Thank you for another great review! I have an Arcam SA30 streaming amplifier for more then a year,and could not be happier. They really are understated brand in today’s world of hi-fi.
Nice looking piece of kit at a reasonable price, plenty of connectivity and it shows that hi fi is improving all the time. great review thank you Hanz.
This is what a real streamer is. I like the Cambridge Audio too, this are really musical streamers, not those flashy and bright sounding streamers from China that has flooded the market.
Nice coverage. I love that you always include a review of the internals. It would be nice to know if the sound signature is maintained or improved when it's used only as a digital transport, i.e. via a separate DAC. The functionality itself is nice, especially with this many digital inputs.
It is hard to compare a streamer transport to a DAC in terms of "quality", let alone choosing equals. There is little information available on the quality of digital transports. Most streamers also have DACs and reviews refer mainly to the analog outputs. However, the digital transport parts are more controversial. Some people say it doesn't matter much, the DAC decides the sound quality. I have a dozen of digital sources, and all sound different as a digital transport, with all my DACs. So far, AFAIK there are no reliable comparisons for digital transports with measurements and consistent (across devices) listening tests. You are one of the few sources in this regard, and maybe this aspect (of "quality as a digital transport") could be emphasized in more details.
If you're for a streamer with a digital output, go for products like the Auralic Aries G1 (th-cam.com/video/juKqFso3nTw/w-d-xo.html) or the SOtM sMS-200 Ultra (th-cam.com/video/nCoFIdPLcUk/w-d-xo.html).
First of all Hans we love your 100% commitment to your Weekly Shows. At the iEar Audioshow in Tilburg. The Vivid Audio Giya’s were demonstrated using this Arcam’s ST60 streamer and SA30 amplifier. When comparing to most other systems on the show, the ‘free sound’ of Vivid clearly stood out! Although the €500.000 Focal/ Naim combination was pretty good too, but overly bright for my taste. Hans, how close is the sound quality between the Arcam’s ST60 & Auralic Altair you reviewed last year? Considering the Arcam only got one switching PS and no shealding what so ever.
Hello Mr Hans, first of all I want to say that of all the hifi reviewers you are the one that I trust the most. I have decided to buy the ST60 at a discount and I have two questions, if you could answer. 1) Does it support DSD? (Can't find anything in the manual) 2) Do you think the ST60 is better than the Cambridge Audio CXN100? Thanks in advance!
Thank you, Hans. I think, though, that I've become a victim of either too much equipment, or simple redudancy. Why, for instance, do I need both a Roon Nucleus and a Bluesound note 2i running on the same system? And...if you were to replace ONE of them with this unit (Arcam ST60), which would you replace? Or...replace both of them? Is the only point to be able to transmit the sound to my other room, as well, which is also hooked up to a Bluesound Node 2i? Does this unit "play" with the Node 2i, so it could be my primary streamer in my audio room AND send the signal to the Bluesound in the other room, too? I just think I'm getting it all wrong....
I'm intrigued by the HifiRose 250 as well... similar price points. the screen is greatly impressive on the Rose and the reviews are pretty solid. Another option is cocktail audio and they make X50Pro/D and X45. Lumin D2, Auralic Altair G1, Aurender, and anitpodes also make decent devices in this price range. Finally at the budget end there is the ifi neo stream.
Hello Hans, I am new to your channel as I have been listening to music all analogue until now. But I am also very interested in digital stuff so I learned a lot from your videos so far. Thank you! I have two and a half questions ;-) 1) The Arcam ST60 has an "USB Audio" port on the back. Can I connect my Mac Studio directly to the Arcam via this port to listen to music stored on the Mac? You did not mention the port and I could not find binding information on it. 2) For a budget of 2500 - 3000 EUR would you buy a streamer with integrated DAC or would you prefer two individual devices? As of today what device(s) would be your personal choice? (In the case of individual units, I would currently lean towards the ATOLL DAC 300 for the DAC...) Thanks for any help and best wishes from Germany, Chris
1) The USB Audio port is labeled incorrectly. You can't connect a computer (any computer) to it. It's for service purposes only. 2) please watch my reviews, I spend about 15 minutes explaining the devices. Bringing that back to a yes or no is not why I try to explain it all so extensively. You can form your own opinion based on my reviews and those by others.
Hello Hans, Thank you for all of the reviews and educational videos. I am considering building a system based on using a seperate Network Bridge and a DAC. Am I correct to assume this combination should give better sound than an equivalently priced one box streamer/DAC ? Could I ask you consider making a video about how to distribute a budget to build a system comprising a Network Bridge + DAC + Power Supply and sensible cables, assuming it is a meaningful question. My budget would be 1500-2500 euros, would that work for a bridge + dac system ? Thanks Again for the reviews, John.
Good solid review. I have a Parasound Hint 6, B&W 805D3s, Rel T7x pair, Oppo DVD & Parasound Jc Junior. How would you compare the ST60 vs using a minidsp SHD as a preamp and use it as a streamer? Thanks
I am going to need some room correction, but I could get the Flex Series and still use my Arcam streamer. Thanks for the reply. I have not hear Dirac live and I hear the multi sub optimizer is effective with it.
Hi, Is it worth to change from Argon Solo to St60 regarding sound quality (not streaming functionalities)? What is your opinion as you had a chance to review both devices?
How ist the Soundquality compare to a NAD 658? They have nearly the same funktionions, even as preamp I think. Thank you very much for your great work!
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel yes this was a great review too! That convinced me to buy it!!! Its a dam good peace of tech, and your review was 100% matching with my experience! I just was to know is the new Arcam better? Or how are the differerences? Sorry for my bad english
Muchas gracias por su vídeo… y por supuesto su canal.. me ayudan mucho a entender y descubrir cosas nuevas. Me gusta mucho este streamer y también me gusta ARCAM. Tengo un reproductor/streamer SACD CDS50 de Arcam. Y uso más el Dac del streamer de Arcam que el de mi NAD M10. El único problema que tengo es que tengo archivos DSD Y DSF digitales comprados en tienda y ni el MAD M10, ni el CDS50 me reproducen DSD ni DSF. No se como solucionarlo. Un Dac externo? Ningún Dac superará al de el reproductor CDS50 de Arcam. En cambio el Arcam st60 recibió una actualización hace poco que si reproduce DSD 128… por eso me planteo la compra ya que tiene el mismo Dac que mi reproductor CDS50 ARCAM y estoy enamorado. Como lo ve usted? Gracias por su tiempo!!
Thanks for the review which persuaded me to purchase one at a discounted price recently. My first Streaming DAC and I’m very happy.
It's a great amp.
Outstanding review as usually. You are my reference for how proper reviews should be done…👍
🙏🙏🙏
+1 .. Always, always the very best. Thank You, M/S .. Vail, Colorado
🙏🏻
Your video reviews are the best! As an instrumentation EE I can judge you take a serious and methodical approach to assess this product. Thank You!
🙏
👍This is how a product video should be done! 👏👨🏻
🙏🏽
Thank you for another great review! I have an Arcam SA30 streaming amplifier for more then a year,and could not be happier. They really are understated brand in today’s world of hi-fi.
Great to hear!
Sounds like a good one, presuming the app is not buggy.
That’s what I said
Your clear explanation of the layout of the circuitry really sets your work at the top as far I’m concerned. Great work again sir!
🙏
I purchased the Arcam ST60. Regarding the sound quality, I could not agree more with your review. Thank you.
Great to hear!
Outstanding review. Totally trustworthy. Swung me around to buy the Arcam from the 4-5 options I had shortlisted. Thank you.
Thank you too. Enjoy the music.
Thanks!
Cheers!
Nice looking piece of kit at a reasonable price, plenty of connectivity and it shows that hi fi is improving all the time.
great review thank you Hanz.
Totally agree
This is what a real streamer is. I like the Cambridge Audio too, this are really musical streamers, not those flashy and bright sounding streamers from China that has flooded the market.
Not all Chinese streamers are like that.
Finally a review of the ST60 ! :)
👍🏼
Nice coverage. I love that you always include a review of the internals. It would be nice to know if the sound signature is maintained or improved when it's used only as a digital transport, i.e. via a separate DAC. The functionality itself is nice, especially with this many digital inputs.
If you consider higher class equipment, then choose a a streamer END DAC of equal quality.
It is hard to compare a streamer transport to a DAC in terms of "quality", let alone choosing equals. There is little information available on the quality of digital transports. Most streamers also have DACs and reviews refer mainly to the analog outputs. However, the digital transport parts are more controversial. Some people say it doesn't matter much, the DAC decides the sound quality. I have a dozen of digital sources, and all sound different as a digital transport, with all my DACs. So far, AFAIK there are no reliable comparisons for digital transports with measurements and consistent (across devices) listening tests. You are one of the few sources in this regard, and maybe this aspect (of "quality as a digital transport") could be emphasized in more details.
If you're for a streamer with a digital output, go for products like the Auralic Aries G1 (th-cam.com/video/juKqFso3nTw/w-d-xo.html) or the SOtM sMS-200 Ultra (th-cam.com/video/nCoFIdPLcUk/w-d-xo.html).
Yes - and it just came to me I had in mind to suggest also reviewing the Magna ULTRA mkIII Farad Music Streamer from the Netherlands :).
Review next month😁
Another impressive review. Hans is the best. Comparing products in different price tiers is so helpful.
🙏🏻
Great review, thank you.
Our pleasure!
Thank you, very informative.
👍🏼
First of all Hans we love your 100% commitment to your Weekly Shows. At the iEar Audioshow in Tilburg. The Vivid Audio Giya’s were demonstrated using this Arcam’s ST60 streamer and SA30 amplifier.
When comparing to most other systems on the show, the ‘free sound’ of Vivid clearly stood out! Although the €500.000 Focal/ Naim combination was pretty good too, but overly bright for my taste.
Hans, how close is the sound quality between the Arcam’s ST60 & Auralic Altair you reviewed last year? Considering the Arcam only got one switching PS and no shealding what so ever.
Hard to say for me since it's been quite some time since I reviewed the Altair. And my reference setup 1 was quite different then.
Hello Mr Hans, first of all I want to say that of all the hifi reviewers you are the one that I trust the most. I have decided to buy the ST60 at a discount and I have two questions, if you could answer.
1) Does it support DSD? (Can't find anything in the manual)
2) Do you think the ST60 is better than the Cambridge Audio CXN100?
Thanks in advance!
It doesn’t support Dolby Digital but if you choose the stereo track, you can play the sound over the Arcam.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thanks a lot!
Dank u wel meneer!
Graag gedaan.
That’s a nice piece of gear!
Pink Floyd is my favourite of all time. Thanks for the video
🍻
👍🏻
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Hans, you're full of surprises. I would have bet money that you were a Metallica guy.
nice
Thanks
Thank you you’re always honest and very good explanation
I appreciate that!
Thank you, Hans. I think, though, that I've become a victim of either too much equipment, or simple redudancy. Why, for instance, do I need both a Roon Nucleus and a Bluesound note 2i running on the same system? And...if you were to replace ONE of them with this unit (Arcam ST60), which would you replace? Or...replace both of them? Is the only point to be able to transmit the sound to my other room, as well, which is also hooked up to a Bluesound Node 2i? Does this unit "play" with the Node 2i, so it could be my primary streamer in my audio room AND send the signal to the Bluesound in the other room, too?
I just think I'm getting it all wrong....
I would upgrade the Node with the Arcam and keep the Nucleus.
Thank you for the review. what v app are you using for the setup on your tablet?
I don’t remember. But I always use the official app mentioned in the manual
Great video. How do you think it would compare to the Hifi Rose RS250 which has the same DAC chip if I’m not wrong.. thanks!
I can't get a review sample of the Hifi Rose so I really can't say. But it better be good to beat the Arcam.
I'm intrigued by the HifiRose 250 as well... similar price points. the screen is greatly impressive on the Rose and the reviews are pretty solid. Another option is cocktail audio and they make X50Pro/D and X45. Lumin D2, Auralic Altair G1, Aurender, and anitpodes also make decent devices in this price range. Finally at the budget end there is the ifi neo stream.
Hello Hans, I am new to your channel as I have been listening to music all analogue until now. But I am also very interested in digital stuff so I learned a lot from your videos so far. Thank you!
I have two and a half questions ;-)
1) The Arcam ST60 has an "USB Audio" port on the back. Can I connect my Mac Studio directly to the Arcam via this port to listen to music stored on the Mac? You did not mention the port and I could not find binding information on it.
2) For a budget of 2500 - 3000 EUR would you buy a streamer with integrated DAC or would you prefer two individual devices? As of today what device(s) would be your personal choice?
(In the case of individual units, I would currently lean towards the ATOLL DAC 300 for the DAC...)
Thanks for any help and best wishes from Germany,
Chris
1) The USB Audio port is labeled incorrectly. You can't connect a computer (any computer) to it. It's for service purposes only.
2) please watch my reviews, I spend about 15 minutes explaining the devices. Bringing that back to a yes or no is not why I try to explain it all so extensively. You can form your own opinion based on my reviews and those by others.
Hello Hans, Thank you for all of the reviews and educational videos. I am considering building a system based on using a seperate Network Bridge and a DAC. Am I correct to assume this combination should give better sound than an equivalently priced one box streamer/DAC ? Could I ask you consider making a video about how to distribute a budget to build a system comprising a Network Bridge + DAC + Power Supply and sensible cables, assuming it is a meaningful question. My budget would be 1500-2500 euros, would that work for a bridge + dac system ? Thanks Again for the reviews, John.
The one is not better over the other.If you spend the same money and choose wisely.
I just ordered the st60 to go with my avr10. I hope it all comes together well. My digital experience has been poor so far.
Enjoy the music.
How did it go? But the AVR10 in direct?
Good solid review. I have a Parasound Hint 6, B&W 805D3s, Rel T7x pair, Oppo DVD & Parasound Jc Junior. How would you compare the ST60 vs using a minidsp SHD as a preamp and use it as a streamer? Thanks
I think I would prefer the Arcam if no room correction was needed.
I am going to need some room correction, but I could get the Flex Series and still use my Arcam streamer. Thanks for the reply. I have not hear Dirac live and I hear the multi sub optimizer is effective with it.
Hans, have you reviewed the RME ADI-2 DAC FS ? I can't remember !
In TH-cam search for Beekhuyzen RMA and you know the answer. That's what I have to do too.
Hi,
Is it worth to change from Argon Solo to St60 regarding sound quality (not streaming functionalities)?
What is your opinion as you had a chance to review both devices?
I gave my opinion on both products in my reviews.
How ist the Soundquality compare to a NAD 658? They have nearly the same funktionions, even as preamp I think.
Thank you very much for your great work!
You find the review of the NAD here: th-cam.com/video/c04EJODliww/w-d-xo.html
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel yes this was a great review too! That convinced me to buy it!!! Its a dam good peace of tech, and your review was 100% matching with my experience! I just was to know is the new Arcam better? Or how are the differerences?
Sorry for my bad english
Another great review
Does anyone have any idea how the streamer within the Arcam cds50 sound's compared yo the st60?
Thanks
I don’t. Sorry.
Muchas gracias por su vídeo… y por supuesto su canal.. me ayudan mucho a entender y descubrir cosas nuevas. Me gusta mucho este streamer y también me gusta ARCAM. Tengo un reproductor/streamer SACD CDS50 de Arcam. Y uso más el Dac del streamer de Arcam que el de mi NAD M10. El único problema que tengo es que tengo archivos DSD Y DSF digitales comprados en tienda y ni el MAD M10, ni el CDS50 me reproducen DSD ni DSF. No se como solucionarlo. Un Dac externo? Ningún Dac superará al de el reproductor CDS50 de Arcam. En cambio el Arcam st60 recibió una actualización hace poco que si reproduce DSD 128… por eso me planteo la compra ya que tiene el mismo Dac que mi reproductor CDS50 ARCAM y estoy enamorado. Como lo ve usted? Gracias por su tiempo!!
Lo siento, pero no doy consejos personales. Simplemente no tengo tiempo para eso.
What file formats it plays?
All common formats used today.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thank you
Does this streamer have Spotify on any way?
ou can run Spotify on your phone and relay it to the Arcam over Chromecast or Airplay.
Well done video, as always.
Thank you! Cheers!
Thanks!
Thank you!