One of the “newer” integrated amplifiers in the FMJ line, the A28 did not do away with the prestige of the series, showing a smooth, natural sound with decent bass control, even though it does not have that high-speed “timing” sound that sets Arcam’s top models apart.
Arcam FMJ A28 integrated amplifier
FEATURES
The A28 represents a renewed line of FMJ amplifiers from the English company Arcam. No capacitors are used in the signal path of the amplifier, and the output stage is assembled on discrete transistors, providing an output power of 75 W/channel into an 8-ohm load. The power supply has an enlarged toroidal transformer with insulated taps and rectifiers for the termination and preliminary stages. The volume control and channel selector are digitally controlled by a microprocessor, which allows a flexible adjustment of the volume level with an accuracy of up to 0.5 dB, accurate setting of the channel balance, as well as changing the sensitivity of the line inputs. The amplifier is equipped with a MM-type phono cartridge also with the ability to adjust the sensitivity of its input. The amplifier is designed with a number of Arcam proprietary solutions for electromagnetic shielding of important circuits and their protection from mechanical vibration.
The front panel of the A28 is very rich in various controls: under the rather large LED-display with green characters is a button with direct access to the inputs of the amplifier. On the right side are the power button and the headphone output with jack, and here are two switches for speaker outputs, and you can use two sets of terminals simultaneously. On the left side of the front there are buttons to access the auxiliary functions of the amplifier: main menu entry, channel selection confirmation, channel balance, Mute, recording and display setup.
The rear panel of the amplifier has 5 line inputs, a phono input, a recording loop and two line outputs from the preamp. To the left of the 4-16 ohm loudspeaker outputs are the service ports for the external IR receiver and the 12 volt trigger output.
Amplifier comes with full function remote control.
The amplifier is available in silver and black.
SOUND
Arcam A28 has a comfortable and accurate sound, captures the timbres naturally, and is able to express the performers feelings, though does it without much expression, as befits a real English gentleman.
In sound, all sub-bands are fed evenly, with no one being given much advantage. But there are some minor differences in the representation: the middle part is better defined and has a bit more articulation than the edges of the spectrum. The deep bass is moderately tight and intelligible, the fine details of the relief are a little smoothed out, and the sharp kicks are softened a little. Same on the treble: smoothness and naturalness, but a little lack of airiness and brightness.
The A28 builds the music scene with a wide azimuth sweep, and the depth of the stereo image is also quite good. The transparency of the far echelons of the sound field is slightly inferior to that of the front, the bass sources are a little bit bigger, but always in a clear position.
Perhaps the main disadvantage of this amplifier is its slow processing of time transitions of sound, so orchestral compositions or things with a complex score – it is not its strong suit images of a scene, musical phrases with close tonality begin to merge. Otherwise, the A28 has no pronounced genre leanings.
Price
: 49 990 Dollars.
Bow Technologies ZZ-8 CD player was used as a signal source. The amplifier significantly reduces the level of the source signal in the treble, and almost does not change in the bass. The decay of the amplifier in the bass begins at 60-70 Hz -0 -0 Hz .3 dB at 20 Hz , in tweeter from 3-4 kHz -0.6dB at 20kHz . Harmonic Distortion Ratio THD of this amplifier at 1kHz is less than 0.008%, source THD 0.008% . The harmonics of the source above the third, this amplifier transmits virtually unchanged over the entire range of audio frequencies. The biggest transformations are in the second and third harmonics: this amplifier boosts the second in the HF, and suppresses the third to the level of the higher harmonics.
Can you please provide more information about the performance and features of the Arcam FMJ A28 amplifier? How does it compare to similar amplifiers in terms of sound quality and power output? Are there any noteworthy additional features or specifications that make it stand out from the competition? Thank you.