Photos and specs Amplifier Arcam A65 Plus

• Price: $550
• Worth: accurate, smooth sound
• Limitations: power is not disconnected from the remote

Design. Slightly tapered light sticks on the front a nice contrast with the black color casing. He has such a low altitude that we thought crept in: if it is not a digital device. Doubts disappeared when the cover has been removed: we saw quite a standard design, a radiator output transistors were low - felt accurate calculation of a relatively small power amplifier. The power supply are large capacitors (0.01 F), but only two of them. Hence, the channels are combined by feeding that can lead to increased penetration of the parasitic signals from channel to channel. Signal from a source selected input selector, and arrives at the output jack preamp and jack Tape, for listening to the recording, which is made on a tape with a "cross-cutting" channel. For each channel is provided by two pairs of speaker terminals that can connect speakers to the scheme bi-wiring.

Functions. There is a short-circuit on the output. This situation indicates the power indicator, changing color from green to orange. A similar indication is provided for headphone listening mode. Orange glow indicates that the speakers are disconnected from the amplifier output.

Control. The selected source is shown on LEDs that turn around a corresponding inscription. However, the inscription is too small. Also difficult to determine what position the volume control is set as the risk on it - hardly noticeable. The remote control does not disable the power amplifier, but also allows you to manage proprietary CD-player or tuner.

Sound. Very correct portrayal of scenes: no tool "bulges", each located in their place. Even in difficult choral parts are easily distinguishable all the performers, so clearly sound. However, fidelity is adjacent to some softness, veiling the individual parts. It is noticeable mainly on the bottoms where the trailing edge of the pulse sharp little blurred. Better suited to the extended bass. With the "bass" acoustic effect is more pronounced.

Are present two pairs of speaker terminals and a separate terminal for grounding

View from inside

Remote Control

Measurements

Fig. 1. Frequency response function

Technical comment

At low loads CED is very small, only 0.0038 % (1 kHz), but significantly increases with increasing frequency (up to 0.046 % at 20 kHz). In the spectrum of the output signal - tangible intermodulation distortion (this explains noticed in the absence of subjective listening clarity). Voices have expressed the center frequency of the rise (or fall) smoothly extends to the edges of the frequency range of measurement. But if at low frequencies such a rise is often perceived with approval, as it increases the lower bass register, then at the top it only leads to an increase in noise. The remaining parameters are typical for this class of amplifier: channel separation of 62 dB S/N ratio slightly greater than 80 dB. Unbalance instrumentation channels recorded, but its value is very small, only 0.015 dB, so that the symmetric arrangement of columns balance control is required.