Arcam has updated three members of its Radia product line with improved circuitry and refined components, which, according to the manufacturer, promise improved performance. The new Radia A5+, Radia A15+, and Radia A25+ retain their original appearance, but the Radia A15+ and A25+ now feature an HDMI input with eArc support, among other features.
Arcam Radia +
Arcam has given the Radia product line a plus factor with the Radia A5+, A15+, and A25+. The sleek, minimalist black color with yellow accents remains, along with the key specifications for each model. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, don’t fix it,” seems to be the philosophy behind the new plus models.
The most significant new feature is the addition of an HDMI input to the A15+ and A25+ models. The A25+ also features a new transformer, improved linear regulation of the analog power supplies, and further improvements to the power and mains filtering. According to Arcam, these improvements all contribute to improved overall clarity.
The A25+ Class G amplifier, capable of delivering 100 watts per channel, now benefits from a dedicated ESS9018 DAC chip for the SPDIF inputs. Furthermore, the designers have revised the glass front panel. The precision-ground glass front panel, according to the company, provides a sharper and clearer display of information on the OLED screen. The design is now more in line with the A25+’s streaming sibling, the Radia ST25.
Even the smallest model has been revised. The Radia A5+ features improvements to its internal components, minimizing PCB interference and lowering power supply impedance. Arcam states that noise suppression remains a key technical focus for the new series. The company adds that by selectively disabling inactive components, the overall noise floor is significantly reduced.
The Radia A5+ remains a 50-watt-per-channel amplifier, while the A15+ has been upgraded to 80 watts per channel. Both are Class AB designs, featuring a 24-bit/192 kHz ESS ES9018 DAC, a built-in phono stage for MM cartridges, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Meanwhile, all three amplifiers have received a Bluetooth chip upgrade, featuring Bluetooth 5.4 and the higher-quality aptX Lossless codec, as well as LE Audio and the Auracast sharing protocol.
Pricing and delivery information has yet to be announced.
