Quad Elite CDS
It's the most
expensive of the pack, but will its performance justify that price tag?
This is the
latest version of Quad’s CD player, and the most costly model in the Group
Test. Quad CD players started in the mid-eighties with the 66, which was
targeted at buyers wanting a step up from budget machines, but was never
intended to be a high-end machine. Quad silver disc spinners have always been
overshadowed by the company’s superb range of electrostatic loudspeakers, so
its players are still less well known than perhaps they should be. The headline
feature of the Elite CDS is the 24-bit/192kHz upsampling
DAC fitted, replacing its predecessor’s 24/96 converter.
Quad Elite CDS three quarter view
The unit is
a little unusual looking, having a three-quarter width sculpted aluminium case with crenellations at the back, and an
understated fascia with the minimum of controls - just four to cover the
transport functions and disc open/close. The display is basic but clear to
read, although the rather wobbly disc tray lets the side down a bit at this
price. Inside the CDS gets a new transport mechanism and servo system, custom
designed by Quad engineers; track access is swift, but the button layout is
confusing at first. A new master clock is fitted, as is the aforementioned
Crystal CS4398 24-bit DAC. Quad says high-quality electronic components are
specified, with multi-layer circuit boards. Round the back there are analogue
outputs and proprietary Quad Link connectors, plus an IEC mains input.
On test
In many
respects the technical performance of this Elite CDS bears a strong resemblance
to that of Quad's costlier Platinum DMP CD player. Both offer a high 2.4V
maximum output allied to a very wide 110dB A/wtd S/N
ratio while jitter is suppressed to just 115psec - the measureable limit for
CD's 16-bit data. Both players employ the minimum phase variant of the DAC's
digital filter (reducing pre-ringing for more post-event ringing) but although
their time domain behavior looks the same, the CDS yields better attenuation of
digital 'images' (-107dB versus -27dB).
Quad Elite CDS rear view
The
frequency response and output impedance are almost identical (-0.6dB/ 20kHz and 116ohm, respectively), which also suggests Quad is
utilizing a similar analogue stage in both players. When it comes to
distortion, the CDS has the edge, offering a very low and impressively
consistent 0.0007%-0.0008% from 20Hz-20kHz.
Sound quality
As soon as
the Quad’s laser lights the silver disc inside up, it becomes abundantly clear
that this is a rather special-sounding device - one whose sonics
are commensurate with its higher price. While this group has provided a few
surprises, the Elite CDS restates the natural order of things with a
beautifully detailed, delicate yet powerful sound. It is noticeably better than
the excellent- value Rotel in most respects, and
leaves the best of the budget machines - the Cambridge Audio - a good few
furlongs behind.
Kicking off
with the New Order track, and the opening few phrases display a wonderfully
natural drum machine sound (if there is such a thing!), with an excellent sense
of timing. The music isn’t thumped out at the listener in a brutish way, but
still manages to be tremendously impactful and invigorating. Vanishing Point
can tend to sound really rather compressed and muddled, but here it is neither;
the Quad signposts the snare drum accent playing once every four bars that the
others here have either glossed over or completely missed. And yet it all seems
so effortless and undramatic, the CDS shows no sense of strain. Behind the
frenetic drum track glides some beautiful keyboard work, chiming like only
early digital synths should. Vocals are gorgeously smooth yet float like clouds
over the main mix, rather than being submerged as with some other machines
here. Most impressive of all is Peter Hook’s bass guitar work; suddenly it
appears effortlessly in front for all to hear, and wonderfully tuneful.
Everything is set perfectly in its place in the mix, too.
Crystal CS4398 24-bit DAC
It is
wonderfully spacious, with elements of the mix glistening out like stars in the
night sky, in perfect focus. Rhythmically the song hangs together superbly, and
the player’s transparency allied to its innate smoothness makes for an
effortless, but nonetheless engaging listen.
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Details
·
Product: Quad Elite CDS
·
Origin: UK/China
·
Type: CD player
·
Price: $1,319.28
·
Weight: 4.5kg
·
Dimensions: (WxHxD) 321 x
70 x 310mm
· Features: Crystal CS4398 24-bit DAC, 1x RCA phono line output, Quad Link connector,
Tray-loading CD drive
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