Stick or twist: Arcam A38?

[plastic penguin]

Clearly I'm bored.

The A38 does appeal, although not sure if it'll be a sideways move. Still love the Leema/PMC combo, but not had Arcam amp for 4 years and just wondering if I'm missing anything?

 

[matthewpiano]

Can't comment on your Leema PP so I'm of limited use here, but the A38 is a wonderful amplifier. If I had the money there would be one sitting on my rack as fast as possible.

 

[CnoEvil]

Arcam / PMC is also a wonderful match.....but, i suspect it would be a change rather than an improvement.

One gets very used to a certain presentation, and it is quite possible you would miss the "get up and go" character of the Pulse. I also suspect some of your music would improve, while some would lack a little life for your taste.

 

[plastic penguin]

Arcam / PMC is also a wonderful match.....but, i suspect it would be a change rather than an improvement.

One gets very used to a certain presentation, and it is quite possible you would miss the "get up and go" character of the Pulse. I also suspect some of your music would improve, while some would lack a little life for your taste.

That's my gut feeling. One thing I do know is my old A65+ sounded wonderful with PMC DB1is, despite the perceived lack of outright power. May just blag a ex-dem from a local dealer and see how it stacks up. Have heard the A38 but not at home.

 

[Vladimir]

Nothing under the hood of the A38 vs the Pulse that would indicate a better amp. Variation in FR at best.

 

[CarlDW]

I have only heard good things about the A38. If you can demo at home I would give it a listen.

 

[CnoEvil]

May just blag a ex-dem from a local dealer and see how it stacks up. Have heard the A38 but not at home.

That, as you know, is the only way.

I can remember Steve750 doing something similar. Initially, due to the "change is better factor", he felt it was a good move. After not too long though, he missed the sonic punch of his Roksan with his Proacs. The Arcam went back,as he discovered that the grass is not always greener...

 

[chebby]

Nothing under the hood of the A38 vs the Pulse that would indicate a better amp. Variation in FR at best.

Apart from more grunt (according to the manufacturer's own figures) ...

Arcam A38: 105 Watts per channel (continuous power) into 8 Ohms, 200 Watts per channel (continuous power) into 4 Ohms.

Leema Pulse Mk1: 80 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms, 150 Watts per channel into 4 Ohms. (No mention of whether that is peak or continuous.)

Probably more than enough in both cases given that PP doesn't strike me as a headbanger and the efficient (90dB @8 Ohms) TB2is he uses.

As others have said, it's all down to a home demo (unless he plans on buying some dramatically less efficient speakers in the near future).

 

[Vladimir]

I was thinking more in the line of build quality. There are obvious and substantial differences in circuitry, but not that much in PSU. The preamp in the Arcam is more modular and discrete build. :?

 

[paulsue38]

Nothing under the hood of the A38 vs the Pulse that would indicate a better amp. Variation in FR at best.

Apart from more grunt (according to the manufacturer's own figures) ...

Arcam A38: 105 Watts per channel (continuous power) into 8 Ohms, 200 Watts per channel (continuous power) into 4 Ohms.

Leema Pulse Mk1: 80 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms, 150 Watts per channel into 4 Ohms. (No mention of whether that is peak or continuous.)

Probably more than enough in both cases given that PP doesn't strike me as a headbanger and the efficient (90dB @8 Ohms) TB2is he uses.

As others have said, it's all down to a home demo (unless he plans on buying some dramatically less efficient speakers in the near future).

I have the A38 , paid £699 new. It was reduced because it was one of the last silver models they produced. At this price I am happy because it has a classy, neutral sound with no fatigue. In a Feb 2011 Hi Fi Choice review they measured the A38 at 125 watts nto 8 ohm. However, they suggest that it has a higher output impedednce of 0.124 and that you coud need relatively effecient speakers. The group test was won by Creek Destiny.

 

[MickyBlue]

leave it alone, in my opinion leema is a solid mixture between arcam and naim, smooth like arcam, punchy and precise like naim, the arcam would not only be a sikdeways step but possibly a backward one.

also relying on forums is a dangerous one, turn off the internet and turn on your ears, leave the forums alone and step into the relms of music....i did and have never been so happy with my set up.

40 years of music experience

 

[plastic penguin]

Don't necessarily subscribe to spec sheets. It could turn out to be a real stunner or...

 

[damonster]

If i could do a swap Leema for arcam a38 i would go for it.Arcam and pmc sounded stunning together when i demoed the db1is.Its all about synergy.

 

[plastic penguin]

If i could do a swap Leema for arcam a38 i would go for it.Arcam and pmc sounded stunning together when i demoed the db1is.Its all about synergy.

What difference did the Arcam A38 make over the Leema? It's a strange one because despite having the DB1i on home dem with my old Arcam and Leema, there was a couple of years gap in-between (and my Arcam was entry-level).

Don't like bright or dull, and the Leema/PMC falls beautifully between.

 

[matthewpiano]

When I was looking for speakers for the A18 I had, the PMCs were just about the only speaker that drew out all the Arcam's best qualities. The A38 is a much more open and dynamic amp than the A18 so I'd expect the combination with PMC speakers to be wonderful. There does seem to be a synergy between the brands.

I think the only way forward is a home demo PP, particularly as your current combination isn't actually problematic.

 

[plastic penguin]

.

I think the only way forward is a home demo PP, particularly as your current combination isn't actually problematic.

This is the (cunning) plan. Hopefully next week.

Always liked Arcam products. Could be a case of 'Back to the Future'.

 

[matthewpiano]

.

I think the only way forward is a home demo PP, particularly as your current combination isn't actually problematic.

This is the (cunning) plan. Hopefully next week.

Always liked Arcam products. Could be a case of 'Back to the Future'.

I will, as always, look forward to hearing your thoughts PP.

 

[Vladimir]

Why not own both?

 

[plastic penguin]

Why not own both?

Don't be silly. 🙂

 

[damonster]

I Think the Leema and Pmc combo is very good .I just felt the Arcam and Pmc as matthewp said just do something special when partnered.The rich tones in the midrange just take on another level.

 

[plastic penguin]

The odd thing is I heard an awful lot of Arcam amps, apart from the ones I've owned, but haven't had a flagship Arcam amp at home, except for the A85.

I'll try and grab one to dem on Friday as it'll give me the weekend to fully get used to.

 

[Vladimir]

Not much difference between these two under the hood.

Arcam A38

Arcam A85

Reworked preamp, power section and PSU are same-ish.

 

[plastic penguin]

Not much difference between these two under the hood.

Arcam A38

Arcam A85

Reworked preamp, power section and PSU are same-ish.

And you can tell just by a picture?

There's practically nothing to look at a Ford escort RS1600 and a Lotus Elan. Both powered by the same engine, but the carbs are different, the head uprated on the Lotus and the breathers are different. But to see them from above they look almost identical.

 

[plastic penguin]

Anyway, not too sure why I'm even contemplating... the Leema is a stunning machine. Can't see the Arcam blowing the Pulse out of the water, nonetheless, I'll still have a weekend dabble.

 

[bigfish786]

give it a whirl, you have nothing to lose. i'm also a fan of arcam amps. but love my Leema also.