Quad embraces DTS Play-Fi for Artera Solus Play all-in-one

Quad has launched the Artera Solus Play, an all-in-one Wi-Fi streaming and multi-room music system. Adopting the FTS Play-Fi platform, the one box solution can be integrated with other Play-Fi devices for network streaming and whole home audio.

An update on the original Artera Solus, launched in 2018, the unit also has aptX Bluetooth, a built-in CD player, full DAC and preamp facilities to hook up other audio devices and uprated stereo amplification.

DTS Play-Fi is capable of streaming hi-res music up to 24-bit/192kHz and is fast gaining support amid the audio fraternity. The free Play-Fi app (available for iOS, Android and Kindle Fire devices, Windows PCs and Apple and Android smartwatches) is a gateway to a variety of music services, including Spotify, Tidal, Amazon Music, Deezer, Qobuz, HDtracks and TuneIn. It’s also DLNA-compatible for playback of files on NAS drives or media servers.

Favourite playlists and radio stations can be assigned as presets within the app, while Works With Alexa support enables voice-controlled playback when the Artera Solus Play is paired with any Amazon Alexa-equipped device.

File support covers MP3, MP4A, AAC, FLAC, WAV and AIFF. In standard mode, which is optimised for multi-room bandwidth, audio is streamed at up to 16-bit/48kHz. However Play-Fi’s Critical Listening Mode, unlocks hi-res audio up to 24-bit/192kHz over Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

Beneath the hood is a 32-bit ES9018 Sabre32 Reference DAC, able to handle PCM data up to 32-bit/384kHz as well as DSD64/128/256.

Power output is rated at 2x75W into eight ohms. To minimise distortion, the power supplies for the left and right channels are isolated from each other as well as from the rest of the system.

The unit offers six digital inputs, two coaxial, two optical, USB Type B and Ethernet. Analogue outputs are supplied in both single-ended RCA phono and balanced XLR varieties, with the four-channel volume control preserving the balanced signal path from the DAC to the XLR output.There’s also a 12V trigger for system integration.

The Artera Solus Play is available from July, with a choice of black or silver front panels, with a retail price of £1,699. The original Artera Solus, without Wi-Fi/Ethernet network streaming, continues at £1,499.