A review of the ARCAM Radia A25 Integrated Amplifier and ST5 Streamer.

Reviewer Taps Das has spent some quality time with these brand-new components from ARCAM and he gives you his take on the A25 integrated amp and ST5 streamer.
ARCAM A25: www.arcam.co.uk/product,radia...
ARCAM ST5: www.arcam.co.uk/product,radia...
SECRETS Website: hometheaterhifi.com/

[@janharm50]

Thanks for this review. I recently exchanged my Arcam Solo Music for the A25 with the CD5. I also connected my Bluesound Node N130 with a 1TB HD, and my very old Aristona record player. The speakers are ASW Cantius 412. All in all, I am very enthusiastic about my upgrade, but I recognize some things that are highlighted in the review. The lighting of the A25 could be a little brighter, as it is impossible to read what it says at a distance of 3 meters in daylight. fortunately the CD5 has the same color and type of letter and the same size. The two remote controls look very similar, but fortunately you can also use the amplifier's remote control to move the CDs forward, backward or pause. It's also a pity that the amplifier cannot be connected to WiFi, now I work with a remote control but also with an app for the BlueSound Node. But I think this works simpler than the ST5 app according to the review. In any case, I enjoy the installation and hear more detail than ever before. Good luck with your channel, greetings from the Netherlands, Jan Harm
PS. The Bluetooth is not that good; if I use my Sony WH-CH700N headphone I lose contact after 3 meters 😢

[@JeffHeon]

Great review! I suspect the sweet spot is the A15 with the ST5. It’s almost as if they don’t want us to use the A25 with the streamer: different design language with the OLED choice (how is that an upgrade on a monochrome display?) a superior DAC chip and usb C. I’m so intrigued by the touted excellent sound at low volume, though. I’d love to hear the A15 & A25 side by side. Maybe one day 😊

[@MohsinWadee]

They should have included HDMI in the A25 at this price. That's about the only thing holding me back. The Audiolab 7000a amp has HDMI.

[@MohitKumar-ey6ng]

How would you say this compares to the technics gx70 that you reviewed some months ago? That is an integrated streamer retailing for $1,700. It's definitely cheaper than this Arcam combo but is lower in power output

[@59seank]

ARCAM Radia A25 Integrated Amplifier -- $1,500.00 USD
Arcam ST5 Streamer -- $800.00
I would not buy either of these products based on this review.