Arcam - AVR5 595W 7.1 Ch. With Google Cast 4K Ultra HD HDR Compatible A/V Home Theater Receiver - Gray

I got a good deal at an introductory price during pre-order. My main usage is 80% music and 20% TV/Movies, so audio quality needs to be decent for music. I started off with an Arcam SA10 integrated amp which is probably the best sound you can buy for under $800. However, I do feel more power is needed to really push the B&W speakers at high volumes so I upgraded to a SA20 Class G amp which creates a 3D holographic sound which is surprising good for the price. Then, several weeks later I thought I could do better and after watching multiple videos of YTubers boasting about how great the Hegel H120 is, at almost twice the price of a SA20, I went to get one and did an AB test. I can tell you that the Hegel H120 has a smoother mid-range but sound stage, dynamic and bass are no match for the SA20. Well, how did I end up with the AVR5? I needed an one box solution that has a clean setup, which means the DAC, power, streaming must all be decent quality. Can the AVR5 beat the SA20 in sound quality? No it cannot, but at least it is 90% of it. Guess what? It has Roon Ready and native MQA which non of the others mentioned above have. You save $550 alone just on the streamer if you were going to for the Bluenode sound(which I had before). It does UPNP via MusicLife app, Chromecast, Tidal Connect, Bluetooth, Spotify. You can also control volume with Google Home app. I personally tried every solution and Roon is the best music app for streaming. If you don't want to pay subscription, just use the UPnP or Tidal Connect or Chromecast. For the Cons, I do feel the setup can be done better, everything is manual on the little screen of the receiver. If you didn't know, spec-wise the AVR5 is basically a AVR10 without Dirac. So yeah, you save $750 to do some manual work. The second issue I found out there are HDMI handshake issues. Sometimes the sound doesn't switch over. I had many receivers before so HDMI handshake is quite a common issue. It is a complicated issue that you cannot blame the receiver alone, because the TV is also part of the handshake. I don't switch that often so this is just a minor nuisance. The Hegel H120 which is $3K and not Roon Ready and no MQA compared to AVR5 which is $2K. I am talking about an one box solution, therefore AVR5 is a choice to consider. Let me summarize the Pros and Cons for the lazy. Pros: 1. Roon Ready and works seamlessly 2. Native MQA 3. Arcam rich and musical sound (only stereo evaluated) 4. Airplay 2, Chromecast, Tidal Connect, Spotify, Bluetooth and etc. Cons: 1. Setup require some manual work 2. HDMI handshake issues 3. Power up time/ Network connection time (only on startup) 4. Huge and heavy (also a PRO?) 5. MusicLife app is really primitive

The Arcam line of AVR's are amazing. For the price point, they have outstanding sound processing, as well as an industry-leading DAC for an A/V device. The sound is wonderful, and these are engineered to be a high-quality 2-channel music amplifier as well.

Havent had this unit for a year yet & having internal failure issues. Now dealing with total tech as to the resolution which should be total replacement of unit. We’ll see how it goes. For a $2,000.00 piece of electronic equipment I believe it should be cut n dry. Out with the old. In with the new. Will rate in follow up review. Salesman/Manager is Hassan in Arlington Tx and so far has been PHENOMENAL in his position. A++ in professionalism, knowledge, business ethics, communication as well as friendly & reliable in a customer satisfaction aspect of his overall responsibilities and beyond. . Very reputable individual.

My Marantz unit went out right as i finshed my home theater reconfigure, with a 7.2.4 atmos setup and a 9' acoustically transparent screen. Had read about Arcam with diracLive. Sale price of 1670. Bought it. Could not be happier. After running diracLive and setting the room curve i was blown away. My wife who mostly smiles and says "yes that sounds good" when i ask her was very impressed with the difference in the sound. I had a 7.2.4 systen with a regular screen, so LCR speakers were exposed and not at the same level. Thats the only ascoustic change. Dirac is a little complex, so watch a few youtube vids and you will be good to go.

Arcam is awesome! It does everything and then some! Thank you Anthony at Magnolia West Los Angeles!