The English company Quad presents a new version of the Vena II amplifier, adding the word Play to the name. It indicates support for DTS Play-Fi multiroom technology. The integrated device has now received wireless functionality: it can reproduce signals over Wi-Fi in quality up to 24 bit/192 kHz and has also acquired Bluetooth. True, the update did not stop at network capabilities. The developers changed the volume control: instead of a motorized ALPS, there is now a resistor ladder on board, and for convenience, LEDs were added around the control wheel to indicate the volume level. And on the front panel there are buttons for connecting to network and Bluetooth sources. You can control the amplifier using the DTS Play-Fi app. There’s also support for Amazon Alexa (with the right speaker) and Spotify Connect.
Otherwise, everything is the same: the ES9018K2M chip converts the signal, the class AB amplifier produces 45 W per channel at 8 ohms, the preamplifier section is additionally shielded, and each channel has its own power supply. There is a dedicated headphone amplifier with current feedback. Separately, it is worth noting the presence of a built-in phono stage for MM-type pickup heads and two inputs for other sources of the home stereo system. The preamplifier output, in turn, allows you to connect an external power amplifier. It is proposed to control the amplifier through a proprietary application for different OS.
We had to say goodbye to some connectors – for example, digital outputs and one SPDIF input. There remains one optical input and one coaxial plus to USB, but Ethernet has appeared. Via USB, the amplifier is ready to work with signals up to 32 bit/384 kHz. Analog connections include a pair of RCA and a phono input, and there is also a preamp output.
Home network devices, including NAS storage, can act as sources. Also, the DTS Play-Fi platform gives users access to almost all popular network resources: Spotify, Tidal, HD Tracks, Deezer, Amazon Music, Napster, KKBox, Sirius XM and others.
Quad Vena II Play Specifications
Output Power: 2 x 45 W (at 8 ohms), 2 x 65 W (at 4 ohms)
S/N Ratio: >108 dB
Distortion Level: Less than <0.0005% (30 W, 8 ohms )
Frequency range: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (+/- 0.5 dB)
Inputs: 2 pairs of linear RCA, Phono MM, 1 TOSLink, Coax, USB Type-B, USB Type-A
Outputs: analog PreOut RCA, Phones 3 .5 mm
Input impedance RCA/Phono: 10/47 kOhm
Supported bit depth: PCM up to 24 bit/96 kHz (for S/PDIF inputs), up to 24 bit/192 kHz (via USB)
Bluetooth: A2DP, aptX, SBC
Maximum power consumption power: 750 W
Transferring content from streaming services via Wi-Fi without loss of quality
Full compatibility with operating systems iOS, Android, Windows and Fire OS
Convenient control via a proprietary application (no registration or SMS)
support for multiroom options;
Dimensions (H x W x D): 94 x 313 x 302 mm
Weight: 7.5 kg
