StereoNET: Arcam AVR850 Review

APRIL 2017

AVR850 AV RECEIVER

REVIEW / ARCAM / AVR850 AV RECEIVER

ARCAM

Compromise: the word that strikes fear into the very heart of any AV enthusiast.

Compromise, can take many forms including not having the space for a dedicated theatre room, or perhaps not having any room in the budget for the next upgrade.

AVR850 AV RECEIVER

In its most fearful incarnation- and I sit typing this with trembling fingers- compromise means you either don’t have the space, or

Distributor: Advance Audio $8,995 RRP

there are aesthetic reasons why you can’t accommodate all the speakers found in a typical home theatre setup.

The truth is, we all make compromises in our home theatre setups. More often than not, those compromises are budget driven, determining how much we spend on speakers, an AVR and display. AV manufacturers aren’t exempt either. In turn, to cater for a range of different budgets, they also need to make compromises. These

“During its forty-year history, Arcam has built amplifiers, tuners, CD players, AV processers and of course, AV Receivers”

compromises may come in the form of reduced amplifier power in lower to mid-range AVR’s to outsourcing production offshore.

Of course, this needs to be accomplished while still producing a great sounding AVR or nobody’s going to buy it!

With the need to cater for a variety of budgets

around Australia since current distributor

overhead speakers and two subwoofers,

and throw in every bell and whistle imaginable

Advance Audio took over last year.

external amplification needs to be added to

to be competitive, it’s surprising how good current models actually sound. I have heard home theatre systems better than my own.

But when movie night comes around, my own mid-range AVR coupled with a dedicated power amplifier sounds pretty good.

Located in Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire UK, A&R Cambridge Ltd (ARCAM) was

The AVR850 will decode the Dolby Atmos and

founded in 1976 by two Cambridge University

DTS: X soundtracks found in today’s Ultra-HD

Engineering students who shared a passion

discs and some Blu-rays, in addition to DTS-

for music and electronics. During its forty-year

HD Master Audio, DTS-ES 6.1 Discrete, DTS-

history, Arcam has built amplifiers, tuners,

ES 6.1 Matrix, DTS 5.1, and DTS Neural:X.

When I discovered I would be reviewing

CD players, AV processers and of course, AV

Arcam’s $8,995 7.2 channel AVR 850, it

Receivers. At the time of writing, Arcam has

got me wondering how much better could

three AVRs in its ‘FMJ’ range; the AVR-390

an AVR sound when its manufacturer didn’t

(RRP $3,995), AVR- 550 (RRP $5,495) and

work to the same budget and therefore, didn’t

its flagship AVR and the subject of this review,

need to make the same compromises as

the AVR-850 (RRP $8,995).

its competitors?

The AVR850 has seven channels of Class G

With the AVR850 coming in at nearly double

amplification rated at 100 watts (8 ohms) or

the price of other flagship AVR’s, I was

180 watts (4 ohms) continuous power output,

pretty sure I was about to find out what

per channel (7 channels driven, 1 kHz, 0.2%

no compromise looks or more importantly,

THD). To support a full 7.2.4 configuration; 2

sounds like.

front speakers, 1 centre speaker, 2 surround

If you haven’t heard of Arcam, you can be forgiven. The brand’s products are sold through a selective but growing list of specialist dealers

power the overhead speakers.

speakers, 2 surround back speakers, 4

Inbuilt Spotify and DAB/DAB+ (digital radio) round out the AVR850’s modest feature set.

Neither has any compromise been made when it comes to the AVR850’s auto calibration and EQ abilities. Arcam has chosen to employ the services of Dirac Live calibration software expressly for this purpose. Since its inception in 2001 Dirac’s EQ software has gone on to be used by many companies around the world, including DTS in its mixing studios.

What’s in the box?

The AVR850 does have a

attractive and distinctive design

speaker binding posts are of

the proverbial ‘proof is the in the

distinctive look. Featuring a black

that means it will not be mistaken

exceptionally high quality. As the

pudding’ always applies.

aluminium chassis, its slightly

for a budget AVR, even to a

AVR850 isn’t WI-FI compatible,

rounded metal face-plate is

casual observer.

it will need to be connected to

finished in matt black. Although the LED display is the smallest I have come across in any AVR yet, I didn’t have any problems reading it. Directly below the LED display and in the centre of the AVR850 is a single bevelled volume dial, finished in gunmetal.

Flanking the volume dial are two rows of buttons, providing access to inputs and the onscreen user menu.

As far as front- facing inputs, the AVR850 is a little spartan, providing only a headphone input and a 3.5mm mini jack (auxiliary) input. The AVR850 has a rather

The back of the AVR850 has six 4K (UHD) HDMI2.0/HDCP 2.2 inputs and one HDMI/MHL input.

There’s also three HDMI outputs, the first of which is ARC (Audio Return Channel) compatible. In addition, the AVR850 has six analogue inputs, two coaxial inputs, two optical inputs, Zone 2 inputs, one USB input and two subwoofer outputs.

Pre-outs are available for all channels, including height channels, should you need or wish to use external amplification.

The AVR 850’s gold plated

home networks with an Ethernet cable. This is a curious omission, particularly at this price point, which makes me suspect that the inclusion of WIFI is perhaps detrimental to sound quality.

Rounding out the AVR850s inputs are four 12v triggers for Zone 1 and Zone 2 and an RS-232 interface for system integration.

The AVR850 ships with a puck style microphone. While it differs from the other puck style microphones I have seen shipped with other AVR’s, I was expecting to see something more substantial at this price- point. Nonetheless,

The remote that comes with the AVR850 features a dark gunmetal finish. It’s quite attractiveas far as remotes go, and balances quite easily in the hand.

The button layout was easy enough to use and although the buttons aren’t as big as I’m used to, they’re easy to work with, so no complaints here.

Gone was the quick start guide, common with most AVR’s- usually accompanied with a link on where to download the complete user manual. Rather, it was replaced by a large, easy to read user manual with clear diagrams explaining how to setup the AVR 850.

Setup With everything clearly labelled,

two subs, it will only accept one

Dirac Live measured nine

connecting source components

value for measured distance.

different listening positions,

and speakers to the AVR850 was

Because of this, it’s important to

fanning out from the main

relatively straightforward. The

place your subs equidistant from

listening position, with the

AVR850 picked up my Blu-ray

the main listening position. If this

calibration taking half an hour

player and game console without

isn’t possible, use the average

to complete. With the added

having to make any adjustments

distance of both subs from the

flexibility and customisation of

in the user menu.

main listening position.

Dirac, naturally it’s going to be

The onscreen menu of the

Dirac’s calibration software

AVR850 is not the most attractive

needs to be downloaded from

user interface I have seen, but

Arcam’s website and installed

it’s highly functional and laid out

on either a Mac or PC. While

in such a way that it’s easy to

this may not be as ‘user-friendly’

work through. It is worth noting

as other solutions, A PC/Mac

that while the AVR850 allows

interface provides both a lot more

individual channel adjustment of

feedback and flexibility.

more complicated. However, I imagine most people purchasing the AVR850 will either be enthusiasts and well up to the task, or be employing a professional installer.

“highly functional and laid out in such a way that it’s easy to work through”

Performance While it can be argued that Quantum of Solace is not the strongest entry in the new Bond franchise, its Blu-ray features a reference quality DTS-HD soundtrack. The road chase scene, taking place alongside Lake Garda in Northern Italy being a great workout for any home theatre system.

From the get go, it was clear that the AVR850 is a detailed AVR, revealing a layer of detail in the soundtrack that I had never heard. With the car chase in full swing, the AVR850’s class G amps delivered loads of power and sheer impact, never raising a sweat, despite the high listening volume. My only reservation was that perhaps the AVR850 sounded a little ‘too polite’.

Moving onto the recently released Arrival the AVR850 once again served up a detailed performance. The DTS-HD sound- track filling my listening room with a palpable sense of space and dimensionality. Arrival’s score was beautifully rendered, with the most musical presentation I have heard from an AVR. After further listening I revised my earlier reservation of a ‘politeness’ to the overall sound. Rather, the AVR850 removed a level of harshness that I had become accustomed to in my own AVR. This was no more apparent than when it came to music, particularly the trumpets in the Universal opening found on Cowboys & Aliens.

With the alien space ships simultaneously destroying every building in site and abducting the townsfolk of Absolution, the AVR850 put in a gutsy performance. As before, it conjured an excellent sense of space and dimensionality, with precise channel steering that provided convincing front to back panning as the alien ships flew overhead.

Moving on to more familiar fare, the AVR850 revealed yet more detail from The Wolverine DTS-HD soundtrack. When Logan bumps into the Yakuza on the bullet train, the ensuing fight is frenetic to say the least. The sound of ringing metal as Logan is punched in the head was truly wince evoking. Dialogue was rendered both clearly and accurately, whether it was during one of the movie’s many fight scenes, or during the quieter moments of the film.

Conclusion While the 7.2 channels AVR850 may lack

Don’t be fooled into thinking the AVR850

some of the features of its competitors, it

is just a brute though. In addition to having

was designed to do one thing: deliver an

plenty of power on tap, it had a very detailed,

uncompromising home theatre experience.

natural sound which was very easy to listen

In this regard, it is without a doubt a

to. With its huge soundstage and convincing

resounding success.

sense of dimensionality the AVR850 made my

Arcam’s AVR850 achieved some serious

speakers seemingly disappear.

volume levels in my home theatre. In fact, I

At $8,995 RRP, the AVR850 is not the most

turned it down long before it even raised a

‘budget friendly’ AVR available. However, if

sweat. Matching the same level of power

you can make the investment, the AVR850 is

that can be achieved by a dedicated power

worthy of serious consideration.

amplifier is no easy task for any AVR. What I found however, was that the AVR850’s class G amps exceeded the performance of my external power amplifier, providing a gutsy performance.

FEAUTURES

SPECIFICATIONS

/ / Dolby Atmos & DTS:X 7.1.4 decoding

CONTINUOUS POWER OUTPUT, PER CHANNEL, 8Ω/4Ω

RADIO TUNER

/ / 4K (UHD) HDMI2.0a with HDCP2.2

/ / 2 channels driven, 20Hz - 20kHz, <0.02% THD -

// FM / DAB / DAB+ (in appropriate markets)

/ / 7 HDMI inputs, 3 HDMI outputs, ARC compatible

120W/200W

/ / Dirac Live ® for Arcam room correction

/ / 2 channels driven, 1kHz, 0.2% THD - 130W/210W

SUPPORTED SURROUND MODES INCLUDE

/ / Spotify ® Connect enabled

/ / 7 channels driven, 1kHz, 0.2% THD - 100W/180W

// Dolby Atmos, Dolby Surround

/ / Cirrus CS42528 audiophile DAC

/ / Residual noise & hum (A-wtd) - <0.15mV

// DTS:X, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS-ES 6.1 Discrete,

/ / Class G power amplification / / Ethernet, RS232 and IR control / / Free MusicLife iOS UPnP and control app

DTS‑ES 6.1 Matrix, DTS 5.1, DTS Neural:X AUDIO PERFORMANCE (STEREO LINE INPUTS) / / Signal/noise ratio (A-wtd, stereo direct) - 110dB / / Frequency response - 20Hz—20kHz ± 0.1dB

GENERAL // 12V Trigger x2 // IR in x2

VIDEO INPUTS

// 6V rSeries PSU x1

/ / HDMI - x7 (6 x HDMI2.0a, HDCP2.2, 1 x MHL compatible)

// Power consumption (max) - 1.5kW

VIDEO OUTPUTS

// Power consumption (standby) - <0.5W

(approx. 5200 BTU/hour)

/ / HDMI - Z1 x2 (out1 ARC, HDMI2.0a, HDCP2.2, out2 HDMI2.0a, HDCP2.2), Z2 x1 (HDMI2.0a, HDCP2.2) AUDIO INPUTS

DIMENSIONS & WEIGHTS (AVR850) // W x D (inc. speaker terminals) x H (inc. feet) - 433 x 425 x 171mm

/ / HDMI - x7, Coax SPDIF - x4, Toslink - x2, RCA Phono - x6,

// Weight (net) - 16.7kg

/ / 3.5mm aux, USB input, Ethernet Client, Internet Radio,

// Weight (packed) - 20.0kg

ARC (from display) AUDIO OUTPUTS / / 7.1.4 Pre-amp output - 12x RCA Phono / / Zone 2 output - RCA Phono

WORDS: Tony O’Brien