Arcam SA45 Streaming Integrated Amplifier There is a point in Arcam's range where the engineering stops being about hitting a price bracket and starts about doing things properly. The SA45 is that point. Designed in Cambridge, it traces a direct line back to the A49 — Arcam's best integrated amplifier — and brings that engineering heritage into a single unit that streams, amplifies, and manages a room, without compromise in any of those roles. A New Platform, Built for the Whole Signal Path The SA45 is built on an entirely new 6-layer digital audio and streaming platform. The board incorporates a ground plane running through its entirety — a deliberate engineering decision to isolate the sensitive audio components from noise and interference. This matters more than it sounds: digital streaming and high-gain analogue amplification are not natural neighbours on a circuit board, and most products at this level make concessions. Arcam have not. At the heart of the digital section sits the ESS Hyperstream IV DAC topology, run in a balanced configuration with advanced jitter elimination. The Hyperstream IV is the current flagship DAC architecture from ESS, and Arcam are using it in a fully balanced implementation — a signal path decision that pays dividends in noise floor and dynamic clarity. The result is a DAC stage that supports up to 32-bit/384kHz streaming, with gapless playback across FLAC, WAV, AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DSD up to DSD256, MP3, OGG, and WMA. Class G Amplification — Fifth Generation The amplifier section is Arcam's fifth-generation Class G design. Class G operates more efficiently than Class AB by using multiple supply rails, switching to higher voltage only when the signal demands it. The result is lower operating temperatures, lower noise, and better dynamics — particularly on transients where the music suddenly asks for more power. Two channels driven, 20Hz–20kHz into 8Ω: 180W. Into 4Ω at 1kHz: 300W. Harmonic distortion at 80% power into 8Ω: 0.002%. These are not modest numbers. This is an amplifier that will drive difficult loads without strain. Power comes from a new linear toroidal transformer — a considered choice. Toroidal transformers generate less electromagnetic interference than conventional EI-core designs, and Arcam have used it to supply the entire internal operation, further protecting the audio circuit from noise. Analogue Connections, Including Phono The SA45 carries three RCA analogue input pairs and one XLR balanced input. Both MM and MC phono stages are included — a meaningful inclusion at any price, and a confirmation that Arcam expect this amplifier to sit at the centre of a considered, permanent system rather than a convenience setup. Frequency response across the analogue section is 20Hz–20kHz ±0.2dB, with a signal-to-noise ratio of 106dB (A-weighted, ref. 50W, 1V input). Digital inputs cover two coaxial (RCA) and two optical (Toslink), plus HDMI eARC — useful for integrating a television without degrading the signal chain. Digital inputs support up to 24-bit/192kHz. Streaming and Wireless Wi-Fi is dual-band, covering IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax across 2.4GHz and 5GHz — current-generation Wi-Fi 6 specification. Setup is handled through the ARCAM Radia App, which also manages presets, internet radio, and podcasts. Once connected, the SA45 supports Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, and Roon Ready. UPnP and USB media playback via USB-A mass storage are also supported. Bluetooth is version 5.4, with Snapdragon Sound, AAC, LE Audio, and Auracast. Auracast is Bluetooth's broadcast audio standard — it allows the SA45 to share audio to compatible Bluetooth headphones or hearing devices without pairing. Worth noting for households where one listener wants to sit closer to the music than the rest of the room. Display and Room Correction The front panel carries a bonded 8.8-inch high-resolution display, showing album artwork and metadata. Dual subwoofer outputs are provided, and Dirac Live Room Correction is built in — supplied with a measurement microphone and 5m USB cable in the box. Dirac Live is one of the most respected room correction systems available; its inclusion here, fully licensed, is not a token feature. Technical Specifications Specification Value Power output (2ch, 20Hz–20kHz, 8Ω) 180W per channel Power output (2ch, 1kHz, 4Ω) 300W per channel THD (80% power, 8Ω, 1kHz) 0.002% Analogue inputs 3× RCA, 1× XLR Phono MM and MC Digital inputs 2× Coaxial, 2× Optical, 1× HDMI eARC/ARC Analogue frequency response 20Hz–20kHz ±0.2dB Analogue SNR 106dB (A-wtd, ref. 50W) Digital SNR 110dB (A-wtd, ref. 50W, 0dBFS) Max streaming resolution 32-bit / 384kHz Max digital input resolution 24-bit / 192kHz Bluetooth 5.4, Snapdragon Sound, Auracast Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (2.4GHz / 5GHz) Streaming services Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, Roon Ready, AirPlay, Google Cast Display 8.8" bonded high-resolution Subwoofer outputs Dual Room correction Dirac Live (microphone included) Dimensions (W×D×H) 432 × 390 × 140mm Weight 17kg Power consumption (max) 1000W Network standby
