Artera Play+

The Artera Play+ combines a CD player, a digital-to-analogue converter and a preamplifier in one chassis. It is an updated version of the Artera Play, adding aptX Bluetooth for wireless streaming from phones, tablets and computers, and a headphone output on the front panel with its own dedicated circuitry.

The DAC is built around an ESS Sabre32 Reference chipset. External digital sources are handled up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM, and the USB input also accepts DSD64, DSD128 and DSD256. CD playback uses a slot-loading mechanism that buffers data before it reaches an asynchronous DAC stage. Four digital filter options let the user adjust the sound of both CD and external sources. Compared with the original Play, the analogue filter stage, op-amps and power supply have been revised, including a larger toroidal transformer and separate low-noise supplies for critical stages.

The preamp section uses digitally controlled volume in the analogue domain, feeding RCA and balanced XLR outputs. Inputs include two coaxial, two optical and one USB Type B digital input, plus two RCA analogue inputs. The housing has an aluminium front panel, glass top, a circular OLED display with touch-sensitive controls, and a remote control.