Integrated Amplifiers

Arcam Radia A25 Integrated Amplifier and ST5 Streamer Review.

This is a brand-new streamer and integrated amplifier combo from Arcam. It was a combo I wanted to get my hands on from the moment I saw it released. I have a history with Arcam as the Arcam 280 Receiver was my first foray into a proper-sounding component.

Arcam created the Radia series to be a gateway into the audiophile realm with little outlay. The A25 amplifier is at the top end of the range. Below it sits the A5 50-watt amplifier and the A15 80-watt amplifier.

That is a curious distinction. Arcam didn’t say that these are budget components. They are a doorway for the young music lover who wants something just a little bit better, than what the local big-box store has to offer.

Introduction

The A25 produces 100 watts into 8 ohms and 165 into 4. It was built upon Arcam’s 5th Generation Class-G Amplifier design. Making it as powerful as it is efficient.

It features Bluetooth AptX^™, has a Moving Magnet Phono input, and Hi-Res Digital inputs including 1 Coaxial, 1 Optical, and 1 USB C. The USB supports the highest bitrates among the digital inputs. And I’ll paste a link below if you want to geek out on the supported bitrates.

The ST5 is touted as a High-Resolution upgrade to the amplifier lineup. Arcam supplies a control link, which allows the 2 components to talk to each other and act as one.

The ST5 will playback music directly from Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect, its Roon Ready, with Hi-Res audio and MQA support. All digital audio is output on the analog outputs using an ESS ES9018 high-resolution DAC with time domain jitter elimination.

It works with the Arcam app so you can access your favorite Radio stations, It supports Airplay 2, and Chromecast and works with both Apple and Android devices. It supports Hi-Res Audio up to 24 Bit / 192 kHz from analog and digital outputs.

Supported files are: FLAC, WAS (LPCM), MQA, AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DSD (128)

Around the back, you’ll find 1 coaxial, 1 optical, and 1 set of analog RCA outputs.

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Arcam A25 Integrated Amplifier Specifications

Continuous power output (0.5% THD), per channel:

2 channels driven, 20Hz – 20kHz, 8Ω 100W
2 channels driven, 1kHz, 4Ω 165W
Harmonic distortion, 80% power, 8Ω at 1kHz 0.002%

Analog Inputs:

3 (RCA pairs)
Signal/noise ratio (A-wtd, ref. 50W, 1V input) 106dB
Frequency response 20Hz—20kHz ± 0.2dB

Phono (MM) Input:

Input impedance 47kΩ + 100pF
Frequency response (ref. RIAA curve) 20Hz—20kHz ± 1dB

Digital Inputs:

Supported Sample Rates (kHz)
USB-C 384, 352.8, 192, 176.4, 96, 88.2, 48, 44.1
Coaxial (RCA) 192, 176.4, 96, 88.2, 48, 44.1
Optical (Toslink) 192, 176.4, 96, 88.2, 48, 44.1

Supported DSD USB-C only 1024, 512, 256, 128, 64
Bit depths (bit) 32, 24, 16
Frequency response (filter 1) 20Hz—20kHz ± 0.2dB Signal/noise ratio (A-wtd, ref. 50W, 0dBFS) 110dB

Headphone Output:

Maximum output level (RMS) into 32Ω/300Ω 2.5V/5V
Load range 16Ω – 2kΩ

General:

Mains voltage 100V or 110–120V or 220–240V, 50–60Hz
Power consumption (maximum) 500W
Power consumption (standby)

Supplied accessories:

Mains lead(s)
Remote control with 2 x AAA batteries
Quick Start Guide
Important Safety Instructions

MSRP:

$1499 USD / $2399 CAN

Arcam ST5 Network Streamer Specifications

Supported Hi-res media:

FLAC, WAS (LPCM), MQA, AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DSD (128)

Supported Hi-res Bit depth:

16, 24

Supported samples rates (kHz):

44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192

Supported media:

MP3, MP4, OGG, WMA

Supported Bit depth:

Supported samples rates (kHz):

44.1, 48

Gapless Playback:

Yes

Digital Outputs:

1x Coaxial (RCA), 1x Optical (Toslink)

Analog Outputs:

1x Stereo (RCA) pair

Frequency response (filter 1):

20Hz—20kHz ± 0.05dB

Mains voltage:

100V or 110–120V or 220–240V, 50–60Hz

Power consumption:

12W

Power consumption (Eco standby):

Dimensions W x D (including speaker terminals) x H (including feet):

431 x 344 x 57mm

Weight (net):

3.5 kg

Weight (packed):

5.6 kg

Supplied accessories:

Mains lead(s)
Remote control with 2 x AAA batteries
Control Cable
Quick Start Guide
Important Safety Instructions

MSRP:

$799 USD / $1199 CAN

Website:

https://www.arcam.co.uk/

Company:

Arcam

SECRETS Tags:

arcam, radia, integrated amplifier, streamer, hi-res, cambridge, audiophile, stereo

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Taps Das

Hailing from Toronto, Canada, Taps Das is an art director and designer with over 15 years of experience. He has way too many hobbies: Illustration, Music Production, cooking, DJ-ing, and Hifi. His adolescence was spent immersed in DJ culture in Toronto’s then-burgeoning club scene. He still buys vinyl to this day preferring it as his medium of choice when listening to music. He is happiest when he’s tucked inside his studio spinning vinyl on his turntables, sitting at his desk drawing or in the kitchen cooking up a storm. Taps shares his home with his wife, two hooligan kids, and lovable fat dog Homie.