No one has addressed your question about the Arcam A85 integrated. First, I would note that at $1500 (new list, available new for less, as memory serves) for an integrated, this is in a different price league than Mcintosh (a lot cheaper)! If you really have a Mcintosh budget and are interested in other brands of integrateds, you should probably be comparing to higher-level integrateds than the Arcam.
Higher-end integrateds that fare well in reviews here include Plinius, Bryston, and Classe. While more than the Arcam, I think these can be had less expensively than the McIntosh gear (I'm not up on Mac pricing). The NAD silver series includes a high-current integrated also. Although people say the Bryston (with 60WPC) sounds bigger than it's rated, I would look for a high-current integrated that offers at least 100WPC; this gives you some flexibility in speaker and room choices.
My own budget is more in the Arcam range! I had an Arcam A85 at home for several days, and compared it head-to-head with several sets of separates. I found it rather "thin". Too bad, I really wanted to like it. It has every feature you could want in an integrated (including available phono board, and full featured -- but confusing -- remote). It's nice-looking and compact. With efficient speakers in a small room (how I demoed it at the dealer), I think it would sound good. For less efficient speakers and/or larger room, I would look to a more powerful integrated, or to separates.
If cost isn't too much of a problem, and if you demo and really like the sound, you may want to go with the McIntosh just for emotional value. There's something to be said for equipment (as well as music) that brings back a warm feeling. That's probably the main reason I still listen to LPs. What the heck!
All the best,
Eric
