Arcam

Arcam first began building sound reproduction equipment in 1972, whilst its founders where still science and engineering students at Cambridge University. The companies products were originally branded “A & R Cambridge Ltd”. The “A & R” standing for “Amplification & Recording” reflecting the founders interests in these subjects.

Having examined many of the amplifiers that were commercially available at the time they were generally disappointed with what they found.The mass produced Japanese equipment compromised sound quality while some of the more specialist British and American designs, though sonically better, weren’t very reliable. At first the fledgling company sold its sound equipment to local enthusiasts, but soon the reputation of the companies product offering spread further afield.