Quad Vena II Play (Lancaster Grey) is rated
out of
5 by
21.
Quad Vena II Play (Lancaster Grey)
Network Stereo Amplifier
£799
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This product is compatible with DTS Play-Fi. Learn more here.
The compact amp that does even more
The Vena II already packs a lot in, but the Vena II Play takes it even further. With DTS Play-Fi built-in, you get seamless music streaming and multi-room potential. A built-in DAC (Digital to Analogue Convertor) provides digital connectivity. Analogue inputs include a connection dedicated to your turntable. Direct streaming from your smartphone or other device is also possible, thanks to the Bluetooth link. There’s also a top quality headphone output. Everything you need in an amp is right here.
DTS Play-Fi for effortless music streaming
DTS Play-Fi is a premium, wireless control system that brings everything under one 'roof'. Download the free app from the Apple Store (iOS), Google Play (Android), Kindle Fire or for your Windows PC and get started on streaming all your favourite music. You not only get access to Internet radio but also popular music apps such as Spotify, Tidal, Deezer, Amazon Music and Napster. It’s all here, for near limitless music.
Make sense of multi-room
As well as bringing all your streaming sources together, Play-Fi offers the potential for full multi-room music. Simply add other Play-Fi compatible sources and you'll quickly be able to build up a comprehensive music system around your home - all under the control of a single app.
Quad quality sound
With decades of top quality audio experience, the Quad Vena II Play sounds every bit the award-winner it is. An upgraded toroidal transformer and high output capacitors give the Vena II Play firm control and excellent dynamic range. Whatever the music, the Quad’s 45 watts per channel delivers a ‘wall of sound’ that makes you feel the performers are in the room with you.
Playback your Hi-Res music files
With the superb ESS Sabre32 Reference DAC at its heart, the Vena II Play effortlessly handles your hi-res music files. Use the USB digital input and the Vena II Play decodes right up to studio quality 32-bit/384kHz and DSD256. With the optical and coaxial inputs, the hi-res music capacity is a still impressive 24-bit/192kHz – the usual standard for most hi-res music files.
Digital connectivity
Helping you make the most of your hi-res and digital components, the Vena II Play features an array of digital socketry. Choose between USB, coaxial and optical for your inputs – ideal for your computer, TV, Blu-ray/DVD/CD player, network streamer and many other devices with a digital output.
Bluetooth for direct, wireless connection
For direct wireless streaming, the Vena II Play also comes with built-in Bluetooth. Compatible with aptX, the Vena II Play offers the potential for high quality Bluetooth streaming. Simply pair with your smartphone, tablet or other device and stream your stored music and favourite music services, such as Spotify, Deezer and Apple Music – without needing a wi-fi signal.
Connect analogue sources
The Vena II Play hasn’t forgotten about your analogue sources. Twin RCA inputs are perfect for plugging in sources such as a tuner, cassette player or any other source with an analogue output. With its pre-amp outputs, you can also connect up a more powerful, larger power amp, should you choose.
Vinyl doesn’t take a back seat
Quad have fitted with the Vena II Play with a phono input; letting you connect up Moving Magnet cartridge equipped turntables. This isn’t just any old phono input, though. The low-noise, JFET-based circuit with precise RIAA equalisation gets the very best from your turntable’s sound. Low distortion and a wide frequency response mean you get to hear the most subtle details with crystalline clarity.
Superior quality headphone output
Like the phono pre-amp, the headphone output is carefully and skilfully developed in its own right, rather than being an afterthought. The Vena II Play features a dedicated headphone amp with current-feedback circuitry and wide bandwidth. This gives you a sound that’s much more powerful and three-dimensional than you’d usually get with most standard headphone outputs. It also drives a wide range of headphones with ease – even if they’re current-hungry designs.
Smart good looks
Striking the perfect balance between retro and minimalism, the Vena II Play is a design classic. The standard ‘Lancaster Grey’ blends with a wide range of components and speakers. At just 313mm wide, it also has a smaller footprint than most of its rivals, making it easier to fit tighter spaces.
Combine all your amp and streaming needs in one, with the talented Quad Vena II Play.
Smart Features
Smartphone control
Yes
Connectivity
Bluetooth
Yes
Coaxial Digital Inputs
1
DLNA Compliant
Yes
Headphone Output
Yes
Optical Digital Inputs
1
Phono Input
Yes - MM
Pre Output
Yes
Speaker Sets
1
Speaker Sets FILTER
x 1
USB Input
1 x USB Type B (Type A for updates only)
Wi-Fi Built In
Yes
General
Manufacturer's Warranty
3 years
Audio
Frequency Response (Hz)
20 - 20,000
Power Output
45 x 2
Power Output - Watts per CH
30 - 59
Features
Internet Radio Services
Yes
Dimensions
Dimensions WxHxD (mm)
313 x 94 x 302
Weight
Weight (KG)
6.1
Accessories
Remote Control
Yes
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Anonymous from
Richer Sounds are "Sound" as they say up north
I am very happy with the Quad Amp and Pro-Ject Turntable I purchased from your Southgate branch. The Staff are very friendly and knowledgeable also. It was well worth the trip ( I cycled from Finchley to Southgate recently-lots of hills !)
Date published: 2023-05-30
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Ben Ln from
Good, very good!
Super sound, used with Q Acoustics 3050i.
Like the simple design. Like the remote. It does great with classical and jazz....
Advised by Richer Sounds Chiswick. Nice team.
Vive le made in UK!
Date published: 2022-05-04
Rated 4 out of
5
by
Anonymous from
The Vena ll Play; Exemplary
I ordered my Quad Vena ll Play and it was delivered right on time. I am very pleased with the quality of sound specially as it is coupled with Quad 77 ll speakers. It is a simple yet well designed item, easy to set up.
Altogether, I'm very happy.
Date published: 2022-04-21
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Martin Adam from
Far and away best in class
£799 gets you a quality amplifier, a DAC, WiFi, Bluetooth and Streaming options. There isn't an integrated Amplifier that competes for power and sound quality; never mind the extras.
Date published: 2022-02-23
Rated 5 out of
5
by
JohnsH from
Brilliant all rounder
I was surprised how well the Quad Vena play does - well everything. The streaming quality is forgiving enough to make Spotify sound good when amplified on my quite power hungry speakers. The system sounds great across a range of genres. DTS Play-Fi means once set up I I don’t have to have my Bluetooth on my phone all the time and you can control the sound direct from the Spotify app.
It handles vinyl equally well and (unlike my old hifi) there volume level between inputs is nicely calibrated so you don’t get shocked when switching between inputs. The coax cable connection is a nice bonus now I’ve hooked it up to the TV so although it’s not what I bought it for surround sound came in with the bargain.
I’ve read that the headphone audio is supposed to be equally good but haven’t tried it yet. If your ordering I’d grab a coax cable and a pack of 2025 batteries to arrive at the same time so you can get full set up on the day.
My only critique is that controlling the volume via mobile lacks subtly as one click jumps 3 levels on the amp, so i recommend using the slider control or remote for a bit more control.
Lancaster grey is simply elegant stylish and there is something timeless about Quads design and build quality. The vena play deserves its Best Buy status and if this quad lasts even half as long as my dads has it will be the best money I’ve ever spent on audio equipment
Date published: 2022-02-05
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Miko from
Fantastic little unit
I was looking to upgrade my aging Pioneer integrated network streaming amplifier with something a bit more “hi-fi”, and which could also fit into a Kallax storage unit The Vena II Play ticked all the boxes and in my opinion looks beautiful, understated, and purposeful.
First impressions were great, a substantial unit, which is beautifully made, and even the tiny remote has a bit of weight to it. Speaking of the remote, I understand there are shipping regulations - but it really is a bit disappointing that no battery is supplied - and the remote is quite underpowered, I've not had to point a remote so intentionally since the 1990’s.
Setting up was a breeze - connection to the network took minutes (wired and wireless) and DTS Play-Fi installed some updates and we were good to go.
Many reviewers here have already waxed lyrical about the sound, and I agree - the Vena II sounds fantastic. I took the unit home for a 2 week listening period - after the first few tracks, I was impressed, after a few hours I knew I was keeping it. The icing on the cake is the inbuilt phono amp - wow - compared to my entry level Pro-ject amp, the Vena II play really takes vinyl to the next level
I did a lot of research on Play-fi before buying the Vena II, and there are plenty of scathing reviews of the streaming system and the app. From my experience, Play-Fi is ok, the (android) app looks quite dated, and it overcomplicates things (especially if you just have one Play-Fi speaker/unit), but spend a bit of time setting up the services you need and it does what it says on the tin. It quite happily streamed WAV/Flac and MP3 files off my NAS, Deezer streamed fine but the functionality is quite limited compared to the native app. With Spotify you can just use the native app and “cast” to the Vena II Play (ie Spotify connect), which is fantastic. It’s a shame Deezer doesn’t have this feature.
So what a fabulous unit, fantastic sound, and feature set. My only criticisms - the remote - it really needs to be more powerful - and play-fi - but hopefully that will be updated in the future.
Date published: 2021-08-25
Rated 2 out of
5
by
wirelessvoyager from
The technology imostly fine...the support isn’t.
The unit was delivered without a battery in the remote. I won’t even bother you euu it th the j K and excuse from Quad.
Just to be chess, I gave no issues with Richer Sounds, just with Quad.
I write to them to explain the battery problem, the lack of a Win10 USB driver which I had to download from Audiolab, the USB disconnection every time you switch inputs necessitating turning the Vena Play II Plus off and on again.
I had lots of reassurance about how wonderful the network amp is. but as for resolving setup issues, I’ve spent over a week doing it myself. Richer Sounds, you can have a copy if the correspondence -,it’s woeful and unapologetic from the technician. As it stands, if you buy this amp and need support, you’re in your own.
As for PlayFi, there are a lot of complaints about a range of products using the system. It’s crude, inflexible and charmless.
It’s a shame because when the amp does connect, it can sound really nice. At this price pint, though, that’s simply not enough.
Not happy - want to return it for a refund, please.
Date published: 2021-04-05
Rated 4 out of
5
by
coxman from
QUAD amplifier lives up to expectations
I've always been a fan of QUAD equipment and this amplifier is fine. Works well with my B&W loudspeakers. Excellent lively sound, hi-fi at its best.
Date published: 2021-04-03
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