Best music streamer, What Hi-Fi? Awards 2021: Arcam ST60

Arcam has carried its decades of sonic expertise seamlessly into the streaming segment, both with and without amplification, in one box. Its proprietary software may not be exemplary, and its chassis design may not win a best-dressed award, but if you can get over that you will be rewarded with the best-sounding performer available for this money.

If you’re happy with your hi-fi system but simply want to smarten it up by slotting a streamer next to your separates, the Arcam ST60 is a strong choice.

[cory]

Just got the Arcam.... after the software update it now has Tidal connect and full Roon implementation . .... Sounds mighty compared to the Wiim Pro Plus.... superb integration with Tidal and Roon.... Soundstage and attack are massive improvements

[davejones]

just brought this and its excellent i wasted my money on a bluesound node 2021 broke after 7 months and there support is rubbish

[DomRivers]

You are, however, vastly better off getting a Node and an SA20 because Arcam's software, like so many OEMs, is buggy and awkward to the point of frustration

[thieveslikeus]

There’s a few things that you don’t mention. No subwoofer out? No eARC HDMI input? And no Dirac like other Arcams?
The world has moved on from strict 2.0 stereo.

[sixpotshot]

I am not sure if someone can help me: I have been running Sonos 1st Gen (mix of Connect and Connect:Amp units over 5 rooms plus a few Songs One units) for a long time all connected wirelessly to my home wi-fi. Speakers wise is a mix of Focal, B&Ws, Dalis and KEFs with Rotels & Roksans as amp power. I cannot afford to replace all those Sonus by 5 alternative network streamers (with a few of them needing to have an integrated amp as a direct replacement for each and every Connect:Amp or otherwise I would have to buy additional amps) each costing about 1k-1.5k GBP and this would still leave my Bonus One out of the equation. The question is: what is the best way forward to achieve a significant step up of sound quality over my current Sonus system without having to break the bank. Is there is a way to balance this with a budget of about 2k GBP or shall I wait and then fork out 5k to 10k for a better upgrade? Thank you.

[thomasbain]

Does it have bluetooth? No. Why not also stream video?

[pierre-philippejulien]

The blue sound is still a better streamer . The arcam music app is very bad, very frustrating to use . I kept mine just for the sound but that price they should make sure their app works . I don’t even think you can play music from usb drive connect to it .