Arcam ST5 Network Music Streamer at Vinyl Sound Toronto Canada

The ST5 is a high-resolution network music streamer from Arcam (Cambridge, England), available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. Part of Arcam's award-winning Radia series — whose A5+, A15+, and ST25 all earned What Hi-Fi? Awards in 2025 — the ST5 delivers hi-res audio up to 24-bit/192kHz PCM and DSD128 via an ESS ES9018 DAC with time domain jitter elimination. It supports Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz, Amazon Music, and Roon Ready, and includes a dedicated control link for Arcam Radia amplifiers including the A5+, A15+, and A25+, allowing both components to operate as a single unit from any control device. The ST5 is the entry-level streaming source in the Radia lineup, designed to bring a performance and sonic upgrade to any hi-fi system while sharing individual power supplies with a partnering amplifier for improved sound quality.

ESS ES9018 DAC with Time Domain Jitter Elimination

The ST5 centres on the ESS ES9018 high-resolution DAC, processing all incoming digital audio with time domain jitter elimination to minimise timing errors introduced during network transmission or digital playback. This circuit approach removes jitter artefacts before the conversion stage, resulting in a cleaner, more composed analogue output. The ST5 supports hi-res FLAC, WAV (LPCM), ALAC, AIFF, AAC, and MQA files up to 24-bit/192kHz, plus DSD up to DSD128, alongside standard MP3, MP4, OGG, and WMA. Analogue output frequency response measures 20Hz to 20kHz within ±0.05dB — an exceptionally tight tolerance that reflects the precision of the ESS DAC implementation. Two selectable DAC filters — slow and fast — allow listeners to tailor the presentation, accessible via the included remote control and front-panel display.

Streaming Services and Network Connectivity

The ST5 connects to a home network via dual-band Wi-Fi or wired Ethernet and is configured through the ARCAM Radia app. Once connected, it supports Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Roon Ready, UPnP for NAS and local network playback, USB media from a connected USB-A drive, Internet Radio, Podcasts, and Qobuz and Amazon Music via the Radia app. MQA decoding is fully supported, enabling bit-perfect rendering of Tidal's highest-resolution MQA streams. Output options cover analogue stereo RCA, coaxial digital (RCA), and optical digital (TOSLINK), making the ST5 compatible with any amplifier or preamplifier regardless of input type. Note that the ST5 does not include Bluetooth connectivity — wireless audio is handled via Wi-Fi using AirPlay 2 or Chromecast.

Arcam Radia Control Link

The ST5 includes a dedicated control link port that pairs it directly with any Arcam Radia amplifier — A5+, A15+, or A25+ — using the supplied control cable. Once linked, both components respond as a single integrated unit from the ARCAM Radia app or the remote control, with input switching and volume control coordinated across the two chassis. Beyond convenience, this pairing delivers a sonic benefit: keeping the streaming and amplification functions in separate boxes with individual power supplies eliminates the noise coupling that occurs inside a single-chassis streaming amplifier, resulting in a cleaner signal path and improved sound quality from the combination.

Key Features

• ESS ES9018 DAC with Time Domain Jitter Elimination: High-resolution DAC supporting 24-bit/192kHz PCM and DSD128, with a jitter elimination circuit for clean analogue output.
• MQA Support: Full MQA decoding for bit-perfect rendering of Tidal HiFi Plus streams at their highest available resolution.
• Roon Ready Certified: Full Roon endpoint support for listeners using Roon as their primary music management and playback platform.
• Comprehensive Streaming Support: Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz, Amazon Music, UPnP, Internet Radio, Podcasts, and USB media playback.
• Arcam Radia Control Link: Dedicated port and supplied cable for linking with Arcam Radia A5+, A15+, or A25+ amplifiers, enabling unified control of both components.
• Slimline Radia Design: At 57mm tall, the ST5 shares the Radia series' signature slim profile, matte-black chassis, and yellow accent detailing, matching Arcam's Radia amplifiers visually and physically.
• Hi-Res Audio up to 24-bit/192kHz: Supported across analogue and digital outputs for all compatible source formats including FLAC, WAV, ALAC, AIFF, AAC, and MQA.
• Analogue and Digital Outputs: Stereo RCA analogue output, coaxial RCA digital output, and optical TOSLINK digital output for flexible system integration.
• Plastic-Free Packaging: 100% biodegradable packaging using natural materials throughout, with no single-use plastics.

Technical Specifications

Connections at a Glance

• 1 x Stereo RCA analogue output
• 1 x Coaxial (RCA) digital output
• 1 x Optical (TOSLINK) digital output
• 1 x USB-A input (mass storage media playback)
• 1 x Ethernet (RJ45)
• 1 x Arcam Radia control link port
• Wi-Fi (AirPlay 2 and Chromecast; no Bluetooth)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Arcam ST5?

The Arcam ST5 is an entry-level network music streamer from Arcam, a British hi-fi manufacturer based in Cambridge, England, supporting hi-res audio up to 24-bit/192kHz PCM and DSD128 via an ESS ES9018 DAC with time domain jitter elimination. It is the streaming entry point of Arcam's Radia series and is designed to pair with the Arcam A5+, A15+, or A25+ integrated amplifiers via a dedicated control link. The ST5 is available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada.

How does the Arcam ST5 compare to the WiiM Pro Plus and Bluesound Node?

The Arcam ST5, WiiM Pro Plus, and Bluesound Node are all network streamers in a similar price range. The WiiM Pro Plus and Bluesound Node both offer Bluetooth connectivity and more feature-rich control apps, with the Bluesound Node adding Dirac Live room correction. The ST5 differentiates itself through its ESS ES9018 DAC with time domain jitter elimination, MQA decoding, the dedicated Arcam Radia control link for pairing with Arcam amplifiers, and its matching Radia series form factor. Listeners who prioritise Bluetooth wireless streaming should note that the ST5 does not include Bluetooth — all wireless connectivity is handled via Wi-Fi using AirPlay 2 or Chromecast.

Does the Arcam ST5 have Bluetooth?

No, the Arcam ST5 does not include Bluetooth connectivity. Wireless audio is supported via Wi-Fi through Apple AirPlay 2 and Google Chromecast, which offer higher audio quality than standard Bluetooth for most streaming scenarios. Listeners who require Bluetooth transmission or reception in a Radia-series streamer should consider the Arcam ST25, which is the premium model in the lineup and does not include Bluetooth either — Bluetooth functionality is built into the Arcam A5+, A15+, and A25+ amplifiers.

Is the Arcam ST5 Roon Ready?

Yes, the Arcam ST5 is fully Roon Ready certified, functioning as a Roon endpoint that can be discovered and controlled directly from the Roon application on any compatible device on the same network. Roon users can bypass the ARCAM Radia app entirely and use Roon as their primary control and playback interface for the ST5.

What streaming services does the Arcam ST5 support?

The ST5 supports Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Roon Ready, UPnP for local network and NAS playback, USB media from a connected drive, Internet Radio, and Podcasts. Qobuz and Amazon Music are accessible via the ARCAM Radia app. MQA decoding is supported for Tidal HiFi Plus subscribers.

Where can I buy the Arcam ST5 in Toronto or Canada?

The Arcam ST5 is available at Vinyl Sound, an authorised Arcam dealer in Toronto, Canada. Vinyl Sound carries the full Arcam Radia lineup and can demonstrate the ST5 paired with the Arcam A5+ or A15+ integrated amplifier as a complete Radia streaming system.

Can the Arcam ST5 be used with non-Arcam amplifiers?

Yes, the ST5 is fully compatible with any amplifier or preamplifier. Its stereo RCA analogue output connects to any line-level input, while its coaxial and optical digital outputs feed any DAC-equipped amplifier or integrated amplifier. The Arcam Radia control link is an optional convenience feature for Arcam Radia amplifier owners and does not affect compatibility with third-party equipment.

What is MQA and does the Arcam ST5 support it?

MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) is an audio coding technology developed to deliver studio-quality recordings in a file size compatible with streaming. The Arcam ST5 includes full MQA decoding, enabling it to fully unfold MQA files from Tidal HiFi Plus to their highest available resolution through both its analogue and digital outputs. This is handled internally by the ESS ES9018 DAC, requiring no additional external MQA decoder.