AXPONA 2025

Arcam’s $4999 SA45 aims to prove that “do-it-all” and “high-end” can coexist. For the first time at a show, Jim Garrett, a senior director of product strategy & planning at Harman International, gave a live demo of the British brand’s SA45 streaming integrated amplifier.

The SA45 sports a minimalist aluminum chassis and a nearly 9" color display. The unit includes a 180Wpc (stereo) Class G output stage, an ESS-based high-resolution DAC, an MM/MC phono preamp, balanced analog inputs, HDMI eARC, and full-bandwidth Dirac Live with 2.2 bass management.

Arcam paired the SA45 with Revel F328Be floorstanders ($17,600/pair), running with Dirac Live disengaged. Kick-drum transients snapped with speed, while vocals seemed to float freely in the soundstage, unbound by the speaker cabinets. The bass had some attendees looking for hidden subwoofers. There were none.

Coming in at under $5000, the SA45 undercuts many separates that offer less flexibility. Arcam also showed the SA35—its 120-watt sibling priced at $2999—that retains streaming, HDMI eARC, Dirac, and dual-subwoofer support. For apartment dwellers, lapsed audiophiles, or anyone tired of juggling gear, either model offers a streamlined path to high-fidelity listening.

Watch Mark Henninger’s interview with Jim Garrett below.