Is the Arcam A65 Plus the best pound-for-pound amp?

[knaithrover]

.

 

[knaithrover]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ARCAM-A65-PLUS-Integrated-Amplifier-New-/164787619820?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286

Quite tempted 

 

[Nifkin]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ARCAM-A65-PLUS-Integrated-Amplifier-New-/164787619820?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286

Quite tempted 

If I was looking for a budget amp and had less than £400 to spend I'd be all over this.

 

[knaithrover]

If I was looking for a budget amp and had less than £400 to spend I'd be all over this.

Same

 

[Jezzer]

Way back in 2002/3, I used to have an A85 driving Dynaudio Contour 1.3mk2 speakers (with a Marantz CD6000 KI signature). That was a fantastic combo with great synergy. Really good bass and control. 👍

 

[plasticpenguin]

Way back in 2002/3, I used to have an A85 driving Dynaudio Contour 1.3mk2 speakers (with a Marantz CD6000 KI signature). That was a fantastic combo with great synergy. Really good bass and control. 👍

Sounds good. However, the lower powered A65 Plus would struggle with any Dyns IMO.

 

[plasticpenguin]

If I was looking for a budget amp and had less than £400 to spend I'd be all over this.

That's a tempting price, and highly recommended if you're looking for a sub-£1000 integrated. There are some going for over £300 which is ludicrous given it was £390 new back in 2004/5. Damn! wished I'd kept mine now.

Certainly look good in black.

 

[Jezzer]

Sounds good. However, the lower powered A65 Plus would struggle with any Dyns IMO.

Probably. I recall the A85 was rated at 85 WPC but measured at 110 WPC! 

 

[plasticpenguin]

Probably. I recall the A85 was rated at 85 WPC but measured at 110 WPC! 

Have to say I love Dyn Contours. I had a demo - unintentionally - of S1.4 and they really rocked my socks off. If I had the room I wouldn't hesitate to buy a pair of S1.3. As it's impressive with the A85, should sound the dogs with the Leema.

 

[Nifkin]

That's a tempting price, and highly recommended if you're looking for a sub-£1000 integrated. There are some going for over £300 which is ludicrous given it was £390 new back in 2004/5. Damn! wished I'd kept mine now.

Certainly look good in black.

I think the used one on eBay atm priced at £300 is wishful thinking on the part of the seller: they usually go for South of £200. I would, however, pay £250 for that unused one.

 

[Nifkin]

Way back in 2002/3, I used to have an A85 driving Dynaudio Contour 1.3mk2 speakers (with a Marantz CD6000 KI signature). That was a fantastic combo with great synergy. Really good bass and control. 👍

I've still got my CD6000 KI, which is still going strong (after I replaced the transport mechanism a few years back): it sounds very good indeed and I will only replace it when the transport fails again.

 

[tackleberry]

A65+ is a good little amp if you have relatively sensitive speakers, it struggled with a few pairs I tried with it.

 

[plasticpenguin]

I think the used one on eBay atm priced at £300 is wishful thinking on the part of the seller: they usually go for South of £200. I would, however, pay £250 for that unused one.

That's why I rarely buy hi-fi from the said auction site. That said, the Exposure was a bit of a coup.

Yes, normally the A65+ sell for around £150.

 

[plasticpenguin]

A65+ is a good little amp if you have relatively sensitive speakers, it struggled with a few pairs I tried with it.

Indeed. I would advise 8 ohms and 87db as a minimum. There's plenty around those figures: Focal, PMC, Monitor Audio...

The RS6s was an odd one. They have figures of 6 ohms and 91 db. In the main it was fine but those MAs had a dip on ohms which meant the A65 could struggle.

 

[Musicraft]

all the DIVA range, incl the A85 and on balance the A65 Plus had that "something" about it's presentation. The only downside was a lack of wattage which restricted how loud you played it.

Sorry PP but I am going to differ in that I don't feel the A65 is the best pound for pound amp. At the same time Rotel's RA-1062 in terms of power and performance repeatedly showed the A65, A75 and for good measure the A85 demo rooms doors.

 

[Nifkin]

Sorry PP but I am going to differ in that I don't feel the A65 is the best pound for pound amp. At the same time Rotel's RA-1062 in terms of power and performance repeatedly showed the A65, A75 and for good measure the A85 demo rooms doors.

If you're a fan of the Rotel sound I imagine it would: not if you prefer Arcam's presentation though.

 

[Musicraft]

If you're a fan of the Rotel sound I imagine it would: not if you prefer Arcam's presentation though.

I was referring to the RA-1062's quality of power and performance. As to the presentation all of our clients still preferred and chose the RA-1062 regardless of source components and loudspeakers. 100% clean sweep.

 

[Nifkin]

I was referring to the RA-1062's quality of power and performance. As to the presentation all of our clients still preferred and chose the RA-1062 regardless of source components and loudspeakers. 100% clean sweep.

So.... Sounds like you were referring to the Rotel's presentation more or less: or do you think 'performance' and 'presentation' are mutually exclusive terms? 

On the few times I've compared Rotel to Arcam the former seem brighter than the latter, and the latter warmer than the former. Seems like a matter of taste rather than quality.

 

[Musicraft]

Seems like a matter of taste rather than quality.

RA-1062's quality speaks for itself hence why after hundreds of dems the RA-1062 showed its direct (hand the box over due to all the reviews) competitors a clean pair of heels. 100% clean sweep.

I'm might the only dealer who never sold an A85.

 

[Nifkin]

RA-1062's quality speaks for itself hence why after hundreds of dems the RA-1062 showed its direct (hand the box over due to all the reviews) competitors a clean pair of heels. 100% clean sweep.

I'm might the only dealer who never sold an A85.

I don't think anyone here talking fondly of the Arcam DiVA range are the type to hold those views off the back of reading a review: we've all owned one, and in some cases have listened to a few.