Arcam alpha 8/9 +Dm601/2

[SeanRussell]

I currently have a Nad 302 powering a pair of Monitor audio 7's. Would either the Alpha 8/9 work well with the B&W DM601/2s in a 5m by 6m room, also would I notice a large improvement in sound? I normally listen to folk music such as Mumford and sons and also bands like Linkin Park, The Killers and Supergrass. Would the Alpha 7/8/9 CD work well with the amp? Also would the Nad power the DM601/2s for a short while before I get the Alpha ?

Any advice is appreciated

 

[Anonymous]

I used an Arcam Alpha 7 with DM602's for a while and it was a lovely sound, thats about the only input i have sorry.

 

[SeanRussell]

Thanks for the reply, I think everything is pointing at this setup, Did you BI-wire the 602s

 

[plastic penguin]

I still own a Alpha 7. Personally I'd look at the 8 or 9. Although the 7 is still good for the money, it does hideously lose control once you crank it beyond the 8 o'clock mark on the volume, although this is with my RS6s.

The 602s are still fabulous speakers and it'd think the 8 or 9 with 602s sounds like a great combo.

 

[SeanRussell]

I still own a Alpha 7. Personally I'd look at the 8 or 9. Although the 7 is still good for the money, it does hideously lose control once you crank it beyond the 8 o'clock mark on the volume, although this is with my RS6s.

The 602s are still fabulous speakers and it'd think the 8 or 9 with 602s sounds like a great combo.

Thankyou plastic penguin, Ive heard alot of good stuff about this setup and I think thats the next move

 

[plastic penguin]

I still own a Alpha 7. Personally I'd look at the 8 or 9. Although the 7 is still good for the money, it does hideously lose control once you crank it beyond the 8 o'clock mark on the volume, although this is with my RS6s.

The 602s are still fabulous speakers and it'd think the 8 or 9 with 602s sounds like a great combo.

Thankyou plastic penguin, Ive heard alot of good stuff about this setup and I think thats the next move

A better bet would be the A75+ (DIVA range) and the 602s. The A75 can be picked up for around £150-£200, cheaper than most Alpha 8s.

Having also owned the A65+, it is more open and detailed than the Alpha 7 and has better control than the Alpha. The reason for mentioning the A75 is because it is the A65 with 10 more watts per channel - not huge amount but could make the difference.

 

[SeanRussell]

I still own a Alpha 7. Personally I'd look at the 8 or 9. Although the 7 is still good for the money, it does hideously lose control once you crank it beyond the 8 o'clock mark on the volume, although this is with my RS6s.

The 602s are still fabulous speakers and it'd think the 8 or 9 with 602s sounds like a great combo.

Thankyou plastic penguin, Ive heard alot of good stuff about this setup and I think thats the next move

A better bet would be the A75+ (DIVA range) and the 602s. The A75 can be picked up for around £150-£200, cheaper than most Alpha 8s.

Having also owned the A65+, it is more open and detailed than the Alpha 7 and has better control than the Alpha. The reason for mentioning the A75 is because it is the A65 with 10 more watts per channel - not huge amount but could make the difference.

Ill have a look out for one, what about the Cyrus 3 and Psx

 

[eggontoast]

A better bet would be the A75+ (DIVA range) and the 602s. The A75 can be picked up for around £150-£200, cheaper than most Alpha 8s.

Having also owned the A65+, it is more open and detailed than the Alpha 7 and has better control than the Alpha. The reason for mentioning the A75 is because it is the A65 with 10 more watts per channel - not huge amount but could make the difference.

Not sure I would agree with any of that, I certainly wouldn't take an A65 or 75 over an Alpha 8, the A65 & 75 are both pretty dull and uninvolving. Not sure where you are getting your prices from either, A65 approx £100, A75 approx £150 and an Alpha 8 approx £130 if I were looking for an Arcam from the Alpha range I'd go for a refurbished Alpha 9 (approx £200) they are by far the best.

 

[SeanRussell]

Im guessing both amps are going to sound miles better than the NAD and able to give that dose of bass my current set up lacks ?

 

[plastic penguin]

A better bet would be the A75+ (DIVA range) and the 602s. The A75 can be picked up for around £150-£200, cheaper than most Alpha 8s.

Having also owned the A65+, it is more open and detailed than the Alpha 7 and has better control than the Alpha. The reason for mentioning the A75 is because it is the A65 with 10 more watts per channel - not huge amount but could make the difference.

Not sure I would agree with any of that, I certainly wouldn't take an A65 or 75 over an Alpha 8, the A65 & 75 are both pretty dull and uninvolving. Not sure where you are getting your prices from either, A65 approx £100, A75 approx £150 and an Alpha 8 approx £130 if I were looking for an Arcam from the Alpha range I'd go for a refurbished Alpha 9 (approx £200) they are by far the best.

From the auction sites, based on average prices, and here's one that's taking the rise: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Boxed-Mint-Arcam-Alpha-8-HiFi-Stereo-Amplifier-Seperate-With-Original-manual-/251202791192?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item3a7cda6718

The only advantage the Alpha 8 has over the aforementioned DIVA models is a little extra power.

 

[plastic penguin]

Im guessing both amps are going to sound miles better than the NAD and able to give that dose of bass my current set up lacks ?

Not sure about them being miles better than the Nad: It was a pretty good amp in its day.

The nads, generally, are bass heavy, so it really depends how you like your music. If you prefer crunching bass the Nad is the choice, but if you prefer subtlety then Arcam would be the pick.

 

[eggontoast]

A better bet would be the A75+ (DIVA range) and the 602s. The A75 can be picked up for around £150-£200, cheaper than most Alpha 8s.

Having also owned the A65+, it is more open and detailed than the Alpha 7 and has better control than the Alpha. The reason for mentioning the A75 is because it is the A65 with 10 more watts per channel - not huge amount but could make the difference.

Not sure I would agree with any of that, I certainly wouldn't take an A65 or 75 over an Alpha 8, the A65 & 75 are both pretty dull and uninvolving. Not sure where you are getting your prices from either, A65 approx £100, A75 approx £150 and an Alpha 8 approx £130 if I were looking for an Arcam from the Alpha range I'd go for a refurbished Alpha 9 (approx £200) they are by far the best.

From the auction sites, based on average prices, and here's one that's taking the rise: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Boxed-Mint-Arcam-Alpha-8-HiFi-Stereo-Amplifier-Seperate-With-Original-manual-/251202791192?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item3a7cda6718

The only advantage the Alpha 8 has over the aforementioned DIVA models is a little extra power.

So you've picked one which is £100 overpriced and not sold, try searching the completed listings next time eh, from your previous figures an A75 should cost about £30 then......

still disagree about the difference between the A range and the Alpha series, the Alpha's sound much better.