Hang tight while we fetch the video data and transcripts. This only takes a moment.
Connecting to YouTube player…
Fetching transcript data…
We’ll display the transcript, summary, and all view options as soon as everything loads.
Next steps
Loading transcript tools…
Arcam SA30 Review: The Best Audiophile Amp Under $3,500? | Dirac, MQA, Class G Tested! - AI Summary, Mind Map & Transcript | Smart Shopper | YouTubeToText
YouTube Transcript: Arcam SA30 Review: The Best Audiophile Amp Under $3,500? | Dirac, MQA, Class G Tested!
Skip watching entire videos - get the full transcript, search for keywords, and copy with one click.
The Arkham SA30 is a premium integrated stereo amplifier that offers audiophile-grade sound quality, advanced features like room correction and streaming, and robust connectivity, positioning it as a top contender in its price bracket.
Mind Map
Click to expand
Click to explore the full interactive mind map • Zoom, pan, and navigate
What if I told you there's a stereo
amplifier that not only delivers true
audio filegrade performance, but also
comes loaded with room correction,
streaming, and smart connectivity?
That's right, the Arkham SA30 isn't just
a great amp. It might just be the best
stereo amplifier under $3,500.
But is it really worth the highore the
price? Let's break it all down and see
if the Arkham SA30 deserves a place in
your setup. Arkham SA30 overview.
Released by Arkham in late 2025, the
SA30 is the flagship integrated stereo
amplifier in the British brand's HDA series.
series.
Known for its heritage and hi-fi audio,
Arkham built the SA34 serious audio
fields and home theater enthusiasts.
It's a class GMP, pushing 120 watts per
channel into 8 OM. And it's not just
about raw power. It features advanced
D-Rack live room correction, ESS,
Saberdac, and streaming capabilities
like UPN, and chcast. If you're after
highfidelity sound with modern tech
under the hood, the SA30 is built to
impress. Arkham SA30 performance. Let's
talk real world performance. And spoiler
alert, it's seriously impressive. Arkham
SA30 produces a detailed, spacious, and
transparent sound stage. Whether you're
spinning vinyl, streaming from title, or
running a Blu-ray through HDMI arc, it
maintains superb clarity and dynamics.
Even at high volumes, distortion is
barely noticeably a testament to the
class G topology, which combines the
efficiency of class A with the finesse
of class A. We tested it with a pair of
Bowers and Wilkins 7003S3 and a KFR7,
and the results were phenomenal. Its
vocals were rich and centered, while
instruments had air and separation. The
Durac Live calibration made a noticeable
difference, especially in mid-range
balance and bass tightness in untreated
rooms. However, the amp gets warm after
a few hours, though nothing alarming,
and the initial DRA setup might be a bit
techy for beginners. But once dialed in,
the SA30 performs like a true high-end
amplifier, punching way above its
weight. Features and tech. Here's where
the Arkham SA30 really flexes. DRA live
room correction. This is the same room
correction tech used in high-end AVRs.
It tunes your space for ideal acoustics
using a microphone and software.
After calibration, the difference is
like night and daybase, clearer mids,
and more consistent imaging. ESS Saber
ESS 9038 DAC. One of the most highly
regarded DAXs in hi-fi. Capable of 32bit
192 khertz playback and full MQA
decoding for title masters lovers. This
means ultradetailed and accurate
playback. No external DAC required.
Class G amplification.
Unique to Arkham. This system
intelligently switches power rails to
optimize energy use and reduce
distortion. It delivers the warmth of
class A while remaining cool and
efficient. Streaming built-in chcast,
UPN, and Rune endpoint support make this
amp futurep proof. You can stream
highrace audio from your phone or PC
wirelessly, and it plays nice with
Google Home, too. Design and build. The
SA30's chassis is classic Archam
minimalist and purposeful with a matte
black aluminum front, clear old display,
tactile buttons,
and a solid volume knob. It feels
premium without being flashy. It weighs
in at just over 22 lb and build quality
is tankike. Ventilation is excellent for
a class G amp and while it lacks flashy
LED lighting or color displays, that's
by design. Arkham is all about sound
over style and the clean industrial
design will blend beautifully into any
hi-fi rack or minimalist living room.
Pros: Audio filegrade sound quality with
class G power, built-in DAC live for
room correction, full support for MQA,
chcast and rune. Excellent DAC
performance, future proof streaming and
HDMI ARC input cons. Direct Live setup
can be tricky for beginners. No
Bluetooth gets warm during extended use
price and value. As of mid 2025,
the Arkham SA30 retails around $3,200,
$3,400 USD, depending on the dealer.
While it's definitely a premium product,
the feature to ratio is excellent. When
you factor in the built-in ESS DAC DRA
Live and streaming support, you're
getting the value of multiple components
in a single box. Compared to rivals like
the Hegel H190, NADM10 or Cambridge
Audio Edge A, the SA30 is one of the
most versatile and futureproof choices
for serious home audio activity. You get
seven digital inputs, including HDMI,
ARC, USBB, coax, and optical. On the
analog side, there's a phono input for
MM cartridges. Three RCA lineins and
preout for external amps or subwoofers.
Ethernet and dualband Wi-Fi are builtin,
but Bluetooth is notably missing. Still,
chcast and UPN fill that gap seamlessly.
Ideal user type. This amp is for those
who value audio file sound and want the
best of analog and digital worlds. If
you're re-upgrading from entry-level
integrateds or looking to downsize from
bulky separates without losing fidelity,
the Arkham SA30 should be on your short
list. Final verdict. The Arkham SA30 is
a true audio file all-in-one amp that
bridges the old school charm of analog
sound with the smarts of modern digital
tech. It's ideal for critical listeners,
hi-fi enthusiasts, even casual users
looking for top tier sound in a
clutter-free setup. From streaming title
and highra to decoding MQA and
correcting your room acoustics with DRA
Live, it delivers performance that
Click on any text or timestamp to jump to that moment in the video
Share:
Most transcripts ready in under 5 seconds
One-Click Copy125+ LanguagesSearch ContentJump to Timestamps
Paste YouTube URL
Enter any YouTube video link to get the full transcript
Transcript Extraction Form
Most transcripts ready in under 5 seconds
Get Our Chrome Extension
Get transcripts instantly without leaving YouTube. Install our Chrome extension for one-click access to any video's transcript directly on the watch page.
