Arcam ST60

[What Hi-Fi?]

Arcam has proven it can produce superb streaming systems, but what happens when it strips out the amplification?

Arcam ST60 : Read more

 

[bristollinnet]

I have over the years bought a lot of Arcam kit, most of which at the time has been up there with the best in mid-market separates. However, their latest offerings whilst appearing to tick all the boxes, just have not been up to scratch.

1. They announce kit whilst obviously still in development - the ST60 was announced a year ago !
2. They launch kit with obviously unstable and incomplete firmware - see https://arcam.discourse.group
3. Their software app design is really poor - or to quote this review - Its proprietary software may not be exemplary in the market
4. Their after market support has been patchy at best, and many dealers are turning away
5. HiFi streamers have yet to adapt properly to the presence of the new lossless and HiRes services such as Amazon Music or Apple Music.

If you are after a basic no-frills stereo or AV amplifier, I'm fairly sure Arcam know how to do that as well if not better than most. Anything else and I'm far less certain.

I really want to believe this somewhat flattering review...but frankly I don't. Once you lose the confidence of existing owners...

I shed a tear for this once great British brand.

 

[phollow35]

I'm puzzled by the comparison to the NAD C568, a 3-star rated CD player that sells for half the price of the Arcam. Could that reference in the article be a mistake? How does the Arcam compare to the Cambridge Audio CXN, what I thought was your standard for a streamer in this price range?

Thanks!

 

[hj050]

I'm puzzled by the comparison to the NAD C568, a 3-star rated CD player that sells for half the price of the Arcam. Could that reference in the article be a mistake? How does the Arcam compare to the Cambridge Audio CXN, what I thought was your standard for a streamer in this price range?

Thanks!

I think that link was supposed to point to the NAD C658 pre-amp/dac/streamer.

 

[Gray]

Better for left-handed people maybe?, to have the main controls on the left.
(I only know I'd prefer them on the right).

 

[Joe Cox]

Good spot - now corrected!

 

[Sliced Bread]

I agree Arcam’s are buggy, but I can’t help but love the sound.

 

[Smokiro]

I admire your patience Bristollinnet.

For me, I would never ever touch anything close to Arcam.
This is the most unreliable electronics I have ever bought.

Had theirs last blu ray player and the software was bad without the support and 1 patch since new.
Broke without even using it.
Bought an A29 amplifier also broke.
To compliment all when you lift the thing up it leaves legs on the surface because it is just rubber-not even glued to the chassis.
It has nothing to do with hifi.

Whoever will buy this thing on "glowing" reviews won't be happy.
They cannot make hardware and software.
Best for anyone if this company would just shut operation, instead of pay for reviews and leave customers unhappy.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_517413122]

I admire your patience Bristollinnet.

For me, I would never ever touch anything close to Arcam.
This is the most unreliable electronics I have ever bought.

Had theirs last blu ray player and the software was bad without the support and 1 patch since new.
Broke without even using it.
Bought an A29 amplifier also broke.
To compliment all when you lift the thing up it leaves legs on the surface because it is just rubber-not even glued to the chassis.
It has nothing to do with hifi.

Whoever will buy this thing on "glowing" reviews won't be happy.
They cannot make hardware and software.
Best for anyone if this company would just shut operation, instead of pay for reviews and leave customers unhappy.

Thank you, for your review. Saved me from buying there for trouble!

 

[BTinHouston]

I'm puzzled by the comparison to the NAD C568, a 3-star rated CD player that sells for half the price of the Arcam. Could that reference in the article be a mistake? How does the Arcam compare to the Cambridge Audio CXN, what I thought was your standard for a streamer in this price range?

Thanks!

I believe that a typographical error was made. The NAD C 658 streamer has similar functionality to the Arcam ST60 and the NAD is actually more expensive.

 

[Emark600]

Hi,

yes I’ve had stacks of Arcam stuff in the past, Delta amps, CD transports etc, and they were spot on. I am now moved on, but have the ST60 streamer, feeding into an audiolab 9000 in a coaxial input.

it plays lovely, but sometimes the signal drops, ie amp says “no input signal”. I am only using Wi-Fi and Tidal as the source, maybe better if wired Ethernet?

any suggestions most welcome.