Have your say & ask the experts

drummerman:

They are available retail now. An audition should'nt be difficult to organize.

I know, thanks DM. As the Tesco adverts say, "every little helps." 

drummerman:

They are available retail now. An audition should'nt be difficult to organize.

Agreed, but until we receive review samples there's not much we can do.

plastic penguin:

Fair enough. I was hoping one might slip thru the back door [so to speak].

Being Arcam amplification, you probably would'nt know they're there until you fall over one.

drummerman:

Bad joke, they are actually not that bad.

Almost choked on me PG Tips. If it was your money, DM, would you plump for the Arcam A18 or Rotel RA 06?

Hughes123:

What if you HAD to choose between the Arcam or the Rotel?

I'll let you know in 2 or 3 weeks time.

Hughes123:

What if you HAD to choose between the Arcam or the Rotel?

But I dont

The 18 is just too pedestrian for me and it can realistically really only drive small speakers with well damped bass. Still, better balanced than the A70. The Rotel lacks coherence and I dont like the bass or treble.

If you dont want a cyrus, dont like the 7001 or KI version, think the Brio has not enough power, dont like the name creek etc. I still would'nt suggest either one (A18 or 06). I'd spend a hundred quid and buy a s/h Denon PM355UK. It sounds as close to the Arcam A28 (RRP £750) as is ridiculous. Even has slightly better bass and midrange drive, only looses slight treble clarity but you only notice when comparing them back to back. Believe me, we've tried it but dont tell anyone I've said this.

Anyway, the new Arcams are not bad, have good facilities, look nice and will probably appeal to many but for musical involvement they are unfortunately not my cup of tea.