Speaker selection for Arcam FMJ A18 amplifier

[Kellytm272]

Hi all, Last May I purchased an Arcam FMJ A18 stereo amplifier. The main reason for selecting this amp was to use make use of it's AV mode: use the same pair of speakers for the front LR speakers of my cinema setup as well as the stereo speakers for my hifi system. It was also heavily discounted at Richer Sounds. I have recently separated the hifi and cinema amps - using the Arcam as purely stereo hifi amplifier. The only source that it uses is a Pioneer N-50 media streamer and the speakers that I use are Mission 751 Freedoms on Soundstyle Z2 stands. Have just purchased the Audioquest speaker cable that won the most recent What Hifi award, but haven't yet connected it. My problem is that whilst the sound is very good, it does seem to lack excitement - something that my old Cyrus 3/ Mission 751 (non-freedoms)/ Marantz CD63 II KI definitely did have. Are there any speakers that can go with this amp, that will improve excitement? So far I've been considering Monitor Audio RS1, RX1 and possible Rega RS1. Note that I cannot have the speakers further than say 20cm from the wall. Note: In the future, I may consider upgrading the amp by addition of an Arcam P75+, P80 or P85 power amp. Or very possible replace with an A19 - although have heard that in some respects it's better and others it's worse... Thanks Tim

 

[matthewpiano]

I had an A18 for a while, used with a CD17. It does some things extremely well. Excitement isn't really one of them and this isn't helped by the slightly leaden bass performance.

I tried the following speakers with it:

B&W 686 - A disaster. Overblown bass, and a sound that can only be described as a lack of an control being exerted by the amp.

KEF K300 - Better than the 686. I think these are easier to control than the 686 which resulted in a less heavy footed sound. I found the soundstage too vast and unrealistic though - quite possibly a result of the speakers needing more space than I could give them.

Dynaudio DM2/6 (audition only) - The A18 was incapable of controlling them. Not a good match.

MA RX1 (audition only) - Not a bad match but a bit soft and diffuse sounding. The combination lacked focus.

PMC DB1i (audition only) - The only pairing I could have been happy with long term. Still not the most exciting but tonally a match made in heaven with very realistic soundstaging and a lovely involving presentation. Price was the only thing that stopped me buying them.

If you can find a pair of DB1s 2nd hand, this might be a good way forward but do be aware that the A18 is never going to put you on the edge of your seat if excitement is what you crave, and it is a difficult amp to successfully match with speakers.

 

[matthewpiano]

Oh, if you want to consider a different amp, the Exposure 1010 blows the A18 out of the water.

 

[Kellytm272]

Thanks for that info. Have put the amp on eBay and looking at newer cyrus kit. Namely the 6a or 8vs2 integrateds. Any idea of which is better? Seen both for around the £400 mark on ebay

 

[CnoEvil]

Some suggestions:

- Q Acoustics Concept 20

- Kef R100

- Tannoy Revolution DC6

- Taga Harmony Platinum S-40SE

 

[wilro15]

It's a shame you bought the A18, I owned one for a while and really did not like it. Very muddy sound and unsatisfying. Better speakers may help but you still have a poor amp holding you back.

 

[Kellytm272]

Thanks for the replies. I put the amp on eBay and bought a cyrus 8vs2 for £300. Hopefully this will work well with the missions, and is quite upgrade able too. Any ideas what the ideal speaker match for cyrus is? Up to about the £450 mark (second hand considered)?

thanks

 

[Blackdawn]

Maybe time to start a new thread for the Cyrus amp, that Cyrus owners may see.