Amplification is on the very core of what Arcam has all the time achieved. The corporate’s first product, the vastly profitable A60 built-in amplifier launched in 1976, laid the foundations for the model to develop into the various firm it’s at this time.
It is usually honest to say that in latest a long time the corporate’s focus appeared to be focused on the house cinema facet of issues the place it has change into identified for producing a number of the most musical premium AV amplifiers available on the market. Make no mistake, there have been some effective stereo merchandise in that point – the Award-winning A19 built-in amplifier, the compact rPhono and quite a few generations of rDAC come to thoughts – however Arcam’s as soon as dominant presence within the reasonably priced stereo element market had undoubtedly waned, leaving the likes of Cambridge Audio, Marantz and Rega to take greater items of the pie. Issues could also be about to vary with the introduction of the brand-new Radia vary of merchandise. This consists of three stereo amplifiers (the A5 on check right here, A15 (£1099 / $999) and range-topping Class G A25 (£1499 / £1499), the CD5 participant (£699 / $699) and ST5 music streamer (£799 / $799).
Construct & Design
We will’t consider a greater place to begin than the entry-level A5 amplifier. It’s the most reasonably priced amplifier within the vary but completely encapsulates what the corporate is making an attempt to do. There’s the way in which it seems to be for starters. To our eyes, it is a contemporary and modern-looking product. We like its clear and unfussy exterior which seems to be easy but elegant. The delicate yellow highlights across the massive management dials, vents and sides might not come throughout with a lot affect within the pictures, however within the metallic, they offer the amplifier a modern look that units it other than worth rivals.
It is a properly constructed product with a sturdy aluminium case and good end. The 2 entrance panel management dials are properly weighted and spin easily. We’re much less taken with the entrance panel show. It’s decently massive and simple to learn however the frosted end robs the show of crispness. Nonetheless, the set-up menus are straightforward to navigate, and whereas the equipped distant handset isn’t probably the most luxurious feeling wand round, it’s, not less than, easy to make use of and sufficiently small to comfortably match into most palms.
Options
This amplifier is greater than only a fairly face. The corporate has clearly thought lengthy and arduous concerning the options to incorporate and has give you what’s arguably probably the most comprehensively outfitted stereo amplifier we’ve reviewed at this degree. On the analogue facet of issues, there are three line-level inputs plus a transferring magnet phono stage. Those that really feel the A5’s 50 watts per channel output gained’t be sufficient can add an outboard energy amplifier courtesy of the Arcam’s preamplifier outputs. If digital is your factor then you’ve got a pair of coaxial inputs and a single optical enter, all able to accepting music streams of as much as 24-bit/192kHz due to an ESS ES9018 DAC chip. It might have been good to have the choice of USB, however we don’t assume the shortage of it’s a deal breaker.
Arcam A5 tech specs
Kind Built-in
Energy 50W per channel
Phono stage Transferring magnet
Inputs Line degree x3, optical, coax x2
Outputs Pre-out
Bluetooth aptX Adaptive (two-way)
Headphone output? Sure (3.5mm)
Dimensions (hwd) 8.3 x 43.1 x 34.4cm
Weight 8 kg
Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive is on the menu, however there’s a bonus within the implementation because it not solely permits the A5 built-in to just accept a sign but additionally lets it ship the sound out to a Bluetooth-enabled speaker or headphones. Neat.
We strive the A5 in our reference system of Naim ND555/555 PS DR and ATC SCM50 audio system in addition to with extra price-compatible merchandise such because the Cyrus CDi CD participant, the Cambridge Audio CXN (V2) music streamer and each the PMC Prodigy 5 and KEF LS50 Meta audio system. Regardless of the comparatively modest claimed energy output, this Class A/B amplifier has no hassle driving any of the audio system to first rate ranges in our comparatively massive listening room (3 x 7 x 5m, hwd).
Sound
An amplifier at this degree has a troublesome balancing act to carry out. It’s as prone to be partnered with finances package as it’s extra premium choices, so it needs to be forgiving sufficient to not emphasise the shortcomings of extra restricted partnering gear, but nonetheless have the perception and transparency to benefit from extra succesful alerts. The A5 manages this balancing act fantastically. It has a candy nature that whereas full-bodied and clean by no means errs far sufficient to rob the life from the music.
We begin with the analogue line-level inputs and hearken to Eminem’s Restoration set – a skinny, quite hard-sounding recording – and the Arcam treads the road between diplomacy and bluntness brilliantly. It has a refined but energetic presentation that conveys the constructing momentum of a observe like No Love fantastically, due to a assured and surefooted approach with rhythms. We just like the midrange too. It’s clear, articulate and full-bodied. Eminem comes via with venomous angle intact and we’ve got no hassle monitoring each phrase of his rapid-fire supply.
There’s a effective sense of management too, with the amplifier exhibiting spectacular composure when the music will get demanding. It doesn’t sound pressured or cluttered, even when pushed to greater quantity ranges. Lows are well-defined and authoritative however pleasingly agile with it. There’s loads of punch too, which retains issues entertaining.
We change to Mahler’s Tenth Symphony and the A5 doesn’t flinch. It delivers a superb sense of scale right here and has the decision to maintain observe of a large number of instrumental strands with out sounding confused. The A5’s full-bodied tonality works properly right here, giving the orchestra a satisfying quantity of solidity and presence. We have now no complaints concerning the stereo imaging both, with the Arcam delivering an expansive soundstage populated with sharply focussed devices. It’s properly layered too, giving a effective impression of depth to the presentation. Bigger scale dynamic swings are rendered with conviction and there’s a good dose of scale on present too.
We change to the phono enter with some trepidation. We have now our reference Technics SL-1000R/Vertere Sabre document participant because the supply however are braced for disappointment. Why? Most producers at this degree deal with the phono stage as a box-ticking train and don’t actually take a lot care in the way in which it sounds. As issues end up, we needn’t have fearful. The transferring magnet phono module within the A5 is an efficient one. It sounds clear and expressive, delivering Mary J Blige’s No Drama set with all the fervour intact. There’s a good degree of decision right here and the noise ranges are low. All in all, it retains the entertaining character of the road phases and we are able to’t ask for far more than that.
Arcam has an excessive amount of expertise with digital-to-analogue converters. Actually, it was one of many pioneers of devoted outboard models again within the Nineteen Eighties. That have shines via within the A5’s DAC part. There’s a selection of three digital filters, every providing a barely completely different flavour. There isn’t a proper or unsuitable reply right here, however we are inclined to favor Filter 2 in our set-up.
Whatever the filter possibility chosen, the Arcam’s digital part sounds crisp and punchy, perhaps dropping just a bit of the heat of the road phases however nonetheless delivering loads in the way in which of perception. It’s definitely a helpful addition to the amplifier’s armoury and can give most finances DACs a run for his or her cash in most respects.
It’s a equally optimistic story with the headphone output. That is specified to work with a great deal of between 16 ohms and a couple of kOhms and doesn’t have a difficulty driving any of the cans we strive. These embody the Grados SR325x and Sony’s MDR-Z1R headphones.
Bluetooth pairing is swift and the efficiency is nice for this connection. It’s by no means going to match any of the wired alternate options for outright high quality however stays a superb comfort possibility. The A5 works properly because the receiver of the sign and in addition performs properly sufficient because the supply feeding a separate wi-fi headphone, we use Sony’s WH-1000XM5 with out situation.
Verdict
As we change between sources we cowl a variety of music in our time with the Arcam A5, and it by no means disappoints. It is a fantastically rounded performer that merely will get on with the job of taking part in music with out intruding on the expertise. Accomplice it with suitably succesful sources and audio system, and it’ll invariably ship musical and satisfying outcomes. It has been a few years since we’ve heard such a convincing stereo amplifier from Arcam. In case you are pondering of shopping for at this degree, this one has to go on the prime of your shortlist. It truly is that good. Welcome again Arcam.
SCORES
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