Quad VA One+
Compact valve integrated amplifier from Quad, fitted with a built-in DAC and Bluetooth, for connecting smartphones, PCs and hi-fi sources to a small system.
Description
The VA One+ is a valve integrated amplifier from Quad, designed to sit on a desk, table or shelf. It combines a valve preamplification and power amplification circuit with a high-resolution DAC (digital-to-analogue converter), allowing it to directly receive modern digital sources such as a smartphone, tablet, PC or Mac, in addition to conventional analogue sources.
The electronic stage relies on seven tubes: an ECC83 triode at the preamplification input, two ECC82 triodes handling drive and phase splitting, then four EL84EH pentodes arranged in push-pull, two per channel, for the output stage. This architecture delivers a power output of 2x15W, with a frequency response of 20Hz to 50kHz and harmonic distortion below 0.5%, figures that translate into smooth, detailed sound reproduction typical of valve amplification, without the excessive colouration sometimes associated with this type of equipment. The front panel features a motorised potentiometer for remote volume control, a headphone output, input selection and Bluetooth pairing.
This model is aimed at valve sound enthusiasts who wish to retain the flexibility of a connected device, capable of driving efficient modern speakers on a desk or in a modest-sized room, without giving up the sound character specific to tube stages.
Technical specifications
| Frequency response | 20Hz-50kHz |
| THD | < 0.5% |
| Tubes | 1 x ECC83, 2 x ECC82, 4 x EL84EH |
| Weight | 7.5kg |
| Power | 2x15W RMS (8Ω) |
| Signal to noise ratio | > 90 dB |
| DAC | 44kHz / 192kHz |
| Connections | 1x Optical digital input, 1x Coaxial digital input, 1x USB Type A input, 1x RCA analogue input, 1x Headphone output |
What to check before buying used
On a seven-tube amplifier like this one, it is worth checking the condition and matching of the four EL84EH valves in the output stage, as wear often results in a loss of dynamics or an imbalance between channels. It is also useful to check that the motorised volume potentiometer works correctly and that Bluetooth pairing is stable, as both of these elements see more use than on a purely analogue amplifier.
Looking for this reference: VA One + ?
Tell us what you are looking for: our merchants are notified, and one of them may have it in stock.