Quad claims the Artera Solus, a combined CD transport, DAC, preamplifier and power amplifier, will be able to achieve a performance "on par with much more expensive multi-component hi-fi systems".
So it's not exactly aiming low, then.
At the heart of the hi-fi is the ES9018 Sabre32 Reference digital-to-analogue converter. It's a 32-bit, eight-channel, DAC that means the Atera Solus is capable of playing PCM data up to a 32-bit/384kHz resolution (as well as DSD64, 128, and 256).
That's not the limit of the Atera Solus' connectivity... although you'll have to wait a little longer for the beefed-up version. Quad is to launch a premium, wi-fi equipped model, controlled by an app, in the autumn.
For now, the Artera Solus will be available in February, with a choice of black or silver front panels, priced £1500.
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