MA RS8s / Arcam Diva 85

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plastic penguin:
APatel8:It is really slippery slope this - I do keep changing my mind to be honest as I keep reading different reviews and being influenced. These responses have done a lot to help me too 😛

Look at it this way: phone up any of the big retailers and ask them what is the best amp for Monitor Audio. I will guarantee you they will say Arcam.

I've tested so many amps over the past year and a half, including Roksan kandy LIII, Cyrus 8VS2, Primare I21, Naim Nait 5i, Rotel RA06 to mention but a few. All are better amps in themselves, Roksan, Cyrus and Naim are blistering. None of them could gel as well with the Monitor Audios like the Arcam.

You're probably right mate - that's the majority impression I get aswell, but it's just the looks factor that annoyingly deters me from going down that route, unless it were to be a Diva 85 (see my post above)..
 
APatel8:plastic penguin:

APatel8:It is really slippery slope this - I do keep changing my mind to be honest as I keep reading different reviews and being influenced. These responses have done a lot to help me too 😛

Look at it this way: phone up any of the big retailers and ask them what is the best amp for Monitor Audio. I will guarantee you they will say Arcam.

I've tested so many amps over the past year and a half, including Roksan kandy LIII, Cyrus 8VS2, Primare I21, Naim Nait 5i, Rotel RA06 to mention but a few. All are better amps in themselves, Roksan, Cyrus and Naim are blistering. None of them could gel as well with the Monitor Audios like the Arcam.

You're probably right mate - that's the majority impression I get aswell, but it's just the looks factor that annoyingly deters me from going down that route, unless it were to be a Diva 85 (see my post above)..

My previous post only mentioned DIVA A80 and A85. Yes, the Alpha 10 is a bit of a brute, but the A85 has the looks and the sound quality/synergy to match. Push the boat out and then post a thread of thanks....
emotion-2.gif
 
plastic penguin:APatel8:plastic penguin:
APatel8:It is really slippery slope this - I do keep changing my mind to be honest as I keep reading different reviews and being influenced. These responses have done a lot to help me too 😛

Look at it this way: phone up any of the big retailers and ask them what is the best amp for Monitor Audio. I will guarantee you they will say Arcam.

I've tested so many amps over the past year and a half, including Roksan kandy LIII, Cyrus 8VS2, Primare I21, Naim Nait 5i, Rotel RA06 to mention but a few. All are better amps in themselves, Roksan, Cyrus and Naim are blistering. None of them could gel as well with the Monitor Audios like the Arcam.

You're probably right mate - that's the majority impression I get aswell, but it's just the looks factor that annoyingly deters me from going down that route, unless it were to be a Diva 85 (see my post above)..

My previous post only mentioned DIVA A80 and A85. Yes, the Alpha 10 is a bit of a brute, but the A85 has the looks and the sound quality/synergy to match. Push the boat out and then post a thread of thanks....
emotion-2.gif




Ha ha I would buy that if I saw a good deal - the stupid RS8s have been boxed for 3 weeks now while I've been obsessively searching for the 'perfect' Amp 🙂
 
APatel8:plastic penguin:APatel8:plastic penguin:

APatel8:It is really slippery slope this - I do keep changing my mind to be honest as I keep reading different reviews and being influenced. These responses have done a lot to help me too 😛

Look at it this way: phone up any of the big retailers and ask them what is the best amp for Monitor Audio. I will guarantee you they will say Arcam.

I've tested so many amps over the past year and a half, including Roksan kandy LIII, Cyrus 8VS2, Primare I21, Naim Nait 5i, Rotel RA06 to mention but a few. All are better amps in themselves, Roksan, Cyrus and Naim are blistering. None of them could gel as well with the Monitor Audios like the Arcam.

You're probably right mate - that's the majority impression I get aswell, but it's just the looks factor that annoyingly deters me from going down that route, unless it were to be a Diva 85 (see my post above)..

My previous post only mentioned DIVA A80 and A85. Yes, the Alpha 10 is a bit of a brute, but the A85 has the looks and the sound quality/synergy to match. Push the boat out and then post a thread of thanks....
emotion-2.gif




Ha ha I would buy that if I saw a good deal - the stupid RS8s have been boxed for 3 weeks now while I've been obsessively searching for the 'perfect' Amp 🙂

There's a couple of A85's on fleebay at the moment. One is currently on for £191, although it'll probably end up going for high 200's. Go on! put a bid in
 
Yes some Marantz and NAD can be considered budget amps but you only have a small budget! Maybe you could enter some competitions
emotion-5.gif
 
plastic penguin:APatel8:plastic penguin:APatel8:plastic penguin:
APatel8:It is really slippery slope this - I do keep changing my mind to be honest as I keep reading different reviews and being influenced. These responses have done a lot to help me too 😛

Look at it this way: phone up any of the big retailers and ask them what is the best amp for Monitor Audio. I will guarantee you they will say Arcam.

I've tested so many amps over the past year and a half, including Roksan kandy LIII, Cyrus 8VS2, Primare I21, Naim Nait 5i, Rotel RA06 to mention but a few. All are better amps in themselves, Roksan, Cyrus and Naim are blistering. None of them could gel as well with the Monitor Audios like the Arcam.

You're probably right mate - that's the majority impression I get aswell, but it's just the looks factor that annoyingly deters me from going down that route, unless it were to be a Diva 85 (see my post above)..

My previous post only mentioned DIVA A80 and A85. Yes, the Alpha 10 is a bit of a brute, but the A85 has the looks and the sound quality/synergy to match. Push the boat out and then post a thread of thanks....
emotion-2.gif




Ha ha I would buy that if I saw a good deal - the stupid RS8s have been boxed for 3 weeks now while I've been obsessively searching for the 'perfect' Amp 🙂

There's a couple of A85's on fleebay at the moment. One is currently on for £191, although it'll probably end up going for high 200's. Go on! put a bid in

Going to now - hopefully I don't lose at the last minute... again 🙁
 
igglebert:Yes some Marantz and NAD can be considered budget amps but you only have a small budget! Maybe you could enter some competitions
emotion-5.gif


LOL what competitions. See my budget isn 't really fixed, I'd go up to £350ish if I thought it was worth it. I thought second hand that would be able to get me much better than a budget amp 😛
 
APatel8:plastic penguin:APatel8:plastic penguin:APatel8:plastic penguin:

APatel8:It is really slippery slope this - I do keep changing my mind to be honest as I keep reading different reviews and being influenced. These responses have done a lot to help me too 😛

Look at it this way: phone up any of the big retailers and ask them what is the best amp for Monitor Audio. I will guarantee you they will say Arcam.

I've tested so many amps over the past year and a half, including Roksan kandy LIII, Cyrus 8VS2, Primare I21, Naim Nait 5i, Rotel RA06 to mention but a few. All are better amps in themselves, Roksan, Cyrus and Naim are blistering. None of them could gel as well with the Monitor Audios like the Arcam.

You're probably right mate - that's the majority impression I get aswell, but it's just the looks factor that annoyingly deters me from going down that route, unless it were to be a Diva 85 (see my post above)..

My previous post only mentioned DIVA A80 and A85. Yes, the Alpha 10 is a bit of a brute, but the A85 has the looks and the sound quality/synergy to match. Push the boat out and then post a thread of thanks....
emotion-2.gif




Ha ha I would buy that if I saw a good deal - the stupid RS8s have been boxed for 3 weeks now while I've been obsessively searching for the 'perfect' Amp 🙂

There's a couple of A85's on fleebay at the moment. One is currently on for £191, although it'll probably end up going for high 200's. Go on! put a bid in

Going to now - hopefully I don't lose at the last minute... again 🙁

Just put a small bid in just to get your eye in, then put the max just prior to auction end.
 
plastic penguin:APatel8:plastic penguin:APatel8:plastic penguin:APatel8:plastic penguin:
APatel8:It is really slippery slope this - I do keep changing my mind to be honest as I keep reading different reviews and being influenced. These responses have done a lot to help me too 😛

Look at it this way: phone up any of the big retailers and ask them what is the best amp for Monitor Audio. I will guarantee you they will say Arcam.

I've tested so many amps over the past year and a half, including Roksan kandy LIII, Cyrus 8VS2, Primare I21, Naim Nait 5i, Rotel RA06 to mention but a few. All are better amps in themselves, Roksan, Cyrus and Naim are blistering. None of them could gel as well with the Monitor Audios like the Arcam.

You're probably right mate - that's the majority impression I get aswell, but it's just the looks factor that annoyingly deters me from going down that route, unless it were to be a Diva 85 (see my post above)..

My previous post only mentioned DIVA A80 and A85. Yes, the Alpha 10 is a bit of a brute, but the A85 has the looks and the sound quality/synergy to match. Push the boat out and then post a thread of thanks....
emotion-2.gif




Ha ha I would buy that if I saw a good deal - the stupid RS8s have been boxed for 3 weeks now while I've been obsessively searching for the 'perfect' Amp 🙂

There's a couple of A85's on fleebay at the moment. One is currently on for £191, although it'll probably end up going for high 200's. Go on! put a bid in

Going to now - hopefully I don't lose at the last minute... again 🙁

Just put a small bid in just to get your eye in, then put the max just prior to auction end.

See if I win this time - one more quick question. Will the Diva 85 have sufficient power to control the RS8s? I know it has 80/85wpc but that can be over/under-stated on a lot amps. I don't plan to play music too loud initially but in event I do?
 
The problem is when something is referred to as budget, then you are assuming it is a remark upon the sound quality to. It's not, some budget amplifiers arguably sound better than some of the more higher end amps. It is a misconception and as for NAD, I doubt anyone here could genuinely say to you that they aren't of a high quality. In fact sonically, there isn't all that much that seperates the NAD sound from the Arcam sound. I really do think you should listen to a few amps in the shops, even if you have no intention of buying one. I know people don't take kindly to those kind of suggestions but it would allow you to appreciate what these different manufacturers are capable of.
 
Good point well made but the gent has stated that the NAD looks don't fly with him.
 
APatel8:plastic penguin:APatel8:plastic penguin:APatel8:plastic penguin:APatel8:plastic penguin:

APatel8:It is really slippery slope this - I do keep changing my mind to be honest as I keep reading different reviews and being influenced. These responses have done a lot to help me too 😛

Look at it this way: phone up any of the big retailers and ask them what is the best amp for Monitor Audio. I will guarantee you they will say Arcam.

I've tested so many amps over the past year and a half, including Roksan kandy LIII, Cyrus 8VS2, Primare I21, Naim Nait 5i, Rotel RA06 to mention but a few. All are better amps in themselves, Roksan, Cyrus and Naim are blistering. None of them could gel as well with the Monitor Audios like the Arcam.

You're probably right mate - that's the majority impression I get aswell, but it's just the looks factor that annoyingly deters me from going down that route, unless it were to be a Diva 85 (see my post above)..

My previous post only mentioned DIVA A80 and A85. Yes, the Alpha 10 is a bit of a brute, but the A85 has the looks and the sound quality/synergy to match. Push the boat out and then post a thread of thanks....
emotion-2.gif




Ha ha I would buy that if I saw a good deal - the stupid RS8s have been boxed for 3 weeks now while I've been obsessively searching for the 'perfect' Amp 🙂

There's a couple of A85's on fleebay at the moment. One is currently on for £191, although it'll probably end up going for high 200's. Go on! put a bid in

Going to now - hopefully I don't lose at the last minute... again 🙁

Just put a small bid in just to get your eye in, then put the max just prior to auction end.

See if I win this time - one more quick question. Will the Diva 85 have sufficient power to control the RS8s? I know it has 80/85wpc but that can be over/under-stated on a lot amps. I don't plan to play music too loud initially but in event I do?

Unless you live in a barn the A85 will be more than adequate and the RS8's have high decibels which means more volume.....go for it!
 
Excellent choice. 85W and a nice, neutral tonal balance to work well with the RS8s. And you can even add a power amp later for a nice upgrade when funds allow! Let us know how you get on with it!

Enjoy.
 
igglebert:Excellent choice. 85W and a nice, neutral tonal balance to work well with the RS8s. And you can even add a power amp later for a nice upgrade when funds allow! Let us know how you get on with it!Enjoy.

Will do mate - thanks for the advice in the thread to you and everyone else 🙂
 
APatel8:

igglebert:Excellent choice. 85W and a nice, neutral tonal balance to work well with the RS8s. And you can even add a power amp later for a nice upgrade when funds allow! Let us know how you get on with it!Enjoy.

Will do mate - thanks for the advice in the thread to you and everyone else 🙂

Congrats - let us know what it sounds like.....
 
Next newbie question, what wiring route should I take? MA manual suggests bi-wiring?
 
APatel8:Next newbie question, what wiring route should I take? MA manual suggests bi-wiring?

This is a bit tricky. Personally, mine is single wired and it produces a wonderful sound. However, bi-wiring produces a different sound to the overall character, so which one will do it for you? -- only testing will find out. Stick with single and upgrade a little later down the line.....
 
APatel8:Next newbie question, what wiring route should I take? MA manual suggests bi-wiring?

I think you bought my amp!

I would suggest single wiring it for now (although you can biwire easily given its got two sets of speaker outputs. When you get the upgrade bug you should then go for a P85 to pair with it (and biamp). Makes a good amp even better.

By the way, I'll be sending it probably on Thursday as I am away with work until Wednesday evening.
 
Well I was going to suggest that you bought my A85/P85 combo, but as you've bought one already!
 
JamesOK:
APatel8:Next newbie question, what wiring route should I take? MA manual suggests bi-wiring?

I think you bought my amp!

I would suggest single wiring it for now (although you can biwire easily given its got two sets of speaker outputs. When you get the upgrade bug you should then go for a P85 to pair with it (and biamp). Makes a good amp even better.

By the way, I'll be sending it probably on Thursday as I am away with work until Wednesday evening.

So it is, no worries about the sending.

Another question to throw at you guys, would QED cabling between this amp and speakers give out a bright / harsh sound? I've been told that it will.... just not sure whether to go for it?
 
APatel8:JamesOK:

APatel8:Next newbie question, what wiring route should I take? MA manual suggests bi-wiring?

I think you bought my amp!

I would suggest single wiring it for now (although you can biwire easily given its got two sets of speaker outputs. When you get the upgrade bug you should then go for a P85 to pair with it (and biamp). Makes a good amp even better.

By the way, I'll be sending it probably on Thursday as I am away with work until Wednesday evening.

So it is, no worries about the sending.

Another question to throw at you guys, would QED cabling between this amp and speakers give out a bright / harsh sound? I've been told that it will.... just not sure whether to go for it?

QED silver cabling will be fine. I have Chord Carnival Silver Plus and it works wonders.
 
APatel8:JamesOK:
APatel8:Next newbie question, what wiring route should I take? MA manual suggests bi-wiring?

I think you bought my amp!

I would suggest single wiring it for now (although you can biwire easily given its got two sets of speaker outputs. When you get the upgrade bug you should then go for a P85 to pair with it (and biamp). Makes a good amp even better.

By the way, I'll be sending it probably on Thursday as I am away with work until Wednesday evening.

So it is, no worries about the sending.

Another question to throw at you guys, would QED cabling between this amp and speakers give out a bright / harsh sound? I've been told that it will.... just not sure whether to go for it?

Having used the QED SA XT with my Arcams for a couple of years, it should work very well.
 
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