The A5 is an integrated amplifier with built-in DAC by Arcam that delivers 50 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms and 75 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms. It was released in 2023. It is a 2-channel design using a Class A/B output stage. A minimum impedance of 4 ohms makes it compatible with a wide range of loudspeakers. It has a built-in DAC (ESS Sabre ES9018), so you can play digital sources directly with no separate DAC unit needed. It also has a phono input, so a turntable can connect straight to it. The Arcam A5 has an MSRP of $699.
There are 9 Arcam amplifiers in our database. Below you can see the main specs of these amps.
Arcam Integrated Amplifier Series
Performance Specs
One of the most important factors when deciding on an integrated amplifier is its power ratings and compatibility with your speaker's impedance requirements. The Arcam A5 is rated at 50 watts RMS into 8-ohms. Arcam provides this wattage at a THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) of 0.5% which is an important indicator of distortion at the given values (lower THD is better).
Here are the main highlights of its performance specs:
- 50 watts into 8-ohms (20 Hz-20 kHz) at 0.5%
- 75 watts into 4-ohms
- 4-ohms Min Impedance (allows compatibility with a wide range of loudspeakers)
- 106dB Signal to Noise Ratio
How loud will 50 watts actually play in your room? →
Wiring more than one pair of speakers to it? Check the load first →
Which speakers suit the Arcam A5?
50 W into 8 ohms, 75 W into 4, rated down to 4 ohms.
We rank every passive speaker we cover against it on power, impedance safety and current
delivery.
Need more power?
Arcam A5 is rated at 50 watts into 8 ohms, which puts it in our Up to 60 watts band. The next band up is 61 to 90 watts, which is worth about 3.9dB more output. That is a real difference in headroom on peaks, and a modest one in how loud the system plays - power and loudness are not the same thing.
Before buying watts, check what your speakers actually need: the amp and speaker matcher works it out from their sensitivity, impedance and your room.
When pairing the Arcam A5 with a passive Bookshelf (Stand mount) or Passive Floor Standing (Tower) speaker, you have to check if their Max Power Range is below the max wattage of the amp for the given impedance levels.
Operating your amp outside of this max range may damage the speakers.
What size of room is the Arcam A5 Amplifier good for?
An essential deciding factor is the size of the room in which you intend to employ the Arcam A5 amplifier. Here, taking into account its maximum power parameters, we analyzed its applicability to various size environments:
| Listening Environment |
Suitability |
| Near-field | Average |
| Small Room | Good |
| Mid-size Room | Average |
| Large Room | Poor |
| Very Large Room | Bad |
Inputs and Outputs
Besides the performance specs of the Arcam A5, the next important feature set that you have to evaluate is the input and output selections that it offers.
Arcam A5 has total of 3 Analog inputs including 1 Phono Input (MM).
Arcam A5 Back View (Click the image for the larger version)
Inputs
- Total Number of Analog Inputs: 3
- Phono Input
- 1 Optical Digital Input
- 2 Coaxial Digital Input
Outputs
- Speaker Outputs
- Stereo RCA Preamp Outputs
- 3.5mm Headphone Output
Bluetooth Connectivity
Arcam A5 features built-in Bluetooth 5.2 for wireless music streaming from your Bluetooth-enabled devices such as Apple iPod/iPhone/iPad, Android smartphone/tablet, Windows PC, Mac computers/laptops.
Among the amps in the same price range, these are the 5 amps that have Bluetooth Connectivity:
Arcam A5 supports the following Bluetooth Codecs when used with supported devices:
Bluetooth Transmitter:Arcam A5 can also act as a Bluetooth transmitter, making it possible to stream the music from the amp to your bluetooth headphones or speakers.
Phono Input
Arcam A5 features one Phono Input which is compatible with
MM (Moving Magnet) type of phono cartridges, you can connect your turntable with MM cartridges directly to this amp without the need for a phono preamp. If you are using an MC cartridge on your turntable, you need to use a phono preamp that has MC phono stage such as the
Cambridge Duo or the
iFi ZEN Phono.
Subwoofer Output
Arcam A5 has Stereo RCA preamp outputs which can be used to connect to a powered subwoofer via an RCA cable ( as long as your sub supports this connection).
Check our
Powered Subwoofers page to find a subwoofer that will work with Arcam A5 amp and your speakers.
DAC and Digital Music
The Arcam A5's built-in DAC allows the connection of digital sources directly, eliminating the need for an external DAC. The DAC chip that is used in the A5 is the
ESS Sabre ES9018, and supports resolutions up to
24-bit, 192KHZ.
Arcam A5 External Dimensions and Weight
Arcam A5 has external dimensions of (H x W x D) 3-5/16inch x 17-1/16inch x 14-5/16inch (85.0mm x 434.0mm x 364.0mm ). The unit weighs
8.02 kg (17.6 lbs).
Base Surface Area
Base surface area of an integrated amplifier may become an important decision factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base area of the Arcam A5 is approximately 1579.8cm2 / 244.9inch2.
- Width: 434.0mm (17-1/16")
- Height: 85.0mm (3-5/16")
- Depth: 364.0mm (14-5/16")
- Weight: 8.02 kg (17.6 lbs)
- Base Surface Area: ~1579.8cm2 / 244.9inch2
- Volume: ~13.4 liter / 3.5 gallon
Available colors
Arcam A5 is available in Black color options.
What's in the Box of Arcam A5?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of A5:
- Integrated amplifier
- 68-inch AC power cord
- Remote control
- 2 -inchAAA-inch batteries
- Quick Start Guide
- Important Safety Instructions
Official Brochure
Here is a link to download the official brochure for the Arcam A5 Integrated Amplifier:
Official Brochure for Arcam A5
Official Product Page
Official manufacturer's product page for the Arcam A5 Integrated Amplifier can be found below:
Official Product Page for Arcam A5
Warranty
5 Years of parts warranty and 5 Years of labor warranty is generally provided for the Arcam A5 by the manufacturer.
Arcam A5 Lifestyle
| General |
| Brand |
Arcam |
| Full Model Name |
Arcam A5 |
| Release Date |
2023 |
| Amplifier Type |
Integrated Amplifier |
| Number of Channels |
2 |
| Amp Class |
Class A/B |
| Amplifier Technology |
Solid State |
| Performance |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 8-ohms |
50 watts |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 6-ohms |
N/A |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 4-ohms |
75 watts |
| Frequency Bandwidth |
20 Hz-20 kHz |
| THD |
0.5% |
| Minimum Impedance |
4 |
| Signal to Noise Ratio |
106 dB |
| Digital Music |
| Built-in DAC |
Yes |
| DAC Specs |
ESS Sabre ES9018 |
| Bluetooth |
Yes |
| WiFi |
|
| Ecosystem |
| Apple AirPlay |
No |
| Apple AirPlay2 |
No |
| DTS Play-Fi |
No |
| Chromecast built-in |
No |
| Roon |
No |
| HEOS |
No |
| BluOS |
No |
| CONNECTIONS |
| Total Analog Inputs |
3 |
| Phono Input |
Yes |
| Optical Digital Inputs |
1 |
| Coaxial Digital Inputs |
2 |
| USB Input |
Service only |
| USB Type |
USB Type-A input for software updates only |
| Preamp Outputs |
Stereo RCA |
| Pre-out / Main-in Loop |
No |
| Headphone Output |
3.5mm |
| Subwoofer Output |
Yes |
| Removable Power Cord |
IEC 2-prong |
| PHYSICAL SPECS |
| Height |
85.0mm (3-5/16") |
| Width |
434.0mm (17-1/16") |
| Depth |
364.0mm (14-5/16") |
| Weight |
8.02 kg (17.6 lbs) |
| Available Colors |
Black |
| OTHER |
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |