Potato score: 85.65

86%

Quad PA-One+ #1
Quad PA-One+ variant 1
Quad PA-One+ variant 2
Quad PA-One+ variant 3
Quad PA-One+ variant 4

Quad PA-One+

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Built-in DAC
DSD Support
USB Audio
Hi-Res Audio
Balanced Headphone Output

Overview

We've Come A Long Way

The landscape of how we consume and listen to music has radically changed. Over-ear headphones have seen a massive rise in popularity and that's because put simply – they sound better than ever. With over-ear headphones, bigger is better. Larger drivers, larger headband, more detail, a wider frequency response and all-around better performance – you can finally enjoy a high-end hi-fi sound in a completely personal experience.

However, there's one weak link. The devices we're enjoying our digital music collections with cannot perform to the same high standard. While ultra-thin laptops and super-fast computers are a more than a convenient host for online streaming services, unfortunately, their headphone inputs are not equally matched…


Get The Best Out Of Your Headphones

…A whole host of connections, both analogue and digital-driven by hi-fi amplifier valves bring an exciting detail to your music.

With a nod to Peter Walker's styling and topology of his original valve amplification and superior quality from aesthetics to audio make a truly exquisite amplifier. The sound is full of life, yet without the unwanted colouration, many would expect from such amplifiers. The genuine heritage has been preserved with all the features to enjoy modern audio mediums.


What's new?

Re-engineered board for improved output power – 500mW into 32ohms, wider frequency response and vastly improve S/N ratio. Improved DAC – now with ESS Sabre 9018 K2M DAC for PCM playback up to 384 kHz and DSD256.

Redesigned internal valve circuitry for more efficient performance.


Connect With Your Music

An amazingly wide variety of digital and analogue sources are on hand. Balanced, RCA, Coaxial, Optical and USB, makes it easy to listen to music without ever having to ponder on decoding different formats. Simple and effective. Additionally, low impedance and high impedance modes enable connection to a plethora of modern, popular headphones.

With the increased popularity of computers as the source, the USB DAC allows you to enjoy listening to digital music sources from a computer or laptop (Windows or Mac) via USB connection.

USB 1.1 and 2.0 compliant and supports sampling frequencies ranging from 35kHz to 384kHz and DSD256 file formats – a real treat for any hi-fi enthusiast.

With dedicated gold-plated RCA outputs, it is a pre-amp in its own right and can be integrated into part of a larger hi-fi system, too.


Classic Meets Contemporary

QUAD engineers have relied on valve technology for the trademark sound. Referencing the high standards set by the QUAD II, valve amplifier as a benchmark, you can enjoy a level of audio fidelity which has been consistently delivered since 1936, this time packaged into a personal hi-fi experience.

Carefully selected hi-fi amplification valves; 2 × 6SL7 and 2 × 6SN7 allow it to deliver the latest technology in perfect harmony with traditional hi-fi.

True to tradition, the front panel is dominated by a large volume and balance control, while input select and impedance mode controls are in keeping with the rest of the product range for a perfect match.

The valves and electronics are housed in a new smoother, Lancaster Grey steel chassis which is compact enough for a stand-alone space-saving setup, while it can also be an integral part of a high-end, large-scale system.

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Overall Score 86/100

Rating for [object Object]

Nicely Roasted

Quad PA-One+ — warm, detailed desktop DAC/headphone amp

The Quad PA-One+ blends a classic tube front-end with a modern digital stage to deliver a musical, engaging presentation ideally suited to full-size planars. Its standout is the ESS Sabre 9018K2M reference DAC with asynchronous USB and DSD256 support, paired with 2x 6SL7 and 2x 6SN7 tubes for added warmth and midrange presence. Reviewers at Audiophilepure found the PA-One+ very capable with demanding headphones (Audeze LCD-2, HIFIMAN HE1000se, Quad ERA-1), praising its dynamics, imaging and versatile connectivity (USB/optical/coax, balanced I/O). Built in a compact, well-appointed chassis with balanced outputs and an RCA line-out, it’s a refined choice for listeners seeking tubey musicality with modern DAC features on a desktop system.

Audiophilepure

"The PA-One+ utilizes an two-channel ‘audiophile grade’ HyperStream ESS Sabre 9018K2M ‘Reference’ DAC chip capable of both asynchronous and synchronous 32-bit/384kHz PCM and DSD256 decoding."

Pros

  • Reference-class ESS Sabre DAC with wide-format support (PCM up to 384kHz, DSD256) and flexible digital inputs.
  • Musical, detailed midrange and strong synergy with full-size planar headphones, delivering engaging dynamics and imaging.
  • Thoughtful feature set and build: tube front-end, balanced outputs, USB/coax/optical inputs and an RCA line output for versatile desktop use.

&

Cons

  • Tube front-end and 90dB S/N imply a modest noise floor that may reveal hiss with very sensitive IEMs.
  • 500mW output into 32Ω is solid for most cans but may lack the extreme current/slam of high-current solid-state amps for the most demanding planars.

Sound Quality

85/100

The PA-One+ delivered lively, involving performances on demanding planars (HE1000se, LCD-2 Classic) and retained good punch and transient clarity in the reviewer's sessions. With 500mW into 32Ω and a tube input stage the unit has healthy headroom for most desktop headphones, though extreme slam for the most power-hungry planars may be slightly limited compared with high-current solid-state designs.

Noise Floor

78/100

The PA-One+ uses vacuum tubes (2x 6SL7, 2x 6SN7) and lists a 90dB S/N — the review does not call out audible hiss, but the tube front-end combined with the published S/N suggests a modest noise floor. That tradeoff (tube warmth/musicality versus higher intrinsic noise) makes the amp excellent with full-size planars but means very sensitive IEMs could reveal slight background noise, so a conservative mid-high score is assigned.

Headphone Compatibility

83/100

Reviewer tested a broad set of full-size headphones (closed and open planars) and found the PA-One+ well-suited to those cans, particularly Quad's ERA-1. Specified output power (500mW @ 32Ω) and the presence of balanced outputs make it a solid desktop driver for most headphones, but the tube front-end and lack of any explicit very-low output-impedance specification make it less ideal for extremely sensitive multi-driver IEMs.

Build Quality

88/100

Quad's implementation includes both tube hardware and a modern ESS Sabre DAC in a compact chassis with balanced connectors and a dedicated RCA output, indicating careful engineering and quality component choices. The reviewer used it confidently as a combined DAC/headphone amp, implying robust construction and good ergonomics for desktop use.

Features Connectivity

93/100

Starts at the 80 baseline and adds a high-quality ESS Sabre DAC (reference-class chip), USB/optical/coax inputs, a 3-pin balanced input, 4-pin balanced headphone output and an RCA line output — delivering an extensive, modern feature set. The reviewer explicitly ran Roon via USB and used multiple sampling rates and DSD formats, demonstrating the PA-One+'s versatile connectivity and decoding capability.

Value for Money

86/100

No price or explicit value judgment appears in the review, so a neutral baseline is used per guidelines. The reviewer praised sonic synergy and versatility, but without pricing context the assessment remains cautiously positive rather than explicitly calling it a bargain.

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