Just Got My New Arcam A65 Plus Integrated Amp

[A. Vivaldi]

<font color='#000000'>I traded in my NAD C-320 BEE for the Arcam Diva A65 Plus today. It's a British made, 40 watt 2-channel integrated amp (599.99) It's a definite improvement over the NAD. Transparency was better. Piano and harpsichord notes sounded crisp and clear. I was able to not only hear them but feel them also. The low end seemed really pronounced, but not in a loud way. I was clearly able to hear cellos and double bass more than I could before. The highs were smooth and not overly bright as with the NAD, but this may have been do to my PSB Image speakers. I haven't played any rock on it yet, but I'd say this is a great amp for Jazz and Classical. It also has a good phono stage for those of us who still dabble in LPs. This is one of those amps that makes you want to keep listening! I plan on bi-wiring it with a Arcam power amp in the future after a speaker upgrade, but for now I'm going to concentrate on getting a matching CD-73 player and Rega P2 turntable. Before the years over, I will enter into some really great sound, and exit my audio dark ages.  

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[EdR]

<font color='#000000'>I really like Arcam and seriously was looking at the FMJ 32 for my new Thiel's (your unit's big brother). &nbsp;I've noticed in the past that when comparing Arcam vs Nad directly that the Arcam really opened up the sound stage, and in fact, when I did it, I had to walk over to the surround speakers that were set up to assure myself that they weren't playing, as it sounded like they were. &nbsp;Have you noticed this effect.

This was with the AVR 200 receiver, which I understand is a very similar amp section to yours. &nbsp;BTW- I did not notice this effect with the FMJ, though it sounded very good through Sonus Faber Cremona's.

I did decide to go with the Copland Hybrid integrated CSA29 as I'm very interested in the blend of tubes and solid state, and my understanding is that they do it well.</font>

 

[A. Vivaldi]

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EdR : I really like Arcam and seriously was looking at the FMJ 32 for my new Thiel's (your unit's big brother).  I've noticed in the past that when comparing Arcam vs Nad directly that the Arcam really opened up the sound stage, and in fact, when I did it, I had to walk over to the surround speakers that were set up to assure myself that they weren't playing, as it sounded like they were.  Have you noticed this effect.

This was with the AVR 200 receiver, which I understand is a very similar amp section to yours.  BTW- I did not notice this effect with the FMJ, though it sounded very good through Sonus Faber Cremona's.

I did decide to go with the Copland Hybrid integrated CSA29 as I'm very interested in the blend of tubes and solid state, and my understanding is that they do it well.

You obviously got some serious hardware there... I didn't get a chance to hear the FMJ line as my dealer only had the Diva stuff set up. The difference in sound quality was certainly better then my NAD, but it wasn't mind blowing or anything. After all, the A65 plus is Arcams entry level amp, and my PSB Images, as good as they are, probably don't come close to the likes of the Sonus Faber Cremonas! With a speaker upgrade in the future, I'm sure my Arcam will really start to sing. I've read the articles here about bi-amping and they suggested that the best set up would be to have a tube amp for the highs and mids, and a solid state amp for the lows, where tubes are generally lacking. Unfortunatly for me, I can't afford tube amps so It dosen't matter anyway. I'm curious to know what sonic benifets a tube/solidstate hybrid amp might have though. That's interesting. I've been looking for some great bookshelf speakers that would be good for classical music. I've heard the Ruark Epilogues. They sounded nice but would require a sub woofer as they were pretty small. Some others I've been reading about are Paradigm Studio Monitors, Spendors, Dynaudios, PSB Platinums, Pro Ac Tablettes (I thought I read some negative things about Pro Ac on this web site, Thanks for the info guys). I'd like to have an all British system if possible but Canada (Paradigm, PSB) would be close enough! What are your suggestions? I ask you because you seem to be serious about sound. Are your Thiels bookshelfs or floor standers? I don't know anything about Thiel.</font>

 

[EdR]

<font color='#000000'>HI,

The Thiel's are floor standers, about 80 lbs each. &nbsp;For really good bookshelves, you might check out Axiom- I had been considering the M60's and ordered a pair of the M2i's just to see what the build, sound, and finish were like. &nbsp;I was amazed for about $250. &nbsp;*Extremely* clean sound, pin point on soundstaging, and excellent build quality. &nbsp;The limitations of these are that they only go down to about 70 hz so you've got to have a decent sub to fill in the bottom. &nbsp;Don't let the low price fool you. &nbsp;With their return policy, you only are risking one way shipping.

If you have access to Hi-Fi News, (http://www.hifinews.co.uk/content/this_two.html)

The current issue has a very good review of the Copland CSA29, which is what piqued my interest. &nbsp;They go into a lot of detail about the tube/solid advantages, but their bottom line is that this particular amp seems to play up the strengths of both type, while minimizing the weaknesses. &nbsp;That is, the warmth, detail, and musicality of the tubes, with the bass and transient attack of the solid state. &nbsp;Like I said, interesting enough to check it out.</font>