Nice review. I've had the A5 for over a week. My source is a wiim pro plus streamer, an old Marantz CD transport connected to a schiit modi 3 DAC. B&W 606 S2 Anniversary speakers. I'm not a reviewer or an audiophile, but my ears like the amp. To me it's warm and detailed.
Yeah as I said at one point in the video I think the amp has a pleasant sound but maybe I should have tempered my expectations a bit, but ultimately I just found it sort of vanilla sounding. One of the other commenters on here talks about his Rega.io and I've had one and they're roughly the same price and it is a far better amp. More colorful and more nuanced and better life and vibrancy to the music. I mentioned ice cream in the review and the difference between the two amps is the A5 is just plain vanilla ice cream, whereas the io is rainbow unicorn flavor with gummy bears and sprinkles and then chocolate drizzle on top of that. I guess at the end of the day we all listen for different things and we all want different things out of our music and the equipment that creates it, that's why at the end of the video I talked about and sort of came to the conclusion that while it is a pleasant amp it's just not for me.
I totally understand where you're coming from. I retuned the Rotel A11 Tribune because I didn't think it had enough features and I didn't care for the sound, but audiophiles think highly of it. Have you auditioned the Cambridge Audio ARX100? I'm curious what you think about it. Thanks@@Audiorevue
@@cli6389-p4k no I haven't heard the AXR100 although I have heard it's predecessor the SR20 and I thought it sounded great, although the newer Cambridge audio line as I understand, they change the sound a bit. From what I've read and everything they've went to more of a warmer sound whereas the older SR20 was a bit more kind of neutral sounding, but I liked it a lot. The only problem I have with Cambridge audio is build quality, I've had quite a few of their products over the last few years and I know the last couple items I had I ended up getting nervous opening the box hoping it would function correctly. That doesn't mean you won't have a great experience, I'm just sharing mine. Although like I said the sound quality is good. Tell you what I would try is the CXA 61 from Cambridge Audio, it's on a fantastic deal right now and the only real limitation to it is it lacks a built-in phono stage but other than that, it's got Bluetooth, digital inputs, two sets of speaker outs plus it's an upgrade over the AXR series sound quality wise. Actually on my older TH-cam channel I reviewed its predecessor the CXA 60 and I remember liking it for the most part
Thanks for the feedback. I wasn't aware that Cambridge's built quality was questionable. I was actually looking at the CXA-61. phono in is not a deal breaker at the moment. I like having at least 2 digital coax and a pre and/or sub out. I'll check out some reviews. I tend to like warmer amps over neutral though. @@Audiorevue
Some months ago I bought the Arcam SA 20 integrated class G amp on a blowout sale and was not impressed. What I discovered was their internal DAC is what I was hearing and not the amplifier. I ended up using a external Schiit Modi Multibit and the thing came alive! Lesson learned is don't judge a amplifier by it's internal DAC. Also break-in can make a notable difference!
Oh yeah no question, and I don't. I had this thing hooked up to multiple different components using both its analog and digital inputs and still got the same sort of vanilla lifeless sound. Of course I tried different speakers as well and by the time I was through with it I must have had over 100 hours on it and again still had the same vanilla sound. As I said at the end of the video, I can understand how some people would perhaps love the sound but as I also said I I enjoy myself with a bit more color and a bit more eccentricity to it, at least more so than the arcam provides.
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@@Audiorevue I know that audio preferences are subjective, but I'm scratching my head... I used to own a Yahama a-s700, I felt that the sound was a bit "sterile", more so with their "direct audio" function. I was considering Cambridge Audio but I'm weary of the reliability of them, I've read about people having failures within the first 12 months which isn't very appealing to me, considering that I'll be using whatever I buy, near daily and I'd expect it not to cr@p itself for at least a few years. I considered Creek as well. What would you choose for around the $1500 AUD mark if it were your hard earned? I also considered NAD. I heard the 320BEE back in the 90's and I enjoyed the warm sound signature, even if it was a little too pronounced in that amp, if this helps. I won't hold you accountable if I buy an amp and aren't happy with the sound lol. As the above commenter has said, would purchasing a dedicated DAC make this amp sing? I'm starting to wonder if amp manufacturers are making their amps sound vanilla intentionally, so people then have to fork out for a dedicated DAC as well.
Yours is still the only decent review of this amplifier, however I took the plunge and picked up an open box item. I agree it looks fantastic, also to me it sounds superb, it runs my Dali Menuet speakers with ease. I had an Arcam SA20 before this, and to me this is an upgrade. Thanks though for your reveiw
I ordered my Aracam a5 with B&W 606 S3 about 2 hours ago as a bundle for £1250. Would you recommend I cancel and find a better amp at a later date? Really unfortunate as I had high hopes for this amp. Great review and very helpful.
No I wouldn't, I would advise you to try it out for yourself. I mean seeing is how you're in the UK return policies there are considerably more liberal than in America and so you'll have no problem returning it should you not like it. Like I said, my advice to you would be to simply try it out and see what you think. Because as I said towards the end of the video while I didn't necessarily care for the sound, that doesn't mean other people wouldn't.
Yeah and at the end of the day, as I also said in the video, the A5 is a very easy listening device,It doesn't do that much wrong, not really. I think that and I've been in this for a while, but I think that I just prefer my gear with personality and with a bit more flavor then the a5 provided. It's a very well built fairly decent sounding integrated amplifier that I can see would appeal to tons of different people. So just go for it, plus with The Bowers and Wilkins, that might go a long ways towards alleviating some of the shortcomings that I described.
@@Audiorevue my amp arrived yesterday and I currently really enjoy it, but then again I haven’t heard any others to compare it to. Thanks for your help.
I’ve been listening to mine since yesterday, and don’t hear said lack of top end extension, nor muffled midrange……, but then I’m using either pure silver or sterling silver IC’s, in tandem with a pair of Neat Acoustics Ministra speakers, which have true ribbon tweeters, there are times where one needs to consider their cabling loom, as well as rethink ( or readjust their logic ) on how to listen, as well as know what they’re listening for?, and to?, before writing something off….., just a thought, and I’m comparing it alongside both a Heed Audio Obelisk Si MK lll ( $2000 ) | Naim Audio Nait XS-3 ( $4000 ) whereas their top end detail offers a better sense of air | sparkle | presence, yet the A5 to my ends in said system isn’t annoying in the least.
Sorry to take so long to respond but you know we all listen for different things right? We all listen To music for different reasons and for different outcomes, and our equipment that we choose often reproduces that music congruently with what we want to get out of it. Truly the A5 didn't do it for me. You know I don't know I think equipment shouldn't have to be modified to be acceptable. You know imagine going out and buying a new car and just to make that car drivable and easy to live with you have to go spend thousands and thousands of dollars on a steering column and a new set of wheels and tires and new brakes and an engine overhaul just To make that car even remotely usable, would that make sense? Also I don't feel it necessary to have to modify my hearing or as you said what I'm listening for to enjoy a product. To use another analogy if I go try on a pair of shoes and they simply don't fit my feet correctly then I'm not going to buy them. I'm not going to go out of my way to try to modify the shoes or buy special insoles or anything or change my thinking about how shoes should fit just to make wearing these shoes acceptable, that's ridiculous. As I said to another reviewer you know just because I didn't like it doesn't mean somebody else wouldn't. And also as I said at the end of the video it does have a very pleasant sound but also it doesn't really do anything spectacular either. I did enjoy the build quality and I certainly enjoyed the styling of the amplifier but honestly not much else. Thanks for watching and enjoy
I did an AB comparison between the A5 and the audiolab 6000a, and I have to say that I still like the Arcam better. Even my wife liked the sound of the Arcam better and she has to clue about Amps. Maybe I’m clueless too. Most of the professional reviews that have seen have been positive. I guess this stuff is subjective.
I agree, at least about the subjectivity part. All of us hear differently all of us also want different things out of our music and the equipment that reproduces that music. None of this is new of course because I basically said it towards the end of the video. Bear in mind I mentioned that the amplifier had a very pleasant sound, however I also mentioned that having the amplifier made me realize that I want personality out of my equipment and ultimately out of my music, They arcam a5 just does not provide that. However the stability and apparent reliability of the sound quality that it does have is something that I think could appeal to a lot of people, it just works and there's no idiosyncratic abnormalities to have to contend with or put up with. I appreciate the comment and thanks for watching the video and enjoy your A5
I appreciate the mention 👍, my review version would go something like this, nicely built unit with tons of features and hook up options, although the menu system sucks and is one of the design flaws, my unit has over 200 hours of burn in before I started listening to it btw , from a audiophile perspective and only using the built in phono stage and accessing the amp on its pre amp and class AB design, I will have to say this amp is no way shape or form for a experienced audiophile or even a music lover , this amp lacks depth, soundstage width, and a overall musicality that is associated with sitting down and just letting the music transport you into venue that’s being played, the worst thing about this amp is it has no Prat (pace , rhythm and timing) the whole presentation is just their without anything particularly sticking out, unto to phono stage simply put it’s just a afterthought and the cheapest Pyle phono stage that you mentioned is better , remedy is to use an outboard phono stage in one of the many inputs to fix vinyl issues which I did to see how the pre amp /amp handled it and it did just fine I used 2 different ones for evaluation… bellari vp-29 and a ifi zen air phono , both actually sounded very good so I didn’t bother trying out other phono stages I have on hand … Rega, black cube one thing I will also add is this amp will improve with interconnects swap outs in the pre amp stage …. I got good results with analysis plus oval one interconnects as well as acoustic zen wow which are like $250 a pair but the amp section opened up and there was actually a soundstage with some depth and layering , highs also improved and the amp became more transparent and balanced, overall this amp is for someone who wants a one box solution and is not a critical listener, arcams own Sa-10 albeit slightly more expensive is a way better amp and sounds good 👍
Good honest review, it sounds very disappointing compared to the previous SA10 which I own and has a neutral sound, it will depend on speakers and source to flavour the sound. With my newer Arcam CDS50 SACD network player with Fyne Audio F303 floorstanders it sounds very revealing with clarity. With previous Wharfdale Denton 80th Anniversary bookshelf speakers and CDS27 SACD network player it had a bigger soundstage, sounding lush and warmer but still plenty of clarity albeit without the attack of the lower bass using the Fyne F303 floorstanders. Very disappointing considering the SA10 and A19 performance.Your review makes it sound like the Arcam A18 which I owned. I'd need to hear the A5 for myself though.
Interesting, I replaced the A18 with the SA10 and that difference sounds about the same as what you and the reviewer discovered. Thd SA10 also has the extensive backlit remote (same supplied with Arcam CDS50) so has buttons for one press switching without scrolling through menus. I never have to physically touch the SA10. All that said it has an intermittent fault with the left channel and Arcam said they couldn't find any fault as I sent it into repair under guarantee, looks like a faulty relay so I'll probably have to fix it myself.
@@nocturnal1970 Yeah it was quite disappointed myself, I've owned a Delta series integrated as well as four different alpha series pieces and I've listened to the diva, but I don't know this just sounds like a step back to me. I hate to say that because usability and just functionality wise in my opinion it works pretty good from that perspective, but of course as hi-fi enthusiast we're not sitting around just turning volume knobs are we.
@@nocturnal1970 99% of my listening is through vinyl with a MC cartridge 2.5 millivolt output, I think Arcam took a different approach on the A5 and probably with the other higher power output amps as well, they focused on the digital interface of the unit instead of the power amp section and they did it at a $699 target price, the SA 10 is on the neutral side of things but still is musical without being analytical , like I mentioned changing the interconnects definitely improves overall performance, speaker cable changes will also improve bass performance and width , depth but I’m also thinking anyone who buys this amp won’t be experimenting with all that fuss and muss ?! Definitely audition this amp in own system before buying it 😉, I can tell you the Rega I/O which I used as a comparison amp and my personal bedroom amp is not going anywhere for a very long while! 😂
@@Audiorevue nothing to be disappointed about, companies have to change their house sound in order to attract new customers and they have to do it at a target price to compete with other brands , unfortunately other less expensive brands are much better than this particular product, hopefully the audio reviews will help Arcam to redesign the amps circuit and make it better 🤷♂️👍
Arcam does make nice products, and as I said in the video I've had products from the alpha series and the Delta series and I've listened although not owned products from the diva series and The prior generation SA series. All of these products over the years I feel offered great sound quality, build quality and very nice reasonable bang for buck, however the new radia series including the A5 just don't meet the same watermark to me. As I also said at the end of the video and it's something I truly stand by, just because I didn't like it and it didn't do it for me, doesn't mean that The sound quality of the A5 wouldn't appeal do somebody else. As I also said build quality is fantastic and with the exception of the confusing menus, usability and this sense of rock steady stability of the amplifier was absolutely phenomenal. Anyway thank you for watching and I appreciate your comment.
Your review is confusing. Could you please clarify: you noted that the Bluetooth is really good, but in the end, you didn't like the output of this amp? So how could you tell if the Bluetooth works well enough? Did you use optical cable inputs? Did you use analog inputs to further test the performance? Did you use external CD player for example, and what type of loudspeakers were you driving with this amplifier? All that crucial information is missing. Thank you.
Well you know for a long time a lot of my reviews have been very complicated. I would go through very long-winded preambles and mention every single thing you know And it just made made it too complicated and two verbose. So over the past couple of months I decided to really streamline my reviews and just talk about the things that I liked about a product and what I didn't like about a product, and of course that's what I did when this review.. Yes I did use the optical, I used it for my TV out into the amp and it worked fine. Of course I use the analog obviously, I didn't really notice a huge difference in sound quality between the analog and digital inputs. Of course I mentioned the phono stage which as I said I thought was kind of ho-hum and mediocre at best. And yes I did use a CD player sort of, I used a Sony DVD player and used its coaxial out running into the amp. I also used my NAD c538 CD player with both its analog and coaxial outputs. While I had this amp I used a pair of vintage kef c35 loudspeakers And also a pair of mission lx2 Mark II and also a pair of Klipsch rp600 m bookshelf speakers. And as I said I tried to come at the review from the perspective of a pro and con which I directly say in the video. You know you can ultimately not like a product but like some of its features, kind of like you can go to KFC and say I didn't really like the chicken but the mashed potatoes were pretty good, that kind of thing. Anyway I hope this answers your questions and thanks for watching
Unfortunately watched this review same day my A5 was delivered and was hoping I wouldn't be disappointed. Well everything mentioned in this review is correct. Sound is flat and fatiguing with absolutely zero mid range clarity or detail. The 15 year old Onkyo AV unit I had hooked up to break in new speakers and cables prior to buying new amp sounded way better. Not sure what What Hifi reviewer was listening to. Going to return stat and upgrade to Rega Brio. What a shame such a nice looking feature packed unit however they forgot to make it sound good.
I just want to stay for the record that I'm glad you heard what I heard but it might not apply to everybody okay, some people might like it. And like I said at the end of the video it is kind of a pleasant sounding in the sense of it's not offensive. Totally get the brio though, you will not regret it
Agreed the sound may work for some but if Arcam is trying to entice younger generation to hifi...this amp may do the direct opposite. Maybe with more time sound may improve but as you said month later and same wet blanket mid range. Really had high hopes..oh well.
Well you know I hate to disparage others especially in the context of something so subjective you know what I mean. But yeah and a lot of ways the Sony to me and my personal taste sounded better, I think I mentioned though what speakers I used but I'm happy to say it again. Mission LX2 Mark 2 bookshelf Sony core series bookshelf loudspeakers Dali Oberon 3 bookshelf speakers Elac debut 2.0 6.2 bookshelf speakers
No that's a good question, I think I forgot to include that bit of information, yeah there are no tone controls. But don't worry just one more reason not to choose this particular amplifier
Well if you don't like the way I review then don't watch my videos. I review the way I review, people like the way I review.. At the end of the day if you don't then I think you know what I could say
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Your reviews have gotten better and better. Your overview seems honest as well as complete.
Thanks for the honest review. I think it is helps more than just saying good things.
Glad it was helpful!
Nice review. I've had the A5 for over a week. My source is a wiim pro plus streamer, an old Marantz CD transport connected to a schiit modi 3 DAC. B&W 606 S2 Anniversary speakers. I'm not a reviewer or an audiophile, but my ears like the amp. To me it's warm and detailed.
Yeah as I said at one point in the video I think the amp has a pleasant sound but maybe I should have tempered my expectations a bit, but ultimately I just found it sort of vanilla sounding.
One of the other commenters on here talks about his Rega.io and I've had one and they're roughly the same price and it is a far better amp.
More colorful and more nuanced and better life and vibrancy to the music.
I mentioned ice cream in the review and the difference between the two amps is the A5 is just plain vanilla ice cream, whereas the io is rainbow unicorn flavor with gummy bears and sprinkles and then chocolate drizzle on top of that.
I guess at the end of the day we all listen for different things and we all want different things out of our music and the equipment that creates it, that's why at the end of the video I talked about and sort of came to the conclusion that while it is a pleasant amp it's just not for me.
I totally understand where you're coming from. I retuned the Rotel A11 Tribune because I didn't think it had enough features and I didn't care for the sound, but audiophiles think highly of it. Have you auditioned the Cambridge Audio ARX100? I'm curious what you think about it. Thanks@@Audiorevue
@@cli6389-p4k no I haven't heard the AXR100 although I have heard it's predecessor the SR20 and I thought it sounded great, although the newer Cambridge audio line as I understand, they change the sound a bit. From what I've read and everything they've went to more of a warmer sound whereas the older SR20 was a bit more kind of neutral sounding, but I liked it a lot.
The only problem I have with Cambridge audio is build quality, I've had quite a few of their products over the last few years and I know the last couple items I had I ended up getting nervous opening the box hoping it would function correctly.
That doesn't mean you won't have a great experience, I'm just sharing mine. Although like I said the sound quality is good.
Tell you what I would try is the CXA 61 from Cambridge Audio, it's on a fantastic deal right now and the only real limitation to it is it lacks a built-in phono stage but other than that, it's got Bluetooth, digital inputs, two sets of speaker outs plus it's an upgrade over the AXR series sound quality wise.
Actually on my older TH-cam channel I reviewed its predecessor the CXA 60 and I remember liking it for the most part
Thanks for the feedback. I wasn't aware that Cambridge's built quality was questionable. I was actually looking at the CXA-61. phono in is not a deal breaker at the moment. I like having at least 2 digital coax and a pre and/or sub out. I'll check out some reviews. I tend to like warmer amps over neutral though. @@Audiorevue
I really like design of this new version Arcam amp. I guess it's a safe sounding amp that could temper the output of characterful speakers.
Some months ago I bought the Arcam SA 20 integrated class G amp on a blowout sale and was not impressed. What I discovered was their internal DAC is what I was hearing and not the amplifier. I ended up using a external Schiit Modi Multibit and the thing came alive! Lesson learned is don't judge a amplifier by it's internal DAC. Also break-in can make a notable difference!
Oh yeah no question, and I don't. I had this thing hooked up to multiple different components using both its analog and digital inputs and still got the same sort of vanilla lifeless sound. Of course I tried different speakers as well and by the time I was through with it I must have had over 100 hours on it and again still had the same vanilla sound.
As I said at the end of the video, I can understand how some people would perhaps love the sound but as I also said I I enjoy myself with a bit more color and a bit more eccentricity to it, at least more so than the arcam provides.
@@Audiorevue I know that audio preferences are subjective, but I'm scratching my head... I used to own a Yahama a-s700, I felt that the sound was a bit "sterile", more so with their "direct audio" function. I was considering Cambridge Audio but I'm weary of the reliability of them, I've read about people having failures within the first 12 months which isn't very appealing to me, considering that I'll be using whatever I buy, near daily and I'd expect it not to cr@p itself for at least a few years. I considered Creek as well.
What would you choose for around the $1500 AUD mark if it were your hard earned? I also considered NAD. I heard the 320BEE back in the 90's and I enjoyed the warm sound signature, even if it was a little too pronounced in that amp, if this helps. I won't hold you accountable if I buy an amp and aren't happy with the sound lol. As the above commenter has said, would purchasing a dedicated DAC make this amp sing? I'm starting to wonder if amp manufacturers are making their amps sound vanilla intentionally, so people then have to fork out for a dedicated DAC as well.
Yours is still the only decent review of this amplifier, however I took the plunge and picked up an open box item. I agree it looks fantastic, also to me it sounds superb, it runs my Dali Menuet speakers with ease. I had an Arcam SA20 before this, and to me this is an upgrade. Thanks though for your reveiw
Well like I told several other people in this comment section, just because I didn't like it doesn't mean you won't. Anyway glad you enjoy it
Don’t k ow if this is the same as the A15 but mine is very thin from cold. Give it 30 mins or so and it comes alive. Mine is partnered with AE509s
Thanks for the review.
I ordered my Aracam a5 with B&W 606 S3 about 2 hours ago as a bundle for £1250. Would you recommend I cancel and find a better amp at a later date? Really unfortunate as I had high hopes for this amp. Great review and very helpful.
No I wouldn't, I would advise you to try it out for yourself. I mean seeing is how you're in the UK return policies there are considerably more liberal than in America and so you'll have no problem returning it should you not like it.
Like I said, my advice to you would be to simply try it out and see what you think. Because as I said towards the end of the video while I didn't necessarily care for the sound, that doesn't mean other people wouldn't.
@@Audiorevue thanks, I will update you on my thoughts, this is my first time with any hifi so I’m not sure what I’m looking for but thanks anyway.
Yeah and at the end of the day, as I also said in the video, the A5 is a very easy listening device,It doesn't do that much wrong, not really.
I think that and I've been in this for a while, but I think that I just prefer my gear with personality and with a bit more flavor then the a5 provided.
It's a very well built fairly decent sounding integrated amplifier that I can see would appeal to tons of different people.
So just go for it, plus with The Bowers and Wilkins, that might go a long ways towards alleviating some of the shortcomings that I described.
@@Audiorevue my amp arrived yesterday and I currently really enjoy it, but then again I haven’t heard any others to compare it to. Thanks for your help.
I’ve been listening to mine since yesterday, and don’t hear said lack of top end extension, nor muffled midrange……, but then I’m using either pure silver or sterling silver IC’s, in tandem with a pair of Neat Acoustics Ministra speakers, which have true ribbon tweeters, there are times where one needs to consider their cabling loom, as well as rethink ( or readjust their logic ) on how to listen, as well as know what they’re listening for?, and to?, before writing something off….., just a thought, and I’m comparing it alongside both a Heed Audio Obelisk Si MK lll ( $2000 ) | Naim Audio Nait XS-3 ( $4000 ) whereas their top end detail offers a better sense of air | sparkle | presence, yet the A5 to my ends in said system isn’t annoying in the least.
Sorry to take so long to respond but you know we all listen for different things right? We all listen To music for different reasons and for different outcomes, and our equipment that we choose often reproduces that music congruently with what we want to get out of it. Truly the A5 didn't do it for me.
You know I don't know I think equipment shouldn't have to be modified to be acceptable. You know imagine going out and buying a new car and just to make that car drivable and easy to live with you have to go spend thousands and thousands of dollars on a steering column and a new set of wheels and tires and new brakes and an engine overhaul just To make that car even remotely usable, would that make sense? Also I don't feel it necessary to have to modify my hearing or as you said what I'm listening for to enjoy a product. To use another analogy if I go try on a pair of shoes and they simply don't fit my feet correctly then I'm not going to buy them. I'm not going to go out of my way to try to modify the shoes or buy special insoles or anything or change my thinking about how shoes should fit just to make wearing these shoes acceptable, that's ridiculous.
As I said to another reviewer you know just because I didn't like it doesn't mean somebody else wouldn't. And also as I said at the end of the video it does have a very pleasant sound but also it doesn't really do anything spectacular either.
I did enjoy the build quality and I certainly enjoyed the styling of the amplifier but honestly not much else.
Thanks for watching and enjoy
Does it have tone controls? Bass and treble +/- ?
No it doesn't, it has a balance control like left to right but no tone.
@@Audiorevue well damn, that's a problem ... was just about ready to get the A25 lol
@@0M9H4X_Neckbeard yeah sorry about that unfortunately none of them have tone controls it looks like.
Hello, are the volume and input selector knobs plastic or metal? thank you
Their metal, although I mentioned that in the review
Pay attention to the review!
I did an AB comparison between the A5 and the audiolab 6000a, and I have to say that I still like the Arcam better. Even my wife liked the sound of the Arcam better and she has to clue about Amps. Maybe I’m clueless too. Most of the professional reviews that have seen have been positive. I guess this stuff is subjective.
I agree, at least about the subjectivity part. All of us hear differently all of us also want different things out of our music and the equipment that reproduces that music. None of this is new of course because I basically said it towards the end of the video.
Bear in mind I mentioned that the amplifier had a very pleasant sound, however I also mentioned that having the amplifier made me realize that I want personality out of my equipment and ultimately out of my music, They arcam a5 just does not provide that.
However the stability and apparent reliability of the sound quality that it does have is something that I think could appeal to a lot of people, it just works and there's no idiosyncratic abnormalities to have to contend with or put up with.
I appreciate the comment and thanks for watching the video and enjoy your A5
I appreciate the mention 👍, my review version would go something like this, nicely built unit with tons of features and hook up options, although the menu system sucks and is one of the design flaws, my unit has over 200 hours of burn in before I started listening to it btw , from a audiophile perspective and only using the built in phono stage and accessing the amp on its pre amp and class AB design, I will have to say this amp is no way shape or form for a experienced audiophile or even a music lover , this amp lacks depth, soundstage width, and a overall musicality that is associated with sitting down and just letting the music transport you into venue that’s being played, the worst thing about this amp is it has no Prat (pace , rhythm and timing) the whole presentation is just their without anything particularly sticking out, unto to phono stage simply put it’s just a afterthought and the cheapest Pyle phono stage that you mentioned is better , remedy is to use an outboard phono stage in one of the many inputs to fix vinyl issues which I did to see how the pre amp /amp handled it and it did just fine I used 2 different ones for evaluation… bellari vp-29 and a ifi zen air phono , both actually sounded very good so I didn’t bother trying out other phono stages I have on hand … Rega, black cube one thing I will also add is this amp will improve with interconnects swap outs in the pre amp stage …. I got good results with analysis plus oval one interconnects as well as acoustic zen wow which are like $250 a pair but the amp section opened up and there was actually a soundstage with some depth and layering , highs also improved and the amp became more transparent and balanced, overall this amp is for someone who wants a one box solution and is not a critical listener, arcams own Sa-10 albeit slightly more expensive is a way better amp and sounds good 👍
Good honest review, it sounds very disappointing compared to the previous SA10 which I own and has a neutral sound, it will depend on speakers and source to flavour the sound. With my newer Arcam CDS50 SACD network player with Fyne Audio F303 floorstanders it sounds very revealing with clarity. With previous Wharfdale Denton 80th Anniversary bookshelf speakers and CDS27 SACD network player it had a bigger soundstage, sounding lush and warmer but still plenty of clarity albeit without the attack of the lower bass using the Fyne F303 floorstanders.
Very disappointing considering the SA10 and A19 performance.Your review makes it sound like the Arcam A18 which I owned.
I'd need to hear the A5 for myself though.
Interesting, I replaced the A18 with the SA10 and that difference sounds about the same as what you and the reviewer discovered.
Thd SA10 also has the extensive backlit remote (same supplied with Arcam CDS50) so has buttons for one press switching without scrolling through menus. I never have to physically touch the SA10. All that said it has an intermittent fault with the left channel and Arcam said they couldn't find any fault as I sent it into repair under guarantee, looks like a faulty relay so I'll probably have to fix it myself.
@@nocturnal1970
Yeah it was quite disappointed myself, I've owned a Delta series integrated as well as four different alpha series pieces and I've listened to the diva, but I don't know this just sounds like a step back to me.
I hate to say that because usability and just functionality wise in my opinion it works pretty good from that perspective, but of course as hi-fi enthusiast we're not sitting around just turning volume knobs are we.
@@nocturnal1970 99% of my listening is through vinyl with a MC cartridge 2.5 millivolt output, I think Arcam took a different approach on the A5 and probably with the other higher power output amps as well, they focused on the digital interface of the unit instead of the power amp section and they did it at a $699 target price, the SA 10 is on the neutral side of things but still is musical without being analytical , like I mentioned changing the interconnects definitely improves overall performance, speaker cable changes will also improve bass performance and width , depth but I’m also thinking anyone who buys this amp won’t be experimenting with all that fuss and muss ?! Definitely audition this amp in own system before buying it 😉, I can tell you the Rega I/O which I used as a comparison amp and my personal bedroom amp is not going anywhere for a very long while! 😂
@@Audiorevue nothing to be disappointed about, companies have to change their house sound in order to attract new customers and they have to do it at a target price to compete with other brands , unfortunately other less expensive brands are much better than this particular product, hopefully the audio reviews will help Arcam to redesign the amps circuit and make it better 🤷♂️👍
Ive owned some arcam amps over the years, very good products. Arcam may have missed the mark here but i have not had a listen to the A5.
Arcam does make nice products, and as I said in the video I've had products from the alpha series and the Delta series and I've listened although not owned products from the diva series and The prior generation SA series. All of these products over the years I feel offered great sound quality, build quality and very nice reasonable bang for buck, however the new radia series including the A5 just don't meet the same watermark to me.
As I also said at the end of the video and it's something I truly stand by, just because I didn't like it and it didn't do it for me, doesn't mean that The sound quality of the A5 wouldn't appeal do somebody else.
As I also said build quality is fantastic and with the exception of the confusing menus, usability and this sense of rock steady stability of the amplifier was absolutely phenomenal.
Anyway thank you for watching and I appreciate your comment.
Your review is confusing. Could you please clarify: you noted that the Bluetooth is really good, but in the end, you didn't like the output of this amp? So how could you tell if the Bluetooth works well enough? Did you use optical cable inputs? Did you use analog inputs to further test the performance? Did you use external CD player for example, and what type of loudspeakers were you driving with this amplifier? All that crucial information is missing. Thank you.
Well you know for a long time a lot of my reviews have been very complicated. I would go through very long-winded preambles and mention every single thing you know And it just made made it too complicated and two verbose. So over the past couple of months I decided to really streamline my reviews and just talk about the things that I liked about a product and what I didn't like about a product, and of course that's what I did when this review..
Yes I did use the optical, I used it for my TV out into the amp and it worked fine. Of course I use the analog obviously, I didn't really notice a huge difference in sound quality between the analog and digital inputs. Of course I mentioned the phono stage which as I said I thought was kind of ho-hum and mediocre at best. And yes I did use a CD player sort of, I used a Sony DVD player and used its coaxial out running into the amp. I also used my NAD c538 CD player with both its analog and coaxial outputs.
While I had this amp I used a pair of vintage kef c35 loudspeakers And also a pair of mission lx2 Mark II and also a pair of Klipsch rp600 m bookshelf speakers.
And as I said I tried to come at the review from the perspective of a pro and con which I directly say in the video. You know you can ultimately not like a product but like some of its features, kind of like you can go to KFC and say I didn't really like the chicken but the mashed potatoes were pretty good, that kind of thing.
Anyway I hope this answers your questions and thanks for watching
Very nice unit, BUT i'm glad that I bought my SA10 2 years ago, the older units are a bit more beefy.... But these are very nice.
Thanks for sharing
Unfortunately watched this review same day my A5 was delivered and was hoping I wouldn't be disappointed. Well everything mentioned in this review is correct. Sound is flat and fatiguing with absolutely zero mid range clarity or detail. The 15 year old Onkyo AV unit I had hooked up to break in new speakers and cables prior to buying new amp sounded way better. Not sure what What Hifi reviewer was listening to. Going to return stat and upgrade to Rega Brio. What a shame such a nice looking feature packed unit however they forgot to make it sound good.
I just want to stay for the record that I'm glad you heard what I heard but it might not apply to everybody okay, some people might like it. And like I said at the end of the video it is kind of a pleasant sounding in the sense of it's not offensive.
Totally get the brio though, you will not regret it
Agreed the sound may work for some but if Arcam is trying to entice younger generation to hifi...this amp may do the direct opposite. Maybe with more time sound may improve but as you said month later and same wet blanket mid range. Really had high hopes..oh well.
Seriously, you need new ears if you can’t get mid range, or maybe you need new speakers 🙂
What hifi don't like midrange,they like bright, harsh sounding amps.
good yo know sony sounds better,,, which spkrs u used,,,also good to know as always,, these magazine reviewers got bought out,, once again
Well you know I hate to disparage others especially in the context of something so subjective you know what I mean.
But yeah and a lot of ways the Sony to me and my personal taste sounded better, I think I mentioned though what speakers I used but I'm happy to say it again.
Mission LX2 Mark 2 bookshelf
Sony core series bookshelf loudspeakers
Dali Oberon 3 bookshelf speakers
Elac debut 2.0 6.2 bookshelf speakers
No bass or treble controls, or am I being a dinosaur?
No that's a good question, I think I forgot to include that bit of information, yeah there are no tone controls. But don't worry just one more reason not to choose this particular amplifier
Review on a chair sure is a great way to promote a product. Wow 😂😂😂😂
Well if you don't like the way I review then don't watch my videos. I review the way I review, people like the way I review..
At the end of the day if you don't then I think you know what I could say