Arcam A80

[gus6464]

I just received my Arcam A80 in the mail and after some initial listening I must say I am pretty disappointed. I can't tell a difference sonically between it and my old Sony AVR. The only thing that's better is the phono stage which is better than the Rolls Bellari vp129, but that's not even the Sony's fault. So in the end I just paid almost $300 for a better phono preamp (considering I can sell the Rolls for $200). I must say that I now believe that the belief that high end electronics are better is just a crock.

 

[adk highlander]

Hmm that really stinks. Did you get it used or can you return it. I just googled it because I am not familiar with the Arcam line and if you only paid 300 that seems like a good deal but if you can't tell the difference than I guess it is not. Well at least you really like you new Dali's

 

[gus6464]

Hmm that really stinks. Did you get it used or can you return it. I just googled it because I am not familiar with the Arcam line and if you only paid 300 that seems like a good deal but if you can't tell the difference than I guess it is not. Well at least you really like you new Dali's

Well technically I paid $470 shipped for the Arcam and it was used. But considering I can sell the Rolls tube phono preamp for $200 that's where I got the $300 from. The Dali's are awesome though

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I just received my Arcam A80 in the mail and after some initial listening I must say I am pretty disappointed. I can't tell a difference sonically between it and my old Sony AVR.

First, that's too bad. Sorry to hear that.

Second, that sort of confirms the belief by some that most amps and preamps sound the same regardless of price as long as they have low distortion, low output impedance, linear response, sufficient power, and sufficient channel separation.

Sony, huh?

That's a blow.

 

[gus6464]

First, that's too bad. Sorry to hear that.

Second, that sort of confirms the belief by some that most amps and preamps sound the same regardless of price as long as they have low distortion, low output impedance, linear response, sufficient power, and sufficient channel separation.

Sony, huh?

That's a blow.

I figured this was going to happen since the Dali's are fairly efficient at 89dB @ 8ohms so it's not like either amp is trying hard to power them. I am guessing there might be a difference with the Epos since they are a slightly harder load but that doesn't even matter any more. The funny thing is the smaller Arcam is heavier than the Sony but that hasn't mattered one single bit.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I figured this was going to happen since the Dali's are fairly efficient at 89dB @ 8ohms so it's not like either amp is trying hard to power them. I am guessing there might be a difference with the Epos since they are a slightly harder load but that doesn't even matter any more. The funny thing is the smaller Arcam is heavier than the Sony but that hasn't mattered one single bit.

I think the biggest difference with high-end vs lower-end components will be build quality. The Arcam may last 10-20 years, but the Sony will probably not.

 

[trnqk7]

I would imagine also, that if pushed towards operational limits, the Arcam might hold out for a long time and hold up better before it meets the so-called "wall". That is disappointing though that you couldn't tell a difference. I never figured there should be much, but I guessed there would be some at least.

 

[gus6464]

I think the biggest difference with high-end vs lower-end components will be build quality. The Arcam may last 10-20 years, but the Sony will probably not.

The Sony AVR is 7 years old and still working like when I first got it.

 

[gus6464]

Ohh yeah and my wife says the Arcam is freaking ugly.