Quad Platina Integrated – Amplifier Test

Quad has long earned a cult status in the high-quality audio market. Several mildstones that revolutionized the 20th-century Hi-Fi market (from ESL speakers to amplifiers) have earned the company an impeccable reputation as a trendsetter. Well, in 2025, the new Quad Platina series awaits us – and we're testing the Quad Platina Integrated integrated amplifier with a built-in digital-to-analog converter.

Design

The Quad Platina Integrated delivers 2 x 200 watts into 8 ohms and 2 x 300 watts into 4 ohms, has an input impedance of 50 kOhms, an output impedance of 2.35 ohms, and operates with a frequency response of 20–20,000 with a 0.1 dB error. According to the specifications, distortion does not exceed 0.001%. The model weighs a hefty 17.1 kg.

Technology

The Quad Platina Integrated operates in Class AB and is based on a 630 VA toroidal transformer and a capacitor bank with a total capacity of 44,000 microfarads. The housing is extremely high-quality and features heat sinks on the sides. A 4.3" LCD display adds a touch of class to the model's appearance. It displays both a power level indicator and a menu for controlling functions (from switching inputs to adjusting input sensitivity). A 6.35mm headphone jack is also included.

The Quad Platina Integrated amplifier is ready for digital audio out of the box, featuring a built-in DAC based on the ESS Technology Sabre ES9038 Pro chip. Two optical and two coaxial, a USB Type-C port, and an HDMI ARC port provide flexible connectivity.

In addition to digital, the Quad Platina Integrated offers two unbalanced RCA inputs and one balanced XLR input. Furthermore, a universal JFET phono preamplifier with switchable gain is included. For moving coil cartridges, the gain is 46 dB, while for moving coil cartridges, it's 52 dB or 60 dB. dB. Preamplifier outputs - RCA and XLR.

Test System

We paired the Quad Platina Integrated with a proprietary Quad Platina Stream streamer and the latest version of the Quad ESL-2812 electrostatic speakers, which significantly stress the amplifier.

Listening

Bravo, the Quad Platina Integrated controlled the challenging electrostatic speaker load with absolute precision – the resolution, speed, and presence of the musicians in the room were impeccable, and complex dynamic bursts were handled without a hitch. Resolution is a hallmark of this model. In terms of detail, the Quad Platina Integrated significantly surpasses competitors in its price range – yet the music never devolves into a sterile presentation. On the contrary, the performance is cohesive, complete, emotional, and expressive.

Traditionally for the company, the Quad Platina Integrated demonstrates an amazing sense of rhythm. Rock 'n' roll, which isn't always convincing when played by electrostatic speakers, didn't give rise to any criticism here. The amp's ability to fill a room with three-dimensional sound is another strong point of the model.

Conclusions

The Quad Platina Integrated is a striking example of the synthesis of modern engineering excellence and the integration of the company's vast experience in high-quality sound reproduction. An excellent model.