[Closed] Recommend me an amp to replace my old Arcam

Rega Brio or Mira, Naim 5i, Exposure XX Super or maybe one of the better Rotels. All good bits of kit between 200 and 400 or so. There is a new Yamaha at 300 quid that's meant to be surprisingly good according to a mate I have in the trade. I'd look at the classifieds on Hifi Wigwam and Pinkfish media as well as Zerogain.

Naim 5 i would be good choice,
but at end of day it depends what other kit you are putting it with as to what noise you prefer out of the other end

I really like my Rega Brio.
Similar, but better (IMO) sound to the Arcam 8. I've got the older version with heavy cast aluminium chassis, really punchy clear output & drives helluva loud when required.

I've got VGC Cambridge Audio A5 for sale in the classifides if you're interested?

It's not as good ass what you have, but it's a decent bit of kit. 🙂

I recently thought my arcam had gone the way of the dodo, tried the clean out methods suggested to me but no joy. Took it to my local hi-fi shop and three weeks later got my good as new amp back. All for the princely sum of £175.

Chuffed as punch. Just thought i'd share...

Don't think it's worth £175 to repair mine

Definitely try one of the Naim integrateds.

What's wrong with the Arcam? A lot of faults are very trivial - is it only one channel gone, for example? Scratchy/unreliable volume control?

For value it is hard to beat Cambridge. Similar "chunky" sound to Arcam.

I'm currently using a little Marantz 6300 from richers it sounds suprisingly good. I sold a Nait5 and replaced it with this as a stop gap, until I see what I want SH and I've been surprised at how able it is.

I'm almost 100% convinced that source and speakers make lots more difference than amps now.

I've got an 8 sitting in my dining room, disconnected, along with a CD player and AE floorstanding speakers. Our house isn't big enough for the speakers (it sounded better when standing in a different room!)

I've been toying with the idea of selling but they're just too nice 🙁

Hmmmm.

It's just dead Glen - no power, no lights etc.

Have checked fuses and power supply etc. so can only assume something internal has failed

Often there is a power supply fuse inside that can blow have you had a looksee? It's normally close to where the mains comes in.

i have a cambridge a5 its great.

Thanks jools just changed the main fuse inside near the switch but it blew as soon as I switched it on

My Arcam alpha 3 just keeps going. Knobs are a little faded, but other than that it might be new.

It sounds like its broken then I did a quick google and it seems this can happen.
I assume you are 100% using the right replacement fuses should be a 1.5A

See here http://www.avforums.com/forums/arcam-products/157370-arcam-8-amp-keeps-blowing-internal-fuse.html

Perhaps a quick call to Arcam first but it does sound buggered. a little more reading suggests the output trannies are broken

Yeah there was actually an identical spare fuse inside provided by Arcam

Yup it's buggered then. Prolly not too dear to fix maybe 150??

Maybe although more recent Arcam amps go on ebay for not much more

James I picked up a boxed one owner from new Arcam 8 on ebay this week for £126. One went a few days later for £123. Not even sure why I bought it, but it was local and looked like a good deal.

If you are looking for a change then I would recommend a NAIM either an integrated NAIT 5 or an even older NAIT 3, don't be put off by the low 30 watts power. Or for a bit more money go for a pre-power combo.

NAIM continue to service their amps and power supplies for ever and there are 3 approved service centers if you want to do it cheaper. All in all NAIM seems hold it value like no other bit of kit IME.

As per GJP re Naim - 2nd hand worth serious consideration.
Just had my 20 year old plus 250 & HiCap serviced. Not cheap, but sounding superb to these ears.

Had a 1998 Rega Mira for about the last 5 years, lovey warm sound, running a 35 year old pair of Celestion Ditton 44's. Seem to sell for £150ish on ebay if you want something english

James,

This NAIM pre amp (NAC 92) has come up for sale on PinkFishMedia. Nothing to do with me, it looks like a fair price and is near you I think.

Gary

[url= http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showthread.php?t=90952 ]Naim NAC 92 Pre for sale on PFM[/url]