Quad Platina Stream
High-end network player from Quad, fitted with an ESS Sabre ES9038PRO DAC and compatible with the major streaming services and home control systems.
Description
The Quad Platina Stream is a high-end network player designed to integrate a hi-fi system into a complete digital ecosystem. It handles the conversion of audio streams from streaming services, UPnP servers or USB hard drives, and delivers the signal via both analogue output and pure digital output, allowing it to fit into a wide range of configurations, from an all-in-one system to a separates installation with an external preamplifier or processor.
The heart of the unit is built around an ESS Sabre ES9038PRO digital-to-analogue converter, an eight-channel component driven by two precision master clocks. This architecture aims to reduce jitter and ensure high conversion linearity, supporting PCM up to 768 kHz/32-bit and native DSD512. The stated harmonic distortion is below 0.001% and the signal-to-noise ratio exceeds 120 dB on the XLR output, two figures that reflect a high level of sonic transparency, with background noise that is virtually imperceptible even on very sensitive systems.
In terms of connectivity, the Platina Stream offers two analogue outputs (XLR and RCA), two digital outputs (optical and coaxial), a single speaker terminal block and a 12 V trigger for controlling peripheral equipment. The network section includes WiFi and Ethernet, a USB-A port and a USB-B port, with broad compatibility across Qobuz, Spotify and Tidal Connect, as well as the Roon and Plex platforms. The Platina app allows the unit to be controlled from a smartphone or tablet, and the built-in colour screen displays playback information directly on the device.
This network player is aimed at users who want to centralise the playback of their digital library and streaming services within a demanding hi-fi system, without sacrificing conversion quality. Its versatile outputs make it suitable both for direct integration with active speakers via the speaker terminal block and for use as a digital or analogue source within a larger hi-fi system driven by a separate amplifier or preamplifier.
Technical specifications
| Harmonic distortion | <0.001% |
| Signal to noise ratio | >120 dB (XLR) |
| Conversion | PCM 768 kHz/32-bit, DSD512 |
| Output connectivity | single speaker terminal blocks, 2x analogue (XLR, RCA), 2x digital (optical, coaxial), 12 V trigger |
| Network | WiFi, Ethernet, 1x USB-A, 1x USB-B, Platina app, Qobuz/Spotify/Tidal Connect, Roon, Plex |
| Other | colour screen, remote control |
| Dimensions (H × W × D) | 134.5 x 445 x 348 mm |
| Weight | 11.8 kg |
What to check before buying used
The colour screen deserves close inspection: dead pixels or image retention are most noticeable when displaying album artwork. The original remote control should be tested on every button, as a replacement is difficult to find separately. The USB-A and USB-B ports, used for a hard drive or external source, may show mechanical play after heavy use. Also check that the unit is still receiving Platina updates, which is required for Qobuz, Spotify or Tidal Connect to keep working properly over time.
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