Tubes Asylum: REVIEW: AVREAVOX ARCANA 82 Amplifier (Tube) by mintymiller

Model:	ARCANA 82
Category:	Amplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price:	$500
Description:	MONO PUSH-PULL 6BM8, 8W
Manufacturer URL:	Not Available
Manufacturer URL:	Not Available

Review by mintymiller ( A ) on October 05, 2003 at 08:21:41
IP Address: 80.6.177.12

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for the ARCANA 82

Performance wise, there's nothing to beat the Arcana monobloks at this or twice the price when linked to the matching Arcana pre-amp. Provided you observe the obvious prerequisite of 'garbage in garbage out' and make sure that you partner the amps with suitably senstive speakers (no less that 90dB/W), then you'll be met with a full, melodious sound that's tonally accurate and highly involving. I use them with Mission M74s and still find it hard to accept that I'm listening through flea-powered amps. Despite the limited power, there's plenty of grunt in the bass department without compromising mids and highs. The only slight issue I have is the edgy performance of LP sourced music. I find that my LP12/Akito/OrtofonMC1/Project amp combination sounds a tad harsh and distorted through the Aracanas. I think this just reflects the garbage in/out argument as I don't really rate the Ortofon that highly. Most likely, the Aracana combo is highlighting its failings. So be prepared to upgrade your cartridge when you buy into the Arcana sound if you want to listen to your LP collection in peace and harmony.

Product Weakness: Ruthlessly reveals and highlights any imperfections in your sources (particularly pick-ups). Slight hum from the matching pre-amp (silent as a church mouse when partnered with a good solid-state preamp).
Product Strengths: Inexpensive; excellent build quality, cheap to run, brilliant sound when partnered with quaility sources and suitably sensitive speakers.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Aracana 82 monbloks (x2)
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Aracana 81 Line-level tube preamp
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Teac T1/Cambridge DAC/LP12/Akito/Ortofon Turbo MC/Project L-L preamp
Speakers:	Mission M74s (91db/W)
Cables/Interconnects:	QED multistrand ribbon cable
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Rock, pop and classical
Room Size (LxWxH):	8m x 6m x 4.5m
Room Comments/Treatments:	no mods
Time Period/Length of Audition:	9 months so far
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Ruthlessly reveals and highlights any imperfections in your sources (particularly pick-ups). Slight hum from the matching pre-amp (silent as a church mouse when partnered with a good solid-state preamp).
Product Strengths:	Inexpensive; excellent build quality, cheap to run, brilliant sound when partnered with quaility sources and suitably sensitive speakers.