Best replacement for my old Arcam A60E amp?

[lliwedd]

My ageing A&R Cambridge A60E (bought in 1979 along with Celef Monitor speakers) is finally giving up the ghost and I need to replace it. Main source is an Arcam Alpha 8 CD player but I also need phono input for occasional vinyl (equally old Rega Planar 2 with RB200 (I think) and Linn Basik). Tuner is a Rotel RT-850 AL.

Hardly a top end system but each component was carefully chosen for the money and I still really like the sound (mainly listen to classical). I'm not particularly looking to upgrade and anyway funds are tight (currently saving for house extension) but I don't want to go backwards either.

Question is, what amp to get? I guess the obvious choice would be the Arcam A70, but:
a) what else might be worth auditioning around £500, and
b) would this be an appropriate price level to be looking at to get the best out of the Alpha 8 without going over the top?

Any advice would be very welcome since (as you can see) as it is a long time since I last bought hifi and I feel very out of touch!

Thanks

[karkus30]

Originally Posted by lliwedd

My ageing A&R Cambridge A60E (bought in 1979 along with Celef Monitor speakers) is finally giving up the ghost and I need to replace it. Main source is an Arcam Alpha 8 CD player but I also need phono input for occasional vinyl (equally old Rega Planar 2 with RB200 (I think) and Linn Basik). Tuner is a Rotel RT-850 AL.

Hardly a top end system but each component was carefully chosen for the money and I still really like the sound (mainly listen to classical). I'm not particularly looking to upgrade and anyway funds are tight (currently saving for house extension) but I don't want to go backwards either.

Question is, what amp to get? I guess the obvious choice would be the Arcam A70, but:
a) what else might be worth auditioning around £500, and
b) would this be an appropriate price level to be looking at to get the best out of the Alpha 8 without going over the top?

Any advice would be very welcome since (as you can see) as it is a long time since I last bought hifi and I feel very out of touch!

Thanks

Im not going to give you a list, but some advice based on my experience of replacing an A60 in an older system.

I was in a similar position to you, using A60, Mordant Short speakers, RD40 tt and first generation Arcam Alpha 5 CDP.

I changed the amp to a Naim Nait about 12 years ago, the result was that the system sounded awful. The problem is that modern amplifiers and older budget/mid priced speakers just dont gel unless your lucky. Older amps were warmer and lacked the detail and bass control of modern amplifiers, therefore the speakers were built to compensate and give a drier, snappier sound. Once you put a new amp with your speakers it is very likely that it will sound very bright and forced.

Although its not my usual recommendation, something like a Sugden A21 (An A class amplifier) would be worth a go or Musical Fidelity 3.5 integrated. Both these amplifiers have a less forceful sound that might work with an older set up. I dont know about the latest Arcams, but the generation I last heard had far more detail and drive than the older models and are very much a modern sound. The older Audiolabs 8000A (shudder cant believe Im recommending one ) can work well as they are pretty innocious and work with most things as they tend to lack character.

[lliwedd]

Originally Posted by karkus30

... Although its not my usual recommendation, something like a Sugden A21 (An A class amplifier) would be worth a go or Musical Fidelity 3.5 integrated. Both these amplifiers have a less forceful sound that might work with an older set up. I dont know about the latest Arcams, but the generation I last heard had far more detail and drive than the older models and are very much a modern sound. The older Audiolabs 8000A (shudder cant believe Im recommending one ) can work well as they are pretty innocious and work with most things as they tend to lack character.

Thank you for your thoughtful reply. Interesting suggestions but as far as I can tell from a quick internet search both the Sugden and the Musical Fidelity are out of my budget, at around £1000 or more. I guess I could look second hand but that makes auditioning difficult. Is there anything nearer £500 which might have similar characteristics? Or do I need to reserve some of my budget for changing the speakers too to match a (cheaper) modern amp??

[matt303]

Either of the Rega integrated amps (Biro 3 or Mira 3) might suit your needs and take the listen to the Rega Apollo CD while demoing them. I'm currently demoing things like the Mira3 and Apollo against Naim Nait 5i/CD5i to replace my old Arcam Delta90/Alpha 6 CD setup.

Good luck.

[karkus30]

Originally Posted by lliwedd

Thank you for your thoughtful reply. Interesting suggestions but as far as I can tell from a quick internet search both the Sugden and the Musical Fidelity are out of my budget, at around £1000 or more. I guess I could look second hand but that makes auditioning difficult. Is there anything nearer £500 which might have similar characteristics? Or do I need to reserve some of my budget for changing the speakers too to match a (cheaper) modern amp??

Apologies, I didn't notice the budget. S/Hand would be the best way to go IMO. If you can find a nice A21(the A21 is an A class amp and quite warm sounding) it would be definitely worth a go. If you go for a budget 'new' amp I think your going to find a need to change the speakers. Best way is to take your existing speakers down to a dealers and do a demo..........dont get caught up in the 'listen to the detail' salesmen talk, you need to be listening for a smooth, relaxed sound. If it sounds exciting then you need to be careful.

Once you start down the route of buying speakers as well, then the whole thing changes. Its far too easy to start recommending products that are a personal favourite. The choices are very wide and only home demos can give you a proper insight into what your looking for. Demo, demo and demo again. Choose very different character products to get an understanding about what it is you like. Dry amps, warm amps, clinical amps, neutral amps etc

[phil t]

Originally Posted by karkus30

Apologies, I didn't notice the budget. S/Hand would be the best way to go IMO. If you can find a nice A21(the A21 is an A class amp and quite warm sounding) it would be definitely worth a go. If you go for a budget 'new' amp I think your going to find a need to change the speakers. Best way is to take your existing speakers down to a dealers and do a demo..........dont get caught up in the 'listen to the detail' salesmen talk, you need to be listening for a smooth, relaxed sound. If it sounds exciting then you need to be careful.

Once you start down the route of buying speakers as well, then the whole thing changes. Its far too easy to start recommending products that are a personal favourite. The choices are very wide and only home demos can give you a proper insight into what your looking for. Demo, demo and demo again. Choose very different character products to get an understanding about what it is you like. Dry amps, warm amps, clinical amps, neutral amps etc

I agree with this. If you can, take your current speakers with you. Don’t be pressured into buying unless you’re absolutely sure, a good dealer won’t hassle you anyway. Good luck.