A38 (Discontinued)

Integrated Amplifier

The A38 features new output device technology which practically eliminates thermal modulation of audio signals to ensure a truly dynamic and transparent reproduction. The brand new preamp design using studio grade components and new power amplifier stages deliver a result which exceeds expectations and raises the bar for specialist integrated amplifiers in general.

Read the Ultra Audio review

Overview

With over 30 years of audiophile engineering experience, Arcam is one of the UK’s most respected audio companies. The new A38 stereo integrated amplifier is the latest in a long family line of award winning HiFi.

The A38 design team was given a simple goal; to develop the best performing stereo amplifier Arcam had ever produced. Although a huge task, the team dug deep into the basic structure of amplifier design and the result was a remarkable improvement in fidelity.

An in-house research project yielded a wealth of information concerning the influences of thermal conditions on power amplifier performance. As a result the A38 features a number of new technologies which practically eliminate thermal modulation of audio signals and ensure truly dynamic and enthralling reproduction. New Sanken output devices and dramatically improved thermal coupling provide an extremely stable device temperature resulting in much improved linearity.

The massive torroid based power supply delivers effortless power with a new low noise topology improving transient response. A new pre-amplifier design, featuring hermetically sealed “reed” relays from Arcam’s range topping C31 pre-amplifier; deliver a wonderfully transparent signal to each power amplifier. Reed relays offer extremely low contact resistance and virtually infinite life span. An all new volume control (Burr Brown PGA2320) gives unprecedented linearity and noise performance allowing fine details to be reproduced in startling clarity.

Technical spec

Pre-amplifier section

All new audiophile pre-amplifier design with very low noise and distortion
Very short audio signal path for cleanest possible sound
No tone controls for lowest distortion and noise
DC coupled using servo to remove any DC from input signals
New improved Burr Brown volume control
High quality Burr Brown op-amps in signal path
Hermetically sealed reed relay input switching with immeasurable distortion and noise*
Four-layer printed circuit boards allow control of power supply reduction of electrical noise
Processor mode option for seamless integration with AV surround decoders
Audiophile grade Stargate and Rubicon capacitors for signal transparency
Optional single stage MM/MC phono preamp