Ellisdj review Arcam

[Macspur]

Do me a favour Ellisdj, tell me what's going on in the video!

Don't worry Mac; you haven't missed anything. It's just panning over a Chord DAC and a MF Nu Vista 800 amp. Setting the scene, so to speak.

Ah cheers Cno

Mac

www.realmusicnet.wordpress.com

 

[ellisdj]

I dont have a remote with this one but that doesnt mean it deosnt come with one.

I just didnt ask for it - school boy error

I must admit last night I went straight for the Meridian remote in the first 2 mintues and was shocked when nothing was happening - doh moment

 

[ellisdj]

Sorry lads there might be a little delay on the next lot of content.

I have got a fault with one of my mics - not happy bound to take a few days to get it sorted, replaced hopefully which is a shame as I was going to do some today.

There is nothing I can do about it, they are vital to the workflow.

Sorry again

 

[plastic penguin]

@Ellisdj

What Arcam amp did you review? Couldn't see any reference on the first couple of pages.

 

[ellisdj]

Hi PP

Arcam P49 mate

 

[plastic penguin]

Thanks EJ. Couldn't see anything on the forum review. Obv looking in the wrong section.

 

[ellisdj]

It was the first one I did and I think someone started this thread after it so thats probably why its not linked on here.

I have today organised to get my mic fixed - 2 months old and they wont replace it only fix it - disgusting when you think about it - but at least the service centre will fix it same day for me and luckily they are quite local.

I have also ordered a bit of an upgrade to hopefully improve the quality of the videos at the same time.

 

[plastic penguin]

Ah, good to be busy every now and then on the hi-fi/AV front.

I haven't read your review of the power amp. It looks a real beasty, though.

I had a good listen of the A39, alongside the Yam 2100.

Have to say that although many of the new Arcam traits sounded familiar, that Class G amplification threw in some unexpected surprises. Although it sounded cleaner than the older models, I found the midrange to be a little sterile with certain tracks... very un-Arcam IMHO. I suppose what they give with one hand, it's taken away by the other. It's that old hi-fi compromise again. *smile*

 

[radiorog]

Ah, good to be busy every now and then on the hi-fi/AV front.

I haven't read your review of the power amp. It looks a real beasty, though. 

I had a good listen of the A39, alongside the Yam 2100.

Have to say that although many of the new Arcam traits sounded familiar, that Class G amplification threw in some unexpected surprises. Although it sounded cleaner than the older models, I found the midrange to be a little sterile with certain tracks... very un-Arcam IMHO. I suppose what they give with one hand, it's taken away by the other. It's that old hi-fi compromise again. *smile*
[/quote
What did you make of the yam 2100 pp?

 

[ellisdj]

Have to say that although many of the new Arcam traits sounded familiar, that Class G amplification threw in some unexpected surprises. Although it sounded cleaner than the older models, I found the midrange to be a little sterile with certain tracks... very un-Arcam IMHO

If by this you mean mid range lacked a little colour I would agree - and I like the mid range to have some colour and not be too lean.

I overcome this to a large dregree wth the isolation products I use, they did the same thing to the McIntosh MC152 as well

 

[Andrewjvt]

Have to say that although many of the new Arcam traits sounded familiar, that Class G amplification threw in some unexpected surprises. Although it sounded cleaner than the older models, I found the midrange to be a little sterile with certain tracks... very un-Arcam IMHO

If by this you mean mid range lacked a little colour I would agree - and I like the mid range to have some colour and not be too lean.

I overcome this to a large dregree wth the isolation products I use, they did the same thing to the McIntosh MC152 as well 

Sorry but isolation products adding colour is going against all logic.

Are not they meant to remove distortion (added colour)?

 

[ellisdj]

I will see if I can record it buddy for you at some point when I have the right products and time.

I have had the products but not the time with them but I will do again obviously

 

[plastic penguin]

@Radiorog

"What did you make of the yam 2100 pp?"

Very good actually. There was little to fault. However, the retail price was the biggest sucker punch. The comparison with my old Pulse was minimal. The Leema outgunned the Yam when it came to tight, controlled bass - and the fun factor. Most other areas, the Yam was slightly better.... that price tag again. I couldn't get my head around 2k when my Leema cost me £750, albeit it was end of line (brand new) example.

Again the Arc A39 was better than the Pulse in some respects, but not in others. Hi-fi is a real s##t when it comes to comparing similar priced components, hence why I went for broke and purchased the Tucana. Much better overall performance and - buying s/hand from a reputable dealer - cheaper than a brand new Yam 2100.

 

[plastic penguin]

Have to say that although many of the new Arcam traits sounded familiar, that Class G amplification threw in some unexpected surprises. Although it sounded cleaner than the older models, I found the midrange to be a little sterile with certain tracks... very un-Arcam IMHO

If by this you mean mid range lacked a little colour I would agree - and I like the mid range to have some colour and not be too lean.

I overcome this to a large dregree wth the isolation products I use, they did the same thing to the McIntosh MC152 as well

Think a little colour is spot-on.

 

[CnoEvil]

First Playback demo for the Best British Series is up.

I have done the review, just waiting to make it go live and will have some more demo videos up by end of today as well

That link just brings me to a sign-in page.

 

[ellisdj]

Its having a shocker - I have changed it -its working on my phone not on my computer.

Can you please try it again and let me know

Thanks

 

[ellisdj]

First Playback Demo video for the Chord 2Qute

See if that one works better

 

[CnoEvil]

Its having a shocker - I have changed it -its working on my phone not on my computer.

Can you please try it again and let me know

Thanks

No change....still Google Sign In page.

 

[ellisdj]

Removed not working

 

[ellisdj]

First Playback Demo video for the Chord 2Qute

See if that one works better

What about this one?

 

[CnoEvil]

First Playback Demo video for the Chord 2Qute

See if that one works better

What about this one?

Yes, the Chord review works fine.

 

[radiorog]

@Radiorog

"What did you make of the yam 2100 pp?"

Very good actually. There was little to fault. However, the retail price was the biggest sucker punch. The comparison with my old Pulse was minimal. The Leema outgunned the Yam when it came to tight, controlled bass - and the fun factor. Most other areas, the Yam was slightly better.... that price tag again. I couldn't get my head around 2k when my Leema cost me £750, albeit it was end of line (brand new) example.

Again the Arc A39 was better than the Pulse in some respects, but not in others. Hi-fi is a real s##t when it comes to comparing similar priced components, hence why I went for broke and purchased the Tucana. Much better overall performance and - buying s/hand from a reputable dealer - cheaper than a brand new Yam 2100. 

Yeah, I'd not really heard of the new tucana before, but by looking at reviews, it sounds like a superb amp.

 

[ellisdj]

I have posted the 2Qute Review up

 

[lindsayt]

Sorry but isolation products adding colour is going against all logic.

Are not they meant to remove distortion (added colour)?

In the world of hi-fi what something is supposed to do and what it actually does can be 2 different things. Make that 3 different things with isolation products as the results can depend on the system and the location (quality of mains power supply) and the time of day.

Also we may down to semantics here. Where what was meant was that the isolation product helped the system to be be more transparent and allow the natural "colour" of the recording come through, particularly in the midrange. Wheras without the isolation the recording sounded a bit bleached / bland / loss of detail / loss of dynamics.

 

[ellisdj]

Lindsay thats a very eloquent method of explanation, very well written sir.

I appreciate how it sounds hence why I want to try and record it and show if possible.

I have been waiting to get an update to what I am using as I am still in testing phase with these.