohms, THD less than 1%, 1 kHz)
Harmonic distortion 0.003% (100 W, 1 kHz), 0.03% (100 W, 20 Hz – 20 kHz)
Frequency response 20 Hz – 20 kHz (- 0.5 dB), 20 Hz – 70 kHz (- 3 dB)
Input sensitivity 980 mV (RCA)
Input impedance 10 kOhm (XLR), 15 kOhm (RCA)
Signal-to-noise ratio 115 dB (A -weighted, 140 W)
Inputs balanced XLR, unbalanced RCA
Other switching trigger input
Outputs to speakers 2 pairs of screw terminals
Power supply large toroidal transformer, four high-capacity capacitors
Power consumption 750 W (maximum), less than 0.5 W (standby)
Dimensions ( WxHxD) 320x158x338 mm
Weight 15 kg
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