What speakers for my Arcam Solo stereo?

[TheMaestro]

Got me a used Arcam Solo 2008 model. I have Quadral Ascent 850 speakers. They are not a good match I'm afraid. I get sort of a hissing sound from the mid range, like a bad set radio channel. I'm thinking of changing speakers and trade in my Quadral speakers.

I would love to read some advise of people owning or knowing the Arcam Solo. My fav music is soul, disco and jazz / blues.

Thankx for any input.

 

[nopiano]

A hissing sound suggests some type of fault to me. Or do you mean sibilance, rather like the sound that occurs when a singer gets too close to their microphone?

Are you sure your Arcam is working 100%?

Some indication of your budget, and any speakers you've liked before will help.

 

[plastic penguin]

Could possibly be an earthing problem with the amp. The OP needs to try other sources: Does the hissing increase or decrease when you change source? So if you go from, let's say, CDP to vinyl is there a change in the hissing? This could indicate a problem on one or more inputs/amplifier earth. It'll be a process of elimination.

That said, from personal experience, any issue with the amp is usually more of a 'buzz' or a 'hum'.

If it's sibilance it's normally more prominant when the vocalist uses any lines with 'S' in it - it's "Ssssss" (if this garbage makes sense).

 

[Gray]

Is that because of 'Let's start the dance' by Bohannon, TheMaestro?

 

[chebby]

Arcam Solo-Mini or Solo Music?

Whichever, try borrowing some other speakers from a friend or whoever.

If you still get the same distortion then get the Solo serviced.

If the distortion disappears (completely) with different speakers then buy new speakers. (The best you can reasonably afford as the Solos were pretty good.)

 

[TheMaestro]

Is that because of 'Let's start the dance' by Bohannon, TheMaestro?

Nope, it comes from Philadelphia International Records, from hit-makers Gamble & Huff, it was the record company's punch line, so to speak. But I know Frederick Hamilton Bohannon and have records of him. Sounded great when he did it: "The message is in the muuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuusic!". 🙂

 

[matthewpiano]

If you do go for different speakers I would suggest trying models by KEF, Focal, Monitor Audio, and Dali, as I've found these to be the best matches with Arcam generally.

 

[TheMaestro]

If you do go for different speakers I would suggest trying models by KEF, Focal, Monitor Audio, and Dali, as I've found these to be the best matches with Arcam generally.

When looking at more fora on the web I also notice the brands B&W and Dynaudio. Do you, or maybe others, have an opinion on those in combination with my Arcam Solo? Thanks for the input.

 

[manicm]

If you do go for different speakers I would suggest trying models by KEF, Focal, Monitor Audio, and Dali, as I've found these to be the best matches with Arcam generally.

When looking at more fora on the web I also notice the brands B&W and Dynaudio. Do you, or maybe others, have an opinion on those in combination with my Arcam Solo? Thanks for the input.

if you want big bang for buck, get a pair of 685 s1 secondhand. It's a fab match. Or Monitor Audio silver series, 2, if you have the space. Kefs should work fine too.

If you don't have the space I strongly suggest the Cambridge Audio Minx 22 and X301 sub combination.

 

[plastic penguin]

If you do go for different speakers I would suggest trying models by KEF, Focal, Monitor Audio, and Dali, as I've found these to be the best matches with Arcam generally.

When looking at more fora on the web I also notice the brands B&W and Dynaudio. Do you, or maybe others, have an opinion on those in combination with my Arcam Solo? Thanks for the input.

B&W and Dyns aren't the greatest of matches with Arcam. For an amp like a Solo or Mini, which are relatively low powered, the above two could be difficult to drive/control. I had my Arcams with MA RS6s - excellent combo IMHO. So look for a speaker of 87db (minimum) and either 6 or 8 ohms.

 

[chebby]

Have you managed to isolate the fault (hiss/distortion) to amp or speakers yet?

 

[manicm]

If you do go for different speakers I would suggest trying models by KEF, Focal, Monitor Audio, and Dali, as I've found these to be the best matches with Arcam generally.

When looking at more fora on the web I also notice the brands B&W and Dynaudio. Do you, or maybe others, have an opinion on those in combination with my Arcam Solo? Thanks for the input.

B&W and Dyns aren't the greatest of matches with Arcam. For an amp like a Solo or Mini, which are relatively low powered, the above two could be difficult to drive/control. I had my Arcams with MA RS6s - excellent combo IMHO. So look for a speaker of 87db (minimum) and either 6 or 8 ohms.

The B&W 685s1 sounded GREAT with my Solo Mini, and extra power of the full Solo will exploit them even better.

I currently use the 6ohm MA Silver RX1 - and this is also a great match.

The newer, smaller Dynaudios (Remit 10 or 20) should work fine with the Solo - which is 50w/8ohm

 

[matthewpiano]

If you do go for different speakers I would suggest trying models by KEF, Focal, Monitor Audio, and Dali, as I've found these to be the best matches with Arcam generally.

When looking at more fora on the web I also notice the brands B&W and Dynaudio. Do you, or maybe others, have an opinion on those in combination with my Arcam Solo? Thanks for the input.

B&W and Dyns aren't the greatest of matches with Arcam. For an amp like a Solo or Mini, which are relatively low powered, the above two could be difficult to drive/control. I had my Arcams with MA RS6s - excellent combo IMHO. So look for a speaker of 87db (minimum) and either 6 or 8 ohms.

I tried B&W with Arcam a few times (A65+ with 685s, A18 with 685s, A18 with 686s) and never found it to be a good match. The only way to truly find out what suits you would be an audition. I've never had Arcam and Dynaudio at the same time. Personally I find Dyns to be much better balanced speakers than B&Ws, so it might work better but again, you'd need to hear it for yourself.

 

[seemorebtts]

Arcam and dali great combination

 

[insider9]

Have you managed to isolate the fault (hiss/distortion) to amp or speakers yet?

I'm quite busy at the moment, hopefully this weekend I will hook up my old Interaudio 2000 speakers and hope to find out if its an amp problem or just a bad match. If the Interaudio 2000 sound lacks the typical sound I'm hearing now its probably just a bad match.

Addition: Last night I listened to vinyl for more than an hour, several records, using my Teufel headphone and it sounded just great, a bit low on the bass, but very detailed and crisp, no distortion or hissing what so ever. I'm afraid its indeed a bad mix with my Quadral speakers.

The fact headphones are working fine does not mean there isn't an issue with it. I'd suggest checking anyway. I remember you had this issue since you got it. It's likely pointing at an issue with Solo.

 

[TheMaestro]

Have you managed to isolate the fault (hiss/distortion) to amp or speakers yet?

I'm quite busy at the moment, hopefully this weekend I will hook up my old Interaudio 2000 speakers and hope to find out if its an amp problem or just a bad match. If the Interaudio 2000 sound lacks the typical sound I'm hearing now its probably just a bad match.

Addition: Last night I listened to vinyl for more than an hour, several records, using my Teufel headphone directly plugged in on the front of the Arcam Solo and it sounded just great, a bit low on the bass, but very detailed and crisp, no distortion or hissing what so ever. I'm afraid its indeed a bad mix with my Quadral speakers.

 

[knaithrover]

Monitor Audio RS/RX are a good match with the Arcam Solo Music in my experience. Very nice things the Solo's

 

[TheMaestro]

Monitor Audio RS/RX are a good match with the Arcam Solo Music in my experience. Very nice things the Solo's

Thanks for your input.

Does it make a difference which model of those lineups to choose?

The Solo isn't that powerful, could it handle for i.e. a set of Monitor Audio RS8?

Cheers.

 

[knaithrover]

Monitor Audio RS/RX are a good match with the Arcam Solo Music in my experience. Very nice things the Solo's

Thanks for your input.

Does it make a difference which model of those lineups to choose?

The Solo isn't that powerful, could it handle for i.e. a set of Monitor Audio RS8?

Cheers.

You're very welcome my pleasure

I've used RS5's with the Solo in a large room and RX1's in a smaller one both with excellent results. I would think the RS8 would probably require a bit more grunt

 

[TheMaestro]

on a Dutch auction site and will go and audition them coming Saturday.

I will get back with some feedback here. Cheers.

 

[insider9]

They should match very well. Looking forward to your thoughts.

 

[Al ears]

on a Dutch auction site and will go and audition them coming Saturday.

I will get back with some feedback here. Cheers.

How can you get to audition something that's on an auction site? Interesting!

 

[nopiano]

on a Dutch auction site and will go and audition them coming Saturday.

I will get back with some feedback here. Cheers.

How can you get to audition something that's on an auction site? Interesting!

Indeed, and does the price go lower which is what I thought was a Dutch auction!?

 

[chebby]

I might buy the speaker's i'd recommend later on ebay!

Sorry.

 

[TheMaestro]

on a Dutch auction site and will go and audition them coming Saturday.

I will get back with some feedback here. Cheers.

How can you get to audition something that's on an auction site? Interesting!

Thing is I contacted the seller and he happens to live a 10 minute drive from my place. He agreed I stop at his place and listen to them.

He reserved the speakers for me till Saturday. If they look good and sound like I hope they do I will buy them.