Power, simplicity, good balance in sound.

Has to warm up, before it sounds round and full.

I bought this amp at the 8th of december this year. (2000). The first thing I noticed is its round sound. Its detail and the power; No destortion at high volumes. (I had that with my Nad 712 receiver).
One thing I also noticed is the warming up period. It takes about 3 hours! Maybe because it's winter, but nonetheless it takes time. So, if you want to listen with the full capable sound of the amp. (And it is beautifull!!!) turn it on before you want to listnen. (Or leave it on.)
The three dimensional field is magnificent. The placement of the instuments is clear and vast. Especially with live recordings. (try On the night: Dire Straits.) It's like you are in the audience yourself.
A good amp with I will be using for a long period. Maybe I'll biamp it soon, because I'll be investing in bigger speakers soon.

Similar Products Used:

Nad 340, 317, 712 receiver, Philips 920.

Build Quality, Flexibility, Power, Runs Cool when driven hard.

Source selector switch can become dirty, Rear phono sockets can pull out if you're not very careful.

This is a very versatile amp. Full remote control and a facilty to override the volume control when used in a home cinema setup. There's also the option of a phono stage. I agree with comments that this amp needs to warm up to perform at it's best. It's well worth the wait, you get a wonderfully rounded rich sound with bags of detail and superb imaging. If thats not enough, try adding a Delta 290P power amp, then you're into a whole new ballgame. Improved separation greater dynamics and also there is noticeably more bass at the subsonic end of the spectrum. Originally I used these amps with an Arcam Delta 270 CD player and was more than happy with the results. I have now upgraded?? to a cheaper Marantz CD6000 KI. The sound is now stunning. Taut rythmic and very fast, with a real 3 dimentional soundstage. Speakers are Acoustic Energy AE1 Series II. A brilliant amp. To hear it at it's best it needs to be partnered with a high quality clean sounding source and speakers. A tip I picked up from a Hi fi dealer: if you are biamping with a D290P, try using the power amp to drive the tweeters and the integrated to drive the bass. This is the opposite to what Arcam recommend, but it tightens up the bass and improves imaging. Try it you may be pleasantly surprised.

Similar Products Used:

Denon, Arcam Alpha, Marantz,

Very stable with a sound that is never agressive even at high volume. Compact size compared to japanese rivals.

Really needs to warm up

Very fine integrated amplifier, complete with its remote control. Can drive loudspeakers with low impedance: it replaced my Marantz PM53 that could not drive my JM LAB 713. This was night and day ! Now I changed my loudspeaker for more compact models and recently replaced the amplifier with an Atoll AM100 (french make). The differences are noticeable but the Arcam is not as overpassed as the Marantz was. It never goes hot, which is quite impressive. One drawback: the source selector requires some cleaning after several years. Same for the remote control. But this takes 5 minutes every 5 years. Really deserves 5 stars: far better than what I expected.
Buy with confidence.

Similar Products Used:

Marantz PM53, Atoll AM100

Solid integrated from Arcam, with usual laid back sound

Not upgradeable like their Alpha series

I got this factory reconditioned unit second hand from a shop for only $500.
The amp itself has turntable, CD, AV, AUX, Tuner and a Tape loop connections (without the turntable amp there are 2 tape loops). Tone controls are included, but can be bypassed and there are binding posts for 2 sets of speakers.

It's matched with an Arcam Alpha One CD player, a Dual turntable and Magnepan MMG speakers. Through turntable of CD the amp produces a wonderfully laid back sound which of course I like being British.

The base is tight and plentiful (even with the MMGs) and the treble is sweet.

Second hand this is excllent value as performance is close to the newer Arcam amps at half the price.

Andy

Similar Products Used:

Rotel amps

very rhythmic, transparent mids, clean highs

looks (if anything)

This integrated amp used to be a Stereophile Class B...if you look at what's in class B right now, it would be up with the AA Puccini's, Bryston's, Audio Refinement....et al. It has a very rhythmic quality to it, presenting a very transparent view all across the band. While the bass is quite good, the highs and mids are very clean. I don't particularly find the sound laid back - it sounds very neutral to me....without straining the ears in prolonged sessions. All in all, a must-have for those in the market for a used, solid-sounding integrated...has a remote to boot too!

Similar Products Used:

Linn Majik

Clarity yet warm and natural. Incredibly functional remote
that also controls Phillips based CD players.
The optional $90 phono stage is better than in any integrated Ive heard.Deservedly Stereophile Class B.

Black utilitarian looks.
YBA Integre more sophisticated.

Ive been looking for an integrated for my second system which consisted of a an old Sota/Rega RB 300 with Goldring cartridge, Sony 705 DVD and my old Pro Ac's.

Brought home a few integrateds and I almost bought the new YBA integre DT with phono stage which was incredibly clear but can be too clean sounding.Commented to a friend last week abt my search for integrateds and he offered to let me try his "spare amp" Delta 290 which he claimed was the best Arcam ever built, even better than the alpha 10.

After hooking it up to the turntable, I settled down to read the rave stereophile review.... the first passage of The Police's Every Breath You take' literally blew me away. I had just been listening to it via the YBA.The sound on the Arcam was more effortless, clear, detailed and had a natural warmth which I found lacking in the YBA.
anyway after 2 days of direct A/B, I knew I had to convince my friend to sell his Arcam.

The Stereophile Reviwer who said that he didnt miss his Modulus 3a after plugging in to the Arcam is spot on. This is one helluva integrated.Considering that the YBA is double the price of the Arcam (when New), this would be one of the all time killer integrateds.

Similar Products Used:

Arcam alpha 10, Puccini SE,Bryston B 60, YBA Integre integrateds,