Would I be a happy boy with an ARC CA-50?


I found an ARC CA-50 on Audiogon ad. I've read reviews of it from time to time, but I've never used one before.

I am mainly interested in this integrated amp to stop me from spending more on audio purchases. Ok, I know that won't happen. But, at least, I don't need to buy too many cables with an integrated.

Anyhow, I have a pair of KEF 103/4. I can only find specs on KEF.com for the current Reference 1 and 2, which the 103/4 is in between in regards to technical specs. The sensitivity - 2.83v @ 1m would be around 88db. The living room is about 20x15x10.

Sound preference: I like analytical dry "British" sounding audio gear like KEF and Tannoy professional speakers. As long as the detail is accurate, there is ample soundstage and the frequency response is flat, I am a happy boy.

Thanks y'all.
viggen

Showing 3 responses by maxgain

If you like to play music "loud" you may want more juice in a room that size with a speaker of that rating. If not it should sound wonderful. I have never found the ARC amps to have trouble driving the 4 ohm speakers I have used them with. The amp section is basicly a VT 50, little brother of the VT 100. These are a great value. You can find a CA 50 cheaper that you can buy a VT 50. No need to buy IC cables or a pre amp. The only problem with asking us is that loud to me may mean something else to you. I use an ARC VT 60 which is a great sound for the cash and the VT 50 is of that same lineage with an ARC pre amp for free.
I hope it does well for you. I almost got one myself a few months back. I have a TT and would have had to sell my current pre amp and then replace the phono stage that is built into my current ARC pre amp, and there was an issue of needing to permanantly install the caps for my Vandersteen sub(no pre amp out/amp in), it just was too many changes at one time.
Viggen, It does have some sort of sub out jacks, but it is not pre out(the vandersteen is not like the REL), and it has No phono stage, only a line stage.I hope this is not bad news?