Arcam A5+ Integrated Amplifier

The A5+ is the latest in a line of Arcam integrated amplifiers that stretches back to 1976 and the A&R Cambridge A60 — the product that started the company. Nearly 50 years of amplifier design is a long time, and the A5+ reflects it: an enhanced power supply over its predecessor, current-generation wireless capabilities built in from the outset, and a phono stage that has been tuned rather than simply included. It is a compact, honest amplifier designed for shared listening — for a room where music is played properly, not just streamed into the background.

Class AB Amplification

The A5+ uses Class AB amplification. Two channels driven, 20Hz–20kHz into 8Ω: 50W per channel. Into 4Ω at 1kHz: 75W per channel. Harmonic distortion at 80% power into 8Ω at 1kHz: 0.003%. The cabinet is aluminium throughout — front, top, sides and rear panels — with solid aluminium dials. At 431 × 344 × 83mm and 8.14kg, it is compact enough for a bookshelf system without feeling like a compromise.

The DAC — ESS ES9018

The digital section is built around the ESS ES9018 DAC. Supported sample rates are 192, 176.4, 96, 88.2, 48, and 44.1kHz, at bit depths of 24 and 16. Digital frequency response is 20Hz–20kHz ±0.2dB, with a signal-to-noise ratio of 109dB (A-weighted, ref. 50W, 0dBFS). Hi-res audio digital inputs are included as standard.

Phono Stage

The phono stage is MM, with an input impedance of 47kΩ + 100pF and a frequency response tracking the RIAA curve to within ±1dB across 20Hz–20kHz. Arcam describe it as meticulously tuned — the analogue section as a whole measures 20Hz–20kHz ±0.2dB with a signal-to-noise ratio of 106dB (A-weighted, ref. 50W, 1V input). Three RCA analogue input pairs are provided in total.

Wireless — Snapdragon Sound and Auracast

Bluetooth is version 5.4. Snapdragon Sound is included — Qualcomm's end-to-end audio platform, delivering uncompressed digital audio over Bluetooth when both devices support it. The distinction from standard Bluetooth is real: most wireless audio at this price is lossy by default. Snapdragon Sound is not, when the source device supports it.

Auracast is also built in: Bluetooth's broadcast audio standard, which allows the A5+ to share audio to multiple compatible headphones or speakers simultaneously, without conventional pairing. Supported codecs include AAC and LE Audio.

Headphone Output

A headphone output is provided, with a load range of 16Ω to 2kΩ. Maximum output level into 32Ω is 2.5V RMS; into 300Ω it is 5V RMS — a range that covers efficient in-ear monitors at one end and high-impedance over-ear headphones at the other.

Technical Specifications

Who Is It For?

The A5+ is for a listener building a first serious system, or replacing an ageing amplifier in a compact setup. It handles a turntable, a digital source, and wireless playback from a single box — without streaming built in, which keeps the design focused. If you want network streaming integrated, the Arcam SA35 is the natural step up. If you are pairing the A5+ with a CD player, the Arcam Radia CD5 connects directly via RCA and sits neatly in the same system.

At 50W into 8Ω, it will drive most standmount speakers without difficulty. It is not designed for large rooms or demanding floorstanders — for that, the Arcam SA35 offers meaningfully more headroom with Class G amplification.

Buying from Martins Hi-Fi

Martins Hi-Fi has been in Norwich since 1968. Elizabeth Gould runs the business today, and we stock only brands we have heard properly and stand behind.

The A5+ is available to hear in our Norwich showroom — we can pair it with standmount speakers and run it from a turntable or digital source so you can judge it in context.

When you get in touch, you'll be speaking with Dave, Chris and Tim — experienced specialists who can advise on this product and your whole system.

Contact us at info@martinshifi.co.uk, call 01603 627010, or WhatsApp on 07554 687137. You can read more about how we work on our Why Martins Hi-Fi page. We are at 85–91 Ber Street, Norwich, NR1 3EY.