Arcam A39 Amplifier
While the type system may not rule British society just how it did, it is still an inescapable fact of life if you're an amplifier. Even with the quick march of technology, the tremendous improvements in the as well as computerisation pushes reached by ultra large-scale integration, there is simply no getting away from it as far as hi fi can be involved.
That happens because in a standard push-pull Class AB amplifier circuit, a transistor merely conducts half (180deg) leaving the transistor that is matched to cover another half. Why the better hifi amplifiers are usually biased nearer to Class A. this is
Such process, where the transistors are constantly powered up, gives drastically lower measured distortion as a rule. It is usually not cheap, though, and that's the reason you discover it so frequently in high end amplifiers, which cost many times. The primary drawback, obviously, is the enormous quantity of heat which is generated. Things do not remain cool with a bank consistently totally energised!
True Class A solid state amplifiers will not be exactly as toasty as a row or suchlike, but however many would get the heat generated not practical. My own, personal example of the venerable Group A Musical Fidelity A1, for instance, runs quite hot using the highest part of the distinguishing case reaching 68 °C. 80W is also consumed by it always, like having a glowing light on all of the time, which can be effectively; Class A layouts that are bigger can gobble as much as three times this much electricity. It is certainly not perfect for everybody and really this special amplifier is well-known because of its low electricity and dearth of long term dependability while it seems amazing.
Like virtually all other solid state amplifiers that were affordable, Arcam layouts have run in traditional Class AB, which has higher efficiency but lower distortion This can be performed by biasing both transistors to run near and at to zero signal output signal, while transitioning to Class B for signal currents that are higher. What this means is that it works in Class A that is near up to about 20W output signal, to all intents and purposes for most of us.
The supply rail voltages of the output stage are altered according to it uses as the dynamic load demands it multiple power supplies rather than a single one, slowly bringing in the secondary supply. This makes to get a trendy working amplifier that sounds not dissimilar to a Class A layout at real world volumes. The organization says it's been working with this system for a long time, also it definitely seems different to lots of and preceding Arcam amplifiers competitors.
In other regards, the A39 is conventional. Arcam says it uses only metal film resistors in the signal path, that have a greater linearity than components that are more affordable. Additionally, careful attention was paid to each part of the PCB layout, it maintains. It is a clean-looking apparatus and decently nicely made also; you wouldn't understand that creation of this special chain of products has now changed to China. The controls react positively, also contains an extensive range of (analogue) input signals and, naturally, double changed loudspeaker wall sockets.
Sound quality
In the broadest of senses, it is a typical Arcam merchandise with an impressively broad soundstage that shoves nicely to the left and right rather a fulsome bass and a group that's smooth. The deal is sealed by treble; it is fine and wonderfully sweet.
Naturally, Arcam is making amplifiers in this mould for a lot of years - some would say back to the first A&R Cambridge A60 of nearly 40 years past - but what separates previous ages and the FMJ A39 is its incredibly lucid sound.
Not only can it be an apparatus that is musical, but it comes with a great tone also - one does not consistently follow the other.
Arcams are frequently characterised as reasonably warm sounding, but this adds subtlety and sophistication also. The tune sounds sandpapery - £3,000 amplifiers, but the Arcam can skillfully pul! In once it lets itself have great pleasure with that walking bass guitar work that is excellent. The effect is a thing that is never tiring to listen to, however poor the record; as such it should suit the present generation of modern, plain-sounding loudspeakers.
Feed it some modern pop in the form of the Get Lucky of Daft Punk and the A39 is simultaneously fearless, large and strong. It presents the music in a manner that is gutsy and dynamic, though again has excellent pleasure with Nile Rodgers' bass guitar work that is excellent. Its scale's lucidity that is mental in some respects it reminds me of the aforementioned Group A Musical Fidelity A1, and is superb also in the cost; in a position to bear the emotion in the tune.
Is just another musical treat; the amplifier stays completely unflustered while thus doing, and appears capable to swing huge amounts of electricity at the drop of a hat. Becoming serious volumes from it and even when pushing really difficult, the A39 stays fully in control. The amplifier sets up a big and broad recorded acoustic guitar, inside which the group bristles despite lacking the glassiness of some competitors that are superficially in-depth. Powerwise, you're going to have to get a critically big listening room and a post's auditory faculties to need higher sound pressure levels; what's Arcam's FMJ A49?
If there is one place where it can be criticised by one, it is in its treatment of stereo pictures. It is not bad for the purchase price whatsoever, it is simply it does not fit the amplifier's high-flown high standards in other sections. In total terms pictures could do with being more exactly found and additionally pictures could be pushed by it forwards better, and hang them back only a bit more. Maybe that is why you purchase the A49? In truth really does feel a little churlish, because it's much like that which you get from the Group Test of Exposure - winning 3010S2.
What I truly value is its evenhandedness, its absolute unflappability and usually musical and pleasant demeanour. Preceding Arcam integrateds have consistently auditioned very well, but there is been a sense that they are compromised sonically marginally in a play to provide a broader array of functionality and more power than their competitors. No allowances making for the FMJ A39 are needed by it; rather simply it is a dazzling sounding apparatus and will hold its head full of the organization of another design in the cost, no matter not or whether it is well defined.
Decision
Rather than providing sonic functionality that was out and out, they've proffered an attractive mixture of a lot the caveat being that there's definitely a competition or two in the cost that defeats it and clear, smooth, pleasing sound. Now the FMJ A39 does not want any additional provisos; with no explanations crucial, it is right up there on the rate in sound quality terms. But it continues to have superb construct, styling and facilities also. To put it differently, it is among the firm's offers that are most competitive and worth auditioning.
