Arcam or onkyo

[admin_exported]

Looks like I'm in the market for a change of amplifier. So the ones I'm looking at are Arcam alpha 8 pre and power amp combination. Which I would hope would give me a warm smooth sound or a onkyo a 9050. Looks like it's going to be a 5 star amp and I do have the tx8050 and the onkyo c7070 so I do like the onkyo sound. So to very different amplifier s.what do you think? Any other amps you would consider pros. And cons

 

[BigH]

What is your budget?

 

[matthewpiano]

Review of the A-9050 in the amplifier supertest in the new issue of WHFS&V, out today. Tested against Denon PMA720AE, Marantz PM6004, something from Edwards Audio, and the award winning Rotel RA10.

 

[Anonymous]

budget of around £350 but will go second hand

 

[DIB]

You will get a nice Creek Evo 2 amp secondhand off Ebay for that sort of budget. One on there now.

.

 

[altruistic.lemon]

What's wrong with your current amps?

 

[Anonymous]

its time for a change and for a second system build

 

[Anonymous]

i have just read the onkyo review in whf lean sound so thats out.so maybe a rega brio r.they seem to have a warm sound anyone on here use one as there main amp?

 

[plastic penguin]

Looks like I'm in the market for a change of amplifier. So the ones I'm looking at are Arcam alpha 8 pre and power amp combination. Which I would hope would give me a warm smooth sound or a onkyo a 9050. Looks like it's going to be a 5 star amp and I do have the tx8050 and the onkyo c7070 so I do like the onkyo sound. So to very different amplifier s.what do you think? Any other amps you would consider pros. And cons

The TX-8050, according to some owners, betters a lot of sub-£1000 integrated amps. Whether that's true or not I couldn't say, but I think, if sound quality is the goal, you'll need to stretch your budget a lot further: Look at Creek Evo2 or other amp of similar quality.

 

[the record spot]

Yip, and I'd be one of them. Delivers a massive amount in a small package. I'd take it over the new budget Onkyo range too. 100wpc, four digital inputs, Spotify onboard, can take a power amp and a subwoofer, quite a neutral sound, so it's straight down to your speakers and CD player or whatever. Fabulous for the money.

 

[Shanka]

Hi,

I bought a s/hand alpha 9 last year and love the sound of it, feels warm, not laid back, can listen to it for hours and often do as I have it in a room with my computer.It has plenty of power and produces plenty of air in the sound and is certainly not bright or harsh as the B&W speakers I use with have a slightly bright top end so in my opinion they work well together.

I have not heard the Alpha 8/power combo but if it is much the same as the 9 I would be happy, the amp only cost me £130 w/o phono stage.

I personally find Creek amps a little to laid back and 'dry' sounding but that is only my view,

Good luck with your choice, do try and hear first of course.

 

[JoelSim]

Arcam A85/P85. Tight on £350 though.

 

[csq2]

I actually just upgraded to the Onkyo A-9070 from a Rega Brio 3. The bass on the Onkyo is amazing: tight, controlled, and extremely detailed. Vocals are very clean and have a degree of warmth, unlike the A-9050. Actually it has the eloquent sound of my Rega, but with better bass and extended highs. I was surprised by how similar it sounded compared to my Rega Brio 3, but everything sounded tighter and more defined with the A-9070. The A-9050 is excellent for the money, but there is no info display which is a shame and the onboard dac is of inferior quality. Rotel RA-10 is also excellent for the money, but it really needs a remote.

Here's my list of recommended amps:

1. Nuforce DDA-100

2. Pioneer A-70

3. Vincent SV-400