Стримеры — Arcam ST5

The ST5 is a network streamer from Arcam's Radia series, unveiled in London on 3 October 2023 together with the A5, A15 and A25 integrated amplifiers and the CD5 disc player, with retail availability in the fourth quarter of that year. Launch prices were GBP 799, EUR 949 and USD 799. Arcam presents it as the high resolution upgrade for its Radia integrated amplifiers, built in a slim case that matches them.

Key specs that matter

An ESS ES9018 converter with time domain jitter elimination drives one pair of analogue RCA outputs, and two digital S/PDIF outputs, one coaxial RCA and one Toslink optical, are also fitted for use with an external DAC. Hi-res playback covers FLAC, WAV, AIFF, ALAC, AAC and MQA at 16 or 24 bit and 44.1 to 192 kHz, plus DSD up to DSD128, while MP3, MP4, OGG and WMA play at 16 bit and 44.1 or 48 kHz. Playback is gapless. Frequency response is 20 Hz to 20 kHz within 0.05 dB with filter 1. The unit measures 431 x 344 x 58 mm, weighs 3.58 kg net and 6.6 kg packed, and draws 12 W in use and under 0.5 W in eco standby. Mains versions exist for 100 to 120 V and 220 to 240 V.

Engineering and use context

The ST5 connects to the home network over Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Qobuz Connect, Tidal Connect and Spotify Connect play natively, all with hi-res and MQA support, the unit is Roon Ready, and Apple AirPlay and Google Cast give a route in from the majority of smartphones and tablets. The ARCAM Radia app handles Wi-Fi setup and adds internet radio presets, podcasts, Amazon Music Unlimited and UPnP access to network storage, and a USB-A port reads music from mass storage drives. A supplied control cable links the streamer to an A5+ or A15+ amplifier so that input selection and volume are handled together from one device. Arcam argues that splitting streaming and amplification into two boxes, each with its own power supply, gives a better result than a single all-in-one unit. The package includes a remote control with two AAA batteries, and the box itself uses plastic-free packaging.

Pairing

The RCA analogue pair suits any line-level input on an amplifier, and the Radia amplifiers with the control link are the direct match. Owners of a separate DAC or an AV receiver can use the coaxial or optical output instead and bypass the internal converter.

Alternatives

The Arcam ST60 is a network streamer with an ESS9038 converter, balanced XLR and RCA analogue outputs and four digital inputs.