Speakers Advice needed from People who are familiar with ARCAM A38 Integrated Amp

[admin_exported]

I have acquired an ARCAM CD 37 CD/SACD player and an A38 integrated amplifier, Now I need to buy a Set of Speakers and would appreciate some advice coming from people who are familiar with this system (preferably owners)

Standmounts or floorstanders doesn't matter as long as they are not fussy about positioning. The system will be installed in a small room (5m x 4 meters ) so I don't need huge speakers, as for the budget anything between 800- 3500£ Max. (I am trying to create best synergy possible, and with time I don’t mind investing by acquiring the Arcam P38 amplifier fro Bi-amplification.

Any ideas?

 

[drummerman]

MA works ok.

 

[Anonymous]

which speakers from MA? and as previously mentioned I'm looking for something "Very good" not "ok"

Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

Well I tried that combo with the Spendor A6 but I have to say I didn't like it. The mids and treble were sublime but the bass was a bit much for me. You know, I think I'd probably investigate the Harbeth range of speakers to see what works. I have a gut feeling it'd work out very well. They tend to sound very natural, open and have excellent timing. Plus they don't lose much value, ever.

 

[drummerman]

Sure. I've used the A38/37 with different speakers/in different systems and think they are decent products. They did ok with some RS6's, better so than with various PMC's/Dynaudio's, Rega's and Totem's which to me, was something of a surprise. It's no secret I don't like the silver series for a variety of reasons. Based on that I'd guess that the Golds or Platinums would perhaps do rather better still. Just a guess as I did'nt try them with any of the Gold series and the platinums were not to hand.

Whether it's worth to add a P38, I'm not sure. There are some very good integrateds around at that, combined, cost. JoelSims I believe is the Arcam man here and he too has recently changed systems. I'm sure he'll be able to advise.

 

[plastic penguin]

As I've heard different combos with Arcams I would say PMC GB1's work fabulously. Likewise any of the MA Gold Series will work a treat. The Arcam, generally speaking, produce very smooth sounding amps that requires a punchy, organic sounding speaker. This prejudices the likes of Spendor, Rega and Neats; great speakers, but not a good match with Arcams.

Joelsim used to match his Arcs with Dali Ikon 6 and loved it. I can't personally comment on this combination, yet to hear Dali stuff.

If you're spending that sort of money, please audition as many different brands as possible, home trial is preferable.

 

[JoelSim]

Yes, good with Dali and Kudos, and ProAc.

 

[Anonymous]

Thank you guys for your input,

Because I am not an expert and haven't been exposed to many Hi-fi systems I decided to get your Opinion, although it's not typically a good news but I was pleased to hear that Spendor are not a good match with Arcam because this is what I thought , I auditioned the A5 and A6 and did not like the combination, to tell you the truth even with supposedly adequate amplification I did not like the Spendors.

as for the RX6 I really liked them for the price but I want more than these speakers can deliver and thought the best way is get advice from people who are using the A38. I always thought that a 1500Pounds amplifier would be able to handle speakers costing double the price, a friend of mine advised me to try the B&W 805S with the A38 unfortunately these speakers have been discontinued and the new 800D series haven't been released yet.

by the way what about the ProAC 140 ?

 

[Anonymous]

If you don't mind older speakers, Here are a newly listed pair of IMF TLS50's ... they will work fine in your room size, but will need a bit of space behind the speakers .... at a buy it now of £199 they are a bargain (assuming they work fine)

also not sure how well they work with your amp, but am sure that if you google you will get more info ... I had the larger TLS 80's ....

 

[Anonymous]

Believe it or not some people are using & recommending the following speakers with the A38,

-Focal 2009be

-B&W 805 S

-Wilson Audio SASHA W/P.

-Verity Audio Parsifal Ovation loudspeakers

 

[Craig M.]

based on my experience of arcam, you'd want to avoid anything that adds any extra warmth, can you demo atc? might work well.

 

[Anonymous]

I should work on that, heard a lot about ATC , I do agree with you that the Arcam is neutral enough might be considered as warm by some , and this is what I like about it

 

[plastic penguin]

MA GS20 would sound very good with the A38. As Craig mentioned it's worth trying ATC's and see how they sound.

 

[Anonymous]

will do that, knowing that RX6 weren't bad at all, but as previously mentioned I am trying to get the best possible sound that my "budget" can buy

 

[drummerman]

Craig M.:based on my experience of arcam, you'd want to avoid anything that adds any extra warmth, can you demo atc? might work well.

I'm not sure where people get this 'warm' thing from when it comes to Arcam?

The A38 has very good high frequencies which can, imo, make this particular model sound rather lean compared to some others. It's not bright or harsh, just very clean higher up. As to warm, the A38 is to these ears pretty neutral but not particulary punchy. So, if nothing else, I'd be hesitant to use 'reticent' speakers. As always, just my opinion.

 

[Craig M.]

yeah, but he's using it with an arcam cdp which i found a bit dull sounding, add dull/warm speakers to that and... as always everyones tastes are different, but i'd need to add some "life" to that setup.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure where people get this 'warm' thing from when it comes to Arcam?

The A38 has very good high frequencies which can, imo, make this particular model sound rather lean compared to some others. It's not bright or harsh, just very clean higher up. As to warm, the A38 is to these ears pretty neutral but not particulary punchy. So, if nothing else, I'd be hesitant to use 'reticent' speakers. As always, just my opinion.

Hey,DRUMMERMAN,

SINCE WE SHARE THE SAME OPINION, COULD YOU PLEASE BE MORE SPECIFIC AND RECOMMEND A HIGH END SET OF SPEAKERS THAT YOU BELIEVE WILL PERFECTLY MATCH THE ARCAM CD37 & A38?

Do you believe ProAC would do the Job?, I am thinking of the 140 MKII

 

[drummerman]

I'm not sure. I had 110's with my cyrus system but then that amp was more forthright than yours. ProAcs are rather self effacing. Worth a try as are any of the other suggestions here. - There are a few dealers posting here which may be able to lead you on the right track. Audition before you buy, that goes without saying really.

 

[Anonymous]

Would Po AC 140 MKII do the job,

what about PARADIGM Signature S2 v2 or S6 v2?

 

[Anonymous]

Would Po AC 140 MKII do the job?

 

[plastic penguin]

Le Robert:

I'm not sure where people get this 'warm' thing from when it comes to Arcam?

The A38 has very good high frequencies which can, imo, make this particular model sound rather lean compared to some others. It's not bright or harsh, just very clean higher up. As to warm, the A38 is to these ears pretty neutral but not particulary punchy. So, if nothing else, I'd be hesitant to use 'reticent' speakers. As always, just my opinion.

Hey,DRUMMERMAN,

SINCE WE SHARE THE SAME OPINION, COULD YOU PLEASE BE MORE SPECIFIC AND RECOMMEND A HIGH END SET OF SPEAKERS THAT YOU BELIEVE WILL PERFECTLY MATCH THE ARCAM CD37 & A38?

Do you believe ProAC would do the Job?, I am thinking of the 140 MKII

I've always maintained that Monitor Audio are the perfect match, synergy-wise, with Arcam. I've heard my A65 with the older GR10s and they sound wonderful. Also, for reassurance on the pairing, Arcam used to (and still may do) test their new amps with.....yes, you've guessed, Monitor Audio speakers.

The two brands don't necessarily have unanimous approval on this forum. I can sort of understand why, but the two together they're sonic heaven within their respective price-brackets. Crikey, I've tested a number of combinations over the past two years or so.

 

[Dan Turner]

I used to have a CD37 and A32+P35, and was using these with PMC TB2+ speakers. I used to think that this was a good combination until I heard what the PMCs could do on the end of Naim electronics. The Arcam/PMC combo certainly could never be described as bad, but not sure PMC are the best match with Arcam gear. That wouldn't have been my opinion a year ago, and it is just my opinion, you might like it, sounds like some other folks do

I can say for sure that with the max budget that you're suggesting you should buy a P38 and then spend the rest on whatever speakers you eventually go for, so that you'll be bi-amping them.

I have a friend who has Arcam gear and Acoustic Energy speakers, and that seems like a very good match.