My Arcam broke down

[admin_exported]

Hi. My Arcam A85 broke down last week, and because its quite old now i sold it as "faulty". I thought maybe its time to move on, maybe its a sign or something.

The thing is, i really liked the sound of it. I´m finding myself looking for a new amp, but don´t know where to begin.

I have a pair of Dynaudio excite 12, whitch i also like, even though they could go a little deeper..

Also there is a Dual TT and a Squeezebox.

So i´m looking for a amp with a built in phono stage, a couple of more inputs for my Blu-Ray player and the squeezebox.

The budget is something like 650 Gbp, and i don´t really want to budge on that.

I used to have a Marantz and found it too wolly for my taste. I have also owned a qoule of Yamahas and always found them too bright and sterile for my taste. I´m almoste allergic to bright systems, maybe that´s why i liked the arcam so much.

Do any of you have a suggestion? Would be very helpful, thanks.

 

[Helmut80]

used Arcam FMJ A38

 

[Anonymous]

Seems hard to find any, and unlikely at that price.

Looking at the Rega Mira 3, looks decent and with a phono stage, but haven´t heard it.

Also slightly worried that it may be a little weak for my Dynos.

 

[Anonymous]

I've heard the Mira with the Dyns and thought them a pretty decent match but you aren't going to get earthshaking volume from them nor thunderous bass.

Unfortunately the other two amps I'd recommend, the Nait 5i or the Exposure 2010S2, are over budget, but they are good matches. You'd need to buy a separate phono stage - the Rega Fono Mini springs to mind, or the CA 640P - which would add on another £60 or so.

Can you audition a Mira? That would be the best way to go.

 

[plastic penguin]

Hi. My Arcam A85 broke down last week, and because its quite old now i sold it as "faulty". I thought maybe its time to move on, maybe its a sign or something.

The thing is, i really liked the sound of it. I´m finding myself looking for a new amp, but don´t know where to begin.

I have a pair of Dynaudio excite 12, whitch i also like, even though they could go a little deeper..

Also there is a Dual TT and a Squeezebox.

So i´m looking for a amp with a built in phono stage, a couple of more inputs for my Blu-Ray player and the squeezebox.

The budget is something like 650 Gbp, and i don´t really want to budge on that.

I used to have a Marantz and found it too wolly for my taste. I have also owned a qoule of Yamahas and always found them too bright and sterile for my taste. I´m almoste allergic to bright systems, maybe that´s why i liked the arcam so much.

Do any of you have a suggestion? Would be very helpful, thanks.

Definitely Creek Evo 2. Tonally it's very similar to Arcam and produces a lovely, fast all-round sound.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Creek-Evolution-2-Integrated-Amplifier-New-Evo-Amp-/230597486185?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item35b0ae6669

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks grottyash. I can audition a brio but not the mira, i might do that.

Thing is i´m trying to keep the separates to a minimum so trying to avoid an external phono stage, but its not written in stone.

 

[plastic penguin]

The Rega, although not heard, I've been told is a lot different in tonal balance to the Arcam, hence my Creek suggestion. What speakers and source do you have?

Edit - just noticed you have Dyns. So Creek and if budget could be stretched Leema Pulse.

 

[Anonymous]

Creek is another thought, though I've not heard the Evo, only the models up.

Do try the Rega, though. I didn't think it would be a good match, but I'd heard and liked what I heard from the Dyns before knowing what the amp was.

 

[Anonymous]

Ok. The Creek is very interesting. The problem is i´m living in Sweden and there are zero Creek dealers here so i have to buy it purely on advice.

Plastic penguin: i read a thread from you where you demoed the creek and didn´t find it very impressive, maybe you changed your mind?

Is there a noticible differance from the first evo and the evo 2?

You mentioned the Leema pulse, how would you describe the sound?

Thanks for the advice, very helpful.

 

[Anonymous]

If you're in Sweden how about XTZ? Not heard one, but they're class A which is a recommendation in itself.

 

[plastic penguin]

Ok. The Creek is very interesting. The problem is i´m living in Sweden and there are zero Creek dealers here so i have to buy it purely on advice.

Plastic penguin: i read a thread from you where you demoed the creek and didn´t find it very impressive, maybe you changed your mind?

Is there a noticible differance from the first evo and the evo 2?

You mentioned the Leema pulse, how would you describe the sound?

Thanks for the advice, very helpful.

You have to consider that particular post for the Creek was the same day I picked it up. Also, and probably more crucial, is I've had Arcam amps for the past 14 years... i was being too critical. The Evo 2 is one of the finest amps I've heard below the grand mark. The only reason why I didn't buy it was because of a lack of inputs.

The Leema: I've described it before as a fine mix between Arcam's organic nature and Cyrus detail and precision. It isn't perfect: some may like more bass extension, but what it lacks in shear bottom end grunt it more than makes up for in tonal qualities and insight.

 

[Anonymous]

reply to Grottyash:

I heard it, didn´t like it. Too bright for me and not so musical to my ears. XTZ is the same as Advance Acoustic, just different logo, thats what i been told. The same setup that Vincent and Sheng-Ya have.

Really nice looking though!

 

[Anonymous]

I heard it, didn´t like it. Too bright for me and not so musical to my ears. XTZ is the same as Advance Acoustic, just different logo, thats what i been told. The same setup that Vincent and Sheng-Ya have.

Really nice looking though!

Ok, didn't know that. My experience with Class A is Electrocompaniet, which is probably in a different ball park. Big, rich sound, anything but bright. Sadly way beyond my budget, however.

 

[Anonymous]

[/quote]

You have to consider that particular post for the Creek was the same day I picked it up. Also, and probably more crucial, is I've had Arcam amps for the past 14 years... i was being too critical. The Evo 2 is one of the finest amps I've heard below the grand mark. The only reason why I didn't buy it was because of a lack of inputs. The Leema: I've described it before as a fine mix between Arcam's organic nature and Cyrus detail and precision. It isn't perfect: some may like more bass extension, but what it lacks in shear bottom end grunt it more than makes up for in tonal qualities and insight.[/quote]

Thats my fear too, i have owned Arcam for 6-7 years and maybe everything else will sound like, well.. crap compared to everything else. But sometimes you have to take a leap.

Lack of inputs yoy say. I took a look on the creek website and it should be alright for me. One for the blu-ray, and one for the TT and my squeezebox. I dont own a cd anymore, just playing flac and vinyl. interesting..

 

[Blackdawn]

Maybe look for another second hand Arcam.

Or what about Pioneer AA9 Mk2 or NAD C356BEE with PP3i pre amp as seperate for turntable.

 

[plastic penguin]

You have to consider that particular post for the Creek was the same day I picked it up. Also, and probably more crucial, is I've had Arcam amps for the past 14 years... i was being too critical. The Evo 2 is one of the finest amps I've heard below the grand mark. The only reason why I didn't buy it was because of a lack of inputs. The Leema: I've described it before as a fine mix between Arcam's organic nature and Cyrus detail and precision. It isn't perfect: some may like more bass extension, but what it lacks in shear bottom end grunt it more than makes up for in tonal qualities and insight.[/quote]

Thats my fear too, i have owned Arcam for 6-7 years and maybe everything else will sound like, well.. crap compared to everything else. But sometimes you have to take a leap.

Lack of inputs yoy say. I took a look on the creek website and it should be alright for me. One for the blu-ray, and one for the TT and my squeezebox. I dont own a cd anymore, just playing flac and vinyl. interesting..

[/quote]

The Creek does not have a TT phono input. You'll have to buy a circuit board or a separate phono stage. Failing that, as Blackdawn says, look at another Arcam. I've always found that Arcam is a hard act to follow. IF I was to change amps I would revert back to Arcam without hesitation.

 

[Anonymous]

Well well. I demoed the rega brio 3 today (the mira wasn´t available) and found it a little bit flat. The problem is that it was demoed with some Linn speakers i never heard before so hard to tell really.

I then moved on to a store that i know have my speakers, and talked to a guy there who looked like he knew a thing or two.

He recommended the Rotel Ra-06 SE and hooked them up to the Dyns, and it sounded very good! Maybe not the midrange i´m used to with my arcam, but clearly it had more attack, and voices sounded very good.

Soo.. i think this is the one for me. I always heard that Rotel is a bit bright, but not to my ears. I asked the guy in the store about this, and he says that they were but not anymore. Now they are more neutral.

So either this or if i could get my hands on a used FMJ 32.

So glad i demoed.

 

[Helmut80]

If you liked the Rotel, there are ex-dem RA-1520s around for £495

 

[Anonymous]

If you liked the Rotel, there are ex-dem RA-1520s around for £495

Where is that?

 

[Helmut80]

ad is gone now, must have just missed it, sorry.

 

[Anonymous]

ad is gone now, must have just missed it, sorry.

Crap

 

[Sorreltiger]

If you look on Ebay, Sevenoaks Brighton is still selling the Leema Pulse MkII at the offer price of £749. I think that represents excellent value.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Hi. My Arcam A85 broke down last week, and because its quite old now i sold it as "faulty". I thought maybe its time to move on, maybe its a sign or something.

The thing is, i really liked the sound of it. I´m finding myself looking for a new amp, but don´t know where to begin.

I have a pair of Dynaudio excite 12, whitch i also like, even though they could go a little deeper..

Also there is a Dual TT and a Squeezebox.

So i´m looking for a amp with a built in phono stage, a couple of more inputs for my Blu-Ray player and the squeezebox.

The budget is something like 650 Gbp, and i don´t really want to budge on that.

I used to have a Marantz and found it too wolly for my taste. I have also owned a qoule of Yamahas and always found them too bright and sterile for my taste. I´m almoste allergic to bright systems, maybe that´s why i liked the arcam so much.

Do any of you have a suggestion? Would be very helpful, thanks.

Hi LoFi Heroes

The NAD C356BEE or if you are happy to consider used amplifiers then i'll highly recommend the NAD C370, NAD C160/C270, Rotel RA-1062 and Marantz PM94.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Anonymous]

I have the Rotel RA-1520 with a Squeezebox classic as source and it sounds amazing. I also auditioned the RA-06se but it was an easy decision to go with the 1520. The difference was much greater than you'd expect given the only 100gbp price difference.