ARCAM A15+ vs A25+: Which Integrated Amplifier Is Right for You?

Quick verdict: which ARCAM amp should you buy?

• Buy the A15+ if you want the smartest all-around choice for music and TV in one room.
• Buy the A25+ if you want more authority with tower speakers, more composure into lower-impedance loads, and better digital flexibility with USB-C.
• Buy the A5+ if you want the most affordable Radia Plus entry point and do not need HDMI eARC.
• Add the ST5 if network streaming is a real priority.
• Add the CD5 if you still buy CDs or want a matched Radia disc player.

The key tradeoff is not just price. The real decision is whether you need the A25+’s extra current delivery, Class G refinement, and USB-C badly enough to move past the A15+, because the A15+ already covers the core use case extremely well.

Why do the Arcam “Plus” models matter?

The A15+ and A25+ are the current Radia Plus models, and that matters because many buyers still search for “Arcam A15” and “Arcam A25” when they are really trying to understand the newer versions. The Plus models are not cosmetic updates. They are the versions that make more sense in a modern living room.

The biggest shift is TV integration. The A15+ and A25+ add HDMI eARC, which makes a serious stereo amplifier much easier to use with a television. That one feature changes the system from “pure hi-fi box” to “real living-room hub” because it gives you cleaner one-cable TV audio without forcing you into an AV receiver.

The Radia Plus range also modernizes wireless connectivity with Bluetooth 5.4, Snapdragon Sound, and Auracast. For buyers who want a stereo system that feels current without giving up the sound quality ARCAM is known for, the Plus lineup is the relevant lineup.

Where do the A5+, A15+, and A25+ fit in the Radia Plus lineup?

The A5+, A15+, and A25+ each have a clear role. The A5+ is the entry point, the A15+ is the all-rounder, and the A25+ is the step-up model for buyers who want more authority, more refinement, and more room to grow.

If your system needs to handle both hi-fi and TV gracefully, the lineup really starts to get interesting at the A15+. If you have demanding speakers and want the best ARCAM Radia Plus experience, the A25+ is the step that feels meaningfully more serious rather than just slightly more expensive.

ARCAM A15+ vs A25+: what is the real difference?

The real difference is not just 20 more watts into 8 ohms. The real difference is how the amplifier behaves when speakers ask for current, how much ease it keeps during bigger dynamic swings, and how much texture it preserves at lower listening levels.

On paper, the A15+ is rated at 80 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 120 watts into 4 ohms. The A25+ moves to 100 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 165 watts into 4 ohms. That 4-ohm rating matters because it tells you more about grip and current delivery than the 8-ohm number alone.

The topology split matters even more. The A15+ uses Class AB amplification. The A25+ uses ARCAM’s 5th-generation Class G amplification. That is the core reason the A25+ feels more relaxed, more effortless, and more capable when the speakers are harder to drive or the recording gets more demanding.

The digital feature split is also practical. Both models give you HDMI eARC, useful digital inputs, Bluetooth 5.4, Auracast, a built-in DAC, and a moving magnet phono stage. The A25+ adds USB-C, and that is a decisive advantage if a laptop, desktop, or mobile device will be a major listening source.

Why is the ARCAM A15+ the sweet spot for most buyers?

The A15+ is the sweet spot because it solves the modern stereo problem without overcomplicating the system. It gives you HDMI eARC for TV, enough power for most speakers, a built-in MM phono stage, useful digital inputs, and the sort of sound that still feels like hi-fi rather than lifestyle audio.

The A15+ is the model I would point most people toward first. It is powerful enough to be serious, flexible enough to anchor a living-room system, and simple enough to stay elegant instead of turning into a stack of compromises and extra boxes.

The A15+ makes the most sense when your system has to do several jobs well. It is a strong answer for buyers who want to run a TV, a turntable, a streamer, and everyday music through one amplifier without moving into surround-sound hardware.

The A15+ is also the smarter buy if you already own a streamer, already own a DAC, or mostly listen through TV, vinyl, and a couple of digital sources. In that case, the missing USB-C is not a real problem. It only becomes a limitation if computer audio is central to the way you listen.

The A15+ is the right choice if:

• You want one stereo amplifier for both music and TV.
• You want HDMI eARC without moving to an AV receiver.
• You have bookshelf speakers or reasonably easy-to-drive towers.
• You want a premium system that stays simple.
• You may add a streamer, subwoofer, or CD player later.

Why should you step up to the ARCAM A25+?

The A25+ is worth the extra money when your speakers, room, or listening priorities can use what it actually does better. It is not just the “bigger” model. It is the model that gives you more current delivery, more low-volume nuance, more composure with tougher speakers, and more digital flexibility.

The A25+ earns its premium in three clear ways. It has more headroom where it counts, it moves to ARCAM’s 5th-generation Class G amplification platform, and it adds USB-C. That combination makes it easier to justify for tower speakers, laptop-based listening, and buyers who would rather buy once than upgrade again a year later.

The A25+ is also the more convincing amplifier for apartment or condo listening when you care about late-night refinement. In my listening, the A25+ held onto more detail, depth, and emotional pull at lower levels instead of asking to be turned up before it came alive.

The Class G advantage shows up as ease. The A25+ sounds less strained when the music opens up, and it feels more planted with speakers that dip lower or ask for more control. That difference is easy to miss on a spec sheet and easy to hear in testing these Integrated Amplifiers out at home.

The USB-C input also changes the buying decision more than it might seem. If you plan to connect a laptop, desktop, or mobile device directly, the A25+ gives you a cleaner path from day one without forcing another box into the rack.

The A25+ is the right choice if:

• You plan to use tower speakers or harder-to-drive speakers.
• You listen at lower volumes but still want texture, image depth, and engagement.
• You want direct USB-C digital playback.
• You want the stronger long-term platform in the Radia Plus integrated range.
• You would rather overbuy once than second-guess the amp later.

Where does the ARCAM A5+ still make sense?

The A5+ makes sense when budget matters more than HDMI eARC and the system is music-first. It is not the compromised choice. It is the right entry point if you want ARCAM’s current Radia Plus styling and sound without paying for features you do not need.

The A5+ gives you 50 watts per channel into 8 ohms, Class AB amplification, an ESS DAC, a moving magnet phono stage, Bluetooth 5.4, and Auracast. It's a serious stereo amplifier at a great price. The dividing line is simple: the A5+ does not include HDMI eARC.

If your TV is part of the plan and you want the cleanest one-cable stereo solution, the A15+ is the better place to start. If the room is smaller, the speakers are efficient, and the system is mainly about music, the A5+ is very attractive.

The A5+ is also the cleanest place to recommend the ARCAM ST5. Together, they make a tidy Radia stack for buyers who want a lower-cost but still serious streaming system.

When should you add the ARCAM ST5 or CD5?

The right add-on depends on how you actually listen. The ARCAM ST5 is the better upgrade if you want app-based network streaming and a cleaner streaming front end. The ARCAM CD5 is the better upgrade if you still buy CDs, already own a large disc collection, or want a fully matched Radia system.

When should you add the ST5?

Add the ST5 when Bluetooth is not enough and you want proper network streaming. The ST5 makes the most sense with the A5+ and A15+ because those systems often need a dedicated streaming source to feel complete.

The ST5 still makes sense with the A25+, but the decision is less urgent there because the A25+ already gives you more digital flexibility, including USB-C. On the A25+, the ST5 is a deliberate upgrade rather than an obvious missing piece.

• A5+ + ST5: best lower-cost Radia streaming stack.
• A15+ + ST5: best all-around Radia system for music, TV, and streaming.
• A25+ + ST5: best if you want a dedicated network streamer even with USB-C already onboard.

When should you add the CD5?

Add the CD5 when physical media still matters in your system. The CD5 is the simplest way to keep CDs in a modern ARCAM setup without introducing a mismatched source component from another brand.

The CD5 works well with all three amplifiers because it completes the Radia system visually and functionally. It is the easiest answer for buyers who want a matched stack and still value disc playback.

• A5+ + CD5: affordable, compact, disc-friendly stereo system.
• A15+ + CD5: ideal if you want TV, vinyl, and CD in one polished setup.
• A25+ + CD5: the premium matched Radia separates system.

What is the best ARCAM Radia + system for you?

The best Radia system is the one that matches how you listen. Most buyers do not need the most boxes. They need the right amplifier first, then the right source add-ons only when those add-ons solve a real problem.

Best-value music plus TV system

Choose the A15+ if the room does double duty for music and TV. Add the ST5 if you want proper network streaming. Add the CD5 if you have a disc collection. This is the most broadly appealing Radia Plus setup because it covers the most real-world use cases with the least friction.

Best premium two-channel Radia system

Choose the A25+ if the speakers are more ambitious, the room is larger, or you care about refinement at every volume. Add the CD5 if physical media matters. Add the ST5 if you want a dedicated network streamer instead of relying on USB-C or Bluetooth.

Best lower-cost Radia entry system

Choose the A5+ if the goal is an affordable, serious stereo system with efficient speakers and no HDMI eARC requirement. Add the ST5 later when streaming convenience becomes a priority.

Best TV setup tip for A15+ and A25+ owners

Use the TV’s HDMI eARC connection, enable eARC and CEC, and set the TV audio output to PCM stereo. That is the cleanest way to get stable, predictable performance from a stereo integrated amplifier connected to a television.

What changed from the older ARCAM A15 and A25?

The A15+ and A25+ are the current models, and they are the models most buyers should focus on. The practical differences are not just naming updates. The newer versions improve the modern-system story with newer wireless features, Auracast, and stronger TV integration through HDMI eARC on the A15+ and A25+.

If you are comparing search results and seeing both old and new model names, the safest approach is simple: shop the Plus models unless you have a very specific reason to chase older inventory. They make more sense in today’s mix of TV, streaming, vinyl, and digital listening.

FAQ: ARCAM A15+, A25+, A5+, ST5, and CD5

What is the difference between ARCAM A15 and A15+?

The A15+ is the newer, current model. It adds newer wireless features and, more importantly, HDMI eARC, which makes it a much better fit for buyers who want one system for both music and TV.

What is the difference between ARCAM A25 and A25+?

The A25+ is the newer, current model and the more complete version of the concept. It keeps the premium Class G position in the lineup while giving you a stronger modern-system feature set.

What is the difference between ARCAM A15+ and A25+?

The A15+ is a Class AB amplifier with 80 watts into 8 ohms, HDMI eARC, and a feature set that makes it the smarter buy for most music-plus-TV systems. The A25+ steps up to 5th-generation Class G, 100 watts into 8 ohms, 165 watts into 4 ohms, and adds USB-C. The A25+ is the better amplifier. The A15+ is the better value for most buyers.

Does the ARCAM A15+ have a built-in DAC?

Yes. The A15+ includes an onboard DAC, which is one reason it works so well as a modern stereo hub for TV, digital sources, and vinyl.

Does the ARCAM A15+ have HDMI eARC?

Yes. HDMI eARC is one of the main reasons to choose the A15+ over the older A15 or the entry-level A5+.

Does the ARCAM A5+ have HDMI eARC?

No. The A5+ handles TV audio through optical instead. If one-cable TV integration is a priority, move up to the A15+ or A25+.

Does the ARCAM A25+ have USB-C?

Yes. The A25+ includes USB-C, and that is a major reason to choose it if a laptop, desktop, or mobile device will be a primary source.

Is the ARCAM A25+ worth it for tower speakers?

Yes, especially if the tower speakers are more demanding. The extra current delivery, stronger 4-ohm performance, and Class G behavior make the A25+ the more natural partner.

Can I add a subwoofer to the ARCAM A15+ or A25+?

Yes. That matters because both amplifiers can anchor a system you build in stages rather than forcing you to buy every component on day one.

Do all ARCAM Radia Plus amps have a phono input?

Yes. The A5+, A15+, and A25+ all include a moving magnet phono stage, which keeps vinyl setup simpler and more affordable at the start.

What is Auracast on the ARCAM A5+, A15+, and A25+?

Auracast is a newer Bluetooth broadcast feature that makes shared and flexible listening easier. In practical Radia Plus terms, it is most useful for apartments, condos, family listening, and times when headphones make more sense than speakers.

Should I add the ARCAM ST5 streamer?

Add the ST5 if you want a true network streaming front end with app-based control and a cleaner streaming experience than Bluetooth. It is the smartest upgrade for most A5+ and A15+ buyers.

Should I add the ARCAM CD5?

Add the CD5 if you still buy CDs, already own a large disc collection, or want a fully matched Radia system. It is the cleanest way to keep physical media in a modern ARCAM setup.

Is the ARCAM A15+ or A25+ better for TV and music in one room?

For most buyers, the A15+ is the better answer because it gives you the key feature set without overbuying. Choose the A25+ when you want the more premium amplifier and know the speakers, room, or source needs justify it.

Is the A25+ better for apartment listening?

Yes, if low-volume refinement matters to you. The A25+ does a better job preserving detail, depth, and ease without needing to be played loudly.

Final recommendation: which ARCAM Radia Plus amplifier should you buy?

Choose the ARCAM A15+ if your goal is one elegant amplifier for music, TV, vinyl, and everyday listening. It is the sweet spot in the lineup and the easiest model to recommend to the widest range of buyers.

Choose the ARCAM A25+ if you want more headroom, more refinement, more digital flexibility, and a system you can confidently build around for years. It is the stronger long-term amplifier, especially with tower speakers or more revealing systems.

Choose the ARCAM A5+ if you want the most affordable Radia Plus entry point and your system is music-first rather than TV-first.

If you want to complete the system, add the ST5 for dedicated network streaming or the CD5 for a matched disc front end. For the full lineup, browse the ARCAM Radia Plus collection, compare more models on the ARCAM brand page, or find a showroom on the ListenUp locations page if you want help with speaker matching, demos, or system planning.