Amplifier Arcam A38
Technique Arcam, projected and collected in the English Cambridge, embodies the union of advanced design ideas and economical reasonable sufficiency. Completely filling audiophile amplifier FMJ A38 - a good-sized toroidal power transformer, capacitors Stargate and Rubicon, four-layer printed circuit boards - it takes a neat but modest-sized body, whose contribution to the weight of the unit is not basic. The top and side walls are made of bent steel sheet 1 mm thick. The front panel of brushed aluminum to match the body is painted in gray-black "wet asphalt". Amp chassis manufactured by technology Acousteel, used to dampen resonances and vibrations sandwich of two steel sheets with a polymer layer between them. By switching capabilities and the number of different options available is the most lavishly appointed member of the test (and also additionally available phono module for the type of cartridges MM). Output from the preamplifier and a separate entrance, "the Assistant" will allow, if desired, to improve the system in the future. On the front panel there are large volume control and a green monochrome screen that displays information on the current mode of the component. Facade thickly studded with small control the buttons of the same size, there is also a headphone output. Silver plastic universal remote is quite comfortable and is able to command the eight branded devices.
Despite some initial doubts, our test speakers could not quite so upset amplifier, so that the lower limit of the manufacturer's recommended load (4-16 ohms) may well be taken seriously. However, the limited supply of dynamics (due to the low sensitivity speakers PMC OB1i) still felt. The scale volume having 72 units had exhibit greater than 60 to the signal level was acceptable for the test. In most pieces of music sound was quite decent, nice and quiet, with very muted noise overtones and gently leveled the details. Perception field observed commendable little confusion amplifier perfectly kept the tempo and rhythm. But on the whole performance of classical music is not a fad of the British system, because the voices were too smooth and formal, and the size and volume of sound tools - significantly reduced.
Not too saturated and overloaded metal composition, and especially the vocal jazz, blues and soft rock performed very nice, sunny and with the right frame of mind. It is very useful was the ability to maintain the rhythm, keeping a clear musical pattern. Some claims can be presented to the drive, especially to a very muted percussion medium resolution. Volume and a sense of the room, too, sometimes not enough. However, in the voice range had no problems, but a good groovy rhythm pulled quite a lot of records and brought a lot of positive emotions.
