Arcam SA45 Integrated Amplifier at Vinyl Sound Toronto Canada

The SA45 is a flagship streaming integrated amplifier from Arcam (Cambridge, England), available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. Born from Arcam's reference integrated amplifier the A49, the SA45 combines 5th-generation Class G amplification delivering 180 W per channel into 8 ohms with a fully balanced analog and digital audio path, the latest ESS Hyperstream IV DAC topology in balanced configuration, a new linear toroidal power supply, Dirac Live room correction, dual subwoofer outputs, MM and MC phono inputs, HDMI eARC, and a comprehensive streaming platform supporting Roon Ready, Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, and Bluetooth 5.4 with Snapdragon Sound and Auracast. The SA45 is Arcam's definitive all-in-one answer for the dedicated music lover who demands reference-level sound from a single chassis.

5th-Generation Class G Amplification: The Best Arcam Has Ever Built

The SA45 introduces Arcam's fifth generation of Class G amplifier design, the culmination of decades of development that began with Arcam's foundational work in amplifier engineering in Cambridge, England. Class G topology uses multiple power supply voltage rails that engage progressively as signal demand increases. At typical listening levels the amplifier draws from a lower voltage rail, delivering the low-noise, musically revealing character associated with near-Class A operation. When dynamic transients demand greater headroom, a higher voltage rail steps in seamlessly to provide the required current without clipping or compression. In the SA45, new components and materials were individually analyzed and evaluated to ensure that every element of the amplifier circuit contributes to rather than detracts from sonic performance. The result is 180 W per channel into 8 ohms and 300 W per channel into 4 ohms at 1 kHz, with harmonic distortion of just 0.002% at 80% power into 8 ohms — figures that reflect a commitment to real-world dynamic performance rather than optimistic bench conditions.

ESS Hyperstream IV DAC in Balanced Configuration with Advanced Jitter Elimination

The SA45's digital stage is built around the latest ESS Hyperstream IV DAC topology, operating in a fully balanced configuration throughout the signal path. Hyperstream IV is ESS Technology's most advanced delta-sigma modulation architecture, combining a sophisticated noise-shaping algorithm with ESS's proprietary jitter elimination circuit to suppress timing errors before they reach the conversion stage. The entire digital audio and streaming platform is implemented on a new 6-layer circuit board with a continuous ground plane running through the full extent of the board. This ground plane shields sensitive audio components from the electromagnetic interference generated by the streaming and wireless circuits operating on the same platform — a design discipline that separates the SA45 from integrated streaming amplifiers that co-locate digital and audio circuits without adequate isolation. The SA45 supports streaming bit depths up to 32-bit and sample rates to 384 kHz, and DSD playback up to DSD256, covering every high-resolution format in current use.

New Linear Toroidal Power Supply: Lower Noise for the Entire Platform

The SA45 introduces a new linear toroidal transformer power supply design that powers the entirety of the amplifier's internal operation. Linear toroidal transformers generate significantly less electromagnetic interference than conventional EI-core transformers and far less than switching power supplies, which is critical in a component where sensitive analog audio circuits share a chassis with digital streaming hardware and wireless radios. A separate switching supply is retained but operates only in standby mode for minimum power consumption, never during active audio operation where its switching noise could influence the signal path. The combination of a linear toroidal main supply and a fully balanced analog signal path from input to output represents the kind of power supply engineering more commonly associated with dedicated stereo preamplifiers than integrated streaming amplifiers.

Dirac Live Room Correction with Dual Subwoofer Outputs

The SA45 includes Dirac Live room correction as a standard feature, accessible via the ARCAM Radia app using the measurement microphone supplied in the box. Dirac Live analyzes the acoustic response of the listening room and applies a correction filter that compensates for room modes, boundary reflections, and speaker placement irregularities across the full frequency range. Two dedicated subwoofer outputs allow integration with one or two active subwoofers, and Dirac Live's correction is applied to the subwoofer channels as well as the main speaker outputs, ensuring bass integration is as precisely managed as the midrange and treble. This combination of dual subwoofer support and room correction in an integrated amplifier is rare at any price point and allows the SA45 to deliver optimal performance in acoustically challenging rooms without external room correction hardware.

Complete Streaming Platform: Roon Ready, Qobuz, Tidal, Spotify, AirPlay, and Auracast

The SA45's all-new streaming platform supports the broadest range of services available in any current Arcam product. Roon Ready certification enables full Roon endpoint integration. Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, and Spotify Connect allow direct app-to-amplifier streaming without audio routing through a phone. Apple AirPlay and Google Cast support the full Apple and Android ecosystems. The ARCAM Radia app provides access to Internet Radio, Podcasts, UPnP network streaming, and USB media playback via a front-panel USB-A input. Bluetooth 5.4 with Snapdragon Sound supports AAC and LE Audio codecs, and Auracast enables broadcast audio sharing to multiple Auracast-compatible Bluetooth receivers simultaneously — a capability that allows the SA45 to serve as an audio broadcast hub in addition to a personal listening component. Wi-Fi connectivity supports IEEE 802.11 ax (Wi-Fi 6) on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands for stable, high-bandwidth network audio streaming.

Key Features

• 5th-Generation Class G Amplification: 180 W per channel into 8 ohms and 300 W per channel into 4 ohms at 1 kHz, with 0.002% THD at 80% power, derived from the circuit lineage of the reference ARCAM A49 integrated amplifier.
• ESS Hyperstream IV DAC, Balanced Configuration: Latest ESS DAC topology in a fully balanced implementation with advanced jitter elimination and support for up to 32-bit/384 kHz PCM and DSD256.
• 6-Layer Digital Audio Platform with Full Ground Plane: New streaming and digital audio board with continuous ground plane shielding sensitive audio components from interference generated by digital and wireless circuits.
• New Linear Toroidal Power Supply: Low-noise linear toroidal transformer powers all active audio circuits, with a separate switching supply used only in standby mode.
• Fully Balanced Analog and Digital Signal Paths: Balanced architecture throughout, including XLR analog input and balanced internal routing from DAC to amplifier output.
• Dirac Live Room Correction Included: Full Dirac Live calibration with supplied measurement microphone, accessible via the ARCAM Radia app without a separate computer or software purchase.
• Dual Subwoofer Outputs: Two dedicated subwoofer outputs with Dirac Live correction applied to both channels for precise bass integration with one or two active subwoofers.
• MM and MC Phono Inputs: Built-in phono stage supporting both Moving Magnet and Moving Coil cartridges for direct turntable connection.
• HDMI eARC Input: Accepts uncompressed audio from a connected television for whole-system audio integration without a separate AV receiver.
• Roon Ready Certified: Full Roon endpoint functionality for seamless integration with Roon library management and playback.
• Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, Spotify Connect: Direct app-to-amplifier streaming from three major services without audio routing through a phone or tablet.
• Apple AirPlay and Google Cast: Native wireless streaming from Apple and Android device ecosystems.
• Bluetooth 5.4 with Snapdragon Sound and Auracast: High-quality Bluetooth with LE Audio, AAC, and Auracast broadcast audio capability for multi-receiver sharing.
• Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax): Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz for stable, high-bandwidth wireless network audio.
• 8.8-Inch High-Resolution Display: Large bonded front-panel display showing album artwork and metadata clearly visible from across the room.
• 5 Analog Inputs: Three RCA pairs and one XLR pair plus MM/MC phono input.
• 5 Digital Inputs: Two coaxial, two optical TosLink, and one HDMI eARC.
• Internet Radio, Podcasts, UPnP, and USB Media: Full ARCAM Radia app support for non-subscription audio sources.
• Supplied Measurement Microphone and 5m USB Cable: All accessories needed for Dirac Live calibration included in the box.
• Plastic-Free Packaging: Arcam's commitment to sustainable product packaging with no plastic materials used.

Technical Specifications

Connections at a Glance

• Analog In: 3x RCA stereo pairs, 1x XLR balanced pair, MM phono, MC phono
• Digital In: 2x Coaxial RCA, 2x Optical TosLink, 1x HDMI eARC
• Subwoofer Out: 2x dedicated RCA outputs (Dirac Live corrected)
• USB-A: USB mass storage media playback input
• Speaker terminals: main left and right binding posts
• Network: Wi-Fi 6 (2.4GHz and 5GHz), Ethernet
• Bluetooth 5.4 with Snapdragon Sound and Auracast

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Arcam SA45?

The Arcam SA45 is a flagship streaming integrated amplifier from Arcam of Cambridge, England, delivering 180 W per channel via 5th-generation Class G amplification, an ESS Hyperstream IV DAC in balanced configuration, Dirac Live room correction, dual subwoofer outputs, MM and MC phono inputs, HDMI eARC, and a full streaming platform including Roon Ready, Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, and Bluetooth 5.4 with Auracast. It is available in Canada through authorized dealers including Vinyl Sound in Toronto.

How does the Arcam SA45 compare to the Naim Uniti Nova and Linn Selekt DSM?

The SA45 competes directly with all-in-one streaming amplifiers such as the Naim Uniti Nova and Linn Selekt DSM. The Naim Uniti Nova delivers 80 W per channel using a Class AB amplifier, includes Naim's proprietary streaming platform, but does not offer room correction, a balanced XLR input, or MM/MC phono as standard. The Linn Selekt DSM is a modular streaming preamplifier that requires external amplification and does not include a built-in power amplifier stage. The SA45 differentiates itself with 180 W per channel from 5th-generation Class G amplification, an ESS Hyperstream IV DAC in balanced configuration, Dirac Live room correction included out of the box, dual subwoofer outputs, both MM and MC phono inputs, HDMI eARC, and broader streaming service support including Qobuz Connect and Auracast — all within a single chassis.

What is Class G amplification and how does it differ from Class AB?

Class G amplification uses multiple power supply voltage rails that switch in progressively as signal demand increases. At typical listening levels, the amplifier operates from a lower voltage rail, delivering low-noise, musically detailed performance similar to a near-Class A operating point. When dynamic peaks require more power, a higher voltage rail engages automatically to provide clean headroom without distortion. Class AB amplifiers operate from a fixed voltage rail at all times, which means they either clip on dynamic peaks or must be designed with very large power supplies to maintain headroom — often at the cost of efficiency and noise at low levels. Arcam's 5th-generation Class G design in the SA45 improves on all previous generations with new components and materials selected specifically for sonic performance.

Does the Arcam SA45 include everything needed for Dirac Live calibration?

Yes, the SA45 ships with a calibrated measurement microphone and a 5-metre USB cable, providing everything needed to run a full Dirac Live room correction measurement without any additional purchase. Calibration is performed via the ARCAM Radia app for iOS and Android, which guides the user through the measurement process and applies the resulting correction filter to both the main speaker outputs and the dual subwoofer outputs simultaneously.

Can the Arcam SA45 connect directly to a turntable?

Yes, the SA45 includes a built-in phono stage supporting both Moving Magnet and Moving Coil cartridges, allowing direct connection from a turntable without a separate external phono preamplifier. The phono input is in addition to the five line-level analog inputs, so turntable users do not sacrifice any other input for phono connectivity.

Where can I buy the Arcam SA45 in Toronto or Canada?

The Arcam SA45 is available at Vinyl Sound, an authorized Arcam dealer in Toronto, Canada. Vinyl Sound carries the full Arcam product range and provides in-store demonstrations, system matching advice, and authorized Canadian warranty support for all Arcam products.

What high-resolution audio formats does the Arcam SA45 support?

The SA45 supports streaming playback of FLAC, WAV, ALAC, AIFF, AAC, MP3, MP4, OGG, WMA, and DSD up to DSD256, at bit depths up to 32-bit and sample rates up to 384 kHz. Via its digital inputs, it accepts PCM audio up to 24-bit/192 kHz from coaxial, optical, and HDMI eARC sources. Gapless playback is supported across all streaming formats.

What is Auracast and what does it enable on the SA45?

Auracast is a Bluetooth LE Audio broadcast standard that allows a single transmitting device to share its audio simultaneously with an unlimited number of Auracast-compatible Bluetooth receivers. On the SA45, Auracast means the amplifier can broadcast audio to multiple Bluetooth headphones, earbuds, or speakers at the same time without pairing limitations — useful for shared listening, hearing loop applications, or extending audio to other rooms wirelessly. This capability is enabled by the SA45's Bluetooth 5.4 implementation with LE Audio support and is not available on amplifiers using older Bluetooth standards.