madfiddler
Prominent Member
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Ok. For starters this is probably the most “high end” my setup has been so bear that in mind.
for years I’ve had a technIcs class A integrated amp from the early 90s. Later I went down the AV route with a CA 540R, but then linked it with the technics amp to drive the L/R channels and for stereo listening. Speakers were, well....been lacking there somewhat with Gale 30 series, nothing special, and the two front floorstanders definitely needed the sub to supplement.
in the end I used the AV setup less and less, concentrating on the two channel music (or rather 2.1) so the CA 540R was really acting as my DAC. I’ve also had a CA 540p phono preamp for my Project turntable and an Apple Airport Express, plus Technice CDP but only as a transport. My technics amp though finally gave up, had it repaired for the same fault a couple of times and it happened again, so figured I’d had my monies worth and it was time to treat myself!
so i upgraded speakers first to Spendor A2, then been going back and forth over different integrated amps with digital and streaming options for a while and Arcam is where I ended up. Yes I know specifically the SA30 was a bit of a gamble given it’s so new and I wasn’t able to demo...
first of all the Spendors...even using them with the CA 540R was a significant upgrade from where I was at. Surprising how deep they go and the clarity a sound separation between voices and instruments.
the SA30 though, wow....first of all it’s a much more weighty sound, but then the tones...well I’m a musician and not an audiophile as such, but now I feel I’m properly hearing things as they should be. I first stuck on a D.I.D. All Our Favourite Stories on CD followed by The Black Keys Turn Blue album on vinyl. The most evident things are I feel I’m now not just hearing bass, I’m hearing the bass..if that makes sense...the tone of the instruments.
next up was a CD of Ralph Vaughn Williams, The Lark Ascending (Hugh Bean/New Philarmonia). This is my favourite piece of music of all time. It makes my heart soar. So I was actually nervous to listen to it. I’m not even sure what to say, other than it gave me an emotional response I wasn’t quite expecting!
anyway, sorry for the long post. It’s early days still, yes I haven't owned other gear to make comprehensive comparison (Rega elicit-r, NAD c388 or M10, Audiolab 8300a, Yamaha as-1100+, Cyrus, naim, MF etc etc.) and I’ve got the streaming to sort out, but think it fair to say, I like this amp
oh...and ARC seems to work fine from my LG E7 TV
for years I’ve had a technIcs class A integrated amp from the early 90s. Later I went down the AV route with a CA 540R, but then linked it with the technics amp to drive the L/R channels and for stereo listening. Speakers were, well....been lacking there somewhat with Gale 30 series, nothing special, and the two front floorstanders definitely needed the sub to supplement.
in the end I used the AV setup less and less, concentrating on the two channel music (or rather 2.1) so the CA 540R was really acting as my DAC. I’ve also had a CA 540p phono preamp for my Project turntable and an Apple Airport Express, plus Technice CDP but only as a transport. My technics amp though finally gave up, had it repaired for the same fault a couple of times and it happened again, so figured I’d had my monies worth and it was time to treat myself!
so i upgraded speakers first to Spendor A2, then been going back and forth over different integrated amps with digital and streaming options for a while and Arcam is where I ended up. Yes I know specifically the SA30 was a bit of a gamble given it’s so new and I wasn’t able to demo...
first of all the Spendors...even using them with the CA 540R was a significant upgrade from where I was at. Surprising how deep they go and the clarity a sound separation between voices and instruments.
the SA30 though, wow....first of all it’s a much more weighty sound, but then the tones...well I’m a musician and not an audiophile as such, but now I feel I’m properly hearing things as they should be. I first stuck on a D.I.D. All Our Favourite Stories on CD followed by The Black Keys Turn Blue album on vinyl. The most evident things are I feel I’m now not just hearing bass, I’m hearing the bass..if that makes sense...the tone of the instruments.
next up was a CD of Ralph Vaughn Williams, The Lark Ascending (Hugh Bean/New Philarmonia). This is my favourite piece of music of all time. It makes my heart soar. So I was actually nervous to listen to it. I’m not even sure what to say, other than it gave me an emotional response I wasn’t quite expecting!
anyway, sorry for the long post. It’s early days still, yes I haven't owned other gear to make comprehensive comparison (Rega elicit-r, NAD c388 or M10, Audiolab 8300a, Yamaha as-1100+, Cyrus, naim, MF etc etc.) and I’ve got the streaming to sort out, but think it fair to say, I like this amp
oh...and ARC seems to work fine from my LG E7 TV
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