The SA30 is a streaming integrated amplifier by Arcam that delivers 130 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms and 200 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms. It was released in October 2019. 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 SA30 has an MSRP of $2,699.
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 SA30 is rated at 130 watts RMS into 8-ohms. Arcam provides this wattage at a THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) of 0.002% which is an important indicator of distortion at the given values (lower THD is better).
Here are the main highlights of its performance specs:
- 130 watts into 8-ohms (20 Hz-20 kHz) at 0.002%
- 200 watts into 4-ohms
- 4-ohms Min Impedance (allows compatibility with a wide range of loudspeakers)
- 112dB Signal to Noise Ratio
How loud will 130 watts actually play in your room? →
Wiring more than one pair of speakers to it? Check the load first →
Which speakers suit the Arcam SA30?
130 W into 8 ohms, 200 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 SA30 is rated at 130 watts into 8 ohms, which puts it in our 121 to 180 watts band. The next band up is Over 180 watts, which is worth about 2.3dB 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 91 to 120 watts band and better speakers.
When pairing the Arcam SA30 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 SA30 Amplifier good for?
An essential deciding factor is the size of the room in which you intend to employ the Arcam SA30 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 | Poor |
| Mid-size Room | Good |
| Large Room | Good |
| Very Large Room | Average |
Inputs and Outputs
Besides the performance specs of the Arcam SA30, the next important feature set that you have to evaluate is the input and output selections that it offers.
Arcam SA30 has total of 4 Analog inputs including 2 Phono Input (MM,MC).
Arcam SA30 Back View (Click the image for the larger version)
Inputs
- Total Number of Analog Inputs: 4
- Phono Input
- 2 Optical Digital Input
- 2 Coaxial Digital Input
- USB Input
- HDMI Input (eARC)
Outputs
- Speaker Outputs
- Stereo RCA Preamp Outputs
- 3.5mm Headphone Output
Bluetooth Connectivity
Arcam SA30 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 SA30. 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 SA30 features two Phono Inputs which are 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 SA30 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 SA30 amp and your speakers.
DAC and Digital Music
The Arcam SA30'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 SA30 is the
32-bit ESS 9038K2M Sabre, and supports resolutions up to
24-bit, 192KHZ.
Arcam SA30 Handheld Remote
Arcam SA30 Pros and Cons
Drawn from the published figures on this page, not from listening.
- ✓130 watts per channel into 8 ohms, 200 into 4.
- ✓Signal-to-noise ratio of 112dB, so the amplifier itself should be inaudible between tracks.
- ✓Distortion is specified at 0.002%, an order of magnitude below what is generally held to be audible.
- ✓4 analogue inputs, enough for a full rack of sources.
- ✓Built-in DAC handling 24-bit / 192 and MQA, so a TV, computer or streamer can connect digitally with nothing in between.
- ✓Digital inputs cover 2 optical, 2 coaxial and USB.
- ✓Phono stage built in (MM,MC), for moving-magnet and moving-coil cartridges alike.
- ✓Streams over the network without a separate streamer: AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in and Roon.
- ✓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).
- Nothing the published specs count against it.
Arcam SA30 External Dimensions and Weight
Arcam SA30 has external dimensions of (H x W x D) 3-15/16inch x 17-1/16inch x 14-13/16inch (101.0mm x 434.0mm x 377.0mm ). The unit weighs
12 kg (26.4 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 SA30 is approximately 1636.2cm2 / 253.6inch2.
- Width: 434.0mm (17-1/16")
- Height: 101.0mm (3-15/16")
- Depth: 377.0mm (14-13/16")
- Weight: 12 kg (26.4 lbs)
- Base Surface Area: ~1636.2cm2 / 253.6inch2
- Volume: ~16.5 liter / 4.4 gallon
What's in the Box of Arcam SA30?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of SA30:
- Integrated Amplifier
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- Remote control
- 2 AAA batteries
- 2 WiFi antennas
- Setup microphone
- 6.5-feet miniUSB-to-USB cable
- Handbook Manual
- Thank you Letter
Official Product Page
Official manufacturer's product page for the Arcam SA30 Integrated Amplifier can be found below:
Official Product Page for Arcam SA30
Warranty
5 Years of parts warranty and 5 Years of labor warranty is generally provided for the Arcam SA30 by the manufacturer.
| General |
| Brand |
Arcam |
| Full Model Name |
Arcam SA30 |
| Release Date |
October 2019 |
| Amplifier Type |
Integrated Amplifier |
| Number of Channels |
2 |
| Amp Class |
Class G |
| Amplifier Technology |
Solid State |
| Performance |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 8-ohms |
130 watts |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 6-ohms |
N/A |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 4-ohms |
200 watts |
| Frequency Bandwidth |
20 Hz-20 kHz |
| THD |
0.002% |
| Minimum Impedance |
4 |
| Signal to Noise Ratio |
112 dB |
| Digital Music |
| Built-in DAC |
Yes |
| DAC Specs |
32-bit ESS 9038K2M Sabre |
| Bluetooth |
No |
| WiFi |
802.11ac |
| Ecosystem |
| Apple AirPlay |
Yes |
| Apple AirPlay2 |
Yes |
| DTS Play-Fi |
No |
| Chromecast built-in |
Yes |
| Roon |
Ready |
| HEOS |
No |
| BluOS |
No |
| CONNECTIONS |
| Total Analog Inputs |
4 |
| Phono Input |
Yes |
| Optical Digital Inputs |
2 |
| Coaxial Digital Inputs |
2 |
| USB Input |
Yes |
| Preamp Outputs |
Stereo RCA |
| Pre-out / Main-in Loop |
No |
| Headphone Output |
3.5mm |
| Removable Power Cord |
IEC 2-prong |
| PHYSICAL SPECS |
| Height |
101.0mm (3-15/16") |
| Width |
434.0mm (17-1/16") |
| Depth |
377.0mm (14-13/16") |
| Weight |
12 kg (26.4 lbs) |
| OTHER |
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |