The SA20 is an integrated amplifier with built-in DAC by Arcam that delivers 90 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms and 150 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms. It was released in 2018. It is a 2-channel design using a Class G output stage. A minimum impedance of 4 ohms makes it compatible with a wide range of loudspeakers. It has a built-in DAC (32-bit ESS 9038K2M Sabre), 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 SA20 has an MSRP of $1,249.
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 SA20 is rated at 90 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:
- 90 watts into 8-ohms (20 Hz-20 kHz) at 0.5%
- 150 watts into 4-ohms
- 4-ohms Min Impedance (allows compatibility with a wide range of loudspeakers)
- 106dB Signal to Noise Ratio
How loud will 90 watts actually play in your room? →
Wiring more than one pair of speakers to it? Check the load first →
Which speakers suit the Arcam SA20?
90 W into 8 ohms, 150 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 SA20 is rated at 90 watts into 8 ohms, which puts it in our 61 to 90 watts band. The next band up is 91 to 120 watts, which is worth about 1.5dB 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. Plenty of systems are better served by the Up to 60 watts band and better speakers.
When pairing the Arcam SA20 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 SA20 Amplifier good for?
An essential deciding factor is the size of the room in which you intend to employ the Arcam SA20 amplifier. Here, taking into account its maximum power parameters, we analyzed its applicability to various size environments:
| Listening Environment |
Suitability |
| Near-field | Poor |
| Small Room | Average |
| Mid-size Room | Good |
| Large Room | Average |
| Very Large Room | Poor |
Inputs and Outputs
Besides the performance specs of the Arcam SA20, the next important feature set that you have to evaluate is the input and output selections that it offers.
Arcam SA20 has total of 4 Analog inputs including 1 Phono Input (MM).
Arcam SA20 Back View (Click the image for the larger version)
Inputs
- Total Number of Analog Inputs: 4
- Phono Input
- 1 Optical Digital Input
- 2 Coaxial Digital Input
Outputs
- Speaker Outputs
- Stereo RCA Preamp Outputs
- 3.5mm Headphone Output
Bluetooth Connectivity
Arcam SA20 doesn't have bluetooth connectivity feature. In order to stream your music via bluetooth, the easiest way is to connect an external bluetooth receiver to your Arcam SA20. Two bluetooth receivers that we recommend are the
iFi Zen Blue V2 and the
Audioengine B1.
Among the amps in the same price range, these are the 5 amps that have Bluetooth Connectivity:
Phono Input
Arcam SA20 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 SA20 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 SA20 amp and your speakers.
DAC and Digital Music
The Arcam SA20'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 SA20 is the
32-bit ESS 9038K2M Sabre, and supports resolutions up to
24-bit, 192KHZ.
Arcam SA20 Handheld Remote
Arcam SA20 Pros and Cons
Drawn from the published figures on this page, not from listening.
- ✓90 watts per channel into 8 ohms, 150 into 4.
- ✓Signal-to-noise ratio of 106dB, so the amplifier itself should be inaudible between tracks.
- ✓4 analogue inputs, enough for a full rack of sources.
- ✓Built-in DAC handling 24-bit / 192, so a TV, computer or streamer can connect digitally with nothing in between.
- ✓Digital inputs cover 1 optical and 2 coaxial.
- ✓Phono stage built in (MM), so a turntable needs no separate preamplifier.
- ✓Pre-outs (Stereo RCA) leave room to add a power amplifier or an active subwoofer later.
- ✓Headphone output (3.5mm).
- ✓5-year parts warranty, longer than most of the market.
- ✓Detachable mains lead (IEC 2-prong).
- ✗The phono stage is moving-magnet only; a moving-coil cartridge would need a step-up or an external stage.
- ✗No Bluetooth and no network streaming - everything arrives over a cable.
Arcam SA20 External Dimensions and Weight
Arcam SA20 has external dimensions of (H x W x D) 3-7/16inch x 17-1/16inch x 14-5/16inch (88.0mm x 434.0mm x 364.0mm ). The unit weighs
9.18 kg (20.2 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 SA20 is approximately 1579.8cm2 / 244.9inch2.
- Width: 434.0mm (17-1/16")
- Height: 88.0mm (3-7/16")
- Depth: 364.0mm (14-5/16")
- Weight: 9.18 kg (20.2 lbs)
- Base Surface Area: ~1579.8cm2 / 244.9inch2
- Volume: ~13.9 liter / 3.7 gallon
What's in the Box of Arcam SA20?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of SA20:
- Integrated Amplifier
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- Remote control
- 2 AAA batteries
- Handbook Manual
- Thank you Letter
Official Product Page
Official manufacturer's product page for the Arcam SA20 Integrated Amplifier can be found below:
Official Product Page for Arcam SA20
Warranty
5 Years of parts warranty and 5 Years of labor warranty is generally provided for the Arcam SA20 by the manufacturer.
| General |
| Brand |
Arcam |
| Full Model Name |
Arcam SA20 |
| Release Date |
2018 |
| Amplifier Type |
Integrated Amplifier |
| Number of Channels |
2 |
| Amp Class |
Class G |
| Amplifier Technology |
Solid State |
| Performance |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 8-ohms |
90 watts |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 6-ohms |
N/A |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 4-ohms |
150 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 |
32-bit ESS 9038K2M Sabre |
| Bluetooth |
No |
| 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 |
4 |
| Phono Input |
Yes |
| Optical Digital Inputs |
1 |
| Coaxial Digital Inputs |
2 |
| USB Input |
No |
| Preamp Outputs |
Stereo RCA |
| Pre-out / Main-in Loop |
No |
| Headphone Output |
3.5mm |
| Removable Power Cord |
IEC 2-prong |
| PHYSICAL SPECS |
| Height |
88.0mm (3-7/16") |
| Width |
434.0mm (17-1/16") |
| Depth |
364.0mm (14-5/16") |
| Weight |
9.18 kg (20.2 lbs) |
| OTHER |
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |