Reflections on Arcam A32...

[admin_exported]

This is a product reputed for its 'honesty'. 'If you are looking for character' says a serious reviewer, 'you will be disappointed'...accordingly, it is all about sonic refinement, directness etc...yet, on my second day i think the beast definitively has got character. It is definitely 'shy', so needs a bit of volume to 'get over it' and deliver a much bigger picture. It is also extremely smooth. Yet should brass instrument sound 'smooth'? There is a sense that the sound is restrained, as if almost afraid to offend the listener. As you turn up the volume, then the superb soundstage and imaging acquire a life of its own, very powerful indeed; it delivers such a refined texture.. i'm tempted to say that there's definitely a character to it, even the term 'coloration' wouldn't be entirely unfounded. Yet despite the shyness, it definitely fits the cliche as regards the passionate side of the 'quiet ones...' I think can understand why it might get trashed in reviews, but i also know that subtlety requires further effort (meow). I just love it, but i think it has got character.

Any thoughts Arcam A32 fetishists?

 

[Anonymous]

Love it.

But not as much as my JVC, of course.

 

[JoelSim]

Bismarckian:
This is a product reputed for its 'honesty'. 'If you are looking for character' says a serious reviewer, 'you will be disappointed'...accordingly, it is all about sonic refinement, directness etc...yet, on my second day i think the beast definitively has got character. It is definitely 'shy', so needs a bit of volume to 'get over it' and deliver a much bigger picture. It is also extremely smooth. Yet should brass instrument sound 'smooth'? There is a sense that the sound is restrained, as if almost afraid to offend the listener. As you turn up the volume, then the superb soundstage and imaging acquire a life of its own, very powerful indeed; it delivers such a refined texture.. i'm tempted to say that there's definitely a character to it, even the term 'coloration' wouldn't be entirely unfounded. Yet despite the shyness, it definitely fits the cliche as regards the passionate side of the 'quiet ones...'ÿ I think can understand why it might get trashed in reviews, but i also know that subtlety requires further effort (meow). I just love it, but i think it has got character.

Any thoughts Arcam A32 fetishists?

WHF is the only mag that doesn't give the Arcs rave reviews.

ÿ

 

[Anonymous]

Bismarckian

I have had my A32 for exactly 2 weeks and I have not done much sleeping since it arrived - I am spending all my time going through my cd collection until the small hours each night. Because it is so transparent, well produced and well recorded albums like the blue nile - any of their 4 albums, but especially a walk across the rooftops; air's walkie talkie; peter gabriel's so - all sound utterly sublime. all trip hop stuff sounds breathtaking and check out goldfrapp's seventh tree album - you're in heaven.

sounds great with the cd192 but my speakers (mission 780se) let the side down in terms of balanced kit although the A32 still make these sound stunning. At times the soundstage is so good you think there are another pair of speakers behind you.

absolutely loving it... 😱)

 

[crusaderlord]

I also cant praise the A32 highly enough. I admit i was originally drawn in by its look, intruiged by many great reviews by magazines (WHF excepted) and by many various forum recommendations and then hooked by an audition.

But i didnt actually buy one until the price dropped to a level where it truely blows away much if not all of the competition around the £700 mark.

It is a fantastic amplifier for its price and it sounds better the more i listen. It also really did benefit from some better quality speaker cable.