Arcam DiVA AVR-280 ◆ £1,200 (approx) ◆ 01223 203200 ◆ www.arcam.co.uk
Where sound takes centre stage Another DiVA receiver ignores RoomEQ and video scaling in favour of audio performance. Richard Stevenson doesn’t seem too fussed ow many home cinema fans with
H
features (such as pre-amp outputs) but a
mid-priced AV receivers ever
substantial £300 lighter on the wallet and
save for the subwoofer but, as much as I
Okay, so there are no pre-amp outputs
bother to upgrade with a multi-
promising all the sonic magic of its
searched for functional and operational
channel power amp? According to Arcam’s
acclaimed bigger brother. As Mr Meads had
differences, that really is about it.
Geoff Meads, very few indeed – which
to enlist a team of wild horses to part me
goes some way to explain what looks like
from the AVR-350 review sample, the
design, eschewing RoomEQ, auto-set up
an AVR-350 ‘lite’ arriving on our test bench.
AVR-280 looks dangerously priced.
and video scaling. The AVR-280’s HDMI
This is Arcam’s DiVA AVR-280 – shaved of
Dangerous for my credit card.
connections are still pure pass-through
The AVR-350 is already a minimalist
switches – albeit with auto source detection – and the user interface is mono
SPECIFICATIONS
Poor
Average
Good
LAB REPORT
Excellent
ITEM SUPPORT ● Dolby Digital DTS ● ● THX AV Inputs ● Audio Inputs ● ● Component Inputs Tape Loop ● AV Monitor output ● ● Component output Video upconversion ● HDMI input/output ●
Manufacturer’s Output 80W per ch into 8Ω Measured Power @ 1kHz 2ch driven: 130W into 8Ω
✓
5ch driven: 105W into 8Ω
✓
2ch driven: 205W into 4Ω
✓
5ch driven: 150W into 4Ω
✓ ✓
Distortion @ 1kHz 0.03%THD @ 50W (8Ω)
✓
Frequency response 20Hz-20kHz +/-1.1dB
✓
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Amplification: 7 x 80W; Tuner: AM/FM 46 presets Dimensions: 430(w) x 145(h) x 433(d)mm; Weight: 15.9kg Also featuring 100W x 2 stereo direct mode; assignable sixth and seventh channels for bi-amping; audiophile grade components throughout; Zone 2 AV output with independent volume; 40Hz – 130Hz bass crossover switching; 0-220ms lip sync; 12V trigger; IR RC-5 code compatible; IR pass through; RS232 control port; on screen display; CR100 programmable remote control
Fidelity firewall @1kHz/2ch 80W into 8Ω (0.02%THD)
DVI input/output Multi channel input Subwoofer output Digital Audio input Digital Audio output Phono input stage Speaker out Headphone
block text circa 1995 vintage AV amp.
DETAILS 5.1, ProLogic IIx, EX 5.1, ES, 96/24, Neo 6 Not provided 5 composite/S-video, audio 3 inputs 3 inputs HD-compatible 1 input, 1 output 2 outputs 1 output HD-compatible S-video, composite to component Two-inputs, one output passthrough only None present 7.1 line level input 1 output 3 optical, 3 electrical 1 optical, 1 electrical None present 7-channel 4mm binding posts 1 output, front-mounted
Hey-ho. If you want to use a DiVA receiver at the heart of a multiroom install, however, it is bristling with custom install features, including RS-232, 12V triggers, IR pass through, RC-5 codes and Scart control in RGB mode.
Features Beneath the hood the differences are just as subtle. The sexy Crystal Semiconductors DSPs, Wolfson DACs and Burr Brown op amps are all present and correct, and the circuit design and base-mounted cooling system is equally sumptuous. There have been subtle changes to Arcam’s Mask of Silence and the layout of the Stealth Mat material, but the largest change is a notably smaller transformer and different power supply arrangement. This translates into fewer watts at the business end of the speaker terminals. Power is rated at 80W to seven channels. You can still use the two rear-back channels to bi-amp the front main pair if desired. The AVR-280 comes with Arcam’s latest RC100 remote control, which is smaller and
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Tried&Tested... AV Receiver
easier to navigate than the one originally
stereo mode (into 8Ω). Multichannel mixes
flapping and heart beating in equal
supplied with the AVR-350, and has a far
are simply laid bare in the room and the
measure and the subterranean heartbeat
supply of the AVR-280
greater library of IR codes, including the
sound all but leaps out of the speakers,
thump through the opening of Leon simply
begins to run out of puff, it does so
likes of Sky HD. It’s so good, in fact, that
creating the wonderful illusion of a much
puts the tension level meter into the red.
gently. The sound gets more dense and
the CR100 now ships with the AVR-350 as
larger listening environment.
well. On paper, the AVR-280 is some 20 per cent cheaper than the AVR-350 for the loss
And the AVR-280 is not simply an allaction hero. Dialogue is smooth and silky
The AVR-280 goes impressively loud with grace and dignity, keeping its composure and silky balance while others
of only about 5 per cent of the features and benefits. Interesting indeed….
Performance The AVR-280’s set-up is swift, logical and results in a sound that leaves your stomach upside down and your jaw on the floor.
congested rather than falling into distortion. Overall, Arcam’s hi-fi heritage shines through. In stereo direct mode the analogue amplification is rich and fulsome
‘The AVR-280 goes impressively loud with grace and dignity, keeping its composure and balance’
with just enough top-end sparkle to give the sound a real three-dimension hi-fi soundstage. The only other model likely to rain on the AVR-280’s parade in this respect is, you guessed it, the AVR-350.
Conclusion
Hang on, I remember saying that before…. Like its bigger brother this receiver is a
Arcam’s AVR-280 is a superb AV receiver.
class performer. The sound is immediate
with superbly natural tone and none of the
at the price point would get shouty and
As long as you don’t mind living without
and clean with very little hiss or background
cuppy or chesty character some receivers
acerbic. But it is here that the more
HDMI scaling and toys like RoomEQ,
noise thanks to more Stealth Mat than your
can add to the mix. Low-frequency effects
expensive AVR-350 pulls its first ace
it is comfortably amongst the elite
average spy plane. Bass is deep and the
elevate well above simple bass-boom and
out of the box, going deeper, louder and
integrated designs for both movies
overall balance has an enormous presence
really create the ambience the director
producing a more coherent acoustic picture
and music at this price point. Well worth
and scale. In our lab, the model delivered
intended. The tyrannosaurus foot steps in
when the going gets the fruity side of
auditioning one ■
105W across five channels, and 130W in
Jurassic Park will have you trousers
100dB. Even though the smaller power
RATINGS Highs: Top-notch multichannel and stereo sound; build quality; remote Lows: No HDMI scaling, auto-setup or RoomEQ
The connections include two HDMI inputs, but only one pass-through HDMI output. If you want video upscaling, look elsewhere
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The programmable CR100 remote now includes codes for Sky HD
Sound
★★★★★
Build
★★★★★
Features
★★★½
OVERALL
★★★★½
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