Dolby Atmos® FAQ

[mandrix]

Well one piece of advice. Everyone knows these days most AVR manufacturers rate Watts/Channel with two channels driven with x amount of THD.
Don't pass up a good deal on something that has "only" 120 W/Channel vs a higher priced one that states 140 W/Channel, e.g.
I doubt seriously you'd hear a difference. It takes a pretty big boost in power output to gain a perceptible "more louder".

Look for the features you want/need, in your budget range. Older models might fit your needs, and are often available at big markdowns.
Codecs the AVR will do (Atmos, DTS-HD, Auro3D, etc)
Pre out's (if you want to drive some/all speakers on separate amps)
HDMI specs (2.1 will future proof for apparently forseeable future....but not totally necessary...depends on needs)
eARC - If you need it.
mch analog inputs - here again if you need it.

One of the main things you hope you get are good solid build quality, e.g. HDMI boards, good firmware, low failure rate.
All the measurements and specs are good as far as they go...cruise the AVSForum and other boards and see what people are actually experiencing with the units.

 

[Sal1950]

ASR pretty much said my current AVR is close to POS.

Sorry you had your feelings hurt.

No need, it was a firmware update so the same hardware could have been re-tested.

Have you read what I, lovemyquad, and ssully have written on this?

Most equipment ASR tests are loaned and belong to readers. So he wouldant have had that unit to test anyway. If Arcam felt strongly about it they could have shipped him a new updated unit to test.

 

[Owen Smith]

Sorry you had your feelings hurt.

My feelings aren't hurt. My opinion of ASR is low since my AVR sounds great, despite ASR recommending not to buy.

Have you read what I, lovemyquad, and ssully have written on this?

Yes, I know the AVRs are loaned by end users. Doesn't stop me disliking the way they go about things.

 

[Owen Smith]

Well one piece of advice. Everyone knows these days most AVR manufacturers rate Watts/Channel with two channels driven with x amount of THD.

Arcam quote power with all 7 channels driven.

 

[GOS]

Arcam quote power with all 7 channels driven.

To many posts to sift through. Which Arcam AVR are we discussing?

 

[Owen Smith]

To many posts to sift through. Which Arcam AVR are we discussing?

In terms of quoting power with all 7 channels driven, Arcam have always done that. For ASR needlessly giving a "do not buy" recommendation for an AVR with the same digital section as mine, Arcam AVR31. I forget which model they actually tested.

 

[mandrix]

Arcam quote power with all 7 channels driven.

It would be good if they all did. But it's rare. That's why I said "most".
My AVR is rated by Onkyo to deliver 120 W/ch (two channels driven). That's a pretty common method amongst the major AVR makers these days and for some years now.
In my current 5.1.4 setup I let the Oinker do the heavy lifting on the base 5 speakers and I pre-out the 4 height speakers to a Receiver (rated 100 W/ch in stereo mode).

 

[barfle]

What's even worse is the Hi End media that sonically rates gear by it's price tag.
(doesn't everyone know you can't buy a decent power amp for less than $10,000?

Or power cord, for that matter.

 

[LuvMyQuad]

In terms of quoting power with all 7 channels driven, Arcam have always done that. For ASR needlessly giving a "do not buy" recommendation for an AVR with the same digital section as mine, Arcam AVR31. I forget which model they actually tested.

ASR has reviewed AVR850, AVR10, and AVR390. If you are talking about the 390, it basically had a very good power section but a very poor and noisy digital section. When ranked among other AVRs it nearly came in dead last, even among other Arcams. He considered it "broken" because digital performance was so bad.

 

[mandrix]

I wouldn't be too quick to throw Amir under the bus. He's taking measurements and reporting what he sees. You can throw out his opinion entirely and look at the data he derives.
On the other hand, if you don't think the data he derives is relevant and you are happy with whatever unit you have, then who cares what anyone else thinks?

 

[barfle]

I’m still feeling out my Marantz 7706. It’s quite capable, but also complex, so I’m getting a few unintended consequences. Somehow I totally lost my laserdisc playback yesterday, and haven’t gotten it back yet.

It would also be nice if I could change from 7.1 to HDMI audio input on the fly, using my Oppo’s DACs for non-atmos, but switching just the audio connection when it’s an Atmos disc.

Of course, I’m also reprogramming my Logitech Harmony Elite at the same time. Keeping all that stuff straight, even with diagrams and notes, seems to be a challenge for this old coot.

 

[Owen Smith]

ASR has reviewed AVR850, AVR10, and AVR390. If you are talking about the 390, it basically had a very good power section but a very poor and noisy digital section. When ranked among other AVRs it nearly came in dead last, even among other Arcams. He considered it "broken" because digital performance was so bad.

AVR10 is the one with the same digital section as the AVR31. The AVR850 and 390 are the previous generation of products.