Arcam’s Latest And Best Amplifier Technology Brought To The Purist On A Budget

DiVA A70 $1099 - Pure Performance Stereo - Bass, Pace, Timing & Dynamics

September 19, 2006

Few companies can boast a 30 year history in making world class hi-fi amplifiers and while many are neglecting stereo in favor of Home Cinema, there is still a substantial market for performance hi-fi . Arcam of Cambridge, England, has pulled out all the stops to deliver a new stereo amplifier, with sound quality that blows away anything in its price class. The A70 incorporates lessons learned from the high-end A90, including the current feedback power amp topology, which enables the A70 to resolve impressive levels of detail and insight into the music. The A70’s electronics are built on one double sided, fiberglass PCB, with heavy copper tracks and liberal use of surface mount components. The precision electronic volume control and other key parts are sorbothane damped, audibly improving sound quality. The slim casework is deceptive, as this design delivers high-level performance. A massive toroidal power transformer and separate power supplies for each channel, mean the A70 can drive almost any loudspeaker on the market. Going above and beyond normal amplifier design, Arcam has utilized their proprietary 'Mask of Silence' technologies. In particular, much use has been made of the Stealth Mat material normally found in the company’s premium FMJ range. This strategy for reducing stray electromagnetic interference in combination with critical vibration dampening, ensures every last ounce of performance is realized from the unit’s audiophile-grade components. Gold plated RCA phono and speaker sockets complete the picture. The A70 is simple to use, with key operations handled by a powerful microprocessor. The master volume control can be set with three different profi les, a user menu provides input trims to compensate for different source levels and the AV input gain can be set to integrate with a home cinema system. All functions can be accessed from the remote, including both speaker outputs, useful for controlling a second set of speakers in another room. For custom install, power can be switched from standby by a 12 volt trigger or from the IR remote mini-jack socket on the rear. The six inputs include a high-quality phono input for moving magnet cartridges and a tape/CDR loop for recording. - 50 Watts rms per channel 20Hz -20kHz into 8Ω from a massive toroidal transformer based power supply - Ultra short signal path with class leading fi delity - Unique Mask of Silence technology inc. Arcam's Stealth Mat - 2 switchable speaker outputs, 6 inputs inc MM Phono and a tape loop - Custom install ready with remote input mini jack and 12 volt trigger output - High precision volume control with 3 separate settings and programmable maximum ON volume setting - Sophisticated menu with text display and a full function remote control - Available in Silver or Black - model - A70 Stereo Amplifi er - custom install ready - remote input mini jack - 12 volt trigger out - US retail availability - October 2006 - US retail price - $1099

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