Whole In One
Sydney Morning Herald
Monday April 19, 2004
This integrated amplifier might look simple but it's got the lot, writes Greg Borrowman.
Sneak into the lounge room of most hi-fi enthusiasts and you'll probably find a simple system comprising a CD player, a pair of two-way speakers on stands (or a pair of three-way floor speakers) and, at its heart, a simple stereo integrated amplifier rather than a high-tech receiver.
Enthusiasts prefer integrated amplifiers for many reasons. The main one is sound quality. Integrated amps don't have the noisy digital signal processing (DSP) circuits used in AV receivers or the sensitive radio-frequency circuitry inside AM/FM receivers. They're also simple to operate. You don't need to connect a TV to see the operating menu or read the manual whenever you need to switch inputs.
Arcam's new A80 is an integrated amplifier but it's not a simple one. Inside there's a microprocessor that can be programmed to make the A80's circuitry a better match for other components in your system and the way you'd like it to work. By adjusting the input trim control you can make the volume from your speakers remain the same when you switch from one source to another, say from CD to LP or cassette, or to any other source that you've connected to the A80.
You can also program the microprocessor with a maximum volume setting, so the volume will never exceed the preset level. This could be very useful in households with teenagers but can also prevent accidental blasts of sound that could destroy your speakers. All functions can be adjusted using the supplied infra-red remote.
The sensitivity of the volume control can be adjusted in three steps. There's a coarse mode, in which a small turn of the control results in a large change in volume. A fine mode enables more precise control and is particularly useful when setting playback levels for recording. A "reference" mode adjusts output in exact 0.5dB steps. There are six inputs, including a record/play loop for a CD-R recorder, and a phono input for a turntable. The phono circuit makes it a snap to transfer vinyl LPs to CD and because the A80 supports multi-source operation, you can be listening to one source while you're recording another.
The Arcam can drive two pairs of speakers. The headphone socket, handily mounted on the front panel, is always active. Despite its compact, slim chassis, the A80 is quite heavy, mostly due to a large transformer needed to ensure the output stage can deliver power into speakers rated at four ohms. There's also an internal heat sink, so there's no noisy cooling fan. Our review sample delivered 85 watts a channel into eight-ohm speakers and 156 watts a channel into four-ohm speakers, a handy increase on the 65-watt rating. Designed and built in the UK, Arcam's A80 is a great little amplifier. Top marks.
Infofile
Arcam A80 Stereo Integrated Amplifier
RRP: $1998
Absolute Audio Vision Pty Ltd
Unit 3, 177 Arthur Street, Homebush, 2140 NSW
9764 5092
sales@absoluteaudiovision.com.au
www.arcam.co.uk (manufacturer's site)
© 2004 Sydney Morning Herald