Strong, together sound, flexible controls

None found

In a major upgrade of my home system I started by selecting speakers and CD source, leaving the amp replacement for later.

Existing equipment:
Arcam Alpha 7SE CD player
ProAc Studio 100 plus Rel Strata III speakers/subwoofer

I auditioned many amp/speaker combinations when selecting the speakers and found the ProAcs to be good-sounding with many amps in the $1000 - $1500 range as well as with my ageing NAD. The CD player choice was against the NAD range (for non-proliferation of remote controls) but sonically there was no question of the stunning performance of the Arcam 7SE.

With the NAD I found I needed a touch of bass lift to give the upper bass sufficient weight, although I was otherwise delighted by the clarity, focus, staging and absence of mid-bass-boom and colouration of the ProAcs. The REL Strata, dialled in at 36Hz, filled in the bottom octave.

The ProAcs require a fair bit of drive and are rated at 150W program. The REL Strata had enough headroom to produce silly bass levels but the NAD at 40W RMS seemed to rapidly out of steam and to miss out on transients. No problem really at TV conversational levels but I felt that there was much more left to go in the ProAcs.

I had read and heard that the Alpha amp range from Arcam was not so highly rated, which was a disappointment given my delight with the CD player. Then a few months ago I heard the news from my dealer of the forthcoming DiVA range which promised a more modern sound within the price/performance package of Arcam.

I had wondered whether the 80Watts of the A85, the top amplifier in the range, would be enough to drive the ProAcs. I thought that bi-amping with the P85 might be needed, given the lack of drive from the NAD.

I tried the new Rega Maia 2000 power amp at 60W which my dealer rated as having a good current delivery for speakers such as mine. This indeed provided an excellent improvement in transient handling over the NAD. But the Arcam A85 seemed to provide far more power in the bass range than the Rega.

The amplifier tone controls are now flat as the system displays adequate fullness in the bass. The preamp section seems to be up with the pack from what I have heard in the price range up to £1000. The whole sound is very balanced and clear from what I can tell in the short time I have taken delivery of the amp. I was immediately impressed with the sound and powerful delivery, and further listening has confirmed this.

Unusually, the pre-amp section is very flexible, allowing individual volume trim and bass/treble on each of the 7 inputs. Two speaker outputs are individually switched and soft power on/off also extends to the matching P85 power amp through a remote link cable.

Similar Products Used:

NAD, Rega

Clarity, Power and Such Sweet Crystal Sound

Remote Controll A Little Flimsey

Not only is this amp one of the sexiest looking but it is one if not the most sweetest sounding amps for this price.
It has enough power to drive my Celestion A2's with no sacrifice in sound at all, and as i have it also wired up to the Arcam P85 power amp, BOOOOOOOOM the results are quite astonishing, TIGHT controlled bass (ask my neighbours)sharp snapy treble and Mids are so silky smooth.

As you can see i really like this amp and i know if you try it you will!!!!!!!!

My Set Up,
Arcam A85
Arcam p85 (power amp)
roksan Caspian Cd plyer
Celestion A2 (bi-wired) (HEAVEN)

Similar Products Used:

Linn, Nad, Marantz