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Re: Good Recommendation for HT Receiver

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AVExplorer

In Reply to: Re: Good Recommendation for HT Receiver posted by Harmonia on May 13, 2005 at 22:59:41:

I read some good reviews on the ARCAM AVR300. Also, as SAM M pointed out, the Denon is better if used as a preamp along with a pure amplifier (esp for music). The Arcam is a little pricier though. Do you recommend the Arcam over a Denon 3805/Rotel or similar Amp setup?

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Yes. - Harmonia 10:06:20 05/18/05 (1)
Guys always seem to recommend Denon and it's logical and easy to do if one haven't heard the AVR300. (And I'm betting most posters hear haven't heard it.
Unless your speakers are especially power hunger, the Arcam sounds much more powerful than its rated 100 watts.
The AVR300 is the best one box HT solution I've heard so far - I think it's a steal at its price, since it is one of the best linestage/pre-pros I've heard PLUS it has clean, articulate amps.
I've had 2 Denon receivers which were very good receivers, especially for the money, but the AVR300 is in a whole other league to my ears. The Denons aren't as good (to me) on HT as the AVR300 and they're nowhere NEAR as good on music. My main two channel system is very resolving and dynamic (about 19k retail including Herron preamp, Herron mono amps, Cary CD player, Alon V MkII full range speakers, Nordost wire and TG Audio power cords, 'course I didn't PAY retail, lol), so I'm pretty darned picky about sound for both movies and music. This is the first HT receiver I've been excited about for movies AND music, where I don't want to go back to the main system for music as soon as the movie's over.
The AVR200 is also a nice receiver, but more comparable to the Denons on HT. It's is better on music than the Denons, but I'd go for the AVR300 - it's got all the latest processing, plus it's much more spacious sounding, dynamic and throws a bigger stage for music listening. Better resolution too. I always felt like there was a veil over the music with the Denons. The AVR300 is plenty dynamic and powerful for movies - my room is nearly 20x40 and I don't feel the need for more amp.
I don't love the pre/pro in the Denon enough, goos as it is, to use it as such with outboard amp(s). That would be a good solution if the AVR300 didn't exist. But since it does, to me it's better to get the Arcam, and if you need more juice, use the AVR300 eventually as the pre-pro. In fact, if I were only looking for a processor, I would seriously consider the AVR300. That's how much I like it.
- Re: Yes. - AVExplorer 15:34:44 05/18/05 (0)
  How would you compare the Arcam AVR300 with the Marantz SR8500 and/or the Outlaw PRePRo 990/Outlaw 7100 Amp (or similar)? I know the new Outlaw PrePro just came out, but how does ARcam compare in general. THose were some of my options for receivers.
  Can you also recommend some DVD players (which play DVD-A/V, DVD+-R/RW, SACD, and can decode HDCD, and have DVI or HDMI out)?
  Thanks.
  I like your 2 channel setup!! Did you purchase it through AudioGon? That's another point for me. I was swinging towards retail, but this equipment setup get expensive so quickly!

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