Arcam A25+ Integrated Amplifier at Vinyl Sound Toronto Canada

The A25+ is a flagship integrated amplifier from Arcam (Cambridge, England), available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. Built on nearly 50 years of amplifier expertise dating back to the 1976 A&R Cambridge A60, the A25+ is the definitive evolution of Arcam's acclaimed Radia series — engineered with the company's patented 5th Generation Class G amplification, a dual-DAC architecture featuring a dedicated ESS9018 chip for S/PDIF inputs, and next-generation wireless via Snapdragon Sound with aptX Lossless and Bluetooth 5.4. Delivering 100W per channel into 8 ohms (165W into 4 ohms), the A25+ is a HARMAN Luxury Audio product that brings together analogue warmth and digital versatility in one precision-built chassis.

5th Generation Class G Amplification

Arcam's patented Class G topology is central to what makes the A25+ exceptional. Unlike conventional Class AB designs, Class G uses a staged power rail system that switches between voltage levels depending on the output demand — functioning much like a hybrid engine with a turbo. This approach delivers the sonic purity associated with Class A operation at lower listening levels, combined with the power headroom of higher-rail switching when the music demands it. The result is an amplifier with vanishingly low harmonic distortion of just 0.002% at 80% power into 8 ohms, free from the crossover distortion that limits Class AB designs. Arcam's engineers also introduced intelligent power management in the A25+: the DAC powers down when an analogue input is active, while Bluetooth and HDMI modules go offline when Autoswitch is disabled, lowering the overall noise floor across all listening modes.

Dual-DAC Architecture and Digital Inputs

The A25+ introduces a substantially upgraded digital signal path over its predecessor. A dedicated ESS9018 DAC chip handles all S/PDIF inputs — optical and coaxial — while the primary DAC handles the USB-C input, which supports hi-res audio up to 32-bit/384kHz. A new transformer winding is dedicated exclusively to the digital and DAC circuitry, paired with double linear regulation in the analogue power supplies and enhanced filtering to reduce impedance and eliminate noise coupling from digital components. The HDMI eARC input adds direct TV integration, enabling the A25+ to serve as the audio hub of a complete home entertainment system. A Signal-to-Noise ratio of 109dB (A-weighted) ensures a supremely clean digital foundation.

Snapdragon Sound, Auracast, and Wireless Headphones

The A25+ is built around Qualcomm's Bluetooth 5.4 platform with full Snapdragon Sound certification, enabling aptX Lossless for bit-perfect, CD-quality wireless audio transmission. Alongside aptX HD and standard aptX, the A25+ also supports Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast — a broadcast technology that allows a single transmitter to stream simultaneously to an unlimited number of compatible headphones or speakers with no individual pairing required. The amplifier functions as both a Bluetooth sink (receiving from a phone or tablet) and a Bluetooth source (transmitting to wireless headphones), making it equally capable for shared listening events or private quiet listening sessions. The 3.5mm headphone output accommodates both wired and wireless configurations, with a load range from 16 ohms to 2 kilohms.

Key Features

• 5th Generation Class G Amplification: Arcam's patented topology combining Class A purity with efficient multi-rail switching, delivering ultra-low distortion at all output levels.
• 100W Per Channel (8 ohms) / 165W (4 ohms): Authoritative power reserves capable of driving demanding loudspeakers with full dynamic control.
• Snapdragon Sound with aptX Lossless: Bluetooth 5.4 platform enabling bit-perfect CD-quality wireless streaming alongside aptX HD, aptX, AAC, and SBC.
• Auracast Broadcast Audio: Stream to unlimited compatible wireless headphones or speakers simultaneously, with no pairing required.
• HDMI eARC Input: Direct integration with modern televisions for high-quality TV audio through the A25+.
• Dual-DAC Architecture: Dedicated ESS9018 DAC for S/PDIF inputs, plus hi-res USB-C supporting 32-bit/384kHz — each on isolated power supplies.
• Fine-Tuned MM Phono Stage: Precisely voiced moving magnet phono input (47kΩ + 100pF, RIAA-accurate within ±1dB from 20Hz to 20kHz) for engaging vinyl playback.
• Precision-Cut Glass Front Panel: Exclusive to the A25+ within the Radia+ range, with an OLED display for improved clarity and premium aesthetics.
• Wired and Wireless Headphone Output: Front-panel 3.5mm output with up to 5V RMS into 300 ohms, compatible with headphones from 16 ohms to 2 kilohms.
• Plastic-Free Packaging: 100% biodegradable packaging using cast paper, brown tape, and natural materials — no single-use plastics.

Technical Specifications

Connections at a Glance

• 3 x Analogue RCA line inputs
• 1 x MM Phono input (RCA)
• 1 x HDMI eARC/ARC input
• 1 x Optical (TOSLINK) digital input
• 2 x Coaxial digital inputs
• 1 x USB-C digital input (up to 32-bit/384kHz)
• 1 x Stereo preamp output (RCA)
• 1 x 3.5mm headphone output (front panel)
• Bluetooth 5.4 (transmit and receive)
• Speaker terminals (rear panel)
• Service/firmware update port

Awards and Critical Recognition

• CES Innovation Award Honoree 2024 — Consumer Technology Association, for the Arcam Radia A25 (the predecessor platform on which the A25+ is built)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Arcam A25+?

The Arcam A25+ is a flagship integrated stereo amplifier from Arcam, a British hi-fi manufacturer based in Cambridge, England, producing 100W per channel into 8 ohms using the company's patented 5th Generation Class G topology. It includes a built-in dual-DAC digital section, MM phono stage, HDMI eARC input, USB-C hi-res audio input, and Bluetooth 5.4 with Snapdragon Sound and aptX Lossless. It is the most advanced amplifier in Arcam's Radia+ series and is available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada.

How does the Arcam A25+ compare to the Cambridge Audio Evo 75, NAD C 700, and Rega Elex MK4?

The Arcam A25+ sits at the top of the Radia+ range and distinguishes itself from rivals like the Cambridge Audio Evo 75, NAD C 700, and Rega Elex MK4 through its combination of Class G amplification, dual-DAC architecture, HDMI eARC connectivity, and Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Lossless — features absent or limited across those competitors. The NAD C 700 and Cambridge Audio Evo 75 offer integrated streaming platforms, which the A25+ offsets by pairing with Arcam's dedicated ST25 streamer. The Rega Elex MK4 is a purist analogue design without digital inputs or wireless capability. For listeners who need both high-fidelity analogue performance and full modern connectivity in one chassis, the A25+ presents a uniquely comprehensive solution.

Can the Arcam A25+ drive demanding or inefficient loudspeakers?

Yes, the A25+ is well-suited to driving demanding loudspeakers. Its Class G amplifier delivers 100W per channel into 8 ohms and increases to 165W per channel into 4 ohms, providing substantial headroom for low-sensitivity or low-impedance speaker loads. The robust power supply, with its dedicated transformer windings and enhanced filtering, ensures clean, stable delivery even under dynamic peaks.

What is Arcam Class G amplification?

Arcam Class G is a proprietary amplifier topology that uses multiple power supply voltage rails, switching between them in a graduated, slope-like manner — rather than a hard step — depending on the signal level. At low output levels, only the low-voltage rail is active, providing Class A-like efficiency and purity. As demand increases, the higher rail engages smoothly, avoiding the crossover distortion inherent to Class AB designs while delivering far greater efficiency than a pure Class A amplifier. Arcam has refined this technology across five generations, and it remains the defining characteristic of the A25+ within the Radia+ lineup.

What is Snapdragon Sound and how does it work in the A25+?

Snapdragon Sound is Qualcomm's end-to-end wireless audio platform, certified to ensure that both the transmitting device (such as a smartphone) and the receiving device (the A25+) meet performance standards for low latency, high-resolution audio, and stable connectivity. In the A25+, Snapdragon Sound enables aptX Lossless, a codec capable of transmitting bit-perfect, CD-quality audio (16-bit/44.1kHz) over Bluetooth without compression artifacts. It also supports aptX HD for 24-bit hi-res streaming and Auracast for broadcast-style one-to-many wireless playback to compatible devices without individual pairing.

Where can I buy the Arcam A25+ in Toronto or Canada?

The Arcam A25+ is available at Vinyl Sound, an authorised Arcam dealer located in Toronto, Canada. Vinyl Sound carries the full Arcam Radia+ lineup and can arrange in-store demonstrations. Customers across Canada can contact Vinyl Sound directly for purchasing options and availability.

Is the Arcam A25+ compatible with turntables?

Yes, the A25+ includes a built-in moving magnet (MM) phono stage with an input impedance of 47kΩ + 100pF and a frequency response accurate to within ±1dB of the RIAA curve from 20Hz to 20kHz. It is compatible with any turntable equipped with a moving magnet cartridge and does not require an external phono preamplifier.

Can the Arcam A25+ be used as part of a home theatre system?

Yes, the A25+ includes an HDMI eARC input that enables direct connection to a television, passing high-quality audio from the TV's apps and connected sources through the A25+ to your loudspeakers. This makes it effective as a two-channel home theatre amplifier for music listening and film soundtracks, especially when paired with a high-quality stereo speaker system.