Recent content by unklemunkle

A £5 ground loop isolator has fixed it! Hurrah!

OK - I thought you meant just a single tone control. I'm going to try a few other things out tonight to try and pin-point the fault further ...

Hi, I don't have a tone control on this amp. Just bass, treble and balance. It's very minor but it's there. I don't think it's a serious issue but will try to test and resolve one way or another...!

Yes, problem is still there. It is still there if the CD player is unplugged from mains but phono leads connected at both ends. Disconnect the phono leads and one end and it doesn't do it . As I say, the noise is only audible with 'direct' off. I'm going to try some shorting leads when I get...

Yes, have tried Aux and CD. Could try others I guess. I'm going to try some shorting phono leads later for another test. Determined to get to the bottom of the issue!

Ok, an update on the buzz/hum. There is no buzz/hum when the CD player phono leads are disconnected from the amp. The buzz is there when the leads are connected at both ends but the CD player mains is completely disconnected! Again, only slightly audible when direct mode is switched OFF. No...

Yes, I am very fussy too but I guess it's not brand new. However, the chap at Arcam even tried to make the buzzing noise down the phone to help and he didn't think it was an issue. I guess it's a case of managing expectations. It's a different bit of kit to the CA540 Azur V2 so it will do...

Spoke to Arcam tech and a very nice, helpful chap. I don't think there is anything to worry about. He said that I should be listening to it with 'Direct' pressed anyway for the purest sound. The amp powers the speakers which is why there is a low hum audible when no music is being played. You...

Yes, good call. It is advised to run it with the 'Direct' button pressed as this provides a cleaner and better signal and sound quality. It sounds fabulous through the KEF IQ5SE speakers. You only notice the hum/buzz when no music is being played or between tracks on a CD. Again, only when the...

Just noticed, the buzzing goes if the 'Direct' button is pressed if that gives any techy types more info

Right, amp sounds great although there is a buzzing sound when no music is being played. Not major but a tad annoying. Could this be down to requiring better quality speaker leads or something more sinister? It does it when it's just the amp switched on or with CD player on too. Any ideas?

Yes, will report back. The CA had issues with crackling when cold and the right channel cracking up on the balance knob. Also, the power lead was very sensitive in the back - ie one minor nudge and it would turn off, then on etc. Thought it sounded a bit thin and reedy too after reading all the...

Hi all, I've bought a really nice Arcam Alpha 8 integrated amplifier to run my KEF IQ5SE speakers. After a few issues with my Cambridge Audio 540 Azur V2 amp, am hoping this will provide a much-needed improvement to the sound! I'm only asking in intrepidation as I haven't received the Arcam...

Thanks for the pointers. How does the Arcam A65 rate over/under the Alpha series?

Hi all, I'm new on here, so please be gentle with me! I currently have a relatively small budget to purchase a second hand Arcam or Rotel integrated amplifier. Am thinking Rotel RA-03 or Arcam Alpha 8. I have KEF IQ5SE speakers and like classic rock, country rock and good harmony music (eg...