Quad Artera Mono Power Amplifier

QUAD Artera Mono power amplifier is an alternative to the Artera Stereo power amplifier where you want the best possible drive and control for your loudspeakers. This monoblok model features upgraded audiophile components and multi-layer circuit boards.

The design has the classic QUAD sound but with increased clarity and definition. This is a class AB amplifier that uses current dumping to give a very clean and powerful sound. Another innovation is the use of cabling made from a single crystal, for very low resistance. Finally, output protection is active with no fuses or relays in the signal path.

QUAD’s current dumping technology

The Artera Mono uses QUAD’s proprietary current dumping technology. This was developed by QUAD’s founder Peter Walker. Notably, it uses a very high quality class AB power amp circuit. At low power the amp provides all the detail. However, at higher power, a current dumping section takes over to provide the grunt. As a result cross-over distortion is eliminated. Additionally, thermal tracking and transistor matching is not a problem. Therefore a wider range of power transistors can be used.

Low resistance OCC cabling

As Elon Musk quoted “The best part is no part”. Consequently, the best amplifier has the least complicated signal path. Additionally the lower the resistance of the cabling the better. As a result OCC (Ohno Continuous Cast) cable is used for the output stage. The OCC cable is cast as a single Chrystal up to 125 meters in length. In this way any impurities are eliminated, for a very low resistance signal path. This can be done with silver as well as copper.

High powered pure sound

The QUAD Artera Mono delivers 300 watts of pure power into 8 ohms. It can drive the most demanding of speakers and has instant overload recovery. The output is protected by an active circuit that gives full protection without the need for fuses or relays in the signal path. The sound has the power to grip without losing any detail.

Top quality solid enclosure

As with the rest of the Artera range the case is understated. It also evokes QUAD’s past while looking to the future. The unit is available in silver or black and provides a strong and rigid structure. This is a heavy unit that oozes quality. It is shielded from external vibration and interference. Moreover, it has an inlaid glass top as well as a CNC routed heatsink on either side.

Connectivity

Connectivity is simplicity itself with a gold plated RCA input as well as a balanced XLR Input. The output is gold plated and can take the usual plugs, spade connectors or bare wire. THD is a super low 0.006% and the bandwidth extends from 20Hz to 90 kHz.

Who are QUAD?

Quad made professional audio equipment for 15 years before delving into the domestic market, in 1953. The year of the Coronation of Elizabeth II. That was with the QUAD 1 amplifier, the QUAD II followed and was so good that it remained in production for 18 years. The main innovation was cathode coupling through the output transformer. This reduced harmonic distortion to negligible levels.

By 1956 QUAD were producing the first full range electrostatic speaker with the ESL 57. Electrostatic speakers use a mass-less plastic film that acts as a diaphragm. The film is mounted between two charged plates. Electrostatic speakers have no colouration, unlike moving coil loudspeakers. The current range includes the latest electrostatic speaker models, in addition to a range of loudspeakers and hi-fi separates such as the Vena models and the Artera range.