PURSUIT PERFECT SYSTEM
  • Home
  • ARTICLES
    • The Importance of Leading Edge Clarity
    • Full system to Review has got me thinking
    • Best Products of 2018 AWARDS
    • Widescreen Weekend – Bradford’s Not-So-Little Secret
    • Festival of Sound Audio and Music Show 2018 Review
    • A week of High End Audio
    • A Special Guest and A/B Listening Session with Tellurium Q
    • CanJam London 2018 Review
    • Munich High End Show 2018 Review
    • Visit to Henley Audio
    • Building the Ultimate Music Server - Hardware
    • Isolation is a Powerful thing
    • Oppo says Goodbye - Time to Upgrade
    • Does Software Affect Sound Quality
    • Special Listening Session
    • Qutest New Chord Dac
    • The Dolby Atmos Project
    • Bristol Sound and Vision 2018
    • The Hi-Fi Show Live 2017
    • Indulgence Show 2017
  • EQUIPMENT REVIEWS
    • ARCAM >
      • Arcam AVR 850 Review
      • Arcam P49 Review
    • Audio Analogue >
      • Maestro Anniversary Integrated Amplifier REVIEW
    • AUDIOQUEST >
      • Audioquest NightOwl Carbon Review
      • Niagara 7000 & Thunder Power Cable Review
      • Oak & Coffee Cables Review
    • Audiolab >
      • Audiolab M-DAC nano REVIEW - One for the Commuters
    • BOWERS & WILKINS >
      • Bowers & Wilkins 705 S2 Review
      • Bowers & Wilkins 603 Speakers REVIEW
    • CHORD ELECTRONICS >
      • Chord Electronics Hugo M Scaler REVIEW
      • Chord Electronics Hugo TT2
      • Chord Electronics DAVE Review
      • Chord Qutest Review
      • Chord Hugo 2 Review
      • Chord Hugo TT Review
      • Chord 2Qute Review
      • Chord SPM 1050 Amplifier Review
    • Eclipse >
      • Eclipse TD510z MK2 Speakers REVIEW
    • FOCAL >
      • Focal Utopia & Elear Headphones Review
    • FURUTECH >
      • Furutech NCF Booster & Signal Booster Review
      • Furutech FI50 (R) NCF IEC Review
    • German Physiks >
      • German Physiks Unlimited Ultimate REVIEW
    • iFI Audio >
      • Ifi Micro iDSD Black Label Review
    • JCAT >
      • JCAT Net Card FEMTO Review
    • IsoAcoustics >
      • IsoAcoustics GAIA II Speaker Isolators
    • KEF >
      • KEF Reference 3 Speakers Review
      • KEF Muo Stereo Pair Review
      • KEF M500 Headphones Review
    • Leema Acoustics >
      • Leema Elements Integrated Amplifier
    • LUXMAN >
      • Luxman L509X Review
      • Luxman L505UX II Review
      • Luxman C-700u & M-700u Pre & Power Review
      • Luxman M700 Ultimate Review
    • Mark Levinson >
      • Mark Levinson No.585 Review
    • MCINTOSH >
      • McIntosh MC275 IV Review
      • McIntosh MC152 Stereo Amplifier Review
    • Monitor Audio >
      • Platinum PL100 mkII
    • MUSICAL FIDELITY >
      • Musical Fidelity Nuvista 800 Review
    • NAIM >
      • Naim Uniti Atom - Hands On demo
    • OPPO >
      • Oppo 203 Oppo Mod Upgrades
    • PIONEER DJ >
      • Pioneer HRM6 Headphones Review
    • PS AUDIO >
      • PS Audio Directstream Dac Review
    • TELLURIUM Q >
      • Tellurium Q Black II Speaker Cable Review
      • Tellurium Q Black Diamond Speaker Cable Review
      • Tellurium Q Silver Diamond SPDIF Cable Review
      • Tellurium Q Silver Diamond Speaker Cable Review
      • Tellurium Q Silver II Speaker Cables
      • Tellurium Q Statement Power Cable Review
      • Tellurium Q Ultra Blue Speaker Cables
    • Wave High Fildelity >
      • Storm Reference Digital Cable your Chord DAVE will love it
    • YBA >
      • YBA Passion Pre 500 & Power 650 Review
      • YBA IA350A Integrated Amp / Dac Review
    • UNISON RESEARCH >
      • Unison Research Unico 150 Hybrid Integrated Amplifier Review
  • Dirac Live Home Calibration Service
  • YOU TUBE CHANNEL
  • UHD BD REVIEW
    • Solo a Star Wars Story UHD BLU RAY REVIEW
    • Deadpool 2 UHD BLU RAY Review
    • Avengers Infinity War UHD BLU RAY Review
    • Rampage UHD BLU RAY REVIEW
    • Tomb Raider UHD BLU RAY REVIEW
    • Ready Player One UHD BLU RAY REVIEW
    • Dunkirk UHD BLU RAY REVIEW
    • Atomic Blonde UHD BLU RAY REVIEW
    • Fast Furious 8 UHD BLU RAY REVIEW
    • Transformers Last Knight UHD BLU RAY REVIEW
  • About Us
  • Ellis Photography
    • Photo shoot for UK fastest growing hard surface repair specialist Fixation
Picture
  • Picture
  • Picture
  • Picture
  • Picture
Picture
  • Picture
  • Picture
  • Picture

Quad upgrades the Vena integrated amplifier to deliver an even richer specification

​Quad, the distinguished British audio brand, is launching a new version of one of its most popular products of recent years – the Vena integrated amplifier. The new Vena II builds upon the strengths of its predecessor – compact design, a useful range of facilities and thoroughly engaging sound – by adding new features and enhancing sonic performance to form the beating heart of an affordable, high-performance audio system.

​The original Vena offered an unusually forward-thinking feature set when it arrived in 2014, offering hi-res USB, optical and coaxial digital inputs in addition to wireless streaming via aptX Bluetooth. Just 313mm wide, the diminutive Vena II maintains the aesthetic of its predecessor – smart and contemporary, yet still distinctly ‘Quad’. A neat row of source-selection buttons and a large, smooth acting volume control adorn its fascia, tidily proportioned and elegantly functional. The same impressive range of digital and analogue inputs is provided, with the addition of a phono stage to allow the direct connection of a turntable – a facility for which there has been a resurgence of demand in recent years.
Picture
​Digital developments

Beneath the hood, the Vena II sports significant upgrades. The digital audio circuitry has been improved, the Cirrus Logic DAC chip found in the original Vena replaced by an ES9018K2M from the Sabre32 Reference family. This enables the Vena II to benefit from ESS Technology’s 32-bit HyperStream architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator to deliver ultra-low noise and high dynamic range. Though technically excellent, Sabre32 Reference DAC chips can be challenging to implement effectively.

​ If the circuitry that surrounds them it is not of a sufficient standard, the resulting sound can seem a little cold and hard; treat them right, however, and the level of musical expression that these chips dig from the digital signal is captivating. One such critical element is the post-DAC active filter; Quad’s design team has paid great attention to this circuit, using op-amps that were specifically chosen for their synergy with the ES9018K2M. In terms of hi-res file compatibility, the original Vena maxed out at 24-bit/192kHz PCM via USB. The Vena II stretches this to 32-bit/384kHz, alongside DSD (up to DSD256). This ensures the amp is fully equipped to make the most of today’s hi-res music formats, as well as future advances in ultra-high definition digital sound.
Picture
​Analogue upgrades

Significant improvements have also been made to the Vena II’s analogue stages. Like the original model, the new amp sports a Class AB power amp section that draws on Quad’s many decades of design experience. Here, though, the power supply has been upgraded, a new 200VA toroidal transformer lying at its heart. This is followed by 2x15000uF reservoir capacity (30000uF in total), helping the amp to maintain firm control of the music whilst enabling excellent dynamic range. Vinyl lovers will appreciate the addition of a phono stage for moving magnet cartridges – a high-quality, low-noise, JFET-based circuit with precise RIAA equalisation – adding to the Vena II’s already formidable format flexibility. Headphone users are also better catered for.

The original Vena included a headphone output, but this was connected to the amp’s main output stage rather than to a specialised headphone amp circuit. The 3 Vena II incorporates a dedicated headphone amp with current-feedback circuitry, its gain bandwidth and high slew rate delivering a more dynamic, detailed and engaging performance with all manner of headphone types.

The preamp section is kept as simple as possible to maintain signal purity, with line input signals passing to a precision analogue volume stage controlled by a motorised ALPS potentiometer. Much effort has gone into the physical layout of the Vena II’s circuitry, protecting the sensitive preamp section from noise interference. This, plus the use of independent low-noise power supplies for all critical stages, helps the Vena II to excel sonically at its price point – even before taking its impressive feature set into account.

​The original Vena was praised for its smooth yet bold and engaging sound quality; the Vena II retains this infectious musicality and adds greater resolution and refinement. Crisply defined detail reveals the character of voices and instruments, impressive dynamic range conveys natural impact and the amp’s transient ability keeps feet tapping with rhythmic music. For all its versatility, this is an amp that always puts the music first.
Picture
​Simply well connected

Simplicity is key to the Vena II’s outward design. Quad’s design team selected Bluetooth wireless streaming, with support for the sonically superior aptX and AAC codecs, to ensure easy pairing with all manner of smartphones, tablets, PCs and Macs – expertly implemented to deliver an adroit balance of quality and convenience. The Vena II feels like a traditional hi-fi amplifier, with its uncomplicated front mounted controls and simple remote, yet its specification is tailor-made for modern-day music lovers.

Copious cable connections enhance the amp’s flexibility. Inputs for digital sources comprise asynchronous USB and three S/PDIF sockets (one coaxial and two optical), while digital outputs are provided in optical and coaxial flavours. Analogue signals are catered for by three stereo RCA inputs – two line-level plus the new MM phono input for turntables – while pre-out sockets permit the addition of an external power amplifier. Vena en vogue Smart aesthetics are important to today’s music lovers. The Vena II’s small footprint (compared to many amps in its class) allows flexible positioning and ensures the amp slips tidily into a range of 4 environments.

The amp‘s dapper design is enhanced by a choice of four finishes: Quad’s classic Lancaster Grey is the standard option, while three premium finishes – Sapele Mahogany, Gloss Black and Gloss White – wrap the Vena II’s aluminium housing in veneered or lacquered wood. The Vena II is an exceptionally neat and convenient way to bring true high-fidelity sound to the varied nature of modern music collections – from vinyl and CD to digital streaming and hi-res files – via all manner of playback devices.

​The Lancaster Grey finish has an RRP of £649, while the three premium finish options add £100 to the price tag. Quad is also offering a specially priced system pack, which combines the company’s five-star-rated S-1 compact speakers in Black Oak with the Vena II in Lancaster Grey, for an RRP of £999 – a £150 saving compared to the individual RRPs. Both the Vena II integrated amplifier and the Vena II/S-1 system pack are available from the end of this month

Contact Us - PursuitPerfectSystem@Outlook.com

Copyright Pursuit Perfect System © 2017

  • Home
  • ARTICLES
    • The Importance of Leading Edge Clarity
    • Full system to Review has got me thinking
    • Best Products of 2018 AWARDS
    • Widescreen Weekend – Bradford’s Not-So-Little Secret
    • Festival of Sound Audio and Music Show 2018 Review
    • A week of High End Audio
    • A Special Guest and A/B Listening Session with Tellurium Q
    • CanJam London 2018 Review
    • Munich High End Show 2018 Review
    • Visit to Henley Audio
    • Building the Ultimate Music Server - Hardware
    • Isolation is a Powerful thing
    • Oppo says Goodbye - Time to Upgrade
    • Does Software Affect Sound Quality
    • Special Listening Session
    • Qutest New Chord Dac
    • The Dolby Atmos Project
    • Bristol Sound and Vision 2018
    • The Hi-Fi Show Live 2017
    • Indulgence Show 2017
  • EQUIPMENT REVIEWS
    • ARCAM >
      • Arcam AVR 850 Review
      • Arcam P49 Review
    • Audio Analogue >
      • Maestro Anniversary Integrated Amplifier REVIEW
    • AUDIOQUEST >
      • Audioquest NightOwl Carbon Review
      • Niagara 7000 & Thunder Power Cable Review
      • Oak & Coffee Cables Review
    • Audiolab >
      • Audiolab M-DAC nano REVIEW - One for the Commuters
    • BOWERS & WILKINS >
      • Bowers & Wilkins 705 S2 Review
      • Bowers & Wilkins 603 Speakers REVIEW
    • CHORD ELECTRONICS >
      • Chord Electronics Hugo M Scaler REVIEW
      • Chord Electronics Hugo TT2
      • Chord Electronics DAVE Review
      • Chord Qutest Review
      • Chord Hugo 2 Review
      • Chord Hugo TT Review
      • Chord 2Qute Review
      • Chord SPM 1050 Amplifier Review
    • Eclipse >
      • Eclipse TD510z MK2 Speakers REVIEW
    • FOCAL >
      • Focal Utopia & Elear Headphones Review
    • FURUTECH >
      • Furutech NCF Booster & Signal Booster Review
      • Furutech FI50 (R) NCF IEC Review
    • German Physiks >
      • German Physiks Unlimited Ultimate REVIEW
    • iFI Audio >
      • Ifi Micro iDSD Black Label Review
    • JCAT >
      • JCAT Net Card FEMTO Review
    • IsoAcoustics >
      • IsoAcoustics GAIA II Speaker Isolators
    • KEF >
      • KEF Reference 3 Speakers Review
      • KEF Muo Stereo Pair Review
      • KEF M500 Headphones Review
    • Leema Acoustics >
      • Leema Elements Integrated Amplifier
    • LUXMAN >
      • Luxman L509X Review
      • Luxman L505UX II Review
      • Luxman C-700u & M-700u Pre & Power Review
      • Luxman M700 Ultimate Review
    • Mark Levinson >
      • Mark Levinson No.585 Review
    • MCINTOSH >
      • McIntosh MC275 IV Review
      • McIntosh MC152 Stereo Amplifier Review
    • Monitor Audio >
      • Platinum PL100 mkII
    • MUSICAL FIDELITY >
      • Musical Fidelity Nuvista 800 Review
    • NAIM >
      • Naim Uniti Atom - Hands On demo
    • OPPO >
      • Oppo 203 Oppo Mod Upgrades
    • PIONEER DJ >
      • Pioneer HRM6 Headphones Review
    • PS AUDIO >
      • PS Audio Directstream Dac Review
    • TELLURIUM Q >
      • Tellurium Q Black II Speaker Cable Review
      • Tellurium Q Black Diamond Speaker Cable Review
      • Tellurium Q Silver Diamond SPDIF Cable Review
      • Tellurium Q Silver Diamond Speaker Cable Review
      • Tellurium Q Silver II Speaker Cables
      • Tellurium Q Statement Power Cable Review
      • Tellurium Q Ultra Blue Speaker Cables
    • Wave High Fildelity >
      • Storm Reference Digital Cable your Chord DAVE will love it
    • YBA >
      • YBA Passion Pre 500 & Power 650 Review
      • YBA IA350A Integrated Amp / Dac Review
    • UNISON RESEARCH >
      • Unison Research Unico 150 Hybrid Integrated Amplifier Review
  • Dirac Live Home Calibration Service
  • YOU TUBE CHANNEL
  • UHD BD REVIEW
    • Solo a Star Wars Story UHD BLU RAY REVIEW
    • Deadpool 2 UHD BLU RAY Review
    • Avengers Infinity War UHD BLU RAY Review
    • Rampage UHD BLU RAY REVIEW
    • Tomb Raider UHD BLU RAY REVIEW
    • Ready Player One UHD BLU RAY REVIEW
    • Dunkirk UHD BLU RAY REVIEW
    • Atomic Blonde UHD BLU RAY REVIEW
    • Fast Furious 8 UHD BLU RAY REVIEW
    • Transformers Last Knight UHD BLU RAY REVIEW
  • About Us
  • Ellis Photography
    • Photo shoot for UK fastest growing hard surface repair specialist Fixation