Arcam

SA35 Integrated Amplifier

AUD $6,495 | GBP £2,999 | USD $3,300

ARCAM’s attractive new Radia range is, in my view, a masterclass in aesthetics and usability. Featuring a crisp 6.5“ hi-res display, neat satin black casework and a symmetrical dual-knob fascia with yellow accents, the new SA35 integrated amp really draws your eye.

James Todd, the company’s Senior Global Product Line Manager, explains the range in terms of being a mix of consumer feedback and ARCAM’s desire to incorporate future technology. Radia was developed to appeal to all music lovers, from serious 2-channel devotees to more casual listeners who want superior sound in a stylish, easy-to-use package. Mission accomplished!

Up Close

The SA35’s hefty 12kg load is spread evenly throughout the sleek 432x99x344mm [WxHxD] form. It is engineered to a very high standard, from its casework to the internal componentry and user interface. The package includes a well-written setup manual, a tactile metal remote and a DIRAC measurement microphone.

The rear panel is well laid out with both channel speaker terminals grouped together on one side. The three line-level RCA inputs include an MM/MC phono stage, but there are no balanced ins. A pair of subwoofer outputs completes the RCA line-up. A full array of digital interfaces hover under the rear cowl, with dual pairs of optical and coaxial S/PDIF, an Ethernet port, a USB for UPnP connection and HDMI eARC audio in. Control function inputs cater for RS232 external trigger and smart home integration.

The SA35 utilises ARCAM’s usual, and now fifth-generation, Class-G amplification circuitry to generate 120W per channel into 8 ohms or 200W into 4. With over twenty years of continual Class G development, ARCAM’s engineers have focused on refining PCB layouts to achieve greater transparency, dynamics, and musicality. During listening tests, this amp stayed cool and never baulked at the power requested of it or the presented loudspeaker load.

The SA35 houses ESS’s latest Hyperstream iV DAC, which offers switchable digital filter settings to match the listener’s taste. DIRAC is built to fine-tune the unit to one’s room acoustics. Users may set and forget the DIRAC setting once configured, turn it off completely, or continually apply and modify optimisation as listening room layouts or furnishings change. ARCAM claims DIRAC can yield benefits in any system, with the greatest sonic improvements in sub-optimal listening rooms.

The SA35 works with Spotify, Tidal and Qobuz streaming services, plus in-built internet radio, podcast services, and Roon. Input selections can be controlled from the front panel, the remote control, or by using your selected streaming app. Services such as Apple AirPlay and Google Cast are also a click away from use.** Todd** says the SA range release was delayed so consumers had access to the latest wireless interface technology. This is fitted into the rear cowl with Bluetooth v5.4 Auracast and Snapdragon Sound standards.

Setting up the SA35 for the first time and getting it connected to my network was done in a matter of seconds through the app. Whether connected via cable (Ethernet) or wirelessly, all of this product’s streaming capabilities were lag-free with a fault-free connection. My network recognised the amp immediately, and likewise with my Google Home App. Further integration of smart multi-room and control in Radia products is planned, including integration with smart home industry suppliers such as Control4, Crestron and Savant.

My review system comprised a Primare CD31 and Bluesound Vault 2i streamer going into the SA35, which in turn powered Serhan+Swift Mu.2 Mk2 or ProAc SuperTablette loudspeakers. All analogue cables were Tributaries Series 8 with optical connection using Audioquest Forest cable.

The Listening

Across all music genres and inputs, the SA35 sounds consistent with a taut yet well-weighted bottom end, a detailed and finely timed midband, and the top end has air and crispness. Rhythmically, it is mesmerising, meaning that your feet are always tapping. It delivers a highly detailed but smooth sound that can be listened to for an extended period. There’s good midband presence, which makes music feel tactile and live, yet fatigue never sets in.

The built-in ESS DAC is a great performer, and this helps to conjure up a fine sense of realism. Timing was spot on, as the ARCAM layered detail to bring all the instruments together on Yussef Kamaal’s Remembrance. The opening sequence danced between shimmering percussion, snappy drums, easy-picking guitar and keyboard. Each note was well separated, as the drum hit launched from and retracted back into the soundstage in an effortless way. The sonic climax around the 3-minute mark had the SA35 stay calm despite the high dynamic load.

Time-travelling back to** Boz Scaggs’** Lowdown live recording had real funk to it. A broad soundstage captured the band spread across the stage, as the backing singers chimed in and out. The opening drumming sequence was taut and punchy whilst ably supported by the well-defined electric bass line. The SA35’s pinpoint imagery was also on show, with the backing horn section sounding like an integral part of the band.** Scaggs’** distinctive vocals were positively located front and centre, as the silky-throated backing vocalists seemed to float in space.

Satisfied Mind by** Ben Harper** and **The Blind Boys of Alabama **had a rock-solid soundstage, with vocals and guitar taking centre stage and the keyboards floating off to the far left. The SA35 did very well on melodic tracks like this, where you keep searching for new instrumental or vocal contributions to the rhythm. The former is where this amp made this track stand out, with real emotion to the layered vocals.

Yazz Ahmed’s She Stands On The Shore shone via the SA35. I was greeted by a broad and spacious soundstage with plenty of depth and height. Vocals moved clearly from the rear to the front – as did the flugelhorn, which projected into the room eerily. The midband had oodles of clarity, as the fast percussion floated in front of me.

With the DIRAC system switched on, the SA35 sounded a little more reserved and less ‘live’ across the midband in my room. Whether you use it or not really depends on your preferences, and how poor your room acoustics are – I can’t make any definitive statement here. And finally, with the analogue pathway, the MM phono stage performance proved very good. It’s a real bonus for hi-fi buyers who are digital-centric but play the occasional vinyl LP.

The Verdict

With its fine sound and effective streaming capability, this ARCAM provides a solid argument for one-box hi-fi. The built-in DAC is very good and only adds to the value of the package. Sonically, the SA35 is a strong and consistent performer, with a real zeal for presenting the music’s rhythms and dynamics. Ultimately, it’s a little tonally mid-forward, but it’s nothing untoward, and the DIRAC system could potentially assist here. So if you’re in the market for a classy, affordable integrated amplifier with serious digital streaming, this should be at the top of your list.

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