Tech
First High-End Music Streamer From QUAD Joins The Flagship Platina Party
British audio brand QUAD has announced the flagship Platina range which consists of an integrated amplifier, network streamer and CD transport.
Vadim Andrushchenko – stock.adob
Last week, I brought you news of classic British hi-fi brand QUAD’s new flagship Platina Integrated amplifier. This week, QUAD HI-FI has announced the arrival of the companion Platina Stream, a high-end music streamer bristling with features.
For many, QUAD is the U.K.’s original high-end audio brand. The company has a history of audio innovation stretching back almost 80 years, but until now it’s never produced a high-end streamer. That all changes from today with the launch of the Platina Stream network player, which joins the Platina Integrated amplifier as the first two components in QUAD’s new and flagship Platina Series.
The new Platina Stream matches the Platina amplifier perfectly. It has the same steel chassis and thick aluminum front panel featuring those classic side-mounted heat sinks and anti-resonance feet. It also has the same fascia with just a subtle trio of function buttons, a power button, a rotary control and a 4.3-inch color display.
Top-Tier Streaming
The Platina Stream has its own DAC stage, which means it could be paired with almost any amplifier from any brand. Network connection is via Gigabit Ethernet or dual-band Wi-Fi. The circuitry is based around a top-tier streaming engine and uses a highly efficient ARM processor and Linux-based operating system.
Thew QUAD Platina Stream matches the Platina Integrated amplifier perfectly.
QUAD
The way the streamer handles audio ensures there is no latency. QUAD has designed its own digital and analog circuitry to ensure the utmost sonic potential. There is a dedicated control app for quick and easy access to services like Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify and TuneIn Radio with an intuitive interface for easy browsing. There are intelligent search functions and users can create multi-source playlists, group albums and organize folders to discover, sort and play music just as they prefer.
The app offers a logical hierarchy and fluid gesture control, while a super-fast indexer toils away in the background, cataloging network shares, USB drives and streaming services, then assembles them as a single, unified library. Simply type a song title, performer, composer, label, year or genre and the app returns results ranked by relevance.
Keeps Music Organized
With its user-customizable functions and settings, the Platina Stream app can build an on-the-fly playlist and save it permanently with a single gesture. Users can create playlists or folders to keep expansive catalogs organized and even collate multi-disc boxsets, remasters or themed compilations into a single location for easy browsing.
QUAD says that, unlike many apps for network streaming hardware, the Platina Stream provides native highlighting of hi-res file types in both Qobuz and Tidal, using icons to indicate their type. Users always know what format they are listening to and whether they are accessing the highest quality stream possible.
The Platina Stream from QUAD has plenty of connectivity options.
QUAD
Further functionality will be added to the Platina Stream and its app over time by software/firmware updates. Spotify Lossless support was activated on 22 October 2025 and is available via an over-the-air update for units shipped before this date. More updates are in the pipeline as the Platina streaming engine evolves.
The QUAD app isn’t the only way to control the Platina Stream. Qobuz Connect, Tidal Connect and Spotify Connect are all supported, enabling users to stream files directly from these platforms at full quality using the streaming service’s app on a smartphone.
Roon Ready
The Platina Stream is also certified Roon Ready, with Roon Advanced Audio Transport protocol built in. This ensures it works as an endpoint in a Roon-connected audio environment, controlled by the Roon app, the software many audiophiles choose to drive and curate their integrated digital music systems.
The media streaming service Plex is another string to the Platina Stream’s bow. Plex can be considered an alternative to Roon and works as a platform to store, manage and play digital music by using Plex Media Server software on a PC, Mac or NAS drive alongside the Plexamp app. Plex is valued for its flexibility and lower cost because the software is free, with an optional ‘Plex Pass’ subscription that unlocks extra features.
The Platina Stream has a 4.3-inch full color IPS LCD, the same screen used on the Platina Integrated amp and it can display album artwork.
QUAD
While many premium streamers include integrated Roon support, Plex is less common. By offering Platina Stream owners access to both Plex and Roon, with the option of music management and control using their respective apps, QUAD thinks it delivers the best of all digital worlds for music lovers who want to leverage Platina’s sonic quality.
Apple AirPlay 2
Also included in the new streamer is Apple AirPlay 2 when using Apple devices as the streaming source. There’s also an input for reading local USB storage devices. The Platina Stream is also fully UPnP compliant and can connect with other UPnP devices on a home network, such as NAS drives.
The Platina Stream has been designed for music lovers looking for premium-quality streaming. Under the hood is a quad-core Arm Cortex-A53 chip running at 1.8 GHz per core provides the muscle for fast library handling, album-art caching and stable playback control.
QUAD has also drawn on its decades of experience to ensure the Platina Stream offers top-grade sound. The Platina Stream’s onboard DAC stage mirrors the one on the matching Platina Integrated amplifier. The DAC is built around the ES9038PRO, a premium DAC chip from the top PRO tier of ESS Technology’s Sabre range. The DAC uses eight audio channels to deliver a balanced differential stereo signal, eradicating noise and distortion and works with QUAD’s circuitry, including dual ultraprecision master clocks.
The Platina separates are designed to be paired with QUAD’s ESL 2812X electrostatic speakers.
laolin – stock.adobe.com
Sabre DAC chips need to be implemented with care to ensure they sound their best. The post-DAC active filter is vital and QUAD has used a Class A circuit tailored to make the most of the ES9038PRO’s excellent signal-to-noise performance and dynamic range specs.
Linear Power Supply
The Platina Stream has a linear power supply with a 50VA toroidal transformer, for clean and consistent power to all sensitive parts of the digital and analog stages. The DAC stage has its own power supply with multiple discrete ultra-low-noise regulators that separately power the left and right channels for each stage of the digital-to-analog conversion process.
The post-DAC analog circuitry in the streamer uses premium components and has a balanced topology that’s designed to eliminate noise and distortion in the signal path. This feeds the unit’s XLR outputs directly, enabling anyone connecting the Platina Stream to an amp with balanced analog inputs — such as the Platina Integrated — to get the full sonic benefits.
The Platina Stream has a wealth of digital music collections at its rear, including a Wi-Fi antenna and Ethernet port for connecting to a network. There are USB-B and USB-A ports for asynchronous PC/Mac connection and USB storage, so it can perform as a USB DAC as well as a network player.
A massive torroidal transformer is used to power the QUAD Platina Stream’s circuitry.
QUAD
Analog outputs consist of single-ended RCA and balanced XLR with fixed and variable output options, so the Platina Stream’s volume control can perform preamp duties if connected to a power amplifier or a pair of active speakers. There are S/PDIF digital outputs in coaxial and optical options, so the streamer can be connected to an external DAC. Finally, there is a USB update port, 12V trigger connections and a WPS button for easy Wi-Fi set-up.
Hi-Res Digital Audio
When it comes to Hi-Res audio, the streamer can handle PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz and native DSD up to 22.5MHz (DSD512), whether over Wi-Fi, Ethernet cable or USB. Every significant hi-res and lossless audio format is supported, including FLAC, Apple Lossless (ALAC), WAV and AIFF, as well as native DSD in DSF and DIFF form.
Lower quality audio streams can be upsampled to 352.8kHz/384kHz or users can apply one of five DAC reconstruction filters to tune the sound from digital sources, which can be especially useful given the variable quality of audio formats and streaming services.
QUAD says the Platina Stream has a solid build quality and a clean and assured look. This unfussy fascia echoes subtle echoes of QUAD’s illustrious past and is augmented by a 4.3-inch full color IPS LCD, the same screen used on the Platina Integrated amp and it can display album artwork.
At the side of the Platina amp and streamer are the unmistakable finned heatsink that hark back to QUAD’s earliest designs.
QUAD
The display is also the gateway to the Platina Stream’s menu system, providing options for digital upsampling and filter settings, fixed or variable analog output, left/right channel balance, time idle before entering standby, volume curtailment upon power-up and Wi-Fi diagnostic data.
Like the Platina Integrated, the streamer’s screen can be set to display a VU-style meter showing real-time signal levels for the left and right channels. For those who prefer their displays to be simple and less intrusive with animations turned off or the display disabled completely.
Pricing and Availability.
The QUAD Platina Stream network player launches alongside the Platina Integrated amplifier, with shipping starting in November. It comes in a choice of silver or black front panel and is priced at $4,495 / £2,999 / €3.599.
Tech Specs:
- Streaming system: Linux-based platform.
- Streaming services support: Qobuz, Spotify, Tidal, TuneIn Radio.
- Streaming platform/protocol support: Qobuz Connect, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Roon Ready, Plex, AirPlay 2, UPnP.
- Supported file formats lossless PCM: FLAC, Apple Lossless (ALAC), WAV, AIFF.
- Supported file formats lossless DSD: DSF, DIFF, DoP.
- Maximum file resolution: 32-bit/768kHz PCM, native DSD512.
- DAC stage: ES9038PRO 8-channel 32-bit DAC in balanced differential configuration.
- PCM upsampling: To 352.8kHz/384kHz (can be switched off).
- Digital filter settings: 2 x linear phase, 2 x minimum phase, 1 x hybrid.
- Proprietary audio circuitry: Includes DAC master clock, post-DAC circuitry and power supply circuitry.
- Network connectivity: Dual-band Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet.
- Digital audio inputs: 1 x USB-B (PC/Mac), 1 x USB-A (USB storage).
- Analog audio outputs: 1 x stereo balanced XLR; 1 x stereo RCA (line-level fixed or variable).
- Digital audio outputs: 1 x optical; 1 x coaxial.
- Other connections: 12V trigger in/link; USB-A for firmware updates.
- Display: 4.3-inch, 800×480 pixels, full color IPS LCD.
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 445 x 134.5 x 348mm.
- Weight: 11.8kg.
Tech
X Issues November 10 ‘Account Will Be Locked’ Twitter Security Warning
Update your Twitter security keys now, X Warns.
SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Given the continuing popularity of Elon Musk’s X social network, and the swathing staffing cuts made when the world’s richest man bought what used to be (and still is in my mind) Twitter, it doesn’t make the cybersecurity headlines as much as you might have thought. With PayPal users currently warned of ongoing attacks, ditto WordPress website owners, and even LastPass password manager customers, all being in the threat actor crosshairs, this is a good thing. However, X users have now been warned that unless they make a change to a legacy Twitter security setting, they will be locked out of their accounts from November 10. Here’s what you need to know.
The X Safety Team Issues Clarification After Warning Of Twitter Account Lockouts
Whatever you call it, X or Twitter, the social network isn’t immune to security threats. This year alone, I have reported on outages caused by a claimed DDoS attack and a warning for 650 million X users not to change their passwords. Sometimes, though, the perceived security threat comes from inside the building. Such was the case after the X safety team tweeted on October 24: “After November 10, if you haven’t re-enrolled a security key, your account will be locked until you: re-enroll; choose a different 2FA method; or elect not to use 2FA.”
This, rather unsurprisingly if you ask me, created a wave of concern amongst both ordinary users and security experts on the social media platform. One asked whether not using 2FA meant their account would remain active; another asked whether there had been a security breach; and another asked whether this only impacted passkey users?
The confusion sat with X warning that “all accounts that use a security key as their two-factor authentication method to re-enroll their key to continue accessing X,” and adding that users could “re-enroll your existing security key, or enroll a new one.” A typical example of someone who knows what they are talking about but not how to communicate that in such a way to people who do not. Translating tech-speak into ordinary language is an essential skill and one that the X safety team appears to have misplaced on this occasion.
What X should have said, and ended up being forced into actually saying a day later, was: “To clarify: this change is not related to any security concern, and only impacts Yubikeys and passkeys – not other 2FA methods (such as authenticator apps). Security keys enrolled as a 2FA method are currently tied to the twitter.com domain. Re-enrolling your security key will associate them with x.com, allowing us to retire the Twitter domain. If this relates to you, you’ll be prompted automatically to re-enroll.”
Tech
Google’s Pixel 10 Series Could Soon Receive A Significant Performance Boost
Google’s Pixel 10 series could soon receive a major performance boost thanks to a newly-released GPU driver.
dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images
Key Takeaways
- Some Pixel 10 users have reported underperforming graphics and battery life.
- Google has confirmed it will release driver updates, potentially addressing these issues and unlocking the Pixel 10’s full potential.
- A new GPU driver update (version 25.2) is available that Google could deploy for significantly improved performance.
October 26 Update Below: A driver update may be essential for security reasons. This article was originally published on October 24
The Pixel 10 could soon receive a significant boost in performance, and potentially battery life, thanks to an upcoming graphics driver upgrade.
Reports indicate that the Pixel 10 series currently underperforms in graphics performance, notably scoring lower than the Pixel 9 Pro in some benchmark tests. The Pixel 10 series uses a PowerVR DXT-48-1536 GPU from Imagination Technologies, rather than the ARM Mali component found in previous models, which has led to complaints of poor performance, especially when playing popular, graphically intensive games such as Genshin Impact, and reduced battery life during video playback in apps like Netflix.
A primary cause of these performance issues appears to be an outdated GPU driver. The Pixel 10 shipped with driver version 24.3, lacking key features and optimizations necessary for the new GPU to reach its full potential. While it’s not unusual for a smartphone to ship with slightly older drivers, the switch from Mail to PowerVR appears to have exacerbated the issue.
A New GPU Driver Is Already Available
Fortunately, Imagination Technologies has since released driver version 25.2, adding official support for Android 16, along with significant performance enhancements, including support for the latest Vulkan 1.4 specification. That means this particular update could greatly benefit Pixel 10 users, and early indications suggest Google will most likely implement it.
Imagination Technology has already released an updated GPU driver that could significantly improve performance.
IMAGINATION TECHNOLOGY
A Google representative recently confirmed to Android Authority that the company plans to continue releasing GPU driver improvements in its regular system updates.
“We are continuing to improve driver quality in our monthly and quarterly system updates. For example, the most recent September and October patch releases included driver improvements. In future releases we are planning further GPU driver updates.”
Google has a strong track record in this area, having delivered a significant GPU performance boost for Pixel 8 Pro users in its December 2023 update, and several generations of Pixel smartphones received performance gains thanks to an updated GPU driver in the March 2025 Feature Drop. However, Google’s statement stops short of any commitment to any specific driver versions or performance benefits for the Pixel 10 range.
Google Pixel 10: Performance Upgrades Are Likely
If this pattern continues, Pixel 10 users can expect significant performance gains with future driver updates. Given that the new driver is already available from Imagination Technologies, we can hope it arrives sooner rather than later. For those currently experiencing graphics performance issues, a fix appears to be on the horizon.
October 26 Update: Existing vulnerabilities make a driver update extremely likely.
Driver updates typically offer not only performance improvements but also essential security patches, increasing the urgency of releasing updates.
The Pixel 10’s GPU driver is vulnerable, putting additional pressure on Google to provide an update.
According to Imagination Technologies’ published GPU Driver Vulnerabilities list, versions of the PowerVR GPU driver, up to and including version 24.3, currently deployed in the Pixel 10 series, contain critical vulnerabilities that could result in system instability, reboots and non-privileged access to secure data.
Addressing these vulnerabilities will be a high priority for Google, making a driver update urgent. Imagination Technologies doesn’t appear to have released any driver updates between versions 24.3 and 25.1, which fixes all of the listed vulnerabilities and adds most of the improvements listed in this article.
This means Google’s next Pixel 10 GPU driver update will likely be to least version 25.1, if not the latest version 25.2 released to partners on Oct 8. Pixel 10 Users can therefore expect significant improvements in performance, reliability and security once Google releases this update.
Follow @paul_monckton on Instagram.
Tech
Edifier Unveils Upgraded S880DB MKII Active Speakers For Hi-Res Performance
The new S880DB MKII active speakers are compact and offer Hi-Res certified audio, a huge range of inputs and a rechargeable remote control.
EDIFIER
Edifier is a speaker brand that’s rapidly building a reputation for producing premium mid-range speakers that sell for very affordable prices. Edifier has just announced the launch of the S880DB MKII, its fully upgraded successor to the brand’s acclaimed S880DB model. This latest version features enhanced acoustic performance, redesigned circuitry and an improved user experience.
The S880DB MKII speakers now feature a completely upgraded driver system that can produce a richer and more precise sound. The tweeters have been upgraded to a 1.25-inch titanium dome model with a 25mm voice coil and neodymium magnet. The output through the tweeters is 12W per channel. The previous model used a 1-inch tweeter, so the improvements deliver clearer and more transparent highs that offer more accuracy and detail.
Complementing the upgraded tweeters are a pair of redesigned 3.75-inch mid-bass drivers with an output of 32W per channel for a clearer sound across the entire mid-range. The woofers also provide an extended low-frequency response that goes as low as 50Hz for a fuller and richer bass response. The overall sound of the upgraded drivers is a more solid and balanced soundstage.
These compact speakers have been upgraded with a larger tweeter and woofer for a clearer treble and a richer bass response down to 50Hz.
EDIFIER
High-Quality Sound
At the heart of the new S880DB MKII speakers are high-performance chipsets sourced from Texas Instruments. Edifier has used the powerful XMOS XU216 onboard processor, which provides advanced digital audio processing and can support high-resolution audio playback up to 24-bit/96kHz, for clearer sound and ultra-low distortion.
The S880DB MKII speakers are designed to meet and exceed the specifications required to gain Hi-Res Audio certification. The speaker’s digital interfaces support resolutions up to 24-bit/192kHz, while the Texas Instruments analog front end operates at 24-bit/96kHz, for precise signal handling and clarity across the entire frequency range.
At the rear of the S880DB MKII’s primary speaker unit are all the inputs for connecting the speakers to a digital or analog source. Users can choose from two RCA line-in connectors, a digital coax and optical inputs, plus a USB-C port, which is ideal for connecting these speakers to a computer so they can be used on a desk setup. There’s no 3.5mm input, but a cable is provided that goes from 3.5mm to RCA.
The new S880DB MKII are well suited for use with a computer as they include a USB-C input and a desk-friendly remote control.
EDIFIER
Bluetooth Connectivity
Finally, these speakers also include a Bluetooth 5.3 receiver for wireless input. The S880DB MKII speakers support the LDAC audio codec with transmission rates up to 990kbps, which means high-resolution wireless audio streaming up to 24-bit/96kHz.
Using the LDAC codec ensures audiophile-grade sound quality over Bluetooth from compatible Android devices running Android 8.0 and higher. Anyone using the speakers with a Mac or iPhone could use a Bluetooth dongle that supports LDAC. In addition, the speakers also support the vanilla SBC codec, but not AAC. The sound of these speakers can be shaped using the three rotary controls at the rear of the primary unit. The three knobs control volume, treble and bass.
The S880DB MKII also includes a dedicated SUB OUT port for the connection of an external subwoofer — like Edifier’s recently announced T5S model — and an even deeper bass response. This feature provides a fuller and more immersive low-end that’s suitable for music, movies and gaming. The one thing missing is a front-mounted headphone jack, which a lot of people use for private listening when seated at their computer.
The new S880DB MKII speakers come with a 2.4GHz wireless remote which has a wide range of controls. Users can also use the Edifier smartphone app to control things.
EDIFIER
User-Friendly Controls
Controlling the speakers is easy using the included puck-shaped remote control, which is just as well because those rear-mounted controls aren’t particularly convenient to reach. The S880DB MKII speakers come with a newly designed and rechargeable 2.4GHz remote control for quick access to playback and volume levels.
On the front of the primary speaker is an integrated OLED display featuring auto-dimming and providing clear and real-time feedback without too much glare. The speakers are also fully compatible with Edifier’s ConneX smartphone app, which can be used to fine-tune settings and manage the source inputs directly from a smartphone’s screen.
Pricing and Availability:
The Edifier S880DB MKII speakers are available now for $399.99 from Amazon.com.
Tech Specs:
- Total output power (RMS): Treble: 12W x 2 / Mid-low: 32W x 2.
- Drivers: 3.75″ long-throw aluminum diaphragm / 1.25″ titanium diaphragm dome tweeters.
- Frequency response: 50Hz – 40kHz.
- Signal-to-Noise ratio: ≥ 85dB(A).
- Audio inputs: USB-C, Optical, Coaxial, Line In 1, Line In 2, Bluetooth.
- Input sensitivity: USB-C: 500 ± 50mFFS OPT: 500 ± 50mFFS, COAX: 500 ± 50mFFS, Bluetooth: 500 ± 50mFFS, Line In 1: 500 ± 50mV, Line In 2: 700 ± 50mV.
- Bluetooth: V5.3.
- Supported audio codecs: SBC, LDAC.
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 145 x 237 x 207mm (Primary speaker) /145 x 237 x 192mm (Passive speaker).
- Weight: 6.27kg.
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