What it is
Notable feature: Quad TILT control (recreated from the classic Quad 34, first launched 1982) — adjusts both ends of frequency spectrum together for room/recording correction. Plus analogue bass filters: +4.5dB at 60Hz lift, or -4.5dB shelf cut for room resonance management.
Dual-purpose preamp: line stage + Class A MM/MC phono stage + headphone amp. Each input runs in direct mode if preferred, bypassing all other circuitry.
Stage 2.6.5 ENTRY: Matched sets — Artera Stereo (140W/8Ω, RCA + XLR) or Artera Mono (300W/8Ω monoblock, OCC cabling). Both accept both RCA and XLR — universally flexible. Mixed-set candidates: any modern power amp.
Who it comes up against
9 lost · Anchored, Artisan, Cavity-Native, Characterful, Reference, Romantic, Silent Path
Against the Silent Path brief, the Music First Audio Baby Reference V2 keeps the slot clearly.
With the Audio Note P1 SE, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
With the Whest Audio 60Se Pro, the pairing gains most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Quad Artera Pre is the weaker preamplifier for that brief.
does not produce hum, almost no noiseHi-Fi World, Keywood, 2019
does not produce hum, almost no noiseHi-Fi World, Keywood, 2019
8 lost · Anchored, Artisan, Characterful, Reference, Romantic, Silent Path
Against the Anchored brief, the Audiolab 9000Q keeps the slot by a whisker.
On its own merits the Quad Artera Pre is the weaker preamplifier for that brief.
does not produce hum, almost no noiseHi-Fi World, Keywood, 2019
8 lost · Anchored, Artisan, Cavity-Native, Characterful, Intimate, Reference, Romantic, Silent Path
Against the Anchored brief, the NVA P50 MKII keeps the slot clearly.
With the Audiolab 9000P, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
With the Rega Aria Mk3 MM/MC, the pairing gains most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Quad Artera Pre is the stronger preamplifier — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the Audiolab 9000P gives up quietness at rest under the Anchored weighting.
does not produce hum, almost no noiseHi-Fi World, Keywood, 2019
does not produce hum, almost no noiseHi-Fi World, Keywood, 2019
6 lost · Anchored, Artisan, Cavity-Native, Intimate, Reference
Against the Anchored brief, the NVA P50SA MKII keeps the slot clearly.
With the Longdog Audio P6100M (pair), the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
With the Rega Aria Mk3 MM/MC, the pairing gains most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Quad Artera Pre is the stronger preamplifier — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the Longdog Audio P6100M (pair) gives up quietness at rest under the Anchored weighting.
does not produce hum, almost no noiseHi-Fi World, Keywood, 2019
does not produce hum, almost no noiseHi-Fi World, Keywood, 2019
4 lost · Cavity-Native, Characterful, Romantic
Against the Cavity-Native brief, the Leema Neutron keeps the slot clearly.
With the Leema Hydra II, the pairing gives up most on vocal presence.
On its own merits the Quad Artera Pre is the weaker preamplifier for that brief.
2 lost · Intimate
Against the Intimate brief, the EAR Yoshino 868L (Line) keeps the slot clearly.
With the EAR Yoshino 890, the pairing gives up most on midrange truth.
On its own merits the Quad Artera Pre is the weaker preamplifier for that brief.
It sits well below the share of the budget this brief aims at the preamplifier position.
868L line preamp, Tim de Paravicini valve designEAR Yoshino 868L + multi-decade Stereophile heritage
2 lost · Artisan, Reference
Against the Artisan brief, the Exposure 3510 Preamplifier keeps the slot clearly.
With the Exposure XM9 Biamp 2x2 (4 units), the pairing gives up most on vocal presence.
On its own merits the Quad Artera Pre is the weaker preamplifier for that brief.
1 lost · Intimate
Against the Intimate brief, the Audio Note M2 Phono keeps the slot clearly.
With the Audio Note P1 SE, the pairing gives up most on midrange truth.
On its own merits the Quad Artera Pre is the weaker preamplifier for that brief.
Audio Note pre with onboard phono, classic SET-friendly voicingAudio Note M2 Phono + Stereophile heritage