The sound it produces.

Looks are outdated, at mechanics are poor.

I reviewed this player once before. I'm now reviewing it again, because I've opdated it with a new super clock (LClockXO3 fra L C Audio) as well as new operational amplifiers in the output stage. The result is stunning. Soft, clear and crisp sound, clarity overall, control, natural sound, no sign of negative digital contributions to the sound. I highly recommend other Arcam Alpha 5+ owners to upgrade clock and op-amps.

Similar Products Used:

NLE11/19 preamp, Exposure XVIII Power amplifier, NLE19 RIAA, Yamaha T-500 tuner, Linn Axis with Akito arm and Linn K9 (will be replaced with Ortofon Kontrapunkt H soon), K-112 cassette deck and TNT loudspeakers.

Clarity and perspective in treble and mid-range, tight bass. I never get tired of listening to it.

Mechanics are poor, and the looks are outdated.

Before I bought the it, I compared it to Micromega Stage 1. The Arcam Alpha 5+ was clearer, and had a better perspetive at the same price, so I took it. In short terms, it had a very good overall sound, very musical, and fairly detailed. A good CD-player at the price. 2 years later, I upgraded it with a super clock and new operational amplifiers for $200. The result of this upgrade was a tighter bass, and much improved clarity and definition in the treble and mid-range, as well as better perspective. I highly recommend this upgrade to other Alpha 5+ owners. I've also damped it acoustically, which gave minor improvements, but on the other hand only cost me $10. The D/A-converter has had to be changed, and I've to replace a gear wheel. But still, the upgrades taken into consideration, experts advised me to let it repair instead of buying a new.

Similar Products Used:

NLE 11/12 (preamplifier), Exposure 18 (power amplifier), Linn Axis turntable with Linn K9 cartridge, Yamaha T-500 tuner, and TNT loudspeakers.

The sound it produces.

English (i.e. cruddy) ergonomics. Oh, and the tray broke four years after I bought it - my hifi dealer charged me £15 to fix the draw (they rock!)

This is not a CD player for the Naim enthusiast. It's clear, balanced, with a great soundstage and almost completely without colour. Even after years of living with it I still love the damn thing.

Similar Products Used:

Various expensive Japanese items, Cambridge Audio D300SE

Midrange, musicality. This kind of performance for this price!! It's almost a joke!

dated looks. But every machine would look the same in the dark, so does looks really matter in hifi?

I bought this second hand on the cheap for my 2nd system. Brillant machine! I was a sceptic at first. But until I really sat down to listen to it!! IMHO, it's even better than the later Arcam series. Not too sure about this, but I think Arcam 7 onwards are not made here in UK...but in taiwan or China. Back to the machine. Really smooth sounding player in comparison to other similar players from Sony, Marantz, etc. All of which I auditioned before finally settling on the 5+. I agree with the previous reviewer about it's midrange and it's ability to protrait all kinds of music. This is very important to me as I listen from rock to vocals to opera. This is indeed a highly musical player. The only downside is that it looks a little dated. But really...looks aside, it can easily compete with players twice its price. I was half expecting it to mistrack since the player is already 4 years old. But when I open it's cover (out of habit), I could see some real quality parts. This machine is, IMHO again, made to last more than most similar priced CD players which I've seen. Then again, I do own an Arcam amp that is already more than 10 years old...I do somewhat expect their CDPs to be able to withstand the test of time.

Similar Products Used:

Exposure, Muscial Fidelity, Sony, Marantz, Arcam 7

Ability to portrait all genre of music well, good midrange, wide soundstage. excellent image focus. Very coherent.

Not the last word in bass and neutrality. But how many cdps out there can have the above at this price?

This review is long overdue. Please note that my cdp is the 5+. I have this cdp for 5 years already and I have not intention of selling it off even though I have upgraded to a more expensive (4x) cdp. I have no intention to sell because this is one heck of a cdp despite it's price. True, there are many better cd players out there, but in term of passion and value to its peers, the 5+ really shines. It may not be the most neutral of cdp...but it's able to portrait a very wide soundstage and credible depth. In comparison to cdp with it's price range, there are not much competition. The biggest strenght to this player must be its midrange. And I have no problems throwing in all kinds of music into this player (claasical, rock, jazz, vocals) unlike some player that only suit a certain genre of music. given all its strength, this cdp makes an excellent buy. Unfortunately, it's out of production..thus, making it an even better 2nd buy!

Similar Products Used:

Muscial Fidelity, Rega Jupiter 2000

solid bass

An older model from about '96. Mine is the 5+ model, and was upgradeable to Alpha 6, at the time. An excellent analog section that delivers solidity in the bass region, while still maintaining clarity. Also features a coax digital output. This player has withstood the test of time. When we first hooked this player up to my (oops- OUR) system, even my uninterested wife noticed that the bass reproduction filled in the picture, compared to the incomplete picture that our older Magnavox unit painted. That's quite an endorsement, coming from someone who merely tolerates my audio hobby. All this for ~$350 new.
-J

Good bass, wide soundstage.

Inexpensive looking Chassis.

This is a very reliable CD player that produces good sound for its modest price. Sound is slightly on the cool side with just a bit of grain on the top end. I think the box should be better built for the money but it has never failed. I noticed that the sounstage has a slight tilt to the left that cound not be attributed to balance in the volume. The sound is musical but not greatly involving compared to higher priced cd players. I recommend this as a good player for a modest stereo system.

Similar Products Used:

Rega Planet

This was the first affordable CD player with true musicality
and refined sound. It is a real steal at today's used prices, $250-325. Mid 90's new price was $895.

Bass is good, but not great.

I liked analog much better than digital UNTIL I purchased
the Arcam Alpha 5+. I still use this player (after almost
7 years) in our living room system. I recently purchased
a new $1000 Creek, but my wife likes the sound of the Alpha
5+ better. If you need to upgrade your Cd player, try to
find a used Arcam, their customer service is first rate!

Similar Products Used:

Rotels, NADs, Creek 43mk2

clarity

my cd disc-drawer refuses to open- (frail plastic cog which loses its teeth eventually with age)- don't we all???

The Arcam is warm sounding, which some may find irritating if you prefer a more 'in your face' sort of sound. Used with the right equipment, I have a Naim Nait 3 amp and Epos ES11 speakers, wired with Naim NACA 5 cable, which are all very revealing, I am generally very pleased with the sound I get from the Arcam. The casing is plasticky, and the cd draw has let me down badly- on closer inspection I found the yellow cog which turns the belt which opens the drawer has lost most of its teeth and is due for a repair job, the first repair during its existance, however, musically the clarity is very good, and the bass is clean, whilst the mid and treble are clean and crisp. I am generally well-pleased with the rich, warm sound that I get from a lot of my cd's. Used with the right equipment- preferably very revealing one's- such as the Naim, this is a very satisfying cd player to listen to. I would not concider changing my cd player until SACD or DVD audio becomes commonplace- I think I will be keeping my Arcam for a good while yet then!!!!

Similar Products Used:

cambridge audio