How Does Arcam A85 Compare To Modern Amplifiers

• #1

Hi , any users of the a85?
I need some advice , i recently bought one used, one of the issues is the output volume.
I accept compared the a85 at 85 watts per channel against a marantz and a sony both at twoscore watts per aqueduct.
I am finding that I need the arcam volume at around 45-50 out of 72 to attain an audible volume matching my bottom powered amps on a quarter plough of their dials ( ie 25/100). So I am obviously concerned that an amp at double the watts would be much quieter. at such a relatively high plow of the knob. ( I capeesh double the watts is only a few extra db merely still....)
I also read in the manual that the arcam may well get much louder before in the plow of the dial , so this also adds weight to the issue.
Or does anyone have an a85 and can ostend otherwise , perhaps its deadening to increase in volume and the has a dramatic uplift well-nigh the max output? which sounds odd to me.
(I have the input sensitivity control set to 0)
Just to give you an thought , with a pretty heavy rock track on a cd playing at 40/72 volume I tin talk over it loudly and heard ( non shouting).

In all cases playing same cd , same player , aforementioned speakers.

Ugg10

Distinguished Member

• #ii

Have y'all compare the input sensitivities of the amps? The Arcam may be less sensitive.

Looks like the a85 has input trims in the menu so previous owner may have reduced these, worth checking. May be worth doing a factory reset.

Page 8

• #three

hi
input sensitivities set to 0 , factory level reset done.
Arcam input sensitivity is 250mv at 22kohm
Marantz is 190mV at 20kohm.
what does that translate as???? in relation to the effect I may accept

Ugg10

Distinguished Member

• #4

The Arcam is marginally less sensitive and so should exist slightly quieter merely non by much.

Only other this is that yous have double checked you that the soeaker are correctly wired, cherry to red and black to black, distressing maybe obvious exist we accept all done it. But this is ordinarily accompanied by a modify in sound equally well every bit volume (limited bass or treble) and if unmarried wiring you have the jumpers in if your speakers have 2 sets of terminals.

Merely other affair y'all could attempt is changing the volume resolution between standard, fine and reference, I doubt this would affect it merely worth a try.

• #5

Looking at the manual it shows different volume resolution settings and goes on to say that if set to reference and with the display to evidence a figure rather than graph, then the number displayed is the actual decibel effigy. I'm not sure exactly what this means in reality but it might exist worth playing around with the 'Standard', 'Fine' and 'Reference' modes to see how things change.

OK I just saw this is exactly what Ugg10 put at the bottom of his mail service. I'll shut up now!

• #6

howdy all
played with the volume sensitivities , seems to make picayune deviation. Yes , speakers correctly wired - bu worth asking -it happens.
An a85 at 85 watts per channel should blow you socks off at 1/two volume surely? this is what I dont go.
arcam at over half book to match marantz and sony at 1/four volume , and these amps are half the output wattage

Concluding edited: Jan 12, 2020

• #8

Did yous get whatsoever further with this? I'm guessing room size, speakers and the recording/mastering will all play a part in this so my findings maybe some what irrelevant simply I thought I'd share them anyhow. I have an Arcam C30 pre-amp that has the same 0-72 scale on the book merely it'southward got a pair of 100wpc ability amps on the stop of information technology biamping my speakers. I'grand currently listening to an early on CD version of Judas Priest's Screaming for Vengeance, so heavy stone/metal but beingness a pre-loudness wars disc, you would expect it to exist quieter than a modern release. I have volume at 40 and you could easily have a chat without shouting. Cranking it to l would mean raised voices but you could notwithstanding hash out information technology if needed without actually shouting. Does that sound somewhat similar to your situation?

• #9

Did you go any further with this? I'm guessing room size, speakers and the recording/mastering volition all play a part in this so my findings maybe some what irrelevant merely I idea I'd share them anyway. I have an Arcam C30 pre-amp that has the same 0-72 calibration on the volume only it's got a pair of 100wpc ability amps on the end of it biamping my speakers. I'm currently listening to an early CD version of Judas Priest'south Screaming for Vengeance, and then heavy stone/metallic just beingness a pre-loudness wars disc, you would expect it to exist quieter than a modernistic release. I have volume at 40 and you could easily have a conversation without shouting. Cranking it to 50 would hateful raised voices just you could still talk over information technology if needed without actually shouting. Does that sound somewhat like to your situation?

Hi , yes similar , sounds odd to be that numerically loud and still be taken over information technology.
as said , my old amps at a 1/4 plough are LOUD

• #10

going to buy a cheap spl meter , or forget about information technology!!

Source: https://www.avforums.com/threads/arcam-a85-users.2268987/

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