I am strongly considering the Arcam A-15 but am unable to demo the unit as I live in the US and have no dealers near me. I am bothered by the THD specification where the full power spec is 0.5%. The 1 KHz 80% power THD is spec’d at 0.002%. I emailed Arcam about this but they were not helpful. Based on the recommendation of this site it sounds like a great choice. Can someone explain to me how such a high full power THD value can be justified in terms of the performance of this amp?
Arcam A-15
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Fandango Andy
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Specs like this mean virtually nothing, its all down to how it sounds. There is no substitute for an audition , if you aren't in a position to do this the best you can do is read /watch as many reviews as possible to make sure the sound is in line with what you want.
Out of curiosity, what do you have at the moment, and what speakers do you intend to hook it up to?
Thank you for your input. I understand the specs do not always correlate with the performance but I found the disparity between the two THD values curious. Based on reviews that I have seen , the A15 seems like a good choice, I was also considering the Cambridge CXA81 but wanted the integrated phono pre-amp. I am replacing a Denon AVR-2310ci which I have had for many years but no longer require or want the multichannel use as I now use it only to listen to music in stereo mode. Speakers are Klipsch RP-6000F II's with a Klipsch 12 inch sub. Source is primarily a Wiim Pro Plus but I also have a Fluance RT-85 turntable that is used maybe 10% of the time. The Klipsch appealed to me because I wanted a slightly brighter speaker due to some age related hearing loss of higher frequencies. I am a bit concerned about losing the Audyssey room correction I have with the Denon. The room is bright and somewhat large and I am unfortunately limited to the corner for the stereo. I listen primarily to Jazz and acoustic singer songwriter music with some occasional forays into classic and progressive rock.
good_enough
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Why would you be interested in distortion at max power? Turning the thing up to 11 would risk clipping and shredding your speakers. I would have thought figures at normal listening volumes would be more relevant.
On phono stages, as I've written here before, I love the ones on Roksan integrateds. If you really listen at ear bleeding levels, then the K3 has more wpc and hence more headroom.
I wonder if it might be better to choose between stuff you can audition (if any) rather than stuff you can't? There's obviously a lot of choice at this price point.
On phono stages, as I've written here before, I love the ones on Roksan integrateds. If you really listen at ear bleeding levels, then the K3 has more wpc and hence more headroom.
I wonder if it might be better to choose between stuff you can audition (if any) rather than stuff you can't? There's obviously a lot of choice at this price point.
I don't listen at max power, my question was a desire to clarify the two specifications. The 80W spec is a THD value for the 20-20KHz bandwidth of the device (0.5%), while the THD at 1KHz is specified at 80% power and is 0.002%. I have come to realize that as Fandango Andy said that these numbers are somewhat meaningless. Cambridge Audio CxA81 Mkii for example specifies their THD at 20-20KHz at .02% but that is at 80% power so it is impossible to compare the two from the spec sheet--hence your suggestion that it is better to audition. Living in the US and at my location the only audio stores near me cater to higher end customers. (I don't want to spend $10K) on an amplifier). Fortunately, Crutchfield (online retailer) has a very liberal return policy so I plan to buy from there. Roksan seems to only be available in the UK/EU. Thanks for your input though.
good_enough
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Al ears
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A good returns policy is vital these days, however you normally have to pay for return postage which in some cases can be a large amount making it cheaper to actually drive to a dealership.
Don't worry about the specs, go and listen if you can. From what I glean this is a great amplifier, and speaker matching will be easy.
Al ears
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Yep. Specs are a trifle odd but wait until you see some valve amps...... 🙂
THD spec pretty meaningless when said amp is used in a good system within normal listening parameters.
However, I wouldn't buy the A15 unless you need digital inputs and Bluetooth
I had no idea what you were on about until the last sentence. Why wouldn't you buy the A15, regardless of its DAC and Bluetooth features?
daytona600
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Dirac room correction / Streaming / lots of power / phono stage / Kitchen Sink
www.stereophile.com
Naim 102
www.ecoustics.com
NAD C 3050 LE BluOS streaming integrated amplifier
Although NAD was founded in England in 1972 as New Acoustic Dimension, my introduction to the brand was in 1980. I bought an NAD 3020 integrated amplifier after hearing it successfully drive Acoustic Research's current-hungry AR9 loudspeakers. Designed in England by Bjørn-Erik Edvardsen...
Naim 102
Keeping it Simple with the Naim CI-Uniti 102 Streaming Amplifier
At only $1,499 USD, the Naim CI-Uniti 102 feels like a streamlined Uniti Atom in a pair of skinny jeans.
www.ecoustics.com
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Dirac room correction / Streaming / lots of power / phono stage / Kitchen Sink
NAD C 3050 LE BluOS streaming integrated amplifier
Although NAD was founded in England in 1972 as New Acoustic Dimension, my introduction to the brand was in 1980. I bought an NAD 3020 integrated amplifier after hearing it successfully drive Acoustic Research's current-hungry AR9 loudspeakers. Designed in England by Bjørn-Erik Edvardsen...
The streaming module is optional extra. (They don't make the anniversary LE edition anymore, but the plain 3050 is identical).
RTHerringbone
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I had an Arcam A25. Different to the A15 but part of the same "family". I was unlucky with a faulty headphone socket, but that apart it was a solid, good sounding unit which was nice to use and I don't think would take away from the OPs intended bright speaker choice.
My only gripe really was that it was very stand-offish and a bit passive, but that might be what the opening poster is after.
My only gripe really was that it was very stand-offish and a bit passive, but that might be what the opening poster is after.
Al ears
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You haven't answered my question. You would not recommend the A15 as an amp alone??? And if so why??? And what have you got against it having a DAC and Bluetooth inside since millions of other amps have them too??
Answer the question please, why won't you recommend this as an amp??
Your perspective on the A25 agrees with what I have read about the A15 although the class G amp in the A25 undoubtedly gives it a different character. My other option of a CA CxA81 MKii would be a little more dynamic and offer more punch I think but is pricier and has no phono input. For my choice of music it seems the A15 would be adequate but if I am unhappy I would probably return it and opt for the CxA81. The NAD 3050 suggested in the thread is twice the price in the US while I don’t need a streaming amp as I already have a WiiM that suits me fine.
speedthing
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I have the A15 paired with the right set of speakers its a very smooth capable amp i tent to listen to my rock pretty loud. i did see a few posts saying that the phono stage was a bit week i actually found it was very good indeed did a side by side comparison with my Creek OBH-15 phono pre-amp and there really wasnt much in it at all A15 nice and quality set of 3 way speakers ;-) .
Al ears
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I'm sure it's a very capable amp so keep your hat on.
No reason to pay out for optional extras unless you are actually going to use then.
So you refuse to answer my question. 'You're sure it's a very capable amp', yet you can't recommend it since like countless others in this price range it has a DAC and Bluetooth.
Perhaps you should just bite your tongue
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