Arcam
Arcam ST60 DAC
Best high-fidelity streamer for audiophiles seeking premium sound and system integration.
The Arcam ST60 is a premium streaming source designed to complement Arcam's HDA stereo amplifiers. It offers seamless integration with major audio services like Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, and Deezer through Cast or Airplay2, and also supports UPnP sources. Praised for its natural sound, the ST60 delivers impressive clarity, detail, and a full, expressive audio presentation. It features a high-quality ESS9038Q2M Sabre 32-bit DAC chip and robust connectivity options, including Balanced XLR and Single-ended RCA outputs, plus digital optical and coaxial outputs for ultimate system flexibility.
$999.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
138
/ 477
#138 in Stereo Music Streaming Devices
Price vs Category Average
-73%
Below average
DAC Chip
9038232
/ ESSQM Sabre -bit
Who it's for
- Audiophiles seeking high-resolution, low-distortion sound quality
- Modern listeners needing seamless integration with diverse streaming platforms
- System builders requiring professional-grade balanced connectivity
Who should skip it
- Listeners who prefer rich, full-color visual feedback on their hardware
- Users prioritizing a smooth, intuitive mobile app experience
- Budget-conscious buyers comparing value against cheaper, software-refined alternatives
Performance breakdown
Audio Fidelity
The ESS9038Q2M chip delivers a natural, highly detailed sonic presentation.
Streaming Versatility
Broad support for major services and protocols ensures seamless playback flexibility.
Connectivity Options
Balanced XLR and digital outputs provide professional-grade integration for any system.
Roon Integration
Roon Ready certification offers the gold standard for high-end library management.
App Usability
The MusicLife app provides functional control but lacks a modern interface.
Build Quality
Robust construction designed to complement premium HDA stereo amplifier aesthetics.
Key Specs
DAC Chip
ESS9038Q2M Sabre 32-bit
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise
0.0008%
Digital Inputs
4 (Optical and Coaxial)
Output Types
Balanced XLR, Single ended RCA, Optical digital, Coaxial digital
Supported Streaming Protocols
GoogleCast, Airplay2, uPnP
Maximum Bit Depth
32-bit
Supported Streaming Services
Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, Napster, Deezer
Input Interface Types
Optical (Toslink), Coaxial
Features
- High-resolution DAC for superior audio quality
- Roon Ready certified for seamless integration
- Supports major streaming platforms
- Offers balanced and unbalanced outputs
- Intuitive control via the MusicLife app
- Versatile network streaming capabilities
- Includes digital SPDIF inputs
- Delta-Sigma conversion technology
What customers say
The Arcam ST60 earns high praise primarily for its exceptional sonic performance, offering a detailed, natural, and highly musical presentation. Users appreciate how the implementation of the ESS Sabre DAC delivers a smooth, refined soundstage, avoiding harshness often associated with the chip architecture. Its robust build quality also conveys a premium feel. While the core audio fidelity is outstanding, the proprietary MusicLife control application is frequently cited as a significant drawback, often requiring users to rely on Roon or other third party streaming methods for stable operation. Despite the software shortcomings, the consensus is that the superb sound quality makes the ST60 a highly recommended digital hub for serious high fidelity systems.
Know before you buy
The ST60 supports major platforms including Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, Napster, and Deezer. You can stream these services easily using Google Cast, AirPlay 2, or the dedicated MusicLife app.
Yes, the ST60 is designed to integrate into any stereo system. It offers both balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs, allowing you to connect to a wide range of amplifiers.
Yes, the ST60 is Roon Ready certified. This allows for seamless integration into a Roon ecosystem, providing a high-end interface for managing and playing your digital music library.
Absolutely. It features four digital inputs—two optical and two coaxial—allowing you to connect external digital sources like CD players or game consoles to utilize the internal ESS9038Q2M Sabre DAC.
This 32-bit Sabre chip is highly regarded for its precision and low distortion. It helps the ST60 deliver a natural, detailed sound profile that brings out the nuance in high-resolution audio files.
While the MusicLife app is recommended for the best experience and setup, you can also control playback through your preferred streaming apps using AirPlay 2 or Google Cast, or via Roon.
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$999