Интегральные усилители — Arcam SA30

The SA30 is a streaming integrated amplifier from Arcam, the British brand now owned by Harman International, and it sits at the top of the HDA amplifier range above the Class AB SA10 and the Class G SA20. It combines a power amplifier, a line and phono preamplifier, a D/A converter and a network streaming module in one chassis. Arcam now lists the model as discontinued.

Key specs that matter

Rated output is 120 W per channel into 8 ohm and 220 W into 4 ohm from a Class G output stage, with total harmonic distortion plus noise of 0.002 percent. There are five analogue inputs, one of which is a phono input switchable between MM and MC, and one line input is on the front panel. Digital connections comprise two coaxial and two optical inputs, a USB port, Ethernet, Wi-Fi and an HDMI input with ARC for a television. Conversion is handled by a 32-bit ESS Sabre ES9038 DAC, and MQA decoding is supported. Besides the speaker terminals, the rear carries pre-out sockets, and a headphone output is also provided. The case measures 433 x 100 x 323 mm and the unit weighs 12 kg.

Engineering and use context

Class G works with more than one set of supply rails, running from the lower rails at modest levels and switching to the higher rails only when the signal demands it, which cuts heat and wasted power compared with a pure Class AB design of similar rating. In the SA30 the first 20 W is delivered in Class A before the stage moves into its higher operating region. A toroidal transformer feeds the power supply. The streaming module offers Spotify Connect including lossless playback, Tidal Connect with hi-res files, Apple AirPlay 2 and Google Chromecast, and the amplifier is Roon Ready, so no separate streamer is required. For custom installation it accepts IP control with Control4 and Crestron drivers, plus RS232 and infrared, and it can be operated from a web browser. Through the HDMI ARC link the amplifier takes the audio track straight from a television, without an optical cable.

Pairing

The high low-impedance rating leaves headroom for demanding low-impedance floorstanding speakers. With the built-in phono stage and converter, a turntable, a CD transport with digital output and a television can all connect directly, while the pre-out can feed an active subwoofer or an external stereo power amplifier.

Alternatives

The Arcam SA20 is a Class G integrated rated at 90 W per channel with an ES9038K2M converter and three digital inputs.