These are the amplifiers I use, rotating them frequently. You know how it is, you have one then try another one for the sake of it. It's different but better? In some ways, not in others. So I just kept them all 
. They are sufficiently different. - Yes, I can afford a more expensive amplifier but having the choice and liking all of them is more important (to me). Doesn't matter how much you (I) spend, no one product is perfect.
So a (very subjective) overview if anyone is looking at these as possible contenders. Currently/most recently used with Mission 752 Freedom's after PMC 20/21, Stirling BBC Ref LS3/6, Quad 11L Classic and Quad S2.
Power
Cyrus Once Cast/Arcam SA20, Hegel H95, Audiolab 6000A. - On Paper, the Arcam and Cyrus are rated at around 100w/8ohm, the Hegel at 60 and the Audiolab at 50. - None had any issues to drive all the above speakers to loud volume with good control so unless you have really inefficient speakers or a very large room it makes little difference. Anything above 30 Watts is imho mostly theoretical in most circumstances with most speakers in most normal rooms. If you need very (!) loud music in big rooms none of these amplifiers will probably satisfy you. Get a monster amp or super sensitive speakers (or a good Headphone system). All the amplifiers have adequate linear power supplies.
Bass Control
Hegel H95, Audiolab 6000A, Arcam SA20/Cyrus One Cast. - The Hegel, even this small one, will control larger speakers well, the Audiolab only very slightly less so. The Arcam and Cyrus both have full, round bass which suits either smaller or larger speakers with good inherent damping (The 752 Freedom is one example). If you like a full, round and bouncy bass, both the Arcam and Cyrus will do nicely. If you prefer a more solid one, go for either of the other two.
Dynamics
Little to choose from between them. If I had a gun held to my head I'd perhaps say Hegel/Arcam but the others are within a hairs width.
Treble
Arcam, Audiolab, Cyrus One Cast, Hegel - Differences, although audible, depend far more on the speakers but of the four, the Arcam has the most extended and refined treble, it really is beautiful. The Audiolab is not far behind but is not quite as extended, you can't hear the angels sing ... . The Cyrus follows closely and the Hegel, although perhaps slightly outclassed in this respect, still has very nice treble (Otherwise I wouldn't keep it). I am very treble sensitive, any harshness and I get a headache.
Transparency
The Audiolab really has fantastic transparency. If you like looking 'into' a sound stage it is great. Depth and width are very nice to these ears. - The Arcam not far behind, projecting (slightly) further forward and thus perhaps less depth but almost the width, both have a nice 3 dimensional stage. The Cyrus and Hegel are 'plane of speaker' amplifiers, projecting neither forward or have the depth of the other two. Of the two, the Hegel can on occasions come over slightly more forward but it is certainly never in your face. Both have good separation just in different dimensions/size.
Clarity
Tricky one. Superficially the Arcam would perhaps come over as the clearest. The lovely extended highs and upper mids see to that. The Audiolab is the most 'see through' whilst remaining very civilised with regards to treble. Some may find it too civilised in the upper frequencies. I happen to like this as when you turn it up it all remains lovely balanced (as is at lower volumes). The Hegel is also very clear with the Cyrus a little bit behind. This amplifier gives more of a bigger picture, filling the space in between. It also means it is very coherent at all volumes.
Musicality
Yeh, I know ... .
I can only give my own perspective. If I am in the right mood and want to just 'sink' into music, no loud volume just enough to still be able to completely relax rather than being pounded by it (I do that too on occasions) then the Audiolab and Arcam may be (very slightly) ahead of the Cyrus and a little further still, the Hegel.
If I want something sounding 'the most live', the Hegel would perhaps be my choice by a very small margin. I can't really put my finger on it why though, its just a combination of traits.
The Cyrus strikes a nice balance.
Build
The Arcam is made solid, it feels compact and heavy, like a little brick. I really appreciate this when handling the amplifier. The display is ok but feels perhaps a little outdated. It gives all relevant info though and can be dimmed/switched off. The volume dial is superbly damped and rastered. - The Audiolab is also superbly made with all pots having a lovely damped, rastered action and solid case work. The Display is simple but with good readability. All this quite an achievement for the money. - The Hegel has a lovely OLED display with large readability, my favorite. Casework is well made but not super heavy (fine with me) the fascia is balanced and symmetrical, again, it looks just right to me. It's plastic rather than the ubiquitous 1 cm of aluminium but it does just dandy.
This leave the Cyrus. Whilst I love this little amplifier sonically and feature wise, more of that later, build quality is sadly not up to the others. A bit disappointing considering this originally retailed at over £1300, only surpassed by the Hegel in price. -
Casework, whilst entirely fine is relatively light weight. It is however screwed together nicely with allen bolts rather than philips. The facia is shiney plastic, ok as long as you don't touch it (or clean it too often), neither of which I do if I can help it. The volume dial is super light weight and is slightly egging if you turn it fast. I for my life don't understand why Cyrus cheapened the feel of the amplifier with such a component. Surely it wouldn't have cost more than a couple of quid to improve on this ... ? - Still, it is rastered (good) and really, you have little reason to use this most of the time. The two aerials are light weight and slightly loose. It matters little, they do their job. You can adjust them at any/most angles and once there, they stay. The speaker terminals are a little more flimsy compared to the others. They work fine but again, if a 600 quid amplifier (Audiolab) can do it then an amplifier at twice the RRP should damn well have it too. - I actually very much like the volume indicator lights (white and dimmable). The source selector lights are fine but you have to get up close to see what has actually been selected. - Rant over.
Looks
Well, what floats your cruiser? - I happen to like minimalist, slim Hifi, hence my choice of speaker and TT, so all of the above fall within that in one way or another.
Features
I've briefly listed the most important features below. Click on the product links for more info.
The Audiolab is the non-streaming version. You have a decent DAC from ESS with a few digital inputs, a nice phono stage, Pre-out and discreet Headphone amplifier. The Remote is fine with a metal top and the ability to control other Audiolab components.
The Arcam has roughly about the same features but with a more upmarket ESS DAC, the 9038. The remote is backlit which is nice but it is on the larger size.
The Hegel has a built in DAC, UPnP streaming and Apple Airplay plus a decent Headphone amplifier but no phono stage. The remote, whilst functional is of the plastic, small type and very similar to the Cyrus one. Not really fit for either amplifier but we see this increasingly happen. Hegel/Cyrus are not the only ones unfortunately.
The Cyrus has all of the above (incl phono stage) plus Chromecast Audio.
Favorite?
All of them. - Arguably the best value is the Audiolab but even in comparison with the rest, it doesn't really loose out on anything other than outright power perhaps. Still, German reviews have repeatedly commented on how 'pegelfest' (controlled at high volume) so the 'only' 50 watts are neither here nor there unless a situation as quoted above in 'power' arises. I did have both the 8300A and 6000A at home but chose to keep the 6000A. It just sounded nicer/more coherent. - The Cyrus and Arcam at their currently discounted price are both outstanding in my opinion, for slightly different reasons. - The Hegel is superb and you are probably buying a (small) slice of the High End but it does not significantly outclass the others in every respect which probably says more about the others than the Hegel but I love to own and use it, which I do a lot.
I have probably forgotten some things but Thanks for reading.
https://www.cyrusaudio.com/products/one-cast-streamer/
https://www.arcam.co.uk/product,hda,integrated-amplifiers,sa20.htm
https://www.audiolab.co.uk/6000a/
. They are sufficiently different. - Yes, I can afford a more expensive amplifier but having the choice and liking all of them is more important (to me). Doesn't matter how much you (I) spend, no one product is perfect.So a (very subjective) overview if anyone is looking at these as possible contenders. Currently/most recently used with Mission 752 Freedom's after PMC 20/21, Stirling BBC Ref LS3/6, Quad 11L Classic and Quad S2.
Power
Cyrus Once Cast/Arcam SA20, Hegel H95, Audiolab 6000A. - On Paper, the Arcam and Cyrus are rated at around 100w/8ohm, the Hegel at 60 and the Audiolab at 50. - None had any issues to drive all the above speakers to loud volume with good control so unless you have really inefficient speakers or a very large room it makes little difference. Anything above 30 Watts is imho mostly theoretical in most circumstances with most speakers in most normal rooms. If you need very (!) loud music in big rooms none of these amplifiers will probably satisfy you. Get a monster amp or super sensitive speakers (or a good Headphone system). All the amplifiers have adequate linear power supplies.
Bass Control
Hegel H95, Audiolab 6000A, Arcam SA20/Cyrus One Cast. - The Hegel, even this small one, will control larger speakers well, the Audiolab only very slightly less so. The Arcam and Cyrus both have full, round bass which suits either smaller or larger speakers with good inherent damping (The 752 Freedom is one example). If you like a full, round and bouncy bass, both the Arcam and Cyrus will do nicely. If you prefer a more solid one, go for either of the other two.
Dynamics
Little to choose from between them. If I had a gun held to my head I'd perhaps say Hegel/Arcam but the others are within a hairs width.
Treble
Arcam, Audiolab, Cyrus One Cast, Hegel - Differences, although audible, depend far more on the speakers but of the four, the Arcam has the most extended and refined treble, it really is beautiful. The Audiolab is not far behind but is not quite as extended, you can't hear the angels sing ... . The Cyrus follows closely and the Hegel, although perhaps slightly outclassed in this respect, still has very nice treble (Otherwise I wouldn't keep it). I am very treble sensitive, any harshness and I get a headache.
Transparency
The Audiolab really has fantastic transparency. If you like looking 'into' a sound stage it is great. Depth and width are very nice to these ears. - The Arcam not far behind, projecting (slightly) further forward and thus perhaps less depth but almost the width, both have a nice 3 dimensional stage. The Cyrus and Hegel are 'plane of speaker' amplifiers, projecting neither forward or have the depth of the other two. Of the two, the Hegel can on occasions come over slightly more forward but it is certainly never in your face. Both have good separation just in different dimensions/size.
Clarity
Tricky one. Superficially the Arcam would perhaps come over as the clearest. The lovely extended highs and upper mids see to that. The Audiolab is the most 'see through' whilst remaining very civilised with regards to treble. Some may find it too civilised in the upper frequencies. I happen to like this as when you turn it up it all remains lovely balanced (as is at lower volumes). The Hegel is also very clear with the Cyrus a little bit behind. This amplifier gives more of a bigger picture, filling the space in between. It also means it is very coherent at all volumes.
Musicality
Yeh, I know ... .
I can only give my own perspective. If I am in the right mood and want to just 'sink' into music, no loud volume just enough to still be able to completely relax rather than being pounded by it (I do that too on occasions) then the Audiolab and Arcam may be (very slightly) ahead of the Cyrus and a little further still, the Hegel.
If I want something sounding 'the most live', the Hegel would perhaps be my choice by a very small margin. I can't really put my finger on it why though, its just a combination of traits.
The Cyrus strikes a nice balance.
Build
The Arcam is made solid, it feels compact and heavy, like a little brick. I really appreciate this when handling the amplifier. The display is ok but feels perhaps a little outdated. It gives all relevant info though and can be dimmed/switched off. The volume dial is superbly damped and rastered. - The Audiolab is also superbly made with all pots having a lovely damped, rastered action and solid case work. The Display is simple but with good readability. All this quite an achievement for the money. - The Hegel has a lovely OLED display with large readability, my favorite. Casework is well made but not super heavy (fine with me) the fascia is balanced and symmetrical, again, it looks just right to me. It's plastic rather than the ubiquitous 1 cm of aluminium but it does just dandy.
This leave the Cyrus. Whilst I love this little amplifier sonically and feature wise, more of that later, build quality is sadly not up to the others. A bit disappointing considering this originally retailed at over £1300, only surpassed by the Hegel in price. -
Casework, whilst entirely fine is relatively light weight. It is however screwed together nicely with allen bolts rather than philips. The facia is shiney plastic, ok as long as you don't touch it (or clean it too often), neither of which I do if I can help it. The volume dial is super light weight and is slightly egging if you turn it fast. I for my life don't understand why Cyrus cheapened the feel of the amplifier with such a component. Surely it wouldn't have cost more than a couple of quid to improve on this ... ? - Still, it is rastered (good) and really, you have little reason to use this most of the time. The two aerials are light weight and slightly loose. It matters little, they do their job. You can adjust them at any/most angles and once there, they stay. The speaker terminals are a little more flimsy compared to the others. They work fine but again, if a 600 quid amplifier (Audiolab) can do it then an amplifier at twice the RRP should damn well have it too. - I actually very much like the volume indicator lights (white and dimmable). The source selector lights are fine but you have to get up close to see what has actually been selected. - Rant over.
Looks
Well, what floats your cruiser? - I happen to like minimalist, slim Hifi, hence my choice of speaker and TT, so all of the above fall within that in one way or another.
Features
I've briefly listed the most important features below. Click on the product links for more info.
The Audiolab is the non-streaming version. You have a decent DAC from ESS with a few digital inputs, a nice phono stage, Pre-out and discreet Headphone amplifier. The Remote is fine with a metal top and the ability to control other Audiolab components.
The Arcam has roughly about the same features but with a more upmarket ESS DAC, the 9038. The remote is backlit which is nice but it is on the larger size.
The Hegel has a built in DAC, UPnP streaming and Apple Airplay plus a decent Headphone amplifier but no phono stage. The remote, whilst functional is of the plastic, small type and very similar to the Cyrus one. Not really fit for either amplifier but we see this increasingly happen. Hegel/Cyrus are not the only ones unfortunately.
The Cyrus has all of the above (incl phono stage) plus Chromecast Audio.
Favorite?
All of them. - Arguably the best value is the Audiolab but even in comparison with the rest, it doesn't really loose out on anything other than outright power perhaps. Still, German reviews have repeatedly commented on how 'pegelfest' (controlled at high volume) so the 'only' 50 watts are neither here nor there unless a situation as quoted above in 'power' arises. I did have both the 8300A and 6000A at home but chose to keep the 6000A. It just sounded nicer/more coherent. - The Cyrus and Arcam at their currently discounted price are both outstanding in my opinion, for slightly different reasons. - The Hegel is superb and you are probably buying a (small) slice of the High End but it does not significantly outclass the others in every respect which probably says more about the others than the Hegel but I love to own and use it, which I do a lot.
I have probably forgotten some things but Thanks for reading.
https://www.hegel.com/en/products/integrated/h95https://www.cyrusaudio.com/products/one-cast-streamer/
https://www.arcam.co.uk/product,hda,integrated-amplifiers,sa20.htm
https://www.audiolab.co.uk/6000a/
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