No Arcam FMJ integrated amplifier reviews in WHF yet?

[chebby]

I have just searched the WHF review section for the Arcam FMJ A18. Can't find it. (Or any Arcam integrateds.)

Have I missed the review in one of the WHF magazine issues?

I have heard it once before (very short demo with some JM Focal 714V) but was thinking of giving it another listen next week with some Rega speakers.

I sort of assumed WHF had reviewed it by now.

 

[Clare Newsome]

How odd, the CMS seems to be playing up - we certainly have reviewed many an Arcam amp. Here's the Arcam A38 review to be going on with....

 

[manicm]

Quite a while back HiFi Choice or Hifi News (can't remember which) reviewed the A18 to together with the CD17 and rated the amp highly. They really liked it.

Surprised Arcam don't have it in the review section on their site.

 

[crusaderlord]

There is such a discrepancy between WHF and HFC that is very hard to understand really.

The Arcam A38 was gold product of the year in HFC but only 3 stars here and the review is pretty scathing really in the way it is written - almost as if the reviewer is trying to justify why they gave 3 stars in the first place.

I think WHF have this one wrong to be honest and when i heard it against an equivalent price Cyrus set up it was much much smoother and a far better presented sounding amplifier.

 

[chebby]

Clare Newsome:How odd, the CMS seems to be playing up - we certainly have reviewed many an Arcam amp. Here's the Arcam A38 review to be going on with....

Thanks Clare.

Thought it was an unusual omission.

 

[the record spot]

Would've thought Arcam would be very keen to get their new stuff sent for review; they usually do well, barring the odd hiccup. Ultimately, it's always going to be one opinion against another, but I'd be interested to know what reference gear HFC use. HFW have a pick 'n' mix approach from what I read (although the guys seem to have their favourite items that stack up as reference gear)! WHF seem to be the only ones that have such a dedicated (read: expensive!) set of listening facilities.

I used to read HFC on an ad-hoc basis incidentally; usually prior to a train journey and if it had some decent kit in that month's issue.

There was one classic article a couple of years back where the journo (who's been in the hi-fi writing industry for decades) was banging on about the the much debated removal of the standby button - real NIMBY stuff - and went on to say he was thinking about changing the light bulbs around his home to see how much of a change this made to the sound of his hifi. The tongue was firmly not lodged in the cheek (or even slightly!). I won't name names...

So, Clare, how much authority does an editor have to stop one of their most well respected feature writers from making an ar*e of themselves to the readership...?

 

[chebby]

crusaderlord:The Arcam A38 was gold product of the year in HFC but only 3 stars here and the review is pretty scathing really in the way it is written - almost as if the reviewer is trying to justify why they gave 3 stars in the first place.

That's ok I am not going to be in the market for the A38.

I saw the A18/CD17 review - referred to earlier - in that other mag. And I have heard the A18 myself - but not with ideal speakers - I intend to get around to re-listening to athe A18 and the Mira 3 and Cyrus 6vs2 and (maybe, just maybe) give the Nait 5i another spin. (I have not liked it on two previous occasions but... who knows?)

 

[Clare Newsome]

the record spot:ISo, Clare, how much authority does an editor have to stop one of their most well respected feature writers from making an ar*e of themselves to the readership...?

A lot! Remember, however, if you're a magazine (unlike ours) that relies on freelance 'names', you may be loathe to offend them...

 

[Clare Newsome]

crusaderlord:There is such a discrepancy between WHF and HFC that is very hard to understand really.

The Arcam A38 was gold product of the year in HFC but only 3 stars here and the review is pretty scathing really in the way it is written - almost as if the reviewer is trying to justify why they gave 3 stars in the first place.

I think WHF have this one wrong to be honest and when i heard it against an equivalent price Cyrus set up it was much much smoother and a far better presented sounding amplifier.

It's all opinions, isn't it? You're obviously an Arcam lover, and it seems the particular reviewer at HFC feels the same way. Our team of reviewers just call each piece of kit as we see it. For example, we feel the matching CD player in Arcam's new range is stronger than the amp - definitely a must-hear if you're in the market at that sort of money. And, of course, we rate the Solos extremely highly...

 

[Ajani]

manicm:
Quite a while back HiFi Choice or Hifi News (can't remember which) reviewed the A18 to together with the CD17 and rated the amp highly. They really liked it.

Surprised Arcam don't have it in the review section on their site.

Possibly HiFi World.... I know they reviewed that combo..... HiFi Choice reviewed the A28 & A38... And I have no idea what HiFi News reviewed...

I really would like to see What Hi-Fi?s take on the Arcam A18, Creek Evo and Cambridge 740A (since they are all direct competitors at what I'd imagine is a pretty competitive price point).... also because they are all getting high praise/awards in other mags....

 

[crusaderlord]

I guess i am an Arcam lover

That said though i think their CD players are exceptionally good value, but i am not quite so sure on all their amplifiers as the Diva A70 for instance wasnt one i kept for very long.

I do think the A32 is rather special, especially at the £700 price range and of course it gells well with my CD player.

I would rather like to hear the Roksan Caspian though given WHF ratings on it, although it isnt as nice to look at as the Arcam.

 

[Audioholic]

Clare Newsome:How odd, the CMS seems to be playing up - we certainly have reviewed many an Arcam amp. Here's the Arcam A38 review to be going on with....

Why would he want the A38 amplifier review, when it's twice the price? It's not relevant if he is looking into the A18 IMO. It's kind of accepted knowledge that WHF finds arcam amps boring and lagging behind on communication + the best timing compared to the class best - which I guess is referring to Roksan's K2 or Caspian ampifiers.

Do you think Clare in your own opinion the Arcam A38 is an improvement over the A32? I know you could say 'judge with your ears', but I wanted to know what your ears tell you.

Thanks

 

[drummerman]

I'm not a blind follower of Arcam or any other brand, for whatever hifi product.. All have duff and better products.

For what it's worth and as usual imo only, the A18 is a complete non-starter. I really fail to find any reason to buy that amplifier and I've used it extensively with different sources/speakers. Same for the A28. Typical starter amplifier sound which most people probably seek to upgrade within a very short period of time wanting a bit more of everything. Good facilities/build though.

The A38 on the other hand is very good and I believe certain places sold it for around £900 which places it almost amongst the entry Naim and Roksan. System matching is the key here and I can understand why people would choose the Arcam under certain circumstances.

 

[Anonymous]

manicm:
Quite a while back HiFi Choice or Hifi News (can't remember which) reviewed the A18 to together with the CD17 and rated the amp highly. They really liked it.

Surprised Arcam don't have it in the review section on their site.

Yes but traditionally WHF and HiFi Choice have very different views of the Arcam.......

I too have often wondered why there are no Arcam Amp reviews on WHF.com..... I originally thought that it was because they had not been reviewed..... but then realised that it might be something else as you can google them (go and Google 'What Hi Fi Arcam A18 review" and chances are that you will find it).

 

[chebby]

bloatedgut:....you can google them (go and Google 'What Hi Fi Arcam A18 review" and chances are that you will find it)

Nope.

Tried it. If you succeed please post the link.

Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

Audioholic:
It's kind of accepted knowledge that WHF finds arcam amps boring and lagging behind on communication + the best timing compared to the class best - which I guess is referring to Roksan's K2 or Caspian ampifiers.

Good observation, WHF seems to favour the more 'exciting' brands like Naim, Roksan, Cyrus. Where HFC appreciates the laid back, like Cambridge Audio, Arcam.

 

[Clare Newsome]

Audioholic:
Clare Newsome:How odd, the CMS seems to be playing up - we certainly have reviewed many an Arcam amp. Here's the Arcam A38 review to be going on with....

Why would he want the A38 amplifier review, when it's twice the price? It's not relevant if he is looking into the A18 IMO.

That was in response to the query on whether we'd reviewed ANY Arcam integrateds - OP realised this and thanked me for the steer....

Audioholic:

It's kind of accepted knowledge that WHF finds arcam amps boring and lagging behind on communication + the best timing compared to the class best - which I guess is referring to Roksan's K2 or Caspian ampifiers.

as noted in my earlier post, each product judged on its merits- we don't prejudge or generalise on brands!

Audioholic:

Do you think Clare in your own opinion the Arcam A38 is an improvement over the A32? I know you could say 'judge with your ears', but I wanted to know what your ears tell you.

I've never heard the A38 alongside the A32, i'm afraid, so can't tell you. I have, however, heard the A38 against its current class rivals, and while appreciating its many strengths, don't find it as compelling as some of its competitors.

 

[JoelSim]

Clare Newsome:Audioholic:
Clare Newsome:How odd, the CMS seems to be playing up - we certainly have reviewed many an Arcam amp. Here's the Arcam A38 review to be going on with....

Why would he want the A38 amplifier review, when it's twice the price? It's not relevant if he is looking into the A18 IMO.

That was in response to the query on whether we'd reviewed ANY Arcam integrateds - OP realised this and thanked me for the steer....

Audioholic:

It's kind of accepted knowledge that WHF finds arcam amps boring and lagging behind on communication + the best timing compared to the class best - which I guess is referring to Roksan's K2 or Caspian ampifiers.

as noted in my earlier post, each product judged on its merits- we don't prejudge or generalise on brands!ÿ

Audioholic:ÿ

ÿDo you think Clare in your own opinion the Arcam A38 is an improvement over the A32? I know you could say 'judge with your ears', but I wanted to know what your ears tell you.ÿ

I've never heard the A38 alongside the A32, i'm afraid, so can't tell you. I have, however, heard the A38 against its current class rivals, and while appreciating its many strengths, don't find it as compelling as some of its competitors.ÿÿ

This is why it's so important to demo. I'm not a fan of the Naim and Cyrus sounds, but many are.

ÿ