QUAD Platina Integrated – Reference High-End Amplification with 200 Watts per Channel

The QUAD Platina Integrated represents a new generation of High-End electronics from the historic British manufacturer. Developed over several years, it combines a powerful Dual Mono Class AB architecture with a sophisticated ES9038PRO DAC, MM/MC phono stage, balanced analogue inputs and a comprehensive digital section featuring HDMI ARC and USB-C.

With 200 watts per channel into 8 ohms and substantial current delivery, the Platina Integrated is designed to control even demanding loudspeakers while maintaining the precision, transparency and natural presentation associated with QUAD's engineering philosophy.

Dual Mono Class AB Architecture

At the heart of the QUAD Platina Integrated is a newly developed Dual Mono Class AB power amplifier section designed to combine high output power with control, stability and extremely low distortion.

The amplifier delivers 2 × 200 W into 8 ohms, with substantially greater power available into 4-ohm loads. A maximum output current of 20 A helps maintain effective control even when driving loudspeakers with demanding impedance characteristics.

The separation of the two channels and carefully designed circuit layout help preserve stereo imaging, dynamics and fine musical detail even at high playback levels.

630 VA Toroidal Transformer

An amplifier of this capability requires a substantial power supply. The Platina Integrated uses a 630 VA toroidal transformer developed specifically for the amplifier.

The power supply provides 44,000 µF of reservoir capacitance per channel, creating a substantial energy reserve to respond rapidly to the dynamic demands of music.

Cascaded voltage regulators in the analogue and digital sections help maintain a stable power supply while reducing interference between different areas of the circuitry.

Components Developed Specifically for Platina

The development of the Platina Integrated involved careful component selection and extensive use of SMD technology, reducing internal signal path lengths and minimising parasitic resistance and inductance.

QUAD even developed specific capacitors for the Platina in collaboration with Würth Elektronik, demonstrating the level of attention devoted to the implementation of the amplifier circuitry.

The optimised component layout also helps reduce electromagnetic interference, improve thermal stability and maintain greater electrical symmetry between channels.

32-bit ES9038PRO DAC

The digital section is built around the sophisticated 32-bit ESS Sabre ES9038PRO DAC, developed for high-performance audio applications.

Two high-precision master clocks are used separately for the 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz sample-rate families, helping to reduce jitter and preserve the timing accuracy of the digital signal.

Through its USB-C input, the Platina Integrated supports PCM audio up to 768 kHz and DSD up to DSD512.

Upsampling and Five Digital Filters

The QUAD Platina Integrated can upsample PCM signals to 352.8 kHz or 384 kHz.

It also provides five selectable digital filters, allowing subtle adjustment of the DAC's behaviour according to the recording, the rest of the system or personal listening preferences.

HDMI ARC for TV Integration

The HDMI ARC input makes it easy to integrate a modern television into a High-End stereo system.

Films, TV series, concerts and other content can therefore benefit from the quality of the main amplifier and loudspeakers, avoiding the need for a separate audio system for television use.

High-Performance MM/MC Phono Stage

The Platina Integrated incorporates one of QUAD's most sophisticated phono sections in an integrated amplifier.

Based on a low-noise JFET architecture, it supports both Moving Magnet (MM) and Moving Coil (MC) cartridges and provides three selectable gain levels: 46, 52 and 60 dB.

Input impedance can also be configured for MM or MC cartridges, allowing appropriate matching to the electrical characteristics of the cartridge being used.

RCA and Balanced XLR Inputs

For analogue sources, the Platina Integrated provides two RCA inputs and one balanced XLR input, in addition to the dedicated MM/MC phono input.

The sensitivity of each analogue input can be adjusted individually through the graphical interface, making it easier to match playback levels between different sources.

Comprehensive Digital Connectivity

In addition to HDMI ARC and USB-C, the QUAD Platina Integrated provides two coaxial and two optical digital inputs.

The optical and coaxial inputs support sample rates up to 192 kHz, providing broad compatibility with CD transports, streamers, televisions and other digital sources.

High-Precision Analogue Volume Control

The Platina Integrated uses a sophisticated four-channel active analogue volume control.

This system enables precise and progressive adjustment of playback level while maintaining consistent channel balance throughout the volume range.

Current-Feedback Headphone Amplifier

The headphone output is not simply derived from the main power amplifier. The Platina Integrated features a dedicated Current-Feedback headphone amplifier designed specifically for this purpose.

Compatible with headphones from 20 to 600 ohms, it provides low distortion, wide bandwidth and a fast response to the dynamic variations of music.

RCA and Balanced XLR Outputs

In addition to its loudspeaker outputs, the Platina Integrated provides RCA and balanced XLR outputs, significantly increasing system flexibility.

These connections can be used with active subwoofers, external power amplifiers or to integrate the Platina Integrated into more complex High-End audio systems.

4.3-inch IPS Display

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

The graphical interface clearly displays source selection, volume and configuration parameters, making the amplifier's extensive range of settings easy to access.

Machined aluminium front-panel controls and a comprehensive remote control complete a design created to combine functionality, durability and contemporary aesthetics.

Roon Tested

The QUAD Platina Integrated is Roon Tested, confirming that its USB interface has been tested by Roon for use within the Roon playback ecosystem.

Combining 200 watts per channel, Dual Mono Class AB architecture, ES9038PRO DAC, MM/MC phono, HDMI ARC, USB-C and balanced XLR connectivity, the QUAD Platina Integrated is designed to become the central component of a modern High-End system while remaining faithful to the engineering philosophy that has defined QUAD for generations.

Key Features

• High-End integrated amplifier
• Dual Mono Class AB architecture
• 200 watts per channel into 8 ohms
• High power output into 4-ohm loads
• 20 A maximum output current
• 630 VA toroidal transformer
• 44,000 µF reservoir capacitance per channel
• 32-bit ESS Sabre ES9038PRO DAC
• Two high-precision master clocks
• PCM up to 768 kHz
• DSD up to DSD512
• Upsampling to 352.8 or 384 kHz
• 5 selectable digital filters
• HDMI ARC input
• USB-C input
• 2 coaxial digital inputs
• 2 optical digital inputs
• 2 analogue RCA inputs
• 1 balanced XLR analogue input
• Dedicated MM/MC phono stage
• Selectable phono gain: 46, 52 and 60 dB
• Four-channel active analogue volume control
• Dedicated Current-Feedback headphone amplifier
• RCA and balanced XLR outputs
• 4.3-inch full-colour IPS display
• Roon Tested
• 12 V Trigger
• Remote control included

Technical Specifications

Type: Dual Mono Class AB integrated amplifier
Rated power output: 2 × 200 W into 8 ohms (THD <1%)
Rated power output into 4 ohms: 2 × 310 W (THD <1%)
Power amplifier gain: +30 dB
Maximum output current: 20 A
THD: <0.0008% (1 kHz, 100 W/8 ohms)
Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (±0.3 dB)
Signal-to-noise ratio: >112 dB (A-weighted)

DAC: ESS Sabre ES9038PRO
USB-C: PCM up to 768 kHz / DSD64, DSD128, DSD256 and DSD512
Optical/Coaxial: 44.1-192 kHz
DAC THD: <0.001% (1 kHz @ 0 dBFS)
DAC signal-to-noise ratio: >116 dB (A-weighted)

Analogue inputs: 2 × RCA + 1 × balanced XLR
Phono: MM / MC
Phono gain: +46 / +52 / +60 dB selectable
MM sensitivity: 5 mV (46 dB gain)
MC sensitivity: 1 mV (60 dB gain)
MM impedance: 50 kΩ / 100 pF
MC impedance: 360 Ω / 200 pF

Digital inputs: 2 × Coaxial, 2 × Optical, 1 × USB-C, 1 × HDMI ARC
Analogue outputs: 1 × stereo RCA + 1 × stereo balanced XLR
Digital outputs: 1 × Optical + 1 × Coaxial
Loudspeaker outputs: 1 stereo pair
Trigger: 12 V input and output

Headphone impedance: 20-600 ohms
Headphone output impedance: 2.35 ohms
Headphone THD: <0.01% (1 kHz, 50 mW)

Display: 4.3-inch IPS, 800 × 480 pixels
Dimensions (W × H × D): 445 × 134.5 × 348 mm
Weight: 17.1 kg
Standby power consumption: <0.5 W
Finishes: Black or Silver