The Quad Artera Pre is a pure analogue preamplifier, combining innovative modern British design with the Quad sound signature traditions, characterized by the pure analogue signal. The Artera Pre mixes minimalist design with high-quality components to ensure short, direct signal paths that preserve sonic purity. It is compatible with many music sources thanks to its versatility with both balanced and unbalanced inputs and outputs.
The power supply includes 11 adjustable power buses with ultra-low noise levels. The onboard Tilt tone control changes the ratio between low and high frequencies simultaneously, attenuating some and amplifying others in 1 dB increments. A step-by-step selection of three bass levels is also available: -4.5 dB, 0, +4.5 dB. In addition, they can be combined individually for each input, compensating for the different nature of the sound sources.
The Quad Artera Pre features a separate headphone amplifier with a Class A discrete output stage and low output impedance. A remote control is included.
The history of Quad is one of technical achievement in the field of sound reproduction. It is a story that began with the Quad 1 amplifier, which brought the benefits of 15 years knowledge and experience in professional audio and industrial products to the task of making the most accurate domestic audio amplifier of its age.A few years later, in 1953, the product which set the standard for amplifiers was the Quad II Power Amplifier, the time of Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation and the year in which Mount Everest was finally conquered. This amplifier pioneered the principle of cathode coupling through the output transformer to reduce harmonic distortion to almost negligible levels. Such was its clear superiority that this model remained in production for 18 years. Three years later, in 1956, Quad demonstrated the first true full-range electrostatic loudspeaker. This remarkable product (known later as the ESL 57) used a virtually mass-less plastic film as a moving diaphragm between two charged plates. Compared with moving coil loudspeakers, the ESL 57 was free of unwanted colourations and distortions. This landmark product remained in production, virtually unchanged, for 28 years.
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