Arcam Radia A15+

The Radia A15+ is a class A/B stereo integrated amplifier designed by the British manufacturer Arcam, whose amplification heritage dates back to 1976 and the original A60 signed A&R Cambridge. It brings together preamplification, power amplification, a digital conversion section and a dedicated turntable input in a single chassis: enough to build a complete system around a simple pair of speakers.

The stated power output reaches 80 watts per channel into 8 ohms between 20 Hz and 20 kHz, and 120 watts per channel into 4 ohms at 1 kHz, with harmonic distortion of 0.003% measured at 80% of power into 8 ohms at 1 kHz. This ability to increase power as impedance drops allows it to drive demanding floorstanding speakers and reach high listening levels in a reasonably sized room. On the digital side, an ESS ES9018 converter processes signals received on the coaxial and optical inputs.

• Class A/B amplification: 2 x 80 W into 8 ohms, 2 x 120 W into 4 ohms
• ESS ES9018 DAC converter
• 3 analogue RCA inputs and 1 MM phono input
• 2 coaxial RCA inputs and 1 Toslink optical input, up to 192 kHz
• Bluetooth aptX HD and Auracast, front-panel headphone output

Bluetooth aptX HD accepts streams up to 24-bit from a phone or tablet and can also transmit to a wireless headphone, while the wired headphone output takes over for late-night listening. The MM phono input, carefully implemented as on the brand's other integrated amplifiers, does away with the need for an external preamplifier for a turntable fitted with a moving-magnet cartridge.

This model is aimed at listeners wanting a compact yet complete stereo system, capable of accommodating a CD player, a television via optical, a turntable and a Bluetooth source alike, without multiplying the number of boxes. Its 431 x 344 x 83 mm footprint and 10 kg weight suit a conventional hi-fi cabinet in a listening room rather than a cramped space.