New Amp to go with Arcam DIVA CD-72?

Raider

Raider

Raider

Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
4,576
Location
Leamington Spa / Oxford
I've had my current hi-fi setup for quite a while now, and unfortunately i haven't been able to use it recently. :(

Now i'm moving into a new place where i'll be able to set it up in my room along with my TV / Xbox 360 etc..
I'm currently running:

Arcam Alpha 1 amp
Arcam DIVA CD-72
Acoustic Energy AE-109 Floorstanders

I'm looking to upgrade my amp, with around £400 to spend. I would normally do my usual thing of going to my local hi-fi place (which is excellent) and have a good listen to some of the kit. But i've been wondering about maybe buying second-hand instead, to get more bang for my buck.

I like the idea of getting an Arcam DIVA amp to match my CD-player, maybe the older DIVA A85 (now replaced by the A90) or A75 Plus?

I listen to a huge range of music, so the amp has to be a good all rounder, and from my experience i've always been more than happy with Arcam kit. So any opinions? Ta :)
 
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I'd like to suggest that you still go to your local dealer and listen to a variety of kit, to see which brands "sonic signature" you prefer. Most brands tends to have a kind of in house sound. The only difference being that the more expensive it is, the better it is. I know that's a massive generalisation, but it's not far out.

If you have a listen and think "hey, I really like that Cyrus kit" or whatever it is that takes you fancy, then you'll probably be fine buying a s/h or ex dem unit by the same company.

Obvious brands to try that you can find at around that price point s/h include the usual Arcam, Cyrus, Naim, Linn, Roksan. See what your dealer suggests.
 
I would keep the amp a bit longer, and get a better CD player, have a listen at a dealer and see if you agree. Good excuse to use with the dealer as well, your trying to workout what upgrade to do next. (Try a better Arcam, Roksan, Rega, Naim )

What do you not like about the set-up now, and make you think the amp is at fault ?
 
I just have the feeling that my speakers could use some extra power to get the most out of them. Is 30W / channel really enough for floorstanders?

For reference when I bought the AE 109s (or ME109s as I keep calling them), around 5 years ago, they were very similar to B&W 602s, but in floorstander form.

What makes you think the CD-72 is the weak part of the system?
 
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