It appears to have been a while since Arcam featured in one of our blogs, so I intend to put that right and feature not one but two Arcam products! We have here the CD5 compact disc player and the A5+ integrated amp, partnered with the Acoustic Energy AE300² bookshelf speakers. Let’s see (or, more accurately, hear) what they can do together!

Side By Side

I am going to skip all that stuff about the amazing brand that Arcam are, and how they became so great, their rich history and elevation into hi-fi legend status because, well, we know that already, don’t we? There also seems little point in regurgitating all that boring technical stuff because, at the end of the day, it matters so little when a CD player and amp such as these gel so well and, when coupled with the rather bargainous Acoustic Energy speakers, sound so amazing for what is actually comparatively little money, that the only important thing becomes the music!

Serious Performance for the Money

I have been doing this all day, every day, since 1985! (Started very young, I’ll have you know!) and it kind of is the hi-fi holy grail when a system this good comes along and doesn’t cost squillions of pounds. It is one of those system combinations that is the very definition of the word synergy. Whatever I play on it sounds both exciting and involving. Never bright or brash, just musical and lush. One of those systems that you could listen to all night long and even into the small hours.

Is It Prog?

I put this combination well and truly to the test with a combination of all types of music: rock, pop, jazz and classical, and all were reproduced in stunning detail with a wide-open soundstage that just laid the music bare and let me hear right into the minutiae of the production.

Robert Fripp at Full Force

Top honours here go to the 1979-released King Crimson-on-steroids album Exposure by Robert Fripp. In particular, the title track, which here was rendered nothing less than awesome. The screamed/sung vocals by Terre Roche are spine-chillingly rendered in all their throaty power and glory, and the low-down, deep Chapman Stick bass attack from Tony Levin is a seismic event! All underpinned by the atmospherics of the guitar wash Frippertronics. Not at all bad for a small loudspeaker!

Easy-Peasy Plug In

One thing that immediately strikes you when setting this system up is just how solid and well thought out everything feels. Plugs and sockets are all very neat and sturdy, providing reassuringly chunky connections between all components in the chain. Everything fits together with real confidence and quality, with clearly laid out connections that make setup refreshingly simple. It is nice to use equipment that feels properly engineered and lets you get straight to the important bit… listening to music.

The Talented Supporting Cast

Acoustic Energy AE3oo² on the Solidsteel ss6

An honourable mention must go to the very talented supporting cast, without whom none of this would have been possible. So, a big thankyouverymuchindeed to Solidsteel for the SS-6 speaker stands, the Rega Couple phono-to-phono cable, and The Chord Company for the OdysseyX speaker cable… all go to make a hi-fi system that punches way above its weight. Indeed, I have heard many a much pricier setup sound far worse than this one! I also think that the Arcam CD player and amp look great too. Understated and minimalist, and a dream to use to boot!

Come and Hear It for Yourself

If, by any chance, you don’t believe my hype, by all means feel free to pop along to Audio T here in Cheltenham and I can show you just how great this combo really is. As always, you’re more than welcome to bring along a selection of your own music too, as there is no better way to judge a system than with albums you know and love.

And if Cheltenham is a little too far afield, don’t forget that you can also visit one of our other Audio T stores around the UK, where our teams will be equally happy to help you put together a system that gets you properly connected to your music.

Many thanks for reading

Andy - Audio T Cheltenham

And if any of the equipment mentioned here has sparked your interest, your local Audio T store will be more than happy to help you explore further.

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