Question Arcam A25 + streamer vs Arcam SA35

[Guthrak]

Hello everyone,

I'm in a bit of a pickle choosing between the A25 vs the SA35. I'm also considering options from cambridge but like the look of the Arcam line better, which is silly, I know.

Current setup:

• Rega P3 Exact
• Denon x1700H -> getting replaced
• Arendal 1723 THX Monitor
• SVS PB2000

I don't really like the integrated streamer part, but do like that it has Room correction and the option for sub management, atm I do plan on running the Arendals without subs. I also plan on doing some room treatment to hopefully get a good sound signature, I'm in the process of buying a house, so I don't know what room yet.

For those who never heard the Arendals, they're pretty neutral with a spacious sound and can pack quite a punch. I think the Arcam would add a hint of warmth to them, which I think they lack, add to the crisp bottom end they have, and finally give them the power they deserve. I do plan on eventually replacing the Arendal speakers, as they're probably more of a HT speaker, but they suprise me every time there's music in a movie and quite like them.

Am I focussing on the wrong thing here with the room correction? I like the display and such of the SA35, but having it all in one box is something I don't really see as a good quality for a sound system.

 

[RTHerringbone]

Be warned! You'll end up with many more suggestions than you may want!

How important is the streamer in general? It seems like you're focused on the Room Correction rather than the streaming itself? I'm not sure how relevant that would be until you've found a house, so I wouldn't necessarily prioritise that or room treatment until you get a feel for the place. Either way, the budget if you're prepared to go to SA35 prices is a healthy one, so you have a lot of options if you end up just picking up an amp, or an amp and a separate streamer.

My experience with an A25 was fine until it developed a faulty headphone socket, but luckily I was able to get a full refund when that occurred. I'm just a sample size of one, so it doesn't mean that's a widespread issue and I may just have been unlucky. It was a very attractive unit but I'd say it was perfunctory rather than engaging for me.

 

[Guthrak]

Be warned! You'll end up with many more suggestions than you may want!

How important is the streamer in general? It seems like you're focused on the Room Correction rather than the streaming itself? I'm not sure how relevant that would be until you've found a house, so I wouldn't necessarily prioritise that or room treatment until you get a feel for the place. Either way, the budget if you're prepared to go to SA35 prices is a healthy one, so you have a lot of options if you end up just picking up an amp, or an amp and a separate streamer.

My experience with an A25 was fine until it developed a faulty headphone socket, but luckily I was able to get a full refund when that occurred. I'm just a sample size of one, so it doesn't mean that's a widespread issue and I may just have been unlucky. It was a very attractive unit but I'd say it was perfunctory rather than engaging for me.

Just more to research and I'd rather know about them now, than after my purchase!

Not at all really, I just want to play some flac files of the albums I don't have on vinyl yet, or of some (modern) electronic music I don't feel like belong on vinyl. I do like that it shows the album art and such on some streamers.

I looked at a bridge system (I think that's what's needed) and raspberry pi (I don't really like that option) but got carried away with the streamers I suppose. The option to stream music would be nice to have but not really the purpose of the stereo setup.

I was looking at a WiiM or a Bluesound streamer as well, as the price fits better with my needs for it.

Basically, all I want an amp for my speakers, that will take my Rega (trough a Rega phono or not), and I want to play some flacs, preferably showing the album art on a screen.

An acquaintance of mine has an older Cambridge setup and I was blown away by what it produced, so that's something I was looking at as well, but I really liked the sleek look of the Arcam and what sound signature it's supposed to give, I don't know much though. And It'll be difficult to find a place to demo an Arcam with Arendal speakers.

 

[matthewpianist]

Either will be great as an amplifier, though I did find the control UX somewhat irritating on the A5.

For streaming, the WiiM, Bluesound and Eversolo platforms are all better than Arcam's.

Around those prices, I would be looking more towards Musical Fidelity, Naim, Audiolab and Rega.

 

[Guthrak]

Either will be great as an amplifier, though I did find the control UX somewhat irritating on the A5.

For streaming, the WiiM, Bluesound and Eversolo platforms are all better than Arcam's.

Around those prices, I would be looking more towards Musical Fidelity, Naim, Audiolab and Rega.

I was looking at those for streaming.
I'll have a look at the others, I looked at the Naim Nait XS3 before, highly praised on this website. Rega I find tempting as I like the way they do things. But I'm a bit hesitant as they're not the best rythmically from what I've read iirc. Low end punch and rhythm are my priorities as a drummer, so that scares me.

I just read there are upgrades coming for the Arcam line, I'll at least wait until the reviews are out on those models.

 

[matthewpianist]

I was looking at those for streaming.
I'll have a look at the others, I looked at the Naim Nait XS3 before, highly praised on this website. Rega I find tempting as I like the way they do things. But I'm a bit hesitant as they're not the best rythmically from what I've read iirc. Low end punch and rhythm are my priorities as a drummer, so that scares me.

I just read there are upgrades coming for the Arcam line, I'll at least wait until the reviews are out on those models.

Low end punch and rhythm are things Rega amps do very well IME, but it's very hard to beat Naim in that respect. Actually, those qualities aren't an Arcam strength.

Auditioning is going to be essential, even more so as you have quite specific requirements.

 

[Guthrak]

Low end punch and rhythm are things Rega amps do very well IME, but it's very hard to beat Naim in that respect. Actually, those qualities aren't an Arcam strength.

Auditioning is going to be essential, even more so as you have quite specific requirements.

Interesting, I'll have to look at those two then, which is nice because I liked them a lot, even thought they're boring black boxes.

What I find difficult about auditioning is that they're going to be paired with different sources and different speakers than I have, in a room that's deadend tot he max. So what I like in their listening room, might be a disaster in my own.
How do you deal with that? Should I order with a return policy so I can audition in my own space?

 

[RoA]

Low end punch and rhythm are things Rega amps do very well IME, but it's very hard to beat Naim in that respect. Actually, those qualities aren't an Arcam strength.

Auditioning is going to be essential, even more so as you have quite specific requirements.

When I had larger Stirling's, the Arcam was the only amplifier to give them proper low end. A Hegel, Cyrus and Audiolab, whilst driving them effortlessly otherwise, just did not have the punch.

It's all speaker/amplifier (and room!) dependent.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Just to make matters more confusing, I'll nominate Musical Fidelity as having the tautest bottom end of the range of things I've heard - which is, admittedly, far from exhaustive...

 

[Guthrak]

Just to make matters more confusing, I'll nominate Musical Fidelity as having the tautest bottom end of the range of things I've heard - which is, admittedly, far from exhaustive...

During my break I just watched a youtube review of the M5si of Andrew Robinson. I don't know him or how credible he is. But the way he kept coming back to the drums sounding the best in every song got me hooked. He talked about how the amp brings the Drums a little more forward so you can focus on it better, and how even the cymbals in the high range have a proper wash and fade, something that makes it so I can't listen to anything but flac music, and even better on vinyl. Based on that alone I might have a new top contender, and I'm actually very excited. Best of all, it comes in black , is a solid build and the proper size, so it scores on looks as well.

I'll have to read some more about it but thanks, this seems to match what I'm looking for better than anything.
Another debate would be that the M6si has balanced, and if I would need that ever.

 

[Guthrak]

t's all speaker/amplifier (and room!) dependent.

This is why I want to treat my room, standing waves can kill bass in your setup easily and make it fall flat. Good subwoofer placement can fix a lot, but I don't like to have reflection city in my listening room.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Another debate would be that the M6si has balanced, and if I would need that ever.

I think the general view here is that it doesn't make an audible difference over short runs.

The thing I noticed first about the MF gear is that percussion, particularly bass drums, start and stop with a precision I didn't even realise I was missing - and that feels more like 'real' percussion as a result.

 

[Guthrak]

I think the general view here is that it doesn't make an audible difference over short runs.

The thing I noticed first about the MF gear is that percussion, particularly bass drums, start and stop with a precision I didn't even realise I was missing - and that feels more like 'real' percussion as a result.

I see, well that's that sorted then. The amp will be in between my speakers below my turntable, as the traditional stereo setup you see everywhere.

A lot of equipment make the bass drum this washy bass in the background, more akin to an electronic back beat. (The floor Tom is more of a wellowing bass if it's tuned very loose) While in real life it's more like a slap in the face (or gut) on which you put your foot down and it makes you dance. The snare then is a higher pitched gunshot that slaps you back in waiting for the bass slap again. Maybe a weird description but drums are loud and you feel them in your body as much as you hear them in the music.
If I can ever get closer to that live feel of a bass drum, as you describe here. Then I think I've found my brand and sound signature. I'ts what I've been chasing ever since I started this journey with headphones, on to speakers.