Wonderful sound

build quality

Upgrading to the Alpha 8 was a wonderful improvement. It brought out some richness and detail to the bass and mid-range that wasn;t their before. Highly recommended.

Similar Products Used:

alpha 7 cd

For those of you who find the Rega Planet too laid back, this is the CD player to audition. It is extremely versatile, playing rock, jazz and classical very nicely with with a good balance of clarity, detail and energy. If you just listen to classical, pay the extra for the 8SE which is even cleaner in its sound but is however less energetic with rock. Connected to cable talk interconnects, Alpha 9 amp, Bi Wired with cabletalk to Paradigm studio 20 speakers

This is an update to an earlier review. After spending more time listening, I realize one should choose "fast" sounding speakers and sources for Arcam amps. The Arcams can sound a little lush at times - I added an 8P power amp and bi-amped my KEF Q-15 speakers with Kimber speaker cables (Kimber PBJ between ALpha 7 cd player helps with the high end too). Great improvement!!!

I have listened to the Arcam 8 on two separate occasions at a local stereo shop. I have compared to the Arcam 7, Arcam 9, Rega Planet, Linn Classic (IA and CD in one box) and the new NAD S500. The amplification was Arcam 8, Arcam 10, and Linn Majik and Classic. Speakers listened to were Linn Keiledh and Dynaudio Audience 60 & 70. I also had the A8 hooked up to a Linn Active system with Linn Tukans. I do not know what wiring was used.
Found the A8 to be significantly more revealing than the A7 and Rega. The A9 was even better but for the extra $600, I do not know if the sound benefit is worth the cost. The NAD had about the same resolution but gave a little more laid-back presentation. I preferred the more forward presentation of the Arcam and with either the Arcam or Linn amplification the system would rock (Fleetwood Mac's Tusk was the primary demo music). The speakers had little difference although the Dyna's let more bass through and the Tukans sounded a little "thin" but that active system is sweet.

This is one nice player. Overall 4 stars, for price 4.75.

I have been looking for a CD Player to replace my seven years old Marantz CD-80 which I adore for sound quality and superb construction. And with so few players at the price of the Arcam 8, I decided to give it a try. I liked thd the clear and clean sound as well as the punch it put out although no where close to the Marantz.
If sound is what you like and are willing to overlook the poor construction and looks of this player then go for it.

I give it four stars for sound quality and two stars for construction.

I find the Arcam Alpha 8 cd player to be an excellent value for the money. It's main strength is that it can play a WIDE variety of music to my satisfaction. I have it hooked up to NHT SuperOnes powered by an Arcam Alpha 8 integrated amplifier. Interconnects and speaker cables are by Lynn. Super smooth on Reggae and voice musicals, incredible punch on rock n roll, suberb soundstage on blues and jazz. I've compared it to a Rega Planet which is much much too laid back for my taste. I've also compared it to an Alpha 7. Although the Alpha 7 is a great player for the money the Alpha 8 offers MUCH more detail - cleanly, as well as tighter bass. You won't be dissapointed if you listen to a WIDE variety of music. Also has many convenient features including remote which operates flawlessly. Definitely worth auditioning.!

Arcam Alpha 8 CD
Initial impressions of this UK#450 player are very favourable indeed. It is a world apart from the Alpha 7, bringing out much more detail. However after a period of time, the Alpha 8 takes too much effort to listen to; bass notes especially sound 'mushy' and ill-defined. When compared to a similar priced player such as the Rega Planet, I'm afraid the Alpha 8 definitely comes out second best.

I have just upgraded my Alpha 7 to an Alpha 8SE and found the difference to be well worth the price differential. So far I have not found any newly mastered HDCD material worth the chip but regular CDs sound wonderful.Perhaps Neil Young will issue his catalog on HDCD and make the red light mean something.Even without HDCD to listen to the upgrade has made me very happy. It is more of a move up than the Alpha 7 was over my Technics player.

I auditioned the A8 and A8SE for around 6 hours each, and found them both to be great players, but need to be well matched. The 8SE does a good job of taming my dynaudio tweeters, and I've just purchased an 8SE myself. The A9 will be out in a few months, I'm keen to auditon that too.
And of course it only costs the difference between players to upgrade (what a great policy).

Alpha 8 Inegrated, Arcam Alpha 7 CD player, KEF Q-15 Speakers Straighwire Rhapsody Interconnects.
This is a great amplifier. For the money I couldn't consider anything else. Plenty of detail and enough low end without getting out of control - definitely a good blend of scale and detail. The extra power over their Alpha 7 comes through with more low end and the Alpha 8 sorts out complex passages better. I can't wait to try bi-amping with an Alpha 8P power amp.

Considering price, flexibility (phono stage, remote control...) upgrade ability and sound, I highly recommend this amp.