Arcam's recent A19 at £ 649 is a real return to form. It's a completely new design (inside anyway) and the performance is probably the best at the price.
Next Arcam decided to do a no-holds-barred top level integrated, the A49 at £ 3750. While it is technically interesting being a Class G design, Class A for the first 20W, I can send you a White Paper on it if you like (drop me a line), it is an esoteric price for an integrated so the latest A39, a stripped down version at £ 1499, is really of interest.
Many people have a decent sub £1000 amplifier and want to know what's much better at reasonable money, so I decided to compare the four top choices with surprising results:
When you talk about great amps Linn and Naim are both right up there at the top, although the recent Amplifier of the Year in this price category is the Rega Elicit-r, so lets' compare all four.
I put the Kef R700s on, these are the best £1999 floorstanders around and are neutral and easy to drive so none of the amps will have any difficulty. Like a kid in a toy shop I put on the new Arcam first and the surprises started.
This is more punchy than previous Arcams and has real weight to the bass. There is no harshness, typical of Arcam, but neither is there a softness to the sound that characterises previous Arcams. It really is good
The Nait XS at £ 1525 is classic Naim build quality and layout, and the sound is classic Naim too. Punchy and detailed midrange vocals and instruments are impressive but it doesnt have the power and depth of the Arcam. I think I prefer the Arcam! Maybe heresy or maybe you need to go up to a pre and power amp to really get what Naim are all about.
Switching to the Rega brought another surprise, just as detailed as the Naim but with a punch in the deep bass to rival the Arcam, it really is that good. It also weighs a ton, Rega's design philosophy of light and rigid loudspeaker cabi nets mustn't apply to amplifier cases.
On to the Linn and more here sy. The famous musical and detailed Linn sound is beguiling but it still doesnt have the dynamics of the Rega or Arcam.
So which to choose?
Ha, call in and listen for yourself!
So far doing this comparison for 2 people has one picking the Rega and one the Linn.
It's close.
