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Review on πŸ”Š ARCAM SA10 Integrated Amplifier, Class-A/B, 2x50 Watts by Stanislaw Plonka ᠌

Revainrating 5 out of 5

Full compliance with the manufacturer's assurances, high quality.

Before this amplifier, I listened to Brig-001 and Onkyo-a5vl for a long time (years) and it is not inferior to them in sound. There are features in the feature set. No biwiring, no EQ. Well, it’s not necessary, biwiring can also be done outside, I’m not fond of frequency correction - only , only direct fashion. But the readiness for biampling pleases, albeit hypothetically, since there is no desire to spend on the second amplifier. For some, the headphone jack will be a surprise, as in the phone.

Pros
  • The amplifier is honest and for many this is a synonym for boring - it does not bring the rustle of rotten moss from the north side of the oak into the sound of sibilants. There are exactly as many details in the sound as they put into the recording, and you will have to evaluate the sound source, the influence of the acoustics of the speakers, the sound preparation of the room. I am 146% satisfied with the sound of the amplifier, all complaints are about ergonomics and the absence of buns. Workmanship at the level of expensive, stylish. The remote control and its capabilities suit the same 146%. At this price point ($50), the amplifier is excellent, delivering a respectable 50 watts even to a speaker with a complex impedance curve like the KEF Q500.
Cons
  • Right hand drive, a sign of English bloodlines. Power input and switch on the right side. This is annoying, the rack is designed to be accessed from the left side. The volume knob does not rotate in the usual style from lock to lock and there is no risk of volume level on it. Annoying too, as it makes it difficult to see the number on the display. It is better to forget about manual control right away - the ons on the remote control are read in the dark, on the front panel it is difficult to hit the desired on even during the day. Just like a completely gold TV should not be watched but shown, so the Arcam front panel ons are stylish and useless. Take a remote control or a phone in your hands, a remote control is better, especially if you also bought the Arcam HDA CDS50. Addendum from 12/19/2022: An annoying bright red LED in standby mode.