The Arcams Cometh

[stringzz]

By the end of year, all indications are that Bryston will be releasing the DPLIIx upgrade and they will also be releasing the digital link for multi-channel audio.
Jim

Jimmy,

Do you know any more info on the upgrade for the 1.7? Do you think there might be an upgrade of the DAC's? Also, what good is a digital link for multichannel if there are no players with it?

[jimmyp58]

I have no other info on a Bryston upgrade. That quote you provided was from sometime last year and they still have yet to upgrade. Heck, a few weeks back they promised something would be released soon but to no avail (they were waiting for one of their engineers to come back from training).

That being said, unfortunately, they aren't alone. I don't believe there's been any release of the Anthem Statement D1 update nor anything from ARCAM. I know Halo just had a major upgrade though. I don't think there's been any recent update to either of the Krell processors either.

Jim

[Al Garay]

Jim,

I'm trying to choose between a HT processor such as the Sherwood Newcastle or a HT receiver such as the ARCAM AVR300 or Pioneer Elite VSX-56txi which would mainly be use as pre-amp and internal amps used for surrounds. My thoughts are to use a UcD based digital amps (Hypex UcD400 modules) to drive the front 3 channels.

In this regard, would the AVR300 be better in it's processing/pre-amp performance than a Elite 56txi or other receivers?

You are one of the few who have experience with these. Unfortunately, the only dealer locally who has ARCAM connection does not stock it and does not have any HT receivers other than Cambridge Audio. So, it's difficult to evaluate.

thanks for your advice,

Al

[jimmyp58]

Al:

Well, great question! Actually, I also sell Sherwood-Newcastle and I absolutely love the P-965 processor. I'll admit I have no experience with the Pioneer Elite receiver you mention but IMHO, I believe the AVR-300 would best it any day without any problems whatsoever (I say this in no disrespect to the Pioneer Elite receiver and I don't say this because I don't carry the Pioneer line). As far as a head-to-head with the P-965, I'd have to give the nod to the P-965 paired up with an amp but it sure would be a tough decision as that AVR-300 is a dandy receiver. I have a S-N showroom and customers literally marvel at how incredible the P-965 performs.

Let me muddy the waters a bit more. Both S-N and ARCAM have great customer service. I am not certain about Pioneer's CS. ARCAM, if you didn't know, will be releasing a new pre/pro within the next few weeks. It is the ATP-700. Not exactly certain of the pricepoint but I have heard it will be ~ $2,500 list (U.S.). It is not a replacement for the AV8 (no word on when ARCAM will bring out a new high-end model to replace the AV8 --- lots of speculation for something new within the next year or so) but I think it offers a few things the AV8 doesn't have --- HDMI switching and balanced outs (probably offers a glimpse at some of the updates we might see with the AV8's replacment).

If you narrow down to the P-965 vs. AVR-300, it may come down to esthetics (panel color) and size (P-965 is a rather large unit).

Jim

P.S. In case you didn't know, the P-965 comes with a microphone for auto-room correction.

[Yves Smolders]

I'm kinda in the same situation myself...

I'm running 2 channels of UcD400 for my mains, and will surely keep this.

As processor i'm looking at the new Pioneers VSX-74 as a processor. A lot of people complain the power amps have taken a step back, but it's less of a problem if you take a seperate amp to power the 2 main speakers (or even 3, LCR)

The largest advantage, not for stereo, but for surround, is the again improved MCACC - now it boasts better EQ and standing wave elimination in the subwoofer area. I believe room EQ is the way to better surround audio.

I'm also considering the upcoming Denon 4306 and 2 or 3 channels of UcD combined. The Audissey room correction system seems to be the best out there (subjectively) and now its the same level of the 5805 flagship. Aside from the audio point of view, the 4306 has 3 HDMI inputs, upconverts and scales(!) video from every input. Lastly it has "ethernet input" allowing to stream pure WAV audio from a networked PC.

Of course my view is a bit different as I'll be using some of the output stages of the "processors" as well. Can't afford to go 7 channels UcD, and the high quality seperate processors out there seem to lack in the room correction department.

Finally, for stereo, I'm thinking of having 2 inputs on my seperate amp - one with fixed gain connected to the receiver pre out - and second input running through a passive DACT or similar volume control, and then straight to my most important source, the CD/DVD/SACD, to exclude the denon out of the picture when playing straight stereo.

Just my $.02 :B