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Arcam AVR-850 & Arcam AVR-550

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#1 · (Edited)
Arcam unveils first Dolby Atmos receivers with Dirac Live at CEDIA Expo 2015

Arcam has unveiled its first Dolby Atmos AV receivers at CEDIA Expo 2015. The new AVR550 and AVR850 models feature seven HDMI 2.0a inputs with HDCP2.2, as well as high-end room correcting technology from Dirac Research. The pair feature three HDMI outs, two for dual display use and a third for multiroom. System control is offered through IR, RS232, IP and Arcam's own iOS MusicLife app. The duo also mark the return of the volume knob to Arcam’s AVR design.

Both receivers are 7.1 designs - the headline AVR850 offers Class G amplification. Arcam has told Inside CI that it is also working on a four channel power amp for those users looking to install a 7.1.4 Atmos configuration. The receivers are also DTS:X ready - and will be firmware upgradable as and when the software becomes available.

In the meantime, the focus is very much on Dolby Atmos “Dolby’s innovative approach to delivering sound that better connects viewers with the richness, detail and clarity of the on screen experience is something we are excited to deliver to our customers”, says Arcam CEO Charlie Brennan. “The ability to now deliver moving audio that fills the room with breathtaking detail and control is a ground-breaking achievement in the home theatre environment. In addition, Dirac Live for Arcam will provide users with world class precision room equalisation with amazingly transparent results.”
The AVR550 and AV850 will retail for £2,400 and £4,200 respectively, and will ship in November.


http://www.chromapure.co.uk/files/AVR550_850%20Flier%20051015_C%281%29.pdf

Class G amplification

- http://www.arcam.co.uk/ugc/tor/a49/...he_ultimate_amplifier_technology_150714_A.pdf

- http://www.updatemydynaco.com/HistoricDocuments/ClassG.pdf

They also use class G amplification on this really neat speaker http://www.focal.com/usa/en/sm6/538-trio6-be.html
 
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#5 ·
Other receiver's manufacturers are closely watching the deep interest that it is creating, and will follow the financial revenues that they can deduct from that. ...Adding up to their own financial gains for the real benefit of their customers. Smart customers will vote with their wallets where it counts, in the sound. ...For our movies and music @ home.

Smart move from Arcam.
 
#6 ·
I for one am very interested in the 550. That piece and Anthem's MRX720 are in top running for me for my next receiver. The main things affecting my choice will be price and room correction technology. So I suppose the question I would need to answer is which RC is the better one? They're both highly regarded of course. And then, if Dirac seems to be better, is it really $900 better?
 
#16 ·
Are you saying that the Arcam units will not have Dirac on all channels, and only the Audio Control units will?
 
#17 · (Edited)
Those two new Arcam receivers are 7.1-channel receivers (5.1.2 Dolby Atmos/DTS:X) with Dirac Live (7.1).
? channels EQued by Dirac Live...in the AVR850 and in the AVR550?

http://audioxpress.com/article/Arcam-Introduces-new-AVR-s-with-Dolby-Atmos-and-DIRAC-Live.html

If you want a 7.1.2 (or 5.1.4) Atmos/DTS:X setup equalized with Dirac Live you need another stereo amp, and more Dirac Live?
________

This is the Arcam SR250 stereo receiver with Dirac Live.

Audio equipment Audio crossover Effects processor Electronic device Technology

________

And if you want a 9.1.2 (or 7.1.4) Atmos/DTS:X setup all equalized with Dirac Live you need two additional stereo amps (Arcam is also working on a
4-channel amp), and more Dirac Live?

So, it's going to be quite expensive to have a full Dolby Atmos/DTS:X 7.1.4 Arcam setup with all twelve channels equalized by Dirac Live.
That is unless more than eight channels are EQued with Dirac Live, for people who want that full 7.1.4 Atmos setup. You would think so though.


P.S. My opinion, based on my own deduction from various readings over @ other forums from the UK.
Arcam @ this point in time is letting us all speculate because their press release is missing vital info (about Dirac Live; how many channels).
 
#18 ·
Those two new Arcam receivers are 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos/DTS:X receivers with Dirac Live (7.1).
They are 7.1-channel receivers with 8 channels EQued by Dirac Live...the AVR850 and AVR550.

http://audioxpress.com/article/Arcam-Introduces-new-AVR-s-with-Dolby-Atmos-and-DIRAC-Live.html

If you want a 7.1.2 (or 5.1.4) Atmos/DTS:X setup equalized with Dirac Live you need another Arcam receiver, the SR250 stereo receiver, with Dirac Live for two channels.
Can you cite where the article you posted says any of that? Direct quotations, please.
 
#22 ·
I looked everywhere; in the UK, on the back panel (made in Vietnam), gave a link to AVForums in the UK, checked all Arcam news, videos, ...
and couldn't find confirmation of what you just said. If it does Bravo. That's a very good augur for the future, for other receiver's manufacturers, pre/pros.
 
#29 · (Edited)
Thanks Darrell for posting ^ this info here, and like you it is also my understanding, from the readings:

1. Arcam AVR850 : "Full" Dirac Live version, and for twelve channels (7.1.4) of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersive audio.
2. Arcam AVR550 : "Lite" Dirac Live version, and for eight channels (5.1.2) of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersive audio.

This: Unofficial @ this time.

My personal opinion: This is all very good; Dirac Live with Emotiva, with Audio Control, with Arcam, and with other hi-end companies.
It's a start in the right direction, and with time it's going to improve (Dirac Live's implementation and operation), plus it's going to spread over into more receiver's and pre/pro's manufacturers, and becoming available in them less expensive receivers and pre/pros too.

Then, from eight (5.1.2) to twelve (7.1.4) channels of room EQ, and then fourteen (9.1.4), and finally sixteen (9.1.6)...for two rows of seats. ...Plus all the variables between depending of our own room's dimension and accommodation.

Dirac Live is for us what Trinnov and Datasat and JBL Synthesis and Steinway Lyngdorf and Auromax and Barco are to others.

Audyssey, ARC, YPAO, MCACC and AccuEQ and Sony's own room EQ system are superseded by superior EQ systems in the year 2015 and beyond...IMHO.
...Or unless they implement the improvements missing in their automatic EQ systems. ...With more DSP processing power from bigger or more chips.
And if not, a way to advance in combination with our laptops (more processing power in those).

...Just my opinion on the current state of affairs...Room EQ systems in our pre/pros and AV receivers today and tomorrow...with 3D sound immersion and UHD Blu-ray. ...OLED 4K 3D UHD TVs (both curved and flat, and super thin), and 4K/HDR front projectors with 48fps support.

The future looks so bright that I have to wear shades. :cool: ...No wonder I resemble my avatar. ;)
 
#30 ·
Personally I am VERY excited to see Dirac Live in more AVRs and Pre-Pros. It really works! I will be getting either AC or Arcam units in for evaluation and testing once they are shipping and will be sure to blog about it!
 
#35 · (Edited)
any word how these handle low impedance speakers?
When you look @ past bench tests* of previous Arcam receivers; they are capable into 4 Ohm loads (2 channels measured).
The AVR850 should have no problem because 4 Ohms is included in its specs (check Arcam's own website).
And the AVR550 should also be capable, even if 4 Ohms is not included in its specs (when using a sub or two).

1. Arcam AVR850: http://www.arcam.co.uk/products,av-amplifiers,AV-Amplifiers,avr850.htm
2. Arcam AVR550: http://www.arcam.co.uk/products,FMJ,AV-Amplifiers,avr550.htm

* Check SoundandVision online reviews of few past Arcam AV receivers: http://www.soundandvision.com/content/arcam-avr750-av-receiver-test-bench#dxqAxcRYCSoomlzl.97

♦ Just for past info: http://www.condoraudio.com/wp-conte...350-AV-Receiver-Audiophile-Upgrade-Repair.pdf
 
#41 ·
Any word on whether the Arcam and AudioControl units suffer from the same DSP horsepower limitation that precludes using Dolby Volume and more than 7.1 channels, like the Yamaha AVRs and the forthcoming Anthem AVMRX's (as Nick reported in the Anthem thread)?
 
#45 ·
I've read horror stories from owners of Arcam hi-end pre/pros and receivers; and right here too @ AVSForum. ...But that was a while ago; perhaps today they are better @ resolving passed issues? ...Only time will tell for sure.
 
#46 · (Edited)
That's true, 2 lines back (the avr600 line) were absolute crap, a speaker destroyer machine, which almost bankrupted Arcam. Then a Canadian company acquired them, and who's leading that company now did a very very smart move with the Dirac.
The old fashion management didn't believe in room correction at all.
Before Dirac in Arcam the best choice was Anthem, now that has changed. AC could be the better option(design and made in USA), time will tell.
I own an MRX310 and it's still not quite there in terms of surround performance.
Cheers
 
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