Considering Arcam sa20

[Al ears]

For TV duty optical is generally a monumental pain in the a**e. If a new amp has an HDMI save the BDSM for the bedroom and use it. Also, many TVs like mine have the optical port located at the rear. For those who've wall mounted it like I have accessing it is pain.

Don't the TVs have an analogue output? Or is it absolutely necessary to use an amp with an inbuilt DAC?

 

[manicm]

Don't the TVs have an analogue output? Or is it absolutely necessary to use an amp with an inbuilt DAC?

We're in the 21st century, you still want to faff around when it's absolutely unnecessary? Well to each their own.

 

[Al ears]

We're in the 21st century, you still want to faff around when it's absolutely unnecessary? Well to each their own.

Define faff around. It would appear using optical out may cause issues and many stereo amplifiers don't use HDMI, so stop faffing and buy an AV amp.
Simples....

 

[RoA]

Define faff around. It would appear using optical out may cause issues and many stereo amplifiers don't use HDMI, so stop faffing and buy an AV amp.
Simples....

Listening to my Samsung TV through optical/Audiolab.

I have not had an issue with this TV and any amplifier or active speakers I've had.

 

[Al ears]

Listening to my Samsung TV through optical/Audiolab.

I have not had an issue with this TV and any amplifier or active speakers I've had.

Great news

 

[WayneKerr]

So, you lost-out on the Arcam, Rob. He who hesitates is lost, unlucky mate.

 

[manicm]

Define faff around. It would appear using optical out may cause issues and many stereo amplifiers don't use HDMI, so stop faffing and buy an AV amp.
Simples....

Many don't want a full blown AV amp, but would appreciate an HDMI port to connect their TV to. Optical is fine, until you're a serial YouTube viewer like I am, and then start juggling remotes. I got around this by getting a OneForAll universal remote. But it's still a nuisance. If any hifi company adds a HDMI port to their amp, God bless their soul.

Trust me, I know what I'm talking about - YouTube is not the same as watching movies/Blu-ray/DVDs, because there are ads that you'd want to skip, and you'll often want to change volume because said ads are loud, and incidental/background music within videos are 99% not normalised - you're jolted and then have to quickly find the remote.

With HDMI you just need the TV remote control and voila - all is well with the world, war or not.

 

[Al ears]

Many don't want a full blown AV amp, but would appreciate an HDMI port to connect their TV to. Optical is fine, until you're a serial YouTube viewer like I am, and then start juggling remotes. I got around this by getting a OneForAll universal remote. But it's still a nuisance. If any hifi company adds a HDMI port to their amp, God bless their soul.

Trust me, I know what I'm talking about - YouTube is not the same as watching movies/Blu-ray/DVDs, because there are ads that you'd want to skip, and you'll often want to change volume because said ads are loud, and incidental/background music within videos are 99% not normalised - you're jolted and then have to quickly find the remote.

With HDMI you just need the TV remote control and voila - all is well with the world, war or not.

thanks for the update.
Didn't realise watching YouTube was such a pain but then I only use it on my tablet and don't need it to go through my hifi system.
Perhaps some amp manufacturers might, some day, consider fitting HDMI but as far as I am aware at the present time it's only seen as an AV amp fixture.

 

[Witterings]

Many don't want a full blown AV amp, but would appreciate an HDMI port to connect their TV to. Optical is fine, until you're a serial YouTube viewer like I am, and then start juggling remotes. I got around this by getting a OneForAll universal remote. But it's still a nuisance. If any hifi company adds a HDMI port to their amp, God bless their soul.

Trust me, I know what I'm talking about - YouTube is not the same as watching movies/Blu-ray/DVDs, because there are ads that you'd want to skip, and you'll often want to change volume because said ads are loud, and incidental/background music within videos are 99% not normalised - you're jolted and then have to quickly find the remote.

With HDMI you just need the TV remote control and voila - all is well with the world, war or not.

I'm sure if the manufactureres felt this was something that was going to seperate them from the competition and scoop up most of the sales for the next year or so flooring their opposition they would have done it, the fact they haven't I'm guessing their market research suggests it isn't.

I actually think it'd be detrimental to their sales, people buying a dedicated stereo amp are buying it for that exact reason and believe that the investment and development of the product has been concentrated on improving stereo performance …. Not throwing in bells and whistles to a market that’s heavily catered for with AV’s.

If you do want an amp with HDMI, as suggested why not have a look at the Cyrus One Cast, it was so in demand due to the HDMI they've just halved the price of them.

 

[RoA]

If you do want an amp with HDMI, as suggested why not have a look at the Cyrus One Cast, it was so in demand due to the HDMI they've just halved the price of them.

Great amplifier

 

[Witterings]

Great amplifier

I wasn't knocking the amp itself, I seriously considered one but was put off thinking it may be a "jack of all trades" and wonder how many others may have wondered the same.

 

[Al ears]

I'm sure if the manufactureres felt this was something that was going to seperate them from the competition and scoop up most of the sales for the next year or so flooring their opposition they would have done it, the fact they haven't I'm guessing their market research suggests it isn't.

I actually think it'd be detrimental to their sales, people buying a dedicated stereo amp are buying it for that exact reason and believe that the investment and development of the product has been concentrated on improving stereo performance …. Not throwing in bells and whistles to a market that’s heavily catered for with AV’s.

If you do want an amp with HDMI, as suggested why not have a look at the Cyrus One Cast, it was so in demand due to the HDMI they've just halved the price of them.

I wasn't aware it had HDMI, thanks for clarification

 

[plastic penguin]

Never seen any amp, other than multi-channel receivers, with HDMI. That's a new one on me.

 

[RoA]

I wasn't knocking the amp itself, I seriously considered one but was put off thinking it may be a "jack of all trades" and wonder how many others may have wondered the same.

If anyone is in the market for an integrated, grab one whilst they are still about. It sound amazing.

 

[Al ears]

Never seen any amp, other than multi-channel receivers, with HDMI. That's a new one on me.

I think it's a unique example

 

[The One]

Denon is on the bright side of neutral. I think not a good choice with metal tweeters. Very lively. Volumeknob too sensitive. My choice would be the arcam.

 

[plastic penguin]

I think it's a unique example

So it seems. Really odd for a 2-channel amp. I've got HDMI running from the TV to the Sky Box and use analogue connections from the 'box' to the amp. Doesn't hinder the sound at all.

 

[plastic penguin]

Denon is on the bright side of neutral. I think not a good choice with metal tweeters. Very lively. Volumeknob too sensitive. My choice would be the arcam.

Not heard the Denon integrated, only their tuner. The FM tuner doesn't sound bright, the opposite I'd say.

 

[RoA]

I think it's a unique example

https://www.naimaudio.com/product/uniti-atom

https://lyngdorf.steinwaylyngdorf.com/lyngdorf-tdai-1120/

https://www.marantz.com/en-gb/product/amplifiers/model40n

Not so unique

 

[Al ears]

https://www.naimaudio.com/product/uniti-atom

https://lyngdorf.steinwaylyngdorf.com/lyngdorf-tdai-1120/

perhaps not....
So there you go, plenty of choice, but not for the price of a second-hand SA20 it would seem.

 

[plastic penguin]

https://www.naimaudio.com/product/uniti-atom

https://lyngdorf.steinwaylyngdorf.com/lyngdorf-tdai-1120/

https://www.marantz.com/en-gb/product/amplifiers/model40n

Not so unique

Yes, but these are tiny minority. And nearly all are streamer/amps.

The Cyrus is a dedicated 2-channel amp....that's very unusual or unique. If it had streaming capability....

 

[RoA]

Yes, but these are tiny minority. And nearly all are streamer/amps.

The Cyrus is a dedicated 2-channel amp....that's very unusual or unique. If it had streaming capability....

The Cyrus ONE Cast is a streamer/amplifier. They are all dedicated 2 channel amps regardless of streaming capabilities.

 

[robdmarsh]

Denon is on the bright side of neutral. I think not a good choice with metal tweeters. Very lively. Volumeknob too sensitive. My choice would be the arcam.

No, Denon marries brilliantly with the metal tweeters on my Triangle speakers. I think it depends on the metal tweeters but not all of them are bright. I don't think the pma 800ne or 1600ne amps are too lively either, if anything they have a muscly but at the same time quite laid back sound if that makes sense.

 

[Al ears]

The Cyrus ONE Cast is a streamer/amplifier. They are all dedicated 2 channel amps regardless of streaming capabilities.

perhaps,however the OP is unlikely to find one for the price of a second-hand SA20....
However, if he can find a cheap one it's certainly an option.

 

[plastic penguin]

The Cyrus ONE Cast is a streamer/amplifier. They are all dedicated 2 channel amps regardless of streaming capabilities.

Having read the specs on the ONE Cast, it seems like Cyrus have thrown the kitchen sink at it, but it's not strictly a full-blown streamer/amp. Makes you wonder, with that retail price, where the compromises are.

Just my view.