Worth buying a Arcam AVP700 or the latest Yamaha 3800 with HD-DTS/Dolby?

[SoundEngine355]

:M I've found a second hand Arcam AVP700 which is about the same price as a new Yamaha 3800. Just wondering which is going to have the better sound?

The Arcam would be powered by a Rotel 1075 to B&W 600 series speakers.

[Martyn]

I would hope that the Arcam would, although I haven't compared that particular model. You might try the Arcam forum at AVS.

[dtb300]

I compared the AVP-700 vs a Yamaha RX-V1400. I now own the Arcam. Sound was far superior IMO and the video was even better - which was not a requirement for me as I was looking for improvements in SACD MCH playback over the Yamaha. I did a review which is posted here somewhere and is found by doing a search - remember SEARCH is your friend...

Every processor has an affect on the sound both in processing and 5.1 pass-through (yes even with pass-through), so each person needs to listen to see which they like better.

[bluepearl]

I compared the AVP-700 vs a Yamaha RX-V1400. I now own the Arcam. Sound was far superior IMO and the video was even better - which was not a requirement for me as I was looking for improvements in SACD MCH playback over the Yamaha. I did a review which is posted here somewhere and is found by doing a search - remember SEARCH is your friend...

Funny, because I just replaced my RX-V1400 with the AVP700 and I prefer the Yamaha! The Arcam has good detail but to me it sounds a little to digital and lacks depth, the sound stage seems to narrow and the bass is thin. Ideally I would like to combine the virtues of both units, the detail of the arcam with the warmth and spaciousness of the Yamaha.

I would like to solve these issues with the Arcam, not sure if a software upgrade would help or not, I am surprised that I don't like it, I was sure it would be a hit, anyone else have a similar experience?

[dtb300]

Funny, because I just replaced my RX-V1400 with the AVP700 and I prefer the Yamaha! The Arcam has good detail but to me it sounds a little to digital and lacks depth, the sound stage seems to narrow and the bass is thin. Ideally I would like to combine the virtues of both units, the detail of the arcam with the warmth and spaciousness of the Yamaha.

I would like to solve these issues with the Arcam, not sure if a software upgrade would help or not, I am surprised that I don't like it, I was sure it would be a hit, anyone else have a similar experience?

So you found the Yamaha, using no tone controls (Direct, etc.) to be warmer sounding than the Arcam???

For me the Yammy was definitely brighter and had an edge and graininess to the sound. But again, as in my review about it and the Yammy, I was using the 5.1 pass-through for the majority of my comparison and testing.

I remember also finding the audio processing when watching movies (Coax or Toslink) to be superior too.

Synergy between components, cables, power, etc. is a big thing on how a particular component sounds.