Have your say & ask the experts

I heard the A18 when I tested Usher, Linn and PMC speakers. It seemed a fairly well balanced amp but lacked.....well, just lacked. It was okay, but didn't have the wow factor - dull and uninteresting, you might say.

If you like the Arcam character, then go for one of the DIVA range - any of them. For around £300 you could get the DIVA flagship A85 on ebay. IMO the A65 Plus is more invigorating.  

zappa 100:

"Only with adequate playing partners, the supposed weakling showed his strengths.
These are as gripping, dynamic mids.
Friends great voices here get their costs, as long as they do not require brachial level."

Are you sure that wasn't a Nostradamus prophecy you translated by mistake?

I agree with the previous comment, the 18 is a lacklustre sounding amplifier, in ultimate terms and compared to both the 28 and 38, both not exactly fire crackers either though I have a certain affinity for the latter which I think is underrated by this mag.

What the A18 does though and what was probably the designers intent, is to cover most sins relatively well without excelling in any particular way, in short it is non-offensive, listenable and will probably match with most budget speakers, players etc.

It wouldn't be my personal choice even at that price but considering Arcam's relatively good residual values, build quality and facilities and it makes a reasonable first amplifier to build a system on. I probably would save a little longer but you can say that at any level or price.

drummerman:

I agree with the previous comment, the 18 is a lacklustre sounding amplifier, in ultimate terms and compared to both the 28 and 38, both not exactly fire crackers either though I have a certain affinity for the latter which I think is underrated by this mag.

What the A18 does though and what was probably the designers intent, is to cover most sins relatively well without excelling in any particular way, in short it is non-offensive, listenable and will probably match with most budget speakers, players etc.

It wouldn't be my personal choice even at that price but considering Arcam's relatively good residual values, build quality and facilities and it makes a reasonable first amplifier to build a system on. I probably would save a little longer but you can say that at any level or price.

Yup - IMO the A18 is a throw back to the Alpha days - a safe, warm sound that fails to engross the listener. As you say, DM, you can't really dislike it because it's the sonic equivilent of a cosy duvet, while the build quality, like all Arcams, is spot-on for the money. In saying that, it doesn't do enough - in the price bracket - to inspire a wholehearted recommendation.

As regards the others in the range (A28 & A38) I can't comment, but if the A18 is anything to go by, then Arcam have underachieved. 

zappa 100:

Blimey, i only meant my original post as a bit of fun! Arcam could go bust as a result it. I can feel a bout of gripping in my dynamic mid coming on..........

See a doctor if I were you.....

You did say you might buy one......

In all honesty, the A18 ain't bad, has a fully loaded spec and has a fab build. It would sound 3 x better if you bi-amp a power amp to it. If you like a languid sound to your music, the A18 is the kiddie.

Kevin1:

How about using it as a pre-amp with a P38?  Would you expect much improvement to it's 'languid' sound?

I haven't heard the A18 with a power amp but I know from experience (and some of the other guys on the forum - Joel, where are you when we need you?) that Arcam traditionally florishes when bi-amped, probably more effective than most makes.

Yes, the A18 will have a much tighter bass and mid-range and improved detail, but I suspect the P38 would be a slight overkill - it's akin to riggin my A65 to a P85.

Kevin1:

I agree that the arcam FMJ sound is rather soft and woolly.  Do people think this is more a factor of the pre-amp or the power-amp section? 

Depends on how you define 'soft & woolly, and which other brands you're comparing it with?

As drummerman stated earlier, Arcam, especially over recent years, have tried to cover a whole multitude of sins, resulting in a rather safe sound. However, in saying that, pair it with a fast and detailed CDP and lively speakers and it'll compare nicely with most brands. Arcam's problem is their amps need very careful partnering, more than most makes, if you want decent reproduction.

Kevin1:

thanks that's helpful.. What brands of CDP woud you consider particularly fast and detailed?

Rather depends on what speakers you have or want. Monitor Audio and Arcam produce great synergy. But if you go the MA route I would look at Rega Apollo, Exposure 2010s, Nad, Roksan Kandy and possibly Marantz.

If you choose or have more neutral speakers, like B&W, PMC, Spendor or Epos I would be tempted to go with Cyrus 6S or 6SE.

plastic penguin:

Kevin1:

thanks that's helpful.. What brands of CDP woud you consider particularly fast and detailed?

Rather depends on what speakers you have or want. Monitor Audio and Arcam produce great synergy. But if you go the MA route I would look at Rega Apollo, Exposure 2010s, Nad, Roksan Kandy and possibly Marantz.

If you choose or have more neutral speakers, like B&W, PMC, Spendor or Epos I would be tempted to go with Cyrus 6S or 6SE.

Just remembered - if you go down the PMC or Spendor route, the A18 may struggle if you have a large room due to the speakers fairly low sensitivity. This where the MA's are good - they are so easy to drive, great for low powered amps.