Quad Elite CDS CD-player
Here is the most recent version of the CD player of Quad. Quad CD players began using the 66, that was targeted at buyers needing a step up from funding machines in the mid eighties, but was never meant to be a high end machine. Quad silver disk spinners have been overshadowed by the exceptional variety of electrostatic loudspeakers of the firm its players are less popular than maybe they ought to be.
The unit is somewhat uncommon looking, having a three quarter width sculpted aluminium case in the rear with crenellations, and an understated fascia of controls together with the minimum - only four to cover disk and the transportation functions open. The show is clear although fundamental to read, although the disk tray that is somewhat wobbly lets the side down a bit only at that cost. Inside the CDS gets servo system and a fresh transportation mechanism, custom trail access is speedy, but the button layout is perplexing in the beginning. Quad says high quality electronic components are defined, with multi-layer circuit boards. Round the back there are proprietary Quad Link connectors and analogue output signals, plus an IEC mains input signal.
SOUND QUALITY
When the laser lights of the Quad the silver disk in upwards, it becomes clear that it is a fairly unique-seeming apparatus - one whose sonics are not incommensurate with its higher cost. It's not clearly worse compared to superb-worth swish Rotel RCD-1570 in the majority of respects and Rega Apollo-R, and leaves the best - the Cambridge Audio 651C - a great few furlongs behind.
Kicking off with all the New Order track, as well as the opening few phrases show a fantastically normal drum machine sound ( in case there's this kind of thing!), with a great awareness of time. Vanishing Point can often sound muddled and actually instead compressed, but here it's the Quad totally missed or signposts the snare drum accent playing the others here have glossed over. And though it all looks so effortless and undramatic, the CDS reveals no awareness of air. Vocals are smooth float like clouds on the primary mixture, rather than being submerged as with a few other machines here. Everything is set flawlessly in its position in the mixture, also.
The Randy Crawford track verifies the Quad has got the measure of others, aside from your Rega maybe.
It's incredibly broad, with components of the combination glistening outside in perfect focus, like stars in the night time sky. Rhythmically the tune hangs together as well as the player's foil allied to its natural smoothness but yet engaging listen.
