This is probably the most expensive piece of audio equipment I’ve ever owned, and at it really delivers a wow like experience with most audio sources.
I paired this with two Polk Audio bookshelf speakers that are marketed as “Hi Res” audio capable, and they really shined with this amp. I also tested the audio with some older Yamaha Bookshelf speakers previously purchased at Best Buy, and was met with almost similar audio quality. The Polk speakers were just a better fit for use with this Amp, as they were able to reproduce sound at a higher quality. There also isn’t a fan or any moving parts inside the Amp, meaning it operates quietly in any setting. There is a large opening for the heat to escape on top, and in my use never once noticed it getting hot, just warm from continued use.
I hooked up four different audio sources for the purpose of testing sound quality. First, my Audio-Technica turntable (in phono setting), a Bluetooth Digital Audio adapter (which can be purchased at Best Buy), an All-In-One Phono/CD/Radio player, and an older gen 2 Apple TV capable of outputting audio from the Optical connection and for easy testing of Airplay audio.
Starting with my turntable, it was clear that this was designed with the audio experience in mind, and it DELIVERS! I played my Ennio Morricone record, which sounded great on my AV Receiver, but with this amp it was taken to a new level. I immediately noticed just how much more audio detail there was. Not the usual hear someone strum, but hear the strings, percussion, and other elements in the background which were sort of hidden before. Popping in my original Star Wars New Hope Soundtrack record, and I was blown away at the clear audio reproduced using the Arcam SA20 Amp. I can’t stress this enough, it’s REALLY REALLY clear, and unlike anything I’ve ever heard before. Setting the volume up to 40, then 45, and there was no audio distortion or loss in quality. It almost felt like I was listening to a loudspeaker in a concert hall.
Using the easy to read, and push, source buttons on the front, I switched to “SAT” mode (which was the default TOSLINK connection), and setup my Bluetooth adapter. I began streaming from my iPhone over Bluetooth and was met with very clear digital audio. While this won’t rival the EQ settings on a Sonos, the audio was clear and offered even better detail than on my previous AV receiver over bluetooth. Swapping to the AppleTV TOSLINK connection, and it immediately began AirPlaying the audio once selected from my iPhone. I should note that 48Khz is the default setting with AppleTV, so don’t worry too much about trying to set a different setting. My bluetooth adapter played, and was recognized at 44.1 Khz, and sounded better than my AppleTV connection. You’ll also notice that the AMP won’t detect audio, until something is actually played. This is NORMAL over TOSLINK, and unless you plugged it in wrong, will start playing the very second you hit play on this connection.
The remote that is included is also not some cheap remote. It’s backlit buttons make it easy to change settings or manipulate the volume control during more intimate lighting, meaning you don’t need to bend over a lamp to figure out what button to push. It’s also setup to control the ARCAM CD player, which can also be purchased from Magnolia. It also feels a bit more premium, since it has a little bit of weight; even without the batteries installed.
The rear of the unit is easy to figure out, the two pairs of speaker cable posts are easy to plug in a banana style clip, or unscrew for bare wire connections. The plastic covers on the post make it wasy to grip and turn. You’ll find 1 TOSLink port, which can be set to pretty much ANY input using the remote, and two RCA style digital connections for those devices that support them; such as older Bluray players. Followed by RCA plugs for CD, PVR, STB, and Phono. There is even a Phono ground for those requiring them for setup. If you’d like to use the PreAmp connections can be used for setup with another AMP, or with a powered subwoofer. I tested this with a Pioneer sub, and it worked like a charm.
If you’re looking to upgrade, or start a new stereo Audio setup, you can’t go wrong with the ARCAM SA20. Pair this with some Hi Res capable bookshelf speakers, and perhaps a powered Sub, and you have a SOLID Stereo experience waiting for you. I was also so impressed with this, I recommended this to an AudioPhile friend of mine, who also ordered one for his own home once he heard it.

I have two entertainment receivers for providing multi-channel audio and video passthrough. They are great for listening to Dolby and DTS surround movies. I’d even say they have been pretty good with music. However, using my same speakers and this Arcam HDA SA20 I am amazed at the clarity of audio that I was missing. Flipping between my systems on the same song, from the same source I could hear notes and separation in the sound that I had never heard before. I played some 90’s alternative grunge that has a lot of electric guitar and sound on top of the lyrics. Although I could hear the song fine on my other systems, there was obvious distortion that was not there on the SA20.
However, this was at normal to loud listening range, at about 50 out of 99. When I cranked it above 60 the distortion from the SA20 was even worse. At first I thought it was my speakers, though they are rated for 150 watts and the SA20 is only 90 watts per channel. I tried my other speakers and the same thing. However, I was using a digital input when I noticed this. If I used an analog input, avoiding the digital analog converter, I could crank it all the way up to 99 and not get the same decibel or distortion as I was getting at 60 with digital input. I don’t intend to listen to it that loud all the time, but is kind of disappointing that there is so much more possible power for it to sound over driven by the DAC.
As I mentioned with my other receivers, which were only a fraction of the cost, they have so many other input and output options. This one is only a 2 channel amplifier that is really limited in its capabilities. Figure the least it could do is stream from the network with its wired network connection. However, that is not the case and the network connection only allows you to use the Arcam Control app to adjust volume, balance, and the settings. The USB port is for firmware updates only, while the app can show you the version is 1.3 but using the menu on screen shows 1.0.3. So, at first I thought the 1.0.9 update was older than 1.3, but realized that there wasn’t anything higher.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I haven’t had a single stereo amplifier since my parents old stack back in the 80’s. The audio clarity at “normal” listening range of the SA20 is defining compared to my cheaper systems. I just feel that something at this price point in 2020 should offer so much more. Especially for something that is still made in China.

This amp would receive 5 stars IF it had better instructions on how to use it. I had to search everywhere online in order to find out how to by pass the speakers from my receiver to the arcam amp for Home Theater use. You have to hold the mute button for about 3 seconds and the settings menu will pop up, navigate using the buttons and USE the Volume knob to make certain selections. The Volume knob is very crucial in some choices. You will feel stuck and wonder how to change you selections numbers, that is when you will turn the knob. This will make sense when you have the amp in front of you. If you want to use this amp just for music then its plug and play, If you have some patience then you will learn to love this amp, the sound it produces is full and clean. That alone will make it worth it. Arcam, Rewrite your user guide asap.

I’ll start by saying I’ve never been a self-proclaimed audiophile or head-fi that spends multiple thousands or tens of thousands on an audio system, but I feel that makes me well qualified to evaluate the quality of the Arcam – HDA SA20 unit compared to the decent soundbars and AV/R I have used in the past.
I’ve been a guy who has always been enamored with the total W output, latest DTS or Dolby Standard, LED lights, and total number of speakers so I was a little disappointed at the thought of going back to a true 2.0 amp system.
Needless to say, I was blown away by the sound of the Arcam SA20 2.0 Amp. Even on my satellite speakers with the subwoofer connected, the sound is amazing. One thing you take for granted in this digital streaming age is that this AMP needs specific sources to get the best quality, whether that is a streaming song player, or a CD or DVD/BluRay player that plays at high bit rates to make the most of this AMP. The higher bitrate you can input, the better the sound.
Overall, even with my set-up I could immediately notice a huge difference in audio. I’m going to have to buy a Sony unit for the best of both worlds for CD and also audio bitrate, but Arcam also adds a $1500 unit for streaming audio, CD or SACD, however, its not a blu ray or 4K bluray player which is a shame.
Overally, very pleased with this unit, I’m going to pair it with some floor standing speakers, but you can see its easy to connect both satellite and subwoofer channels due to the excellent quality of plugs that takes both banana plugs and raw wires. The banana plugs you have to use a flathead to pull the plugs out but you can also use bare wire for your subwoofer for the oldschool 2.0 system with a subwoofer.
The remote is excellent quality with good feel and colors, although the unit itself is not as responsive as it could be. Also, half the remote is for the CD player and the lower portion works with the SA20.
For Head-Fi users, this unit is excellent for the price with a tried and true brand in Arcam, I wouldn’t hesitate recommending the unit especially if you are using audio/music application or already have high quality floor speakers. I wish the CD player/streamer was cheaper, or it also played 4K Blu-Ray, if it did, I would buy it today!!!