Page 37 - Hi-Fi World (January 2020)

REVIEW

It may look bare and the 'speaker terminals basic, but there are a lot of inputs on the rear panel, from
analogue turntable (MM) at left through to digital USB at right, plus an aerial for Bluetooth.

is a wrinkle that needs attention. I just sat back and was impressed! Sabre32 DAC. Offering
Spinning Dire Straits So Far Away OK, this is a special LP but with a performance up with
(Mobile Fidelity Master Recording, more ordinary cuts the Vena always the best at a price of
45rpm) again delivered strong, firm managed well, retaining its sense of £649 it strikes me as the
drum rolls and the laconic vocals of ease underpinned by bass power. quintessence of high fidelity
Mark Knopfler centre stage in clear – a great sound at a great
fashion. Big Band Spectacular from CONCLUSION price. Utterly superb!
The Syd Lawrence Orchestra (LP Quad’s new Vena II is a wonderfully
No2 from 30ips master tape) fairly easy to use all-in-one amplifier A small and
shook our listening room playing that offers superb sound quality: simple remote
Sing Sing Sing, fast drumming being think easy going – and deeply control, intuitive
made obvious by Vena II’s bass power. insightful with digital from its ESS and easy to use.

MEASURED PERFORMANCE
Quad's Vena II produced 55 Watts into like S/PDIF. Bluetooth had a respectable Distortion (1kHz, 5mV in) 0.03%
8 Ohms and 72 Watts into 4 Ohms, 99dB Dynamic Range – similar to CD. Separation (1kHz) 68dB
identical results to the first Vena – and The MM phono stage needed a Noise (IEC A) -79dB
enough to go very loud in most systems. normal 4.5mV for full output and overload Sensitivity 4.5mV
Output rolled down slowly above was high at 53mV. Quad roll gain down Overload 53mV
20kHz (-1dB at 30kHz) in Quad fashion, below 20Hz to lessen loudspeaker cone
ensuring easy treble; low frequency flap from LP warps Noise was low at
output rolled down below 10Hz. -79dB. FREQUENCY RESPONSE
Gain from the analogue line inputs The Vena II amp measures like QUAD VENA II
(Aux1,2) is low at 500mV (0.5V) for full the original but the digital inputs have £649
output – enough for silver disc players stepped up to high current standards.
(2V). The MM phono stage measures well
The optical S/PDIF digital input too, as does Bluetooth. A fine all-round OUTSTANDING - amongst
worked to 192kHz sample rate, again performance. NK the best.
frequency response rolled down early, to VERDICT
26kHz (-1dB). The electrical input gave A super smooth amplifier and
identical results. Vena II has an ESS9018 Power 55W digital section, plus LP and
Sabre32 Series digital-to-analogue Frequency response 10Hz-31kHz DISTORTION Bluetooth. Marvellous.
convertor (DAC) that gave a very high Distortion (10kHz, 1W) 0.02% FOR
117dB EIAJ Dynamic Range value from Separation (1kHz) 91dB - easy powerful sound
the loudspeaker outputs and 118dB from Noise (IEC A) -112dB - facilities
Sensitivity
500mV
the Pre-out – excellent figures, well - slick remote control
above original Vena. DIGITAL - small
USB topped out at 24/384kHz and Frequency response 4Hz-26kHz AGAINST
frequency response with 24/192 PCM Distortion (-60dB, 24bit) 0.02% - slight hum with LP
was flat to 41kHz (-1dB), a tad higher Dynamic range 118dB - illegible legends
than S/PDIF. EIAJ Dynamic Range - dull styling
remained a high 118dB, USB adding no PHONO (MM)
noise – and distortion measured 0.02%, Frequency response 20Hz-20kHz Quad
www.quad-hifi.co.uk
www.hi-fiworld.co.uk JANUARY 2020 HI-FI WORLD 37