Arcam A90 Integrated Amplifiers

Arcam A90 Integrated Amplifiers 

DESCRIPTION

90W x 2 into 8 ohms.

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-8 of 8  
[Sep 06, 2023]
cecelia


Strength:

The GFA-555 has a little difference in sound than the newer Adcom amps like the updated model the GFA-5500. The GFA-5500 seems to be a little brighter like, the highs and midranges are kind of screaming at you. Which I have found a way to resovle that matter. I tested a GFA-5500, hooked it up directly to my Denon AVR-3806 and hooked up my Definitive Technology BP-7002's to the amp just using what the average audio listener would use to hook up. Then I changed things as soon as I heard the brightness which, my GFA-555's never had but, Tow Truck Service Metairie

Weakness:

None . .

Purchased:
New  
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Apr 24, 2023]
chaples19


Strength:

I have 780s for six months beside my ears and in front of my eyes, but sometimes I forget that these are HiFi speakers, their small size may fool everyone and lurks their capabilities and performance; And when the mid/bass driver begins to move soon it will be approved that 780s are double award winning speakers in WHAT HiFi magazine. mobile truck repair

Weakness:

None . .

Purchased:
New  
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Sep 13, 2022]
highfalutin


Strength:

Digital controls now allow for seperate settings for each input. I give this a high recommendation except for one small but irritating design flaw. See below. Reefer Unit Repair

Weakness:

none . .

Purchased:
New  
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Oct 18, 2012]
Tim
Audio Enthusiast

Having owned both the A85 and the A90, I can confidently say that they are both exactly the same sound wise. Some say the A85 sounds better, but did they really hear both amps themselves in their own system?

Before the A90, I had many high quality solid state and tube amps, and most recently the Musical Fidelity A300. While is A300 is a very sweet sounding amp with a very tube-like midrange. However I find the overall sound a little too aggressive with my Monitor Audio GX100. The A90 on the other hand retains the very sweet midrange you get from the A300, but has a more relaxing not-in-your-face kind of sound and more body to the bass.

Some reviewers say the A90 is biased towards the warmer side. Even if that is the case, I think it tames bright sounding speakers nicely without giving up anything else. It's one of those amps that will shine even more as you upgrade your speakers. It has the same qualities of a good hybrid amp, projecting a sweet tube-like midrange and the excellent impact of a solid state.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 18, 2009]
azona
AudioPhile

Very polite and classy suond. Proper amount of detail, good stero image, wonderful sund all over the spectrum with very good bass and midrange, sweet highs, never fatiguing. Very natural with acoustic instruments, produces the best piano I have heard for under 3000 USD. Not the best in terms of dynamic and puch made it not confortable with high energetic fast electric music. Works amazing with classical music and acoustic jazz. Trasparent souirce, internconnects and speaker cables reccomended.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Feb 16, 2008]
thymanst
AudioPhile

Strength:

Very smooth with good bass

Weakness:

more power for bigger speakers

The Arcam Diva A90 is a very good performer - I especially like that I can switch everything from the remote(turning a/b speakers on,gain etc.) the bass is very authoritive and clean and the midrange/treble can be magical depending on the speakers used - It wouldnt push my Vandy 2ces very well but with a pair of B&W cdm2 or dm602;s speakers the sound really comes alive - vocals are tube like and smooth - in a medium to small room the amplifier really shines - it has pre outs along with amp in - it also has HT bypass if used with a HT system - its basically the same as the A85(fantastic reviews) with a little more power(bigger power supply)

Similar Products Used:

Jolida,Musical Fidelity,yamaha,Luxmanonkyo, etc,etc,

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jul 22, 2005]
petenoak
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Absolutely beautiful sound. Ample inputs with individual control. Handsome design.

Weakness:

The balance control has a design flaw. If you ever change the channel balance you will get silence when selecting another input. However there is a workaround: changing inputs again will bring the sound back. I have contacted Arcam about this problem and they seem to have no intention of fixing this problem as they are busy on new products.

I certainly agree with the previous comments on audioreview.com. I would add that this unit has plenty of inputs: 6 counting a VCR input and a phono/aux. You'll need to pay extra to make the latter accept magnetic phono cartridge output. It does not have features for dubbing between decks. My ear says that this amp has a beautiful sound. These things being pretty subjective I still would say that this unit sounds a little mellower than some past solid state amps. Digital controls now allow for seperate settings for each input. I give this a high recommendation except for one small but irritating design flaw. See below.

Similar Products Used:

I tried the lower powered A80 which is otherwise the same. Strangely it had no design flaw in the balance control!

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
3
[Jun 03, 2005]
aaron
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Great all rounder Very neutral (neither bright or dull) Look good on the rack (black or silver)

Weakness:

Remote is a bit light and plasticy (say compared to the Cambridge Azur stuff these days)

I purchased the Arcam A90 to update my Rotel BX 960 (60 watts per channel - circa 1995) to better complement my Dynaudio 2 way bookshelf speakers and Cambridge 500SE CD player I have owned for about 2 years. I was looking for something with a fairly neutral yet powerful sound that could drive the Dynaudios. Being 6 ohms and with very weighty drivers they sound a bit thin with the Rotel. I compared the Arcam to Cambridge and Rotel amps. The Arcam to me sounded the most balanced and cleanest of that group. The Dynaudios have now woken up and sound fantastic. Even my 10 year old Dali 2a Mk II's sound revived! The importance of good amplification has been highlighted me through this aquisition. The Acram goes about its work effortlessly with everything from Eva Cassidy, George Winston to heavy rock. Even my wife (who is not an audio enthusiast commented that she could hear the peddle and key strokes from her George Winston favorites. I would highly recommend this amp for people who like a couple of features (eg. A & B) switches combined with neutral (not to bright / dull) 2 way sound. One thing to note - I upgraded the power supply cable from day 1 (a not unsignifcant AUD$350) but I could tell a noticable difference. I also upgraded the power to my Cambrigde 500SE CD player (another marked improvement to the feeling of airyness - especially for female vocals).

Similar Products Used:

Rotel 2 way amp Cambridge 2 way amp

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
3
Showing 1-8 of 8  

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