I have had my alpha 8p hooked up to the integrated alpha 8 in a bi-amp configuration for 10 years, and surprisingly, the adcom / alpha 8p sounds better! The all-arcam system had nicer dynamics, no question, but the adcom/alpha is cleaner/more detailed sounding; just more revealing.
The reason why I had to throw away the arcam integrated is because the input selector was not working anymore, only one channel was working, and also, I could listen to a radio station everytime I was depressing the direct button (engaging the tone controls) since it was new. I have seen the delta series (in the 90s) exhibit the same kind of problems. I will not buy Arcam again, especially at 2x to 3x the price of NAD or Cambridge Audio. I really have doubts about the quality of components used.
What scares me with integrated is to have a "cheap", lesser quality pre-amp section, just like in the case of the arcam.
I believe that in the case of amplifiers, we have to look at power and headroom, and then carefully choose the pre-amp for the overall desired sound signature.
The reason why I had to throw away the arcam integrated is because the input selector was not working anymore, only one channel was working, and also, I could listen to a radio station everytime I was depressing the direct button (engaging the tone controls) since it was new. I have seen the delta series (in the 90s) exhibit the same kind of problems. I will not buy Arcam again, especially at 2x to 3x the price of NAD or Cambridge Audio. I really have doubts about the quality of components used.
What scares me with integrated is to have a "cheap", lesser quality pre-amp section, just like in the case of the arcam.
I believe that in the case of amplifiers, we have to look at power and headroom, and then carefully choose the pre-amp for the overall desired sound signature.