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One box solution with CD drive sounds wonderful with no marks and original packaging, can demonstrate ( Bromsgrove) .ONO.
At £495, this Quad Artera Solus is a strong bargain, landing well below the 25th percentile of £737 and nearly £400 under the median of £897 from recent GBP listings. The asking price is a genuine outlier compared to the typical used market, where the 75th percentile sits at £1,007, making this an excellent buying opportunity for a well-regarded all-in-one unit.
The Solus is prized for integrating a CD player, DAC, preamp, and 75W integrated amplifier into one compact chassis, delivering sound quality that places performers convincingly in the room. Its versatility shines with extensive digital inputs, USB connectivity for high-resolution files up to 384kHz, and Bluetooth streaming, offering a complete system without the clutter of separate components. At this price, the value is undeniable for enthusiasts seeking a premium, original-owner condition unit with full functionality.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Quad, the venerable British hi-fi brand, traces its origins to 1936 in London, when engineer Peter J. Walker founded S.P. Fidelity Sound Systems, soon renamed the Acoustical Manufacturing Company. Relocating to Huntingdon in 1941 after wartime bombing, the firm shifted from public address gear to domestic audio amid post-war demand for superior sound reproduction. Walker's pioneering ethos—prioritizing "the closest approach to the original sound"—defined Quad from its early QA12 amplifiers, adopted by the BBC, to the iconic Quad I of 1953.
The brand excels in amplifiers and electrostatic loudspeakers, revolutionizing both categories. The Quad II power amplifier of 1953 introduced cathode coupling for vanishingly low distortion, while the 1956 ESL 57 delivered the world's first full-range electrostatic speaker, employing a massless film diaphragm for unparalleled transparency and transient speed. Quad advanced into solid-state with the 1967 303 and transistor designs featuring innovative "Triples" output stages, later expanding to integrated amps like the 99 series, moving-coil speakers, and modern electrostatic models such as the ESL 988 and 989.
Today, under the International Audio Group since 1997, Quad holds a prestigious position in the high-end market, revered by audiophiles for its unyielding pursuit of accuracy over trends. Its heritage components command vintage collector status, yet contemporary offerings maintain a niche boutique appeal among discerning buyers seeking refined, distortion-free reproduction that honors Walker's legacy.
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