Arcam C30 Preamplifier, Multi-Channel Music Module, & 7 P1 Mono Blocks - Hi-Fi Choice

From the September 2004 Issue

There is no denying that this is one of the most ear-pleasing, genuinely 'hi-fi' and downright musical multichannel amp systems money can buy.

Arcam C30 Preamplifier - MBC NEWS

Sometimes our own people are our toughest critics. Take Michael Baskin, our Southern California sales rep, for example. He's a diehard Audio Research fanatic. Back when they used regional sales reps, he was always one of their top performers. It was only his aversion to the cold winters that kept him from accepting the national sales manager's position in Minneapolis. So, for years all we've heard from him about Arcam was, "It's not as good as Audio Research." Which was OK with us, since the gear he was using as his benchmark was always MUCH more expensive. Imagine the smile on our faces when we saw "Legendary ARC SP9 vs. Arcam" in his recent newsletter.

After receiving the C30, I broke it in for 72 hours and reckoned it was time for the ‘showdown’. The first thing I noticed with the C30 was the noise coming from my system had disappeared. No hum. No hiss. Then I heard the bass. There seemed to be more definition with the C30 and I quickly reverted to the SP9 for rebuttal. The bass on the ‘9’ was muddy and loose by comparison. I switched back to the C30 for confirmation and was shocked at how much tighter and punchier the bass was.

Next I checked the highs – did the C30 have more ‘air’? AND HOW! There was probably an entire octave missing from the SP9 which sounded dull and dark by comparison.

Okay, what about that legendary tube midrange? The SP9 is VERY smooth through the mids with 3D depth and width galore. Surely the C30 didn’t stand a chance this time.

As they say, “Never say ‘never’.” Try as I might, I could hear no advantage for either preamp through the middle. Let’s see, the C30 had quieter backgrounds, better bass, more ‘air’ and didn’t trade off any mid range performance.

I asked myself, “Why exactly would I KEEP the SP9?” So I sold it and I find myself listening to music night after night thanks to the ARCAM C30.

Arcam C30 Preamplifier / Multi-Channel Music Module / P1 Power Amplifier - Home Cinema

From the June 2004 issue:

Detail communication borders on the telepathic, while the system's ability to differentiate minuscule gradations of sound is truly extraordinary.

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