Arcam A39. Mmmm...

[plastic penguin]

... I'm going to have a dem of one over the next few days, work permitting.

Arcams usually match well with PMC 'i' series, and I want to hear 'G' class amplification. Who knows, if it is a serious upgrade I might just push the 'buy' button.

And no, I'm not fed up with the Leema... had it for 6 years this summer and it isn't going to last forever (and I've always been a big Arcam fan, as most of you know)

I'll report back later in the week.

 

[CnoEvil]

Good man!

Why not get them to connect a Sneaky DS as well, if they sell Linn...just out of interest, mind. *diablo*

 

[plastic penguin]

Good man!

Why not get them to connect a Sneaky DS as well, if they sell Linn...just out of interest, mind. *diablo*

Nah, I'm not sneaky enough.

If the Arcam really tugs my rug I think it might be too much to resist. However, it'll need to be bloody good to topple the Pulse.

 

[CnoEvil]

Good man!

Why not get them to connect a Sneaky DS as well, if they sell Linn...just out of interest, mind. *diablo*

However, it'll need to be bloody good to topple the Pulse.

My rule of thumb is that (all things being equal), you have to double what you spend on a component to get a meaningful upgrade...so I think any improvement will be subtle at best.

 

[plastic penguin]

Good man!

Why not get them to connect a Sneaky DS as well, if they sell Linn...just out of interest, mind. *diablo*

However, it'll need to be bloody good to topple the Pulse.

My rule of thumb is that (all things being equal), you have to double what you spend on a component to get a meaningful upgrade...so I think any improvement will be subtle at best.

Agreed: I will endeavour to blag a home dem rather than a shop... either way, I'll have the Pulse and PMCs there.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_100004211376004]

Hay PP.I thought you had the tb2's with the pulse?....have you got something from the i range recently?I'm sure they'll sound lovely with a naim amp.lol.

 

[plastic penguin]

Hay PP.I thought you had the tb2's with the pulse?....have you got something from the i range recently?I'm sure they'll sound lovely with a naim amp.lol.

I have most certainly got TB2is. The point I was making was if I can't get a home dem I'll have to drag the Pulse and PMCs to the shop.

Naim? Nah. Actually dem'd the XS (MKI version) and preferred the tonal qualities of the Leema.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_100004211376004]

Ahh.my mistake.understood.but you are at the same kind of cash for a used tucana mk 1 or even a mk2 if your lucky . that's what I'd be wanting to look at for 1.5k.oh and wee mustn't forget the obligatory Abrahamsen v thingy jig.lol.

 

[plastic penguin]

Ahh.my mistake.understood.but you are at the same kind of cash for a used tucana mk 1 or even a mk2 if your lucky . that's what I'd be wanting to look at for 1.5k.oh and wee mustn't forget the obligatory Abrahamsen v thingy jig.lol.

I know about the Tucana. That would be the ideal upgrade... as I mentioned in my initial post I haven't heard 'G' class amplification before.

Don't insult me by mentioning that Nord brand. *blum3*

 

[Snikoes]

PP - I'm looking forward to hearing how your audition goes. Are you any closer to having it?

 

[plastic penguin]

PP - I'm looking forward to hearing how your audition goes. Are you any closer to having it?

No. I've been run off my feet with work. I'll try and arrange something over the next week or two.

 

[Andrewjvt]

Howcome are you not rather testing a tucana 2 or quasar instead.

Surely they would be a better upgrade seems you love your leema so much.

And the new quasar has a dac and 200w. To me that would be a better upgrade or if arcam then the a49.

I dont think the a39 will be much of an upgrade to what you already have. Just a few cents from me

 

[Andrewjvt]

Howcome are you not rather testing a tucana 2 or quasar instead.

Surely they would be a better upgrade seems you love your leema so much.

And the new quasar has a dac and 200w. To me that would be a better upgrade or if arcam then the a49.

I dont think the a39 will be much of an upgrade to what you already have. Just a few cents from me

There is still no sign of the Quasar - it's been in 'pre-production' mode for six months now. Will it cause a glut of second-hand Leema stuf as everyone off-loads there old Leema gear for the Quasar?

A good chance to get one cheap 2nd hand when they do.

 

[jonathanRD]

Howcome are you not rather testing a tucana 2 or quasar instead.

Surely they would be a better upgrade seems you love your leema so much.

And the new quasar has a dac and 200w. To me that would be a better upgrade or if arcam then the a49.

I dont think the a39 will be much of an upgrade to what you already have. Just a few cents from me

There is still no sign of the Quasar - it's been in 'pre-production' mode for six months now. Will it cause a glut of second-hand Leema stuf as everyone off-loads their old Leema gear for the Quasar?

 

[plastic penguin]

Howcome are you not rather testing a tucana 2 or quasar instead.

Surely they would be a better upgrade seems you love your leema so much.

And the new quasar has a dac and 200w. To me that would be a better upgrade or if arcam then the a49.

I dont think the a39 will be much of an upgrade to what you already have. Just a few cents from me

Good question, but as I mentioned in a previous post it won't be a goer unless it blows my socks off.

I like the Arcam presentaion (owned them for 14 years prior to buying the Leema), and my only criticism was the bass could be a little flumpy. Every other frequency was superb.

The Leema was a revelation, and the obv choice would be the Tucana II. But when it comes to seriously upgrading the amp I might plump for either a Accuphase or Luxman - I have this thing for dancing VU wattage meters.

 

[Blacksabbath25]

I got a feeling your going to be disappointed with the arcam A39 i used to have Arcam amps and cdplayers in the 1990s and think old arcam was better then the current arcam stuff I was disappointed myself because I thought when I got back into Hifi I could go straight back to an arcam again but when I had a demo on the A19 ,A29 , A39 the A39 was the best out the 3 I had a demo on they sounded very dull but I felt I could buy better from a different manufacturer I am not sure if it's just me but feel arcam have lost there way a bit but you may feel different when you hear one maybe it was the speakers they used in the demo but they come across dull to me

 

[plastic penguin]

I got a feeling your going to be disappointed with the arcam A39 i used to have Arcam amps and cdplayers in the 1990s and think old arcam was better then the current arcam stuff I was disappointed myself because I thought when I got back into Hifi I could go straight back to an arcam again but when I had a demo on the A19 ,A29 , A39 the A39 was the best out the 3 I had a demo on they sounded very dull but I felt I could buy better from a different manufacturer I am not sure if it's just me but feel arcam have lost there way a bit but you may feel different when you hear one maybe it was the speakers they used in the demo but they come across dull to me

I've not heard the uber new Arcam amps, hence why I'm going to give it a whirl.

From personal experience my old A65+ sounded the dogs with PMC DB1is - couldn't be seriously faulted for the money. Hoping the newer amps will be equally as impressive with the TB2is.

 

[Andrewjvt]

Howcome are you not rather testing a tucana 2 or quasar instead.

Surely they would be a better upgrade seems you love your leema so much.

And the new quasar has a dac and 200w. To me that would be a better upgrade or if arcam then the a49.

I dont think the a39 will be much of an upgrade to what you already have. Just a few cents from me

Good question, but as I mentioned in a previous post it won't be a goer unless it blows my socks off.

I like the Arcam presentaion (owned them for 14 years prior to buying the Leema), and my only criticism was the bass could be a little flumpy. Every other frequency was superb.

The Leema was a revelation, and the obv choice would be the Tucana II. But when it comes to seriously upgrading the amp I might plump for either a Accuphase or Luxman - I have this thing for dancing VU wattage meters.

Ill get the forklift ready thats some serious kit

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_100004211376004]

Hay PP.I.IF I was going to be spending that kind of cash....some pmc actives would be at the top of my list...two two fives maybe.top amplification,top speakers..what's not to like.you're already a fan of the db's and tb's.....I think you should arange a dem and come back with your thoughts.lol.

 

[Andrewjvt]

Hay PP.I.IF I was going to be spending that kind of cash....some pmc actives would be at the top of my list...two two fives maybe.top amplification,top speakers..what's not to like.you're already a fan of the db's and tb's.....I think you should arange a dem and come back with your thoughts.lol.

Why did i not think of that

 

[plastic penguin]

Hay PP.I.IF I was going to be spending that kind of cash....some pmc actives would be at the top of my list...two two fives maybe.top amplification,top speakers..what's not to like.you're already a fan of the db's and tb's.....I think you should arange a dem and come back with your thoughts.lol.

Lack of analogue inputs chokes me off actives. I could use the Pulse as a preamp but spending that sort of money on actives I would need to claw back as much money as possible.

And, of course, actives don't have phono stage for my turntable - another box.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_100004211376004]

Well,I've got loads of boxes anyways so I wouldn't be too fussed about that,I'd just replace my xs with a decent pre amp (probably naim).but I think that could be my next move......in a few years though.Although I'd be a bit worried that the pmc's would make mincemeat out of some of my not so better recordings.they might just be a bit too transparent for home duties.

 

[plastic penguin]

Well,I've got loads of boxes anyways so I wouldn't be too fussed about that,I'd just replace my xs with a decent pre amp (probably naim).but I think that could be my next move......in a few years though.Although I'd be a bit worried that the pmc's would make mincemeat out of some of my not so better recordings.they might just be a bit too transparent for home duties.

Also, with actives there doesn't seem to have 'pride of ownership' unlike a conventional set-up.

My dream set-up without a Lotto win would be the following:

Either Luxman L-505UX or Accuphase E350 with Wilson Benesh Arc speakers, subject to successful auditions.

WB speakers need careful partnering but I have actually heard this combo - it's to die for. Whether I could make it work in my small/medium living room is another question altogether.

Nothing will happen for at least 18 months.

Meanwhile, back to the Arcam.

 

[cse]

Very interested in your upcoming audition, as I too would like to consider that amp, but also would like to hear A29 as well. However, my next move might be to a good mid-range one-box solution as I want a decenr radio performance and don't like multiple boxes any more. Any good stereo receivers anymore?

 

[TomSawyer]

Very interested in your upcoming audition, as I too would like to consider that amp, but also would like to hear A29 as well. However, my next move might be to a good mid-range one-box solution as I want a decenr radio performance and don't like multiple boxes any more. Any good stereo receivers anymore?

Arcam SR250 would seem an obvious suggestion - FM, DAB and internet radio.