ARCAM SA45 Streaming Integrated Amplifier Review

ARCAM has a spring in its step with the release of its new Radia range, which includes components such as a standalone streamer, CD player, integrated amplifiers and two streaming amplifiers. The British company started in 1976 and is one of the few hi-fi specialists that currently uses Class G amplifiers – more of which in a moment…

Up Close

ARCAM’s flagship SA45 streaming amp offers a claimed 180W RMS per channel of Class G power into 8 ohms. This system typically operates in something akin to Class A mode at lower levels, but can ‘surge’ larger amounts of power on transient peaks in a way that Class A cannot. As such, it gives many of the benefits of Class A, such as low switching distortion, but with power levels more typical of Class AB.

James Todd, ARCAM’s Senior Global Product Line Manager, tells me that efficiency is typically higher than Class A or AB amplifiers, but there’s no skimping on power supply engineering for power rail optimisation. He says that the company has been optimising this system for years, as well as focusing on refining circuit layouts as each new generation of its Class G platform is introduced.

The company has specified an ESS Hyperstream IV DAC, which it says excels in respect of both sound quality and measured performance. The SA45’s digital audio paths remain balanced from the preamplifier stage, which is housed on a dedicated PCB, all the way to the power amplifier. Users can also toggle through various digital filter settings to find their preferred sound.

The SA45 has a crisp new look, including a satin-black metal chassis, solid metal fascia plate and angled rear cowl. A yellow side panel shadow line is complemented by yellow backing ring lights around the front panel dials, for added visual impact. James says the Radia series design cues came from buyer feedback, plus ARCAM’s desire to incorporate future technology.

The facia is built around a large 8.8” display that’s so clear and clean you could watch video on it. Navigation is very simple, and controls have a positive feel. James says that the rear angled cowl is for more than just styling reasons, as it houses the wireless antennae. The manufacturer actually delayed the launch of the SA35 and SA45, so they would come with the latest Bluetooth v5.4 Auracast and Snapdragon Sound standards.

The rear panel is logically laid out and connects almost anything analogue or digital. Sturdy speaker binding posts are surrounded by XLR and RCA options for pre-out and two subwoofer outputs. Three RCA analogue input pairs, plus MM and MC phono, are supported by the digital inputs (2 pairs of optical and coaxial S/PDIF), an Ethernet port and a USB for UPnP connections. Connectivity for external trigger-control, IR sensor, RS232, and HDMI eARC audio input completes the picture. This amp is big at 432x140x390mm [WxHxD] and weighs a hefty 17kg.

Inside the box-in-box packaging is a clear and simple setup manual, a neat and tactile metal-housed remote and a DIRAC measurement microphone. Indeed, the SA45 has all the DIRAC smarts onboard for listening room optimisation adjusted for speaker and listening position. You can choose to load and use the DIRAC file/s or turn them off. ARCAM claims this system can yield benefits in any system, but it works best in rooms with sub-optimal speaker placement.

Setting up the SA45 through the ARCAM App proved easy enough. Through Ethernet or AirPlay, the network interface was faultless and lag-free. My network recognised the amp immediately and my Google Home App automatically registered it. In the near future, Radia products will integrate with smart home industry suppliers such as Control4, Crestron and Savant. It supports streaming apps, internet radio, podcast services, Spotify, Tidal and Roon. Apple AirPlay and Google Cast are just a click away.

My review sources included a Primare CD31 CD player and Bluesound Vault 2i streamer, feeding the SA45 which in turn drove Serhan+Swift Mu.2 Mk2 loudspeakers. All analogue cables were Tributaries Series 8 with Audioquest Forest optical cable. The ARCAM’s own DAC was used for most of my listening as it outperformed those in both the silver disc spinner and streamer.

The Listening

The SA45 has a spacious and engaging sound with plenty of detail. Neither too challenging nor too clinical, it lets the music flow with little interference. Tonally, there’s a slight forwardness in the upper bass and midband, which adds life to the sound. It’s an amplifier that can get your feet tapping whilst subtly drawing you into the swing of things.

For example, Fink’s acoustic version of Resurgum sounded suitably expansive through the ARCAM. The opening section saw plenty of detail being delivered, with no shortage of dynamic heft to back things up. Guitar notes raced out, hung in the air and then fell away delicately, while the bass was crisp and propulsive. It was almost as if I were listening to the music from behind the mixing desk, in the recording studio. Mavis Staples’ Who Told You That was no less fun. The lead vocal was presented with pinpoint precision in the centre of the mix, and it sounded powerful and unfettered. The electric guitar had satisfying edginess and bite, and the drum work really hit home. The delicacy of the backing vocalists added extra feel.

Neil Murray’s Salty Ground is a natural sounding recording that isn’t overly produced, with emotive vocals set into a large recorded acoustic. The SA45 communicated this very well, with sprinkles of guitar playing popping out of the mix and then decaying away nicely. This contrasted to my similarly priced Primare integrated amplifier, which had a more recessed sound tonally speaking.

The ARCAM’s commendable speed and agility were underlined by Kaki King’s Kewpie Station, which has a tactile and realistic sound. It was as if this talented guitarist were there, playing in my living room. The speed of the guitar picking, strumming and slapping – as each note exploded and then withdrew to silence – was first class. Not only this, but the sound of the guitar itself was highly authentic, showing this amplifier’s natural tonality. The crispness of this amplifier’s low-end performance was a major bonus, too. With Alive and Brilliant from Deborah Conway, the song’s lively bassline was textured and taut, so every pluck could be heard.

The SA45’s DIRAC room optimisation function will be a major attraction for some people, whilst audiophile purists will likely leave it alone. I found it was easy to use, with setup being via an external PC. It can really help out in sub-optimal rooms, where it works well at cancelling out resonant modes and timing issues. In my room, DIRAC calmed down the midband slightly, without losing any detail or texture. In other news, the moving magnet phono stage proved to be no slouch, and streaming was simple using the built-in services or AirPlay.

The Verdict

A highly impressive product from veteran British brand ARCAM, the new SA45 makes a great case for itself in terms of styling, ergonomics, connectivity, build and sound. It has power aplenty to drive pretty much any loudspeakers, and the DIRAC room equalisation function will appeal to many. So if you’re in the market for a great-looking streaming amplifier that’s bang up-to-date in terms of functionality, this is an essential audition.

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