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Arcam P777 or Theta Intrepid

After weighing reviews, price, and designs, I have narrowed some multi-channel amp choices down to these two. I am looking used and spending @2500 tops, thus eliminating an Ayre V-6xe and Bryston 9BSST/SST2, which I was also considering. Also, I have a Bryston 2B-LP right not, and while I love its transients, bass, and control, I have always found it a bit harsh in the mids/uppers and really want to get away from that. I was considering an ATI amp, as well, but read some stuff that they might sound similar (It sucks not being able to listen to all this stuff myself!).

CAP has the Intrepid new for 1500, which seems like a stellar deal and to rank very high on the sound-for-money scale. Unfortunately, I cannot hear it locally and am going solely on reviews and having heard Ayre amps with a similar design (no global feedback and fully balanced). On paper, the Intrepid sounds like a truly hi-end design, perhaps just a little under powered, for a stupidly good price. I haven't heard the P777 either but have do currently have a C31 and CD36. I have heard Arcam amps in the past, only via their integrateds, and thought that they were not their strong suit, but this is obviously a much more powerful choice and dedicated design. I found them warm and nice but just not as detailed or spacious sounding. It also has the power and bi-amping my fronts capability advantage.

I will be running Vandersteen 2 Sigs, a VCC Sig, and VSMs in a 13x13x9 room. I also have a 2W to take some low end load off the 2s. I normally don't listen to movies all that loudly, honestly, and my focus is on music. I wanted to get some comments from people who might have heard both/either. Thanks!
jwseitz
bo1972's avatar
bo1972
2,789 posts
 
I had almost every Arcam in the shop ( current models). And I had almost every Primare as well. Wenn I used Monitor Audio Platinum speakers the difference in depth and wide was very big. Primare had a much wider and deeper stage. Arcam is better in sound than Cambridge, Nad and Marantz. But in stage they are almost the same. Quite flat. Maximum of 1 metre depth. With Primare you have 4 metres of depth. Wenn you go to highend audio like Pass labs the stage become even deeper and wider. Difference between Pass Labs and Arcam is huge in stage depth, wide and sound realism. Theta I tested had more depth than Arcam. But Pass Labs was superior in every aspect compared to Theta.
bo1972's avatar
bo1972
2,789 posts
 
I sold many brands in my life. Every single tool ( cable, amp, pre-amp, source, conditioner etc)I test. I want to know what talents/properties it has. Use speakers which can give a wide and deep stage. Use a poweramp, pre-map which also can give a wide and deep stage. You can easilly hear how good a source or amp can give a 3d stage. I also used tubes for this. Wenn I changed a source by an Arcam dvd player or cd player most of the depth was gone. Also with a Arcam amp and source togheter you get the same kind of stage.
jwseitz OP
21 posts
 
Zydo,

Since you are an Arcam dealer, you have heard their other amps and integrateds. Do you agree that the amplification in the integrateds are not bad but less than stellar? Too warm and not as detailed and controlled as other stuff? I just wondering if you recognize that the P777 is an improvement over these and by how much of a margin? I have read so-so comments about the P38, so I'm just worried that it won't be that much of an improvement. It sure looks good on paper, though!

I am also a big fan of Arcam because of the performance-for-money value of the brand. I have found that for X dollars, they do really, really well. That is based on what I have heard, of course, and we all know there are endless brands and options in hi-fi that are not carried by one's local shops. I used to have an Alpha 9CD and Alpha 9Pre before upgrading to the FMJ stuff, and it was a big jump. As I have upgraded my cables, the sound keeps getting better. Their amps have been the only question mark for me.

Does anyone know how many output transistors per channel they use in the P777? I don't see it anywhere. Also, they are not fully balanced, correct? I don't think their XLRs are really balanced, either, if I read correctly. That stuff worries me from a design standpoint.

Anyone heard the Cary 7.125?
bo1972's avatar
bo1972
2,789 posts
 
Arcam is in the mid segment the most warm sounding brand. There are many speakers which sound better cause of the warm sound. Many people prefer the warm sound over the more natural or clean sounding amps. I do not see this as a disadvantage. With Arcam you never can go wrong. A few yeard ago I visit the factory in England. There work about 60 people. Very kind and down to earth people.
paraneer's avatar
paraneer
818 posts
 
No problem Zydo. I like Arcam gear and I don't believe for one minute one amp can be 2 dimensional while another 3 or more. An amp can be more powerful, quieter, better S/N specs, damping factor, etc and all these specs can be measured. An amp can also be better built and parts, weight and construction can all be verified.

But to say one amp is 2 dimensional while another is not is pure subjective opinion that cannot be substantiated. Its not a spec - its a made up term. And from a salesman to boot! I really don't care if Bo prefers one brand over another. We all do. But I don't like anyone peddling their wares by slamming the competition and using make believe terms like 2 dimensional to do it. Not a good way to sell.

Makes me want to buy an Arcam.
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