Arcam Alpha One Amplifier

For those who closely follow the evolution of technology under the Arcam brand, the phrase Alpha One is already familiar. In the mid-90s, an entry-level CD player was produced under this name, but in design it is the previous generation. The new younger brother in the Alpha series from the face completely repeats the Alpha 7 and Alpha 8 models. There is even a remote control receiver window (in the upper left corner of the front panel), but in this device it is just a decoration. The external difference at the back comes down to the presence of only one pair of speaker connectors. At the same time, the continuity of the model gives out that the speakers are turned off not only automatically when the headphone plug is inserted, but also with a special button. The amplifier provides for switching off timbres and balance (this is how the DIRECT mode is implemented here), which ensures minimal path interference in signal processing. However, in Alpha One, switching to this mode is accompanied by an increase in the level of approximately 4 dB, which is very noticeable when listening to sinusoidal or noise signals. When playing music, however, an increase in level is perceived as an addition of highs and basses, so it is difficult to talk about an objective assessment of the improvement with such a transition.

The relatively small dimensions and lightness of Arcam were more in harmony with the bookshelf acoustics, but when floor-standing giants were connected, some kind of visual imbalance was felt (painfully different weight categories), and at first it seemed that the amplifier could not cope with them. And although, as expected, his power is not Herculean, but within the available output power, the Arcam was controlled with any speakers quite adequately. His "intimacy" more than pays off with outstanding vocal abilities. It creates a space that gives the sound a light and joyful mood that makes you start dancing. The looseness and fullness of the sound are successfully complemented by the precise placement and preservation of the proportionality of the scene. All this gives the sound emotionality, sometimes even excessive. But for all his remarkable vocal abilities, even with speakers of normal sensitivity, he was overloaded sooner than we would like. And although for most "room" applications of its power will be enough, the proximity of reaching the limit can already be felt.