Arcam

Rockchild

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Not when it comes entry-level models. I'd take the DIVA A65 Plus over the FMJ A18 any day. And I have heard the A18.
When they dropped the Diva range the models were incorporated into the FMJ range. The A18 was a modern day equivalent or modified Diva amps. You may have heard it on the wrong speakers. 
FMJ was always about the 22 and above in the days of FMJ Pinnacle.

Why are your comments always so defensive and aggressive sounding?  

 

plasticpenguin

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When they dropped the Diva range the models were incorporated into the FMJ range. The A18 was a modern day equivalent or modified Diva amps. You may have heard it on the wrong speakers. 
FMJ was always about the 22 and above in the days of FMJ Pinnacle.

Why are your comments always so defensive and aggressive sounding?  
Well I heard A18 on Usher S520, some £600 Linn standmounts & PMC DB1i. I know from personal experience Arcam & PMCs are cracking match.

Since then I heard the SA20. It sounded okay, but I'd still prefer a similar priced amp from the DIVA range.

Just for the record, and I know this erk some, but when the dealer switched from the SA20 to Rega Elex-R, there's clear breathing space. The SA20 lagged well behind.

I'm a huge Arcam fan but unless you go closer to the flagship models, the FMJs aren't worth a tuppence.

 

Rockchild

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Well I heard A18 on Usher S520, some £600 Linn standmounts & PMC DB1i. I know from personal experience Arcam & PMCs are cracking match.

Since then I heard the SA20. It sounded okay, but I'd still prefer a similar priced amp from the DIVA range.

Just for the record, and I know this erk some, but when the dealer switched from the SA20 to Rega Elex-R, there's clear breathing space. The SA20 lagged well behind.

I'm a huge Arcam fan but unless you go closer to the flagship models, the FMJs aren't worth a tuppence.
So have you heard at home an A22 or the latest A39 or 49? 
There are considerably better options of speakers to match Arcam too. 
 

I think your being a bit hard on the brand tbh. 

 

hifinutt

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So how does it stack up against the Sugden? Obv the Sugden is better but in which areas, and is it a big improvement or subtle?
yes i had the arcam a21se here with the taus . currently have the a85 as power amp and bc pre 3 . the sugden was a stunning amp . reallly low noise floor , very fast amp . instruments wer so clear and it was pretty stunning . however it was too much of a good thing . i prefer the more relaxed presentation of the arcam that is still musical, makes you want to boogie and is non fatiguin. its all about taste really . some will like the suggy , others the arcam   

 

hifinutt

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very nearly bought a lovely a28 a few days ago but it cant be used as a power amp so aiming for a38 when one pops up. personally i prefer the silver over the black a29. a39. a49 

 

plasticpenguin

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So have you heard at home an A22 or the latest A39 or 49? 
There are considerably better options of speakers to match Arcam too. 
 

I think your being a bit hard on the brand tbh. 
I've owned Arcam amps from 1997-2010. Purchased the CD73T in 2005 and only replaced it in the spring of 2020. Do you think that qualifies me as a serious Arcam fan?

Concur the A39 & A49 should be in a different league, given the flagship DIVA amp, A90, was £900 when new. I still haven't heard a entry-level/affordable FMJ that sounds as good as an equivalent priced DIVA.

Years ago I heard the A32 powering Totem Arros in a shop, but had nothing alongside it to compare.

Not being hard on the brand just putting into context.

 

plasticpenguin

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yes i had the arcam a21se here with the taus . currently have the a85 as power amp and bc pre 3 . the sugden was a stunning amp . reallly low noise floor , very fast amp . instruments wer so clear and it was pretty stunning . however it was too much of a good thing . i prefer the more relaxed presentation of the arcam that is still musical, makes you want to boogie and is non fatiguin. its all about taste really . some will like the suggy , others the arcam   
Thanks for that. You have mentioned this before, good to get confirmation though.

 

plasticpenguin

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I've owned Arcam amps from 1997-2010. Purchased the CD73T in 2005 and only replaced it in the spring of 2020. Do you think that qualifies me as a serious Arcam fan?

Concur the A39 & A49 should be in a different league, given the flagship DIVA amp, A90, was £900 when new. I still haven't heard a entry-level/affordable FMJ that sounds as good as an equivalent priced DIVA.

Years ago I heard the A32 powering Totem Arros in a shop, but had nothing alongside it to compare.

Not being hard on the brand just putting into context.
I can also tell you where and when I heard the A32/Totem combo. It was in Audio-T in Epsom in 2005. Why that sticks out is because that's where I purchased my Stands Unique rack.

 

Rockchild

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I can also tell you where and when I heard the A32/Totem combo. It was in Audio-T in Epsom in 2005. Why that sticks out is because that's where I purchased my Stands Unique rack.
Hearing things briefly in a shop doesn’t constitute to evaluating a product. To recommend or advise, you need to do that at home imo. 
You always come across as quite bitter on the forum. 

 

plasticpenguin

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Hearing things briefly in a shop doesn’t constitute to evaluating a product. To recommend or advise, you need to do that at home imo. 
You always come across as quite bitter on the forum. 
When was the last time I recommended a A32? Never as far as I know.

Never bitter, just forthright. Perhaps interpreting something in writing is sometimes difficult.

 
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plasticpenguin

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I’ve never mentioned an A32. Doesn’t really have anything to do with what I said above. 
To be honest, as I know the Arcam house sound so well, I generally know if it's good or not within 20 mins or so of hearing it.

Heard most from the DIVA range: A65+ (obviously), A80, A85 and the short lived A70. FMJ A18, A32, A39 & SA20. Previous models Alpha 7R (still have it in the attic), 8 & 9. All have been home demos apart from FMJs and the bigger Alphas.

 
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I.D.S.

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Has anybody experience with the rHead? looking around this has been a well received piece of kit and sold at very keen price,but sadly discontinued. Looking to go with a pair of Focal Elgias fed by Naim amplification.
 

hifinutt

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been using the a75 in past few weeks with the horns . very good match . the laid back nature suits the horns . surprising imaging which is very good for such a budget amp . for the money I continue to be impressed . playing stan getz the sax is quite breathy and smooth and really quite toe tapping . playing the cave by pyramid peak the sound is holographic. its certainly very different to sugden but i rather like its laid back but still got bite nature

https://flic.kr/p/2n3a3rJ]P1070841[/url] by phil']https://www.flickr.com/photos/158267783@N02/]/url], on Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2n3eYZx]P1070840[/url] by phil']https://www.flickr.com/photos/158267783@N02/][/url], on Flickr

the modwright modded jolida valve dac helps too
 

Amormusic

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been using the a75 in past few weeks with the horns . very good match . the laid back nature suits the horns . surprising imaging which is very good for such a budget amp . for the money I continue to be impressed . playing stan getz the sax is quite breathy and smooth and really quite toe tapping . playing the cave by pyramid peak the sound is holographic. its certainly very different to sugden but i rather like its laid back but still got bite nature

https://flic.kr/p/2n3a3rJ]P1070841[/url] by phil']https://www.flickr.com/photos/158267783@N02/]/url], on Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2n3eYZx]P1070840[/url] by phil']https://www.flickr.com/photos/158267783@N02/][/url], on Flickr

the modwright modded jolida valve dac helps too
Love the Jolida, need to get mine out of the drawer. I've been hitting the D33 as the primary DAC for a while recently, mainly as so many input options. Quality bit of kit the D33 is. But I love my mega modded Jolida too.
 

Amormusic

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Looking at the pic, I'm still thinking I really need to get some Amphions into my front room soon too... Not managed it yet... Seriously interested in hearing these on the end of my amp. 👍

Anyway, back to Arcam owners stuff.
 

rossstobo

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I just recently got my first Arcam amps after a recommendation from hifinutt which I'm really enjoying. I have the A22 with the matching P25 power amp driving Monitor Audio Silver 300's, which to my ears are a fantastic pairing. So far on my 2ch journey, this is the best combination I've owned.
 
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plasticpenguin

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been using the a75 in past few weeks with the horns . very good match . the laid back nature suits the horns . surprising imaging which is very good for such a budget amp . for the money I continue to be impressed . playing stan getz the sax is quite breathy and smooth and really quite toe tapping . playing the cave by pyramid peak the sound is holographic. its certainly very different to sugden but i rather like its laid back but still got bite nature

https://flic.kr/p/2n3a3rJ]P1070841[/url] by phil']https://www.flickr.com/photos/158267783@N02/]/url], on Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2n3eYZx]P1070840[/url] by phil']https://www.flickr.com/photos/158267783@N02/][/url], on Flickr

the modwright modded jolida valve dac helps too
Seeing the A75 it's practically the spitting image of my old A65. Sleek and minimalistic.
 
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