About The Arcam A25 Stereo Amplifier
The Arcam A25 is the top model in the Arcam Radia range of components and is the best sounding, and most feature rich of the Radia integrated amplifiers. The visual luxurious highlights hint towards the more luxurious musical experience that it offers.
This is achieved with a 5th generation Class G amplifier design which delivers pure Class A output up to 15 watts and tops out at 100 watts per channel. You can expect the best sound quality and dynamics from what has always been a better sounding, and more efficient Class of amplifier. New components and materials have been painstakingly analysed and reviewed to ensure uncompromising sound performance.
Radia family products offer a subtle symmetrical design that complements their aluminium shells. They are adorned with seamless front fascias, redesigned knobs, and gentle lighting effects, creating a sense of power and finesse.
The casework showcases a smooth, matte black surface cut through with the new signature Radia yellow highlights. On the top, ventilation cut-outs are masterfully hidden within a pattern of dynamic lines, ensuring a flawless aesthetic. The rear sports a connector cowl, reminiscent of ornate rear diffusers found in performance cars, that effectively hides unsightly connector housings from view. And, to ensure optimal user interaction, the redesigned knobs are elegantly curved, finished in satin black, and textured to mask fingerprints.
The rich feature set includes a USB-C input for your laptop, be it PC, Mac or Raspberry Pi! This augments a Bluetooth solution that includes Qualcomm aptX Adaptive technology with 24-bit HD audio to ensure the best sound quality no matter what you are playing. It can also connect to Bluetooth headphones so your listening experience can continue sensitively after dark.
Hi-res audio is included through the high resolution digital audio inputs and, like any Arcam integrated amplifier, particular attention is paid to the built-in phono stage to ensure your records sound as lush and engaging as possible.
Review's
"Judged on what it does and how it does it, the A25 is a very strong new arrival in a keenly contested segment. It takes all the virtues that Arcam amps have long exhibited and hones them further; ensuring that this is a more dynamic and engaging-sounding amp that delivers a strong performance across its many different inputs, all encased in a neat piece of industrial design. The result is a capable and engaging piece of kit that should find favour with plenty of happy owners" Hi-Fi Choice
"If you're installing an integrated amplifier on a table or countertop in your family room or office or what have you, and you're struggling to find something that looks nice when not in a rack, the design of the A25 is something to behold. It's a gorgeous piece of kit, which is hard for me to admit given that it totally eschews the sort of vintage vibe I prefer. How on earth an amp manages to look this good without VU meters is a mystery.
It also sounds really lovely—punchy, dynamic, detailed, refined, with great imaging and soundstaging, and oodles of current on reserve by all indications. My only real nits to pick are the excessive volume limiting on the Bluetooth input and the fact that I feel like they artificially withheld network connectivity from the A25 to justify the existence of the ST5 streamer.
If you don't need the network connectivity—say you've got all the sources you need and you're perfectly happy with slightly quieter Bluetooth for your wireless connection needs—there's so much to love here. If this is an indication of where Arcam is headed, I'm legitimately excited, if only because it means more people will be exposed to this beloved brand." SoundStage Access
Our Take
The A25 is the top dog in Arcam's Radia range of amplifiers and takes things up another notch with 100 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms making it suitable for a very wide range of speakers and room sizes. Two way aptX Adaptive Bluetooth is a great inclusion, so you can not only stream audio to the amplifier from a smart device or the like but the amplifier can stream audio to Bluetooth headphones or speakers. Very nice. It also features a 5th generation Class G amplifier design which delivers pure Class A output up to 15 watts and tops out at 100 watts per channel. You can expect the best sound quality and dynamics from what has always been a better sounding, and more efficient Class of amplifier.
Then there's the pleasing array of input options including line level & MM phono analogue inputs as well as Coaxial, Optical & USB-C digital inputs. Another nicety is the inclusion of not only an IR In but also Trigger In & Out which means this amplifier will play very nicely with the companion ST5 Network Music Player.
Oh, and we need to mention the very cool contemporary styling of the A25. A dash of daring design that really pays off. While the rest of the family has frosted, simplified TFT displays, the A25 sports an OLED screen. As an added design flourish for the flagship amp, it has illuminated highlights around the volume dial that mimic the yellow paint of its siblings. A great effort from Arcam. Thoroughly recommended.
Main Features & Specifications
- Design: 100 Watt Stereo Integrated Amplifier & DAC
- ARCAM Class G amplification – for ultra-low distortion
- 100W per channel (8Ω) - powers loudspeakers effortlessly
- ESS ES9280A PRO DAC
- Bluetooth with aptX™ Adaptive Technology - for the best sound with the most convenience
- Specially selected components and materials - to deliver on sound quality
- Wired or Wireless Headphones - connect your headphones for quiet listening with, or without wires
- All new Radia design - Purposeful yet playful
- MM phono stage - ready for Turntables
- Hi-Res Digital Audio Inputs - with the addition of USB-C for ultra Hi-Res audio
- Plastic Free Packaging - for easy disposal of natural materials
General
- 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%
- Connections
- 3 Analogue Line Level Single Ended RCA Inputs
- 1 Phono (MM) Input
- 2 Coaxial Digital Inputs
- 1 Optical Digital Input
- Coaxial & Optical Digital Inputs support 192, 176.4, 96, 88.2, 48, 44.1 kHz sampling rates & bit depths of 16 & 24
- 1 USB-C Digital Input
- USB-C Digital Input supports PCM 384, 352.8, 192, 176.4, 96, 88.2, 48, 44.1 sampling rates & bit depths of 16, 24 & 32
- USB-C Digital Input also supports DSD 1024, 512, 256, 128, 64
- Two Way Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.2 with AptX™ Adaptive technology and AAC
- Preamp Output
- Front Panel Headphone Output
- Power consumption (maximum) 500W
- Power consumption (standby) <0.5W
- Removable Power Cable: Upgrade to an IsoTek Power Cable for better performance
- Supplied Accessories: Power Cable, Remote Control, 2 AAA Batteries, Quick Start Guide, Safety Instructions
- Finish: Black with Yellow highlights
- Dimensions (WxHxD) 431 x 83 x 344mm
- Weight 9 kg
- Manufacturer's Warranty: 5 Years
Note: Features & Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE.