Amazing sound quality! These amps sell used nowadays for around 250 Euro, which is very little money for such a great sound. The Alpha 8 replaced my Alpha 7 and made clear audible difference for the better. For those out in the market now for an Arcam Alpha integrated keep in mind that models 8 & 9 sound exactly the same (the 9 being more powerful off course) and are both significantly better than the 7, but sound inferior to the superb Alpha 10.
Overall the Alpha 8 is fantastic value for money to buy used, its vey versatile and will fit easily in most systems. Sound is rich, thick, a little dark in a way, warm, very forward, detailed and clear. A touch of high end for peanuts now, but mind you it was very expensive for only 50W when new.

I have to say that I was a little dissapointed with this amp, it was a bit muddy and to my ears not as good as the dlta 290.

I bought one for £57.00 and for less than 60.00 I suppose is a good amp second hand, but I wont buy one again.

Clear, Warm and detailed. Belts out everything from house to rock

I'm struggling to find one

A class act. I love this amp. Have coupled it with Arcam CD player and B&W 602 speakers. Couldn't ask for more from an amp. Compared it against numerous other amps prior to purchase, and none came anywhere near.

Similar Products Used:

Cambridge A300

Strong coherent presentation for rock .

At those prices who'd argue .

Mostly it's been said above . These are great value for money amps to get you into 'hifi respectability' . I used to think Technics amp/cd with Mordaunt Short speakers had good sound and power but the Arcams have power and sophistication . I got the 8 for £180 used and the 8P new at previous Augusts end of line clearance at £220 to bi-amp Celestion A1s . Bargains really . Alpha 7se cd came shortly after ( again after home demo couldn't see value in CD72 ). The sound is warm and slightly laidback , a little to do with the amps but also the A1s I'm sure . Lots of bass , which my room probably helps with but detail and top end not bad either . Overall , smoothness is the main characteristic . 50wpc doesn't seem like much but this setup does LOUD without harshnes or fatigue .I listen mostly to rock music Zep , Floyd , Hendrix , Vai , Pearl Jam , well you know the stuff ,and thought the sound a little too rounded off and was advised to change interconnects from the cheap standards . I tried 4/5 expensive interconnects of which Straightwire Rhapsody II impressed with bass/mid but seems fatigueing with hard top end . Cable Talk Broadcast 3 had smoother top but plenty of bass welly , perhaps too much . Supra EFF/ISL seem to be spot on . This setup is for sale now but only because I found some more bargains and splashed out on the Celestion A3s and Pink Traingle's new Intregral but that's a different story . In the time I've had the Arcams I've listened to music more and bought more cds than I have in the last ten years . This is a true quality sound and fantastic value .

Definition, Solidity, Upgradeability

None thus far.

I upgraded to the 8R from a NAD 314. I was stunned at the improvement and for the first time I heard how good the rest of my system is. (Denon 1550AR CD player, Mordaunt-Short MS40i speakers and REL Q-50 Sub.)

The amp does everything well, the instruments have real definition, the soundstage is 3-dimensional with fantastic stereo differentiation. I compared it with the old Alpha 8 amp and the improvement is remarkable. I also auditioned the Marantz PM-66 KIS, but preferred the Arcam's slightly warmer sound, as well as its more substantial bass handling. The character of the amp may be slightly smoother and warmer than some others, but sometimes this is just what a system needs. It certainly tamed some of the excessively bright and forward qualities of my other components.

Another plus is that I can upgrade the Alpha 8 by adding any one of Arcam's power amps in order to bi-amp. The Alpha 8R represents excellent value and is a good investment in sound quality and features.

Similar Products Used:

Nad 314

Features, 2 speakers, sounds balanced, enjoyable, equals the sound of slightly more expensive amps, works well with a number of speakers. can drive huge loads.

lack of remote control input select. sounds maybe a safe. only has one tape loop.

i chose this amp because it was the best i could get for the money. i have it partnered with an Arcam 7SE, B&W 602 speakers and a sony mds-je330. i am very pleased with the Arcam range and i am soon going to buy an 8P amp to give more boost to the system.

Similar Products Used:

Sony, Cyrus, nad, marantz, pioneer, kenwood.

sound/build quality. made in england.

to quiet when using headphones.

the arcam alpha 8R is my first top end hi-fi product.i am using it with an arcam alpha 7se c.d.player and cambridge silver spirit 40 interconnects and a kenwood kxfw4010 tape deck and 11 year old jamo d2e speakers using cable talk 3.1 speaker wire.(a pair of wharfedale em95 speakers on order)
the arcam amp has incredible sound quality and coupled with the arcam c.d. an unbelievably realistic feel. i mainly listen to classical/opera and the range and clarity of sound is truely amazing it really feels like an orchestra in front of you and not a pair of speakers i would recomend this system to anyone without hesitation.

Warmth, richness, powerful but controlled bass

No remote source selection, plasticky finish

I upgraded to the 8R from a Technics SU-A900MkII. This is supposedly a 40W drop in power but never sounded like it to me. Instead I got a much less bloomy sound. The 8R has that Arcam family characteristic of warmth and richness (exactly how I like music) but it doesn't sound unnaturally so to me - it just sounds great.
I biamp a pair of Monitor Audio MA14's with an 8P and use an Alpha 8 CD player as well - and I love this system! The amplification and CD cost just under £1100, and I would be very surprised if anything under the £2000 mark justified an upgrade

Detailed sound with good bass and clear treble.

None found

I bought the Arcam for £380 based on reviews that I read in UK hifi mags. This amp is rated at 50 watts p/c (8 ohms) and certainly has plenty of power to drive my Tannoy revolution r2 speakers at high volume levels. Detailed midrange with plenty of bass and a crisp treble, this amp really rocks when playing R&B/Rap CDs. I can also hear many instruments when listening to Jazz and more complex pieces.
I use this amp with a Cambridge Audio CD4SE CD player and the Tannoys mentioned earlier. I am very happy with this setup.

Realistic Bass, Warm, Clear, suits all music styles

slight lack of pace & attack

Great value for money. Bought to replace an old MF B1. Took a while to break in. Very realistic bass. Bass strings are firm with clear edges. No wooliness whatsoever. Sweet when it needs to be but retaining clarity and assertiveness. The NAD 350 that I had was quite bland in comparison lacking the deep solid bass of the Arcam. The Musical Fidelity B1, although over 10 years old, has a faster bass, slightly more attack and is a little more involving, projecting rock vocals slightly more to the fore. For classical music the Arcam separates strings better and has more air and gives the feel of being at the concert. The Arcam generally matches the MF though and is a pleasure to listen to. At the price definitely a true bargain.

Similar Products Used:

Musical Fidelity, NAD