Arcam Announces Radia Series – Preview

All Image Credit: Arcam

UK audio company Arcam has just unveiled its latest audio line, the Radia Series. It includes; the Arcam A5, A15, and A25 integrated amplifiers, the Arcam CD5 CD player and Arcam ST5 high-resolution streamer. This new lineup boasts an industrial design style with sleek, simple and symmetrical aesthetics and modern day technologies. All in an attempt to appeal to both their current clientele and upcoming audio enthusiasts and all at a more affordable pricing point.

Arcam Integrated Amplifiers

The A5 and A15 integrated amplifiers are Class AB designs providing 50wpc and 100wpc respectively into 8 ohms, while the A25 offers 100wpc using a Class G topology. All three models contain internal DAC’s with both the A15 and A25 DAC circuits being built around the ESS ES9018 DAC chip, whilst the A25 uses an ESS ES9280 DAC chip. Digital connectivity for all models includes; aptX Bluetooth, two coaxial and one TOSLINK inputs. The A25 adds a USB-C input, but there is no support on any model for HDMI ARC. With each receivers two-way Bluetooth module supporting wireless headphones.

Analog connectivity for all models includes; a MM phono input, three line-level inputs and pre-amplifier outputs. However, only the A25 features; “LED illuminated highlights, and a seamless OLED display on the front panel”.

Arcam CD Player

The CD5 CD player supports CD, CD-R, and CD-RW playback, playback from USB mass storage and FLAC, WAV, and MP3 formats. It also features the ESS ES9018 DAC and handles up to 24-bit/192-kHz resolution. Rear panel connectivity includes; USB input with coaxial, TOSLINK and unbalanced RCA analog outputs.

Arcam Music Streamer

The ST5 music streamer comes with an internal Wi-Fi antenna and companion UPnP app, supporting various music services to include; Amazon Music Unlimited, Qobuz, Internet radio, podcasts, Tidal Connect, and Spotify Connect. It also supports MQA, Google Chromecast, Apple Airplay2, and is Roon Ready. The ST5’s internal DAC is built around an ESS ES9018 chip and supports PCM up to 24bit/192kHz. Rear panel connectivity includes; RJ45 network and USB together with; coaxial, TOSLINK and unbalanced RCA analog outputs.

Features At A Glance:

• Integrated Amplifiers A5/A15/A25:
  • Amplification 2 channels driven, 20Hz – 20kHz, 0.05% THD, 8 ohms:
    • A5 Class AB – 50W per channel
    • A15 Class AB – 80W per channel
    • A25  Class G – 100W per channel
  • Bluetooth with aptX™ Adaptive Technology
  • Specially selected components and materials
  • Wired or Wireless Headphones
  • MM phono stage
  • Hi-Res Digital Audio Inputs:
    • A5/A15 – coaxial and optical up to 24bit 192KHz
    • A25:
      • coaxial and optical up to 32bit 192Khz
      • USB-C:
        • up to 32 bit 384KHz
        • DSD up to 1024
• CD Player CD5:
  • CD, CD-R, CD-RW playback
  • USB mass storage playback – for your library of music rips and downloads from a USB stick
• Streamer ST5:
  • Perfect match to ARCAM A5 and A15 – with comms link for 2 components to work together
  • Works with Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect
  • Works with new ARCAM app – for Wi-Fi setup and internet radio presets – includes Qobuz, Amazon Music and Podcasts
  • Supports Apple Airplay2 and Chromecast built-in
  • Roon Ready
  • Supports Hi-Res Audio – up to 24 bit / 192 kHz
  • Supported Hi-res media: FLAC, WAS (LPCM), MQA, AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DSD (128)
  • Supported media: MP3, MP4, OGG, WMA