Stereo for music replay continues to dominate - manufacturers are releasing two-channel amplifiers again and there are some interesting newcomers in this group, alongside an old hand or two.
Not that multichannel is entirely overlooked, but most of these amps are so stereo-oriented, we could easily be in the 1980s. But these amps are a lot smarter and more powerful than your average integrated amp from a decade or two back. We'll find out over the next few pages to what extent they outperform their forbears, but
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it's clear the designers have not stood still.
Partly, this reflects trends within the electronics industry as a whole. The advance of miniaturisation and the invasion of the microprocessor into everything from phones to fridges have both had their effects on audio – the former allowing designers to get more components and hence more functions into a given space, the latter making possible such features as remote control, sophisticated output protection and funky user interfaces.
Computer-aided design and manufacture has played its part, too. This allows designers to create more efficient layouts for their products, squeezing up boards and transformers, for instance, to allow heatsinks to be fitted internally. And indeed, although manufacturers tend to throw their hands up in horror with every new regulation announced by Westminster or Brussels, some of these (particularly the infamous ‘CE mark', which covers a raft of details from safety to electromagnetic interference) have catalysed design innovations that may otherwise never have happened. These changes lead to anything from better sound to improved power efficiency.
All that's by way of saying that if you think you've seen it all in the stereo amplifier world, if you haven't tried any of the models from the last year or three... you're probably wrong. If you have an amplifier that you're perfectly happy with we don't want to wind you up, but if you suffer from that niggling feeling that an upgrade may be only a demo away, read on – we've got good news for you!
Arcam DiVA A90¦$2789¦
¦ www.absolutea
udiovision.com.au
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For: A well-featured amp, that never sounds less than convincing.
Against: Not super-analytical; shy of deep bass.
Verdict: But highly informative nonetheless.
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Arcam is the epitome of a modern amplifier, all microprocessor control, surface-mount circuit boards and multichannel options. Yes, multichannel. The basic A90 is stereo through and through, but Arcam offers an optional module that sits on top of the preamplifier section of the unit and provides volume control across eight (7.1) channels ($1298).
The other optional extra is a phono board ($398), which cleverly doesn't involve losing a line-level input. There are seven of the latter, including two ‘tape' monitor inputs and – as with most current integrated amps – one can separate preamp and power sections, in this case simply by pushing an externally accessible switch.
Microprocessor control brings in its wake various possibilities, which Arcam has not been shy to implement, including ‘input trim' which allows one to set not just volume but also balance and tone control parameters for each input. These parameters are recalled each time the input is selected.
Construction is very good indeed, with smart circuit boards and a very efficient (not overweight or oversize) case. Power comes via a good-size toroidal transformer and the bipolar output transistors are mounted on a business-like heatsink.
Sound Quality
While the details of the comments on this amp do indeed differ from last time – hardly surprising, with different competition, a different listening programme and indeed different listeners – there is enough common ground between tests to give us continuing confidence in the A90's capabilities. Most notably, its sound was described on several occasions as ‘big', in that it envelops the listener, creating a large and convincing image of the performers in an almost tangible way.
It didn't convince all of our listeners all of the time, and there were a couple of comments suggesting that the bass is light and/or lacking in control. This is something that appears to contradict our findings last time, but then this group does include several excellent reproducers of bass and we suspect that made our listeners all the more critical. Our own listening suggested that control is an issue, but not a worrying one.
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Stereo imaging was liked. There were comments on its extensive breadth and generally fine depth, though it was thought not quite the most pinpoint precise of the group. There's usually a good correlation between imaging and detail, this being no exception – the A90's detail retrieval is good, and our listeners found it easy to hear clearly what was going on in the middle of a mix.
The overall picture that emerges clearly from all the listening is of an amp that doesn't fuss unnecessarily over minutiae but which gets the big picture convincingly and attractively in focus. It has no particular musical preference and is highly satisfying in any style.
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