Advice on second-hand buying

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Hello everyone,

I’m new here and considering buying a second-hand Arcam SA30. But after reading some of the feedback, I must admit—you guys scared me a bit :sweat_smile:

My plan would be to use it with a Wiim Ultra connected via coaxial, so I’d be bypassing the SA30’s network features entirely. I’m mainly interested in using Dirac Live and controlling basic functions (like volume) from the remote or front panel.

What worries me is the possibility of audio dropouts, random clicks/pops, or anything else that could interrupt or “damage” the listening experience—I’d find that really frustrating.
I also read about volume going to max during Dirac calibration, this scares me the most.

Given that setup and my priorities, do you think the SA30 is still a good option, or should I look elsewhere?

Thanks in advance!

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Never had a problem with my sa30. Not sure I would use a wiim over built in in streaming tbh as the built in is very good.

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I have two systems with Dirac (NAD m10v3 and the Arcam SA30). After playing with Dirac for a while, I found the best settings. But after upgrading my speakers I turned Dirac off. A good match between amp and speakers (The SA30 sounds gorgeous with well matched speakers) will do the trick. I use Roon with the SA30 and this is always without any issues. Just enjoy!

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Never had any issues with my SA30 streamer - using Tidal connect and BubbleUPnP.

The amp itself, zero drop outs on network. I also use as jacked into my home cinema amp in processing mode, and it’s perfect for that. I use a turntable connection is also excellent but I did recently buy a Graham Slee dedicated phono.

The SA30 is an absolute bargain, cost me £1000 and sounds as good as £5k amps I’ve heard.

I’m using B&W 7 series speakers, Rega P3, Panasonic UB9000 (CD) and Graham Slee Reflex M. I couldn’t be happier with this set up.

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Hello Valerio,

just as you, I bought the SA30 second hand only a few months ago. I aso hesitated a bit. But since most of the time, you won’t read anything about happy users and most of the time you only read about the complaints, I gave it a go.
And I am happy for 99,9%. (I’ll talk about the 0,1% in a minute ;-). The detail, dynamics, the stereo image, … it is all great. I never had an amp for this price (second hand) that reached this level of sound quality.

Just like you, I was very interested in Dirac. My room is asymmetrical (L-shaped) and my right speaker leans to the open space.
(be sure when you buy the amp, that the mic is included. If not, you’ll have to buy a Mini dsp umik).

Using Dirac was almost flawlessly. Sometimes, when you want to go back in the process to the sound level settings from the beginning, there is no sound from the speakers. When you touch the left dB slider, the volume jumps a bit ‘high’, but nothing to worry about. I read this als from other amplifiers, so it must be a Dirac software issue.
Since I didn’t want Dirac to interfere with the stereo image information, I calibrated to a tightly focused image, with the 9 measurements in a space about 40x20x20cm around my ‘virtual’ head.
And what was also important was to lower the frequency curtain from the right to the left down to about 400Hz, so it does leave the higher mids and hi frequencies untouched.
The result is mind-blowing in my situation. I could not speak of any steady image and the Dirac corrected this almost completely.
I am using small Dynaudio monitors with a B&W subwoofer (connected high level on the speaker outputs of the Arcam). The low frequencies where not enjoyable before Dirac. Now playback is smooth down to 30Hz. Just incredible.

As you can read, I am very pleased.
I never encountered any dropouts, hiccups or clicks/pops. Only when my streamer was already playing when I was powering on the amp. This can by scary… So it is best to paus the playing before switching on the SA30. I am using a SONOS port also over coaxial.

What I tested the last few weeks is ROON. This works great. My SA30 is on the latest firmware and this is why i gave it 99,9%. It seems that the latest firmware broke Qobuz streaming in the MusicLife app on the Arcam. But when using ROON, I get the highest quality. Even MQA when the track is ‘recorded’ that way.
When you will be using a Wiim Ultra, you should not have problems with Qobuz streaming. I am considering an Eversolo DMP6mkII since I am mainly an Apple Music user.

I hope that the second-hand unit that you are buying is in good order so you can enjoy it as I do.

Kind regards,
Peter

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Thank you all very much for your answers, they are very reassuring.
My speakers are Focal Electra 1008. Until now, I used them with an entry level Marantz PM6004. In my old apartment, I was satisfied with the sound. Now I switched to a vey different configuration, and at the listening point (which is around the center of the long side of the listening room), sound is quite off. I played both with the speakers and sofa positions, but I never found a really satisfying configuration.

@Rbruijn How sa30 compares with m10? An m10v2 was on the radar too.

@Symphy944 Peter, when you talk about Qobuz connect, you refers to the last feature added by Qobuz working as Spotify connect? This is my standard listening mode with the Wiim. I thought Sa30 did not support it at all.

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You are correct the SA30 does not directly support Qobuz Connect.

I am not aware of the latest firmware having broken Qobuz use otherwise, because I’m not using that latest release. However along with the SA30 being discontinued,the Music Life app is not getting updated and when I queried Qobuz Connect with Hartman/Arcam support team they just said “no” and directed me to use the web client, which has been improved in the latest software release. Their view is, that if you use this then you don’t need Qobuz Connect, but this of course ignores the user experience side of things and other Qobuz app features that the web client can’t match.

I haven’t so far applied the latest updates. Part of me want to, but I am taking an “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” approach :slightly_smiling_face:

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Hi Valerio,

my mistake. I meant Qobuz via the MusicLife app. The SA30 never had Qobuz connect. Only Tidal connect… So you are right! (I corrected it in my post for later viewers).
Qobuz only plays the first 30 seconds of a song and on CD quality. Even with an active qobuz subscription.

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If you downgrade to the previous firmware (see my other posts and on the website), you will be able to use Qobuz by using MusicLife. I avoid this by using Roon.

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Both are high quality. The Arcam SA30 is organic/warm and the Nad M10v3 is analytic. I compensated by pairing KLH model 3 speakers with the Nad M10v3. The SA30 is paired with Sonus Faber Sonetto 3 speakers.

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Does it only play the first 30 seconds if you use the web client instead? And the quality? I don’t think there is much advantage (if any) of Music Life over the web client to be honest.

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Maybe were getting off-topic now :flushed_face: .

When using the web client, Qobuz just works fine! Full length and maximum quality.
And after using it once, the Music Life Qobuz source also works now, but only the Search and Discover function. Very strange. The other functions return an error (‘Request adaption failed with error: Exception).

Especially on a phone, the web client is clumsy. The search windows doesn’t show nicely. The Music Life app is a little bit more comfortable to use on small screens. But both are way outdated.
If you don’t use Roon, Tidal connect seams the most practical solution without connecting an external streaming solution.

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Both nice speakers. Never heard the KLH M3 though. A special combination with a hyper modern integrated like the M10. But I get it how the M3 maybe adds a little warmth to the M10.

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Very nice speakers those Electra’s. But never heard them. Aren’t they a bit on the bright side? If the Marantz is a good fit, the SA30 will be too.

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I would said neutral/bright-ish, but yes, they definitely give their best with a touch of warmth.

The problem I have right now however, is that at my listening point there is clearly a dip in the upper bass region, and a peak in the lower bass. As a consequence, sound is a little bit hollow, and bass is slightly boomy. I think I would benefit from Dirac correction.

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You will benefit greatly from the Dirac calibration.

But keep in mine that the first result may not be to your likings. I already posted some tips that work for me and other, but feel free to ask when you need some advice.

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It should be a great system set up like this.

I use mine with Ropieee and and external DAC for HQPlayer, PlexAmp and LMS playback as well as internal Roon and UPNP streaming.

I think of it as a mostly excellent amplifier with some streaming issues and poor support.