Quad 3 Integrated Amplifier
Grown-Up Hi-Fi for the Real World
Quad drops an all-new integrated amplifier, and while they’re not officially calling this a Vena replacement, don’t let its heritage skin fool you—it walks, talks, and plays to the Vena tune. Just… a more grown-up version.
Officially, the Quad 3 draws aesthetic inspiration from the vintage Quad 22 preamp—but that’s where the similarities stop. Structurally, sonically, and feature-wise, this is a modern integrated amplifier through and through.
It’s not chasing nostalgia so much as versatility.
With a sleek footprint, serious power under the hood, and a wide spread of both digital and analogue inputs, Quad 3 feels aimed at the same kind of listener Vena spoke to: someone who wants one box that can do it all—Bluetooth to turntable, TV to hi-res streaming device—and sound great doing it.
Add in enough clean muscle to drive both bookshelf and floorstanders, and you’ve got a compact all-rounder that’s easy to place, easy to use, and – most importantly – easy to listen to.
Heritage in Aesthetic Only
Products like the NAD C3050, Yamaha’s R-N series, LEAK’s retro-styled amps, or even Quad’s own 33/303 reboot all speak to the resurgence of vintage style in Hi-Fi. Heritage is trending—and Quad 3 leans in. But it doesn’t lean backward.
Its design pulls from the 22 and 33/303 playbook: big tactile knobs, a low-slung chassis, and that unmistakable orange glow. But functionally, Quad 3 is no throwback.
The LED strip isn’t just for show—it displays input, volume, and settings (with full dim/off control). A row of digital rotary encoders—lifted straight from the Quad 33—provides quick control of bass, balance, volume, source, and the signature Tilt tone adjustment.
This is heritage reimagined—not reenacted. It feels just as at home under a wall-mounted OLED as it does on a vintage credenza.
No Streaming? No Problem
Unlike the Vena II Play, Quad 3 doesn’t stream. There’s no Play-Fi, Chromecast, or Spotify Connect—and that’s probably a good thing.
If you’ve ever wrestled with DTS Play-Fi, you’ll know it’s functional… but far from seamless. Instead, Quad 3 keeps it simple—letting your TV, phone, or dedicated streamer handle the software.
Thanks to HDMI ARC, you get CD-quality audio straight from your smart TV—with one remote, no apps, and no handoffs. Tidal, Apple Music, and Spotify are all built into your TV’s OS. Just select your source and press play.
In addition to HDMI ARC, Quad 3 offers:
- USB-B input up to 768kHz PCM / DSD512
- Optical and coaxial digital inputs
- Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX HD
- Moving magnet phono input
- Two line-level RCA inputs
Yes, it supports MQA. Will you use it? Almost certainly not. With Tidal dropping the format and virtually no other services supporting it, MQA is essentially obsolete—an inclusion that’s more historic than helpful.
But aside from that, Quad 3 is a versatile hub for just about any modern or legacy source. It’s ready for what you’ve got—and probably for what you’ll have next.
Real Amplification, Real Power
Quad 3 isn’t just pretty. It’s built to perform.
At its core is a Class AB amplifier stage, driven by a custom 235VA toroidal transformer and 30,000μF of reservoir capacitance. Translation: it’s got grip, headroom, and confidence—whether you’re running compact standmounts or full-size floorstanders.
- 65W per channel into 8 ohms
- 100W per channel into 4 ohms
There’s also a dedicated headphone amp using a current-feedback design for better transient control and lower noise. It’s not reference-grade—but it’s clear, punchy, and a genuinely solid listen for everyday use.
All of this performance still fits on a bookshelf, stays whisper-quiet in standby, and looks sharp on the rack. It’s like Vena finished its degree, hit the gym, and upgraded its wardrobe—still familiar, just fully grown.
Flagship DAC, Tuned for Finesse
Quad 3 swaps out Vena’s DAC for something far more serious: the ESS9038Q2M—a flagship chip known for low distortion, high dynamic range, and ultra-low noise.
It’s the same chip used in the Audiolab 6000A MKII and 7000A—but here it’s paired with a Class A post-DAC filter stage, custom-tuned for microdetail and tonal realism.
You’ll hear it in the trailing edge of vocals, the shimmer of reverb tails, the inner texture of string instruments. And with five selectable digital filters, you can dial in subtle changes to timing and presentation to suit your taste or system.
More space. More texture. More intentionality.
Tilt Control: Tone, Evolved
Most tone controls are either too crude or too aggressive. Quad’s Tilt control, by contrast, is elegant.
It subtly shifts the tonal balance across the entire frequency spectrum around a 700Hz pivot point—warming up the sound in one direction, adding brightness in the other. All done in 1dB steps, preserving midrange integrity where vocals and realism live.
Perfect for taming a bright room or nudging life into a flat mix. Alongside Tilt, you also get ±3dB bass adjustment and L/R balance control—simple tools that make a real difference without the downsides of EQ overreach.
The Verdict
Quad 3 isn’t about overwhelming you with features. It’s about giving you the ones that matter—done properly.
Clean Class AB power. A properly implemented DAC. Thoughtful tone controls. Useful inputs. And a design that nods to the past without being stuck in it.
No streaming? That’s a strength, not a flaw. Bluetooth 5.1 handles phone-based playback. HDMI ARC turns your smart TV into a hi-fi streamer. And everything else sounds better through Quad’s DAC and amp stages anyway.
What does Quad 3 do? It amplifies. It converts. It fine-tunes. With clarity, power, and poise.
And it does it all with ease. No manual. No setup headaches. Just connect what you’ve got and enjoy the music.
If you’re ready to upgrade your entry-level system—or want to simplify a separates setup without sacrificing quality—Quad 3 hits the brief perfectly.
Want to know more? Visit the Quad 3 Integrated Amplifier product page.