[Designdweeb]

WOW
After work, I popped into one of my neighborhood audio shops, and found a used Arcam Alpha 8 tuner, to add to my failing Carver receiver, when I saw on the floor, boxes of demo and trade-in units.
Well, now I have notion of replacing my Carver with either a NOS Rotel 1062, or the tuner's mate, a used Arcam Alpha 10U integrated amp, either one for $350!
The Rotel is a nice black, really a beaut, and new, 60w. It looks so good would be tempted to want to return the tuner and save up to get a matching Rotel tuner, then maybe a CDP unit, down the road
The arcam is 100w, used, not a looker, plastic cased, and NO phono stage, an additional thing to buy, IF I can find the system mate, as it is a 1999 model, IIRC. It has multi room and other upgrades, they said.
I'm in a small studio apt., driving 2 way bookshelf Dahlquists(until I save up for Vandersteens). I listen to classical, jazz and rock in equal portions.
What would you all advise? I've heard neither one.
The tuner was only $70, so I think I bumped into an opportunity here...
Thanks,
 Adam

[ThomDP]

See if you can bring your speakers in to audition with the Arcam and Rotel. The asking price of $350 is excellent for either amp.

I have owned both the Arcam Alpha 8r and Rotel 1062, both at seperate times with different speakers so a direct comparison wasn't available.

The Arcam Alpha amps from the late 90's were rich and colorful sounding. The Rotel is a very clean and detailed with the ability to make great recordings sound great and expose the hell out of bad ones.

My vote would go towards the Arcam.

Dennis

[Designdweeb]

Thanks for your help.
Auditioning the units is sound advice, but I'd be surprised if this shop is willing to let me drag my (vintage) aged sorry *ss speakers and CDP into the showroom lobby of their building, they're a high end boutique, don't want to invest much time in this sale, and just want this older stuff 'outtathere.'
The upside is I really don't think I'd be making a mistake with either choice.
The reactions on AK, where I also posted this, lean towards the Rotel. However, I think that is because it is more common, as in popular, so people know what it's sound is, and the Arcam 10u is the more esoteric choice, and unknown, over here. That gets my curiosity going.  The matched Arcam tuner/ amp combo, at $420, is a nice matched set. I can always get a phono preamp later, maybe a little tube unit, and have fun choosing that.
Or, if I'm unhappy with the  speaker match with the Dahlquists, I can move the Arcam over to the HT set-up, run it with my a/d/s L690s, or sell it, probably without a loss, and buy the Rotel, too.
The Rotel may be the more practical, the safer choice, but at these prices, I'm not risking much. I'm tempted to buy both.
This is a great site.
Thanks for your advice.

[Designdweeb]

I do like this Arcam pair, The Alpha 8 tuna and 10 integrated amp! A shame I have no use for the multi room module it came with. I'd rather have the phono stage. Is that little red Bellari tube prephono a good match?
Now I have upgraditis, because I'm sure there is a more musical experience lurking beneath what the old Denon CDP & Dahlquist DCM 3s are providing.
Synergy: I should go hunt down an Arcam CDP?
AND, any suggestions for speakers>
Floorstanding speakers?
      Vandersteens? I hear they need tubes and breathing room around them to shine. I live in a small space.
      Bigger Dahlquists?  The 20s might fit, maybe not.
Bookshelves?
     Totems? B&W? What other choices should I listen to?
What do you guys think would be a good match?
Thanks