Arcam has put together an expertly
packaged device offering the right amount of power and features
Rhythmically, Kraftwerk’s Tour de France
Soundtracks Etape 3 is a pretty stern test of any amplifier’s grip of a
loudspeaker, and the Arcam impresses in many ways. While it proves so generous
low down that at high levels one was often on the verge of thinking this is
going to end in tears – with the amp descending into a glop of low-frequency
chaos – actually it never does. At the same time, it shows Great Spirit in the
mid-band; it lacks the forensic insight of the Creek Evolution 50A here, making
everything sound just a little more diffuse and out of focus, but still
musically it is never less than totally coherent. While the Creek is definitely
tighter, crisper and more detailed, I’m not sure it is quite as nice to cuddle
up with the music to.
Arcam
has put together an expertly packaged device offering the right amount of power
and features
Cueing up some classic eighties rock in the
shape of REM’s Near Wild Heaven, the FMJ A19 again shows its mettle, providing
a widescreen sound with a gutsy bottom end and plenty going on further up.
Again, I find this to be a detailed amplifier well able to resolve the
subtleties of this clean analogue recording, although it doesn’t bristle with
low-level information like the Creek Evolution 50A can. Nor is there the
latter’s dynamic prowess, the Arcam sitting on the very loudest crescendos just
a tad more than it should. But funnily enough I still find myself beguiled by
this product in a way that the Creek doesn’t quite manage – it has the fluidity
and lyricism of a good valve amp, which is something I don’t always write in an
Arcam amplifier review! I’d go as far as saying it’s a dramatic improvement
over the company’s earlier offerings at this price point, in this respect.
It is only with classical music that the
Arcam sounds anything but fabulous. An Esoteric SACD of Mozart’s Piano Concerto
No.20 (Curzon, English Chamber Orchestra) that I’ve tried with the Creek
recently is beautifully rendered for sure, but noticeably less accurately all
the same. Here, you can tell how the Arcam is a less transparent device, as it
flattens the recording’s depth perspective somewhat, giving a wide but slightly
flat profile to the orchestra. Likewise, piano lacks a purity of tone you’d
expect to hear from a more expensive amplifier, sounding opaque and processed.
Nor is there that ‘inky black’ backdrop to the notes you get in some more
expensive designs; there is a slight diffuseness to things and a lack of air up
top. Still, that’s not to say the FMJ sounds bad, for it does not. Quite the
reverse in fact; it lends velveteen smoothness to strings which screech through
the Pioneer A-70, gives the cellos even greater body than even they’d concede
they need, and makes the general musical event highly enjoyable. You can
nit-pick all day, but still this amp’s innate musicality will charm you.
Conclusion
This amp faces tough competition from
several recently refreshed models, but still has little to worry about. In the
FMJ A19, Arcam has put together an expertly packaged little device offering the
right amount of power and features, and a wonderfully musically engaging sound
with a rich tonality that will suit budget ancillaries. Of course, it’s not
without its faults but those are of omission – it’s not quite as detailed or
dimensional as the best of the rest – and its strengths are compelling. It’s
guaranteed to get the joint jumping!
Connections
1. AC mains voltage selector
2. Accessory power socket
3. RCA phono MM input
4. Preamp output for bi-amping
5. Loudspeaker binding posts
6. FCC compliance notice
Connections
In sight
1. Power drivers
2. RF output filter
3. Smoothing capacitor
4. Headphone amplifier
5. Low power standby PSU
6. Toroidal transformer
In
sight
Our verdict
·
Sound quality: 5/5
·
Value for money: 5/5
·
Build quality: 5/5
·
Features: 4.5/5
·
Like: Genuinely musical sound; sumptuous
tonality; useful features; fine build and finish
·
Dislike: Big bass won’t suit boom speakers
·
We say: Surprisingly capable, affordable
integrated amp that’s up with the best at the price
·
Overall: 5/5
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Arcam FMJ
A19 specs
·
Origin: UK
·
Type: Integrated amplifier
·
Dimensions: (W x H x D) 432 x 275 x 85mm
·
Weight: 8.5kg
·
Features: Alphanumeric display; MM cartridge
input; Preamplifier output; Headphone output
·
7 x RCA phono line inputs
·
Quoted power output: 2 x 50RMS into 8ohms
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