Advantages: Quality 'Arcam' sound - full, powerful. Remote control, phono stage, twin speaker outputs, gold-plated connections.
Disadvantages: Soon to be discontinued model, remote only controls volume, perhaps lacking detail compared to 'high end' amps

...the gain to a fixed level for the AV/DVD input (if you use it in a 5.1 configuration with an external processor; which I don't, so not terribly important to me) and a line/phono switchable input that uses a moving magnet phono stage. I've never used another phono stage, so I can't compare but my vinyl sounds alive through this amp! The Alpha range is slowly being phased out by Arcam (the 8s just having stopped production at time of writing (Dec 2000), being replaced by the DiVA range. However, if you can get an Alpha 8R at a good price, then it is defintely worth it - that famed warm Arcam sound with a feeling of prominent power is well worth the price, I feel.... Read review

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Advantages: You meet lots of like minded people.
Disadvantages: None.

...So what exactly is the Alpha Course? It is a short course, run over a number of weeks (one session a week or thereabouts). It was designed to provide a 'refreshing' look at Christianity, both for Christians and for non-Christians alike. Where did it come from? A well known Christian speaker and auther called Nicky Gumbel actually wrote this, based out of Holy Trinity Brompton - a Church of England church in one of the nicer parts of the capital. The very first 'course' as it were was aired on ITV1 (as it was then), and then got comissioned to the rest of the country. So what is involved? Well, like I said it is a short course that is run over a number of weeks. Each session will last for around 1.5 - 2 hours, and consists of the group sitting down for a meal first. Once this has been finished, they will go into a time... Read review

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Advantages: You'll get out of it what you want! Meet lots of people, free food
Disadvantages: Quite intense at first

...is made up of sixteen people who came to Alpha last autumn and there is now a solid group of friends who regularly socialise and are lasting friends. It is particularly good for those new to a town like Reading or Nottingham, where many young professional people move to get work after graduating or to new jobs, so as to meet like minded people. The topics of the talks over the twelve weeks are as follows: 1.Christianity: Boring, Untrue and Irrelevant? 2.Who Is Jesus? 3.Why Did Jesus Die? 4.How Can I Be Sure of My Faith? 5.Why and How Should I Read the Bible? 6.Why and How Do I Pray? 7.How Does God Guide Us? 8.Who Is the Holy Spirit? 9.What Does the Holy Spirit Do? 10.How Can I Be Filled With the Spirit? 11.How Can I Resist Evil? 12.Why and How Should We Tell Others? 13.Does God Heal Today? 14.What About the Church?.. 15.How Can... Read review

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Advantages: Cashback
Disadvantages: None I know of

...rewards are doubled. As a founder member you also get the option of taking your cashback as shares in the company. The shopping portal has 231 merchants listed (at time of writing) more added every week. There are stores like Debenhams, PC world, BOL plus many smaller wholesalers. Merchants offer different rates of cashback starting from 0.5% up to 6% not forgetting this is doubled if you have founder membership. If you know what you are looking for it can be handy to check out different sites as cashback can be increased by a different merchant. A lot of merchants give discounts to Alpha members as well, so well worth checking out the different options. To purchase items you must go to AlphaCadia find the merchant and click within portal you will then go direct to their site. Most merchants ask you to register but then this is no different... Read review

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Advantages: Stlish digital slr
Disadvantages: sony customer service

...At first glance the sony alpha a100 feals slightyly plastickly, but this is partly due to the fact that the body itself is made out of plastic, never the less the sony a100 is a fantastic digital sslr for the first time photograhper. Although it is slightly dissapointing that sony has not made a vertical grip for this product, overall the smooth shiny feal to the sony alpha a100, feals nice, and the shutter button fits snugguly into your right hand, however the camera is exceptional, but the custumer service is dreadful, when i accidently smashed my sony alpha 3 days after purchasing it, i was devistated, but not to worry, i was soon on to sony, and was relieved that there was a set price of £114 but i had to forck out a lumply sum of £360 to get it fixed. There isnt realy a fixed price and the level of custumer service... Read review

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Advantages: Simple, kind dog training method and a wealth of practical experience and advice
Disadvantages: None

...rule – ignore the dog for 5 minutes whenever you ‘reunite’. That is, when you come home, or come downstairs after being upstairs for quite a while, etc. When the pack members reunite, the first thing they do is pay homage to the alpha dogs. That is exactly what most dog owners do when they arrive home. Dote attention on their dog. That is exactly the opposite of what they should be doing. It confuses the dog. It makes a timid little lap-dog think he is being paid homage to as pack leader – and it scares the *** out of him. Perhaps that is why so many dog owners have a problem with soiling in the house! ~~ POLO’s STEP ONE PROGRESS ~~ He didn’t much like this one. He and I have always our special time whenever I come home. This involves mutual admiration and cuddles. When I walked in the door and past... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful