Arcam A25+ Integrated Amplifier The A25+ is the point in Arcam's range where the question of what an integrated amplifier should do gets a considered answer. Not streaming — that is what the SA35 is for. Not home cinema — that is what the AVR range is for. The A25+ is an amplifier, in the tradition of nearly 50 years of Arcam amplifier design, with a phono stage, a DAC, wireless connectivity, and nothing included that dilutes what it is fundamentally trying to do. Fifth-Generation Class G The amplifier section is Arcam's fifth-generation Class G design. Class G uses multiple supply rails, engaging higher voltage only when the signal demands it — a more efficient arrangement than Class AB, with lower operating temperatures and better dynamic behaviour on transients. Two channels driven, 20Hz–20kHz into 8Ω: 100W per channel. Into 4Ω at 1kHz: 165W per channel. Harmonic distortion at 80% power into 8Ω at 1kHz: 0.002%. That last figure is worth noting — it is exceptionally low, and reflects the care Arcam have put into a design that traces a direct line back to the A&R Cambridge A60 of 1976. The DAC — ESS ES9018 The digital section is built around the ESS ES9018 DAC — a high-resolution chip that handles digital inputs up to 32-bit via USB-C, and up to 24-bit via all other digital inputs. USB-C supports sample rates up to 384kHz; all other digital inputs support up to 192kHz. The DAC's signal-to-noise ratio measures 109dB (A-weighted, ref. 50W, 0dBFS). There is no streaming platform here — the A25+ takes digital signals from connected sources and converts them cleanly. That is the right approach for a product at this level; a streaming module added as an afterthought rarely serves either function well. Analogue Inputs and Phono Stage Three RCA analogue input pairs are provided. 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. 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). These are not modest specifications for an integrated at this price. Wireless — Snapdragon Sound and Auracast Bluetooth is version 5.4, with Snapdragon Sound for wireless lossless audio. Snapdragon Sound is Qualcomm's end-to-end audio platform, delivering uncompressed digital audio over Bluetooth when both devices support it — a meaningful step beyond the lossy Bluetooth connections that most products at this level offer. Auracast is also included: Bluetooth's broadcast audio standard, which allows the A25+ to share audio to compatible headphones or speakers 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. The range of supported impedances makes it genuinely useful — from efficient in-ear monitors to high-impedance over-ear headphones. Build The front panel, top, sides, and rear panels are aluminium. The dials are solid aluminium. At 431 × 344 × 83mm and 9kg, the A25+ is compact relative to its output — a considered fit for a typical shelf or rack position. Technical Specifications Specification Value Power output (2ch, 20Hz–20kHz, 8Ω) 100W per channel Power output (2ch, 1kHz, 4Ω) 165W per channel THD (80% power, 8Ω, 1kHz) 0.002% Analogue inputs 3× RCA pairs Phono MM Phono input impedance 47kΩ + 100pF Phono frequency response 20Hz–20kHz ±1dB (ref. RIAA) Analogue frequency response 20Hz–20kHz ±0.2dB Analogue SNR 106dB (A-wtd, ref. 50W, 1V input) DAC ESS ES9018 Digital SNR 109dB (A-wtd, ref. 50W, 0dBFS) Digital frequency response 20Hz–20kHz ±0.2dB USB-C sample rates 384, 352.8, 192, 176.4, 96, 88.2, 48, 44.1kHz Other digital inputs sample rates 192, 176.4, 96, 88.2, 48, 44.1kHz Bit depths 32, 24, 16 Headphone output (32Ω / 300Ω) 2.5V / 5V RMS Headphone load range 16Ω – 2kΩ Bluetooth 5.4, Snapdragon Sound, AAC, LE Audio, Auracast Dimensions (W×D×H, inc. feet) 431 × 344 × 83mm Weight (net) 9kg Weight (packed) 12kg Power consumption (max) 500W Standby
