QUAD Platina Stream – High-End Network Player with ES9038PRO DAC

The QUAD Platina Stream is QUAD's reference network player, developed to deliver high-resolution music streaming and digital file playback with the performance expected from a modern High-End audio system.

Equipped with the flagship ESS Sabre ES9038PRO 32-bit DAC, a Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A53 processor, dual-band Wi-Fi and Gigabit Ethernet, it combines a powerful streaming platform with a sophisticated digital-to-analogue conversion stage.

With support for Roon Ready, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, AirPlay 2, Plex, UPnP and TuneIn Radio, the Platina Stream brings together online streaming services, network music libraries, USB storage and direct computer playback in a single premium digital source.

Next-Generation High-End Streaming

The Platina Stream represents QUAD's entry into the world of High-End wireless music streaming, combining the British manufacturer's long-standing audio engineering philosophy with a digital platform designed for the way music is enjoyed today.

Network connectivity is provided through Gigabit Ethernet or dual-band 2.4/5 GHz Wi-Fi, offering fast and reliable connections for high-resolution music playback.

The architecture is designed to provide stable, bit-perfect playback and fast access even when working with extensive digital music libraries.

ESS Sabre ES9038PRO DAC

At the heart of the digital section is the ESS Sabre ES9038PRO, an eight-channel DAC widely used in High-End digital audio equipment and implemented by QUAD within an architecture specifically developed for the Platina series.

The DAC section uses dual high-precision master clocks to minimise jitter and provide excellent linearity, wide dynamic range and highly accurate conversion.

The Platina Stream supports PCM up to 768 kHz / 32-bit and native DSD up to DSD512, making it suitable for extremely high-resolution digital music libraries.

Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A53 Processing

The streaming platform is driven by a powerful Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A53 processor running at 1.8 GHz per core.

This processing power enables fast navigation through large libraries, efficient album-art caching, content indexing and stable playback of high-resolution files.

The result is a fast and responsive user experience even when the system is managing local content, streaming services and network libraries.

Roon Ready

The QUAD Platina Stream is Roon Ready, allowing it to operate directly as a certified audio endpoint within a Roon system.

Integration provides bit-perfect network streaming, control through the Roon interface and straightforward use within either multiroom systems or dedicated High-End listening installations.

Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect and Qobuz Connect

The Platina Stream provides native support for Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect and Qobuz Connect.

This allows listeners to use the official apps from these services to select music and control playback while the Platina Stream receives the audio stream directly over the network.

The unit also supports Spotify Lossless, enabling CD-quality playback from the native Spotify app where the service and account provide this functionality.

AirPlay 2, Plex and UPnP

Apple AirPlay 2 support provides convenient playback from iPhone, iPad, Mac and other compatible Apple devices.

Support for Plex and UPnP allows the Platina Stream to integrate with music servers and NAS systems already connected to the home network.

Locally stored music libraries can therefore be played directly through the streamer without requiring a dedicated computer beside the Hi-Fi system.

QUAD Platina App

The unit can be controlled through the dedicated QUAD Platina app for iOS and Android devices.

The app brings streaming services, network shares and USB devices together within a unified library, allowing music to be searched by track, artist, composer, label, year or genre.

Users can also create playback queues, playlists and folders, organise large collections and group multi-disc sets, remasters or themed compilations for easier browsing.

Local File Playback

In addition to online streaming, the Platina Stream can play music stored on USB flash drives, USB hard drives and network servers.

Supported formats include lossless FLAC, ALAC, WAV and AIFF, DSD files in DSF and DIFF formats, DoP and compressed MP3 audio.

USB storage devices can use FAT32, exFAT or NTFS file systems.

PCM up to 768 kHz and Native DSD512

The digital platform supports PCM from 44.1 kHz up to 768 kHz, including 705.6/768 kHz fixed-point playback via the streaming function.

For DSD, the Platina Stream supports DSD64, DSD128, DSD256 and native DSD512.

This extensive format support allows the Platina Stream to handle virtually every major High-Resolution Audio format in current use.

USB Connection for Computers

The Platina Stream includes a PC USB Type-B input, allowing it to operate as an external DAC for a computer.

The unit is therefore not limited to network streaming and can also serve as the main digital audio interface in a PC or music-server-based system.

RCA and Balanced XLR Analogue Outputs

Thanks to its integrated ES9038PRO DAC, the Platina Stream provides both RCA and balanced XLR analogue outputs.

The output level is variable from 0 to 2.05 Vrms, providing flexible integration with integrated amplifiers, preamplifiers and other audio system configurations.

The balanced XLR output achieves a signal-to-noise ratio greater than 120 dB A-weighted, while the RCA output exceeds 116 dB.

Coaxial and Optical Digital Outputs

For systems using an external DAC, the Platina Stream also provides coaxial and optical digital outputs.

This allows the Platina Stream to be used purely as a network transport, leaving digital-to-analogue conversion to another component in the system.

The digital outputs support resolutions up to 24-bit / 192 kHz.

4.3-Inch IPS Display

The front panel incorporates a large 4.3-inch IPS display with 800 × 480-pixel resolution.

The screen can display album artwork, detailed playback information, menus and different visual presentation modes.

Users can choose between artwork-focused, data-rich or VU meter displays, while the screen can also be dimmed or switched off for discreet listening sessions.

High-End Platina Construction

The Platina Stream uses a rigid metal chassis, side-mounted heatsinks, anti-resonance feet, an anodised front panel and high-quality connectors.

The main rotary control is machined from aluminium and complemented by discreet function buttons that maintain the clean, minimalist design language of the Platina series.

With a substantial 11.8 kg net weight, the construction provides a stable mechanical platform for the sensitive digital and analogue circuitry inside.

The Digital Partner for the Platina Integrated

The Platina Stream was developed alongside the QUAD Platina Integrated and uses the same ES9038PRO DAC platform, providing particularly coherent integration between the two components.

However, thanks to its own RCA and balanced XLR analogue outputs together with coaxial and optical digital outputs, the streamer can be easily integrated into virtually any Hi-Fi system.

Together with the Platina Integrated and Platina CDT, it forms a complete system combining streaming, digital files, Compact Disc, analogue sources and amplification within QUAD's flagship electronics range.

Key Features

• High-End network player
• ESS Sabre ES9038PRO 32-bit DAC
• Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A53 processor at 1.8 GHz per core
• PCM up to 768 kHz / 32-bit
• Native DSD64, DSD128, DSD256 and DSD512
• Roon Ready
• Spotify Connect
• TIDAL Connect
• Qobuz Connect
• AirPlay 2
• Plex
• UPnP
• TuneIn Radio
• Dual-band 2.4/5 GHz Wi-Fi
• Gigabit Ethernet
• QUAD Platina app for iOS and Android
• Gapless Playback
• USB storage playback
• Support for FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF, MP3, DSF and DIFF
• PC USB Type-B input
• RCA analogue output
• Balanced XLR analogue output
• Coaxial digital output
• Optical digital output
• 4.3-inch IPS display
• 800 × 480-pixel resolution
• Album artwork and VU meter display modes
• 12V Trigger
• Remote control included
• Available in Black or Silver

Technical Specifications

Type: Network Player / Streamer
DAC: ESS Sabre ES9038PRO 32-bit
Processor: Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A53, 1.8 GHz per core
Streaming: Roon Ready / Spotify Connect / TIDAL Connect / Qobuz Connect / AirPlay 2 / Plex / UPnP / TuneIn Radio
Network: Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac + Ethernet 10/100/1000 Base-T

Lossless PCM formats: FLAC / ALAC / WAV / AIFF
DSD formats: DSF / DIFF / DoP
Compressed audio: MP3
PCM: 44.1 kHz – 768 kHz
DSD: DSD64 / DSD128 / DSD256 / DSD512 Native

Inputs: Network Streaming / PC USB Type-B / 12V Trigger
USB storage: Flash Drive / USB HDD
USB file systems: FAT32 / exFAT / NTFS

Analogue outputs: 1 × Stereo RCA + 1 × Stereo Balanced XLR
Digital outputs: 1 × Coaxial + 1 × Optical
Trigger: 1 × 12V

Variable analogue output: 0 – 2.05 Vrms
DAC frequency response: ±0.5 dB (20 Hz – 20 kHz, reference 1 kHz)
THD: <0.001% (1 kHz @ 2.05 Vrms)
Signal-to-noise ratio: >116 dB RCA / >120 dB XLR (A-weighted)
Analogue output impedance: 120 Ω

Maximum digital output resolution: 24-bit / 192 kHz
Digital output amplitude: 500 ±50 mVpp
Digital output impedance: 75 Ω

Display: 4.3-inch IPS
Resolution: 800 × 480 pixels
App control: Android / iOS
Remote control: Yes

Dimensions (W × H × D): 445 × 134.5 × 348 mm
Net weight: 11.8 kg
Standby power consumption: <0.5 W
Power requirements: 220-240 V / 50-60 Hz
Finishes: Black / Silver