Clarity of Stereo Sound
Quality of DTS soundstage

Remote Control

Testing equipment:
CD Player Arcam Alpha 7-se
DVD Toshiba SD-2109
Speakers:
Front KEF Q55.2
Rear KEF Q15.2
Center Q95c.2

I tested both the Denon AVR-3801 and the Arcam AVR100. I was expecting a much more pronounced divergence in the areas that are supposed to be the strenghts of each product:
I expected the Denon to be much stronger than the Arcam when playing a DVD, and the Arcam to be way better when playing CD's in stereo.
I found the two to be a lot closer than I expected in terms of performance.
When playing classic music (the three tenors), rock (Smashing Pumpkins, Rolling Stones and Lenny Kravitz), jazz (Louis Armstrong) and R&B (Lauryn Hill) the Arcam showed its superiority, when it comes to clarity and defined sound. The Denon was much better though than I expected... good enough to replace my dedicated amp, if only the Arcam wasn't so good!
When playing DVDs (Godzilla, Saving Private Ryan DTS, Dracula) the Denon shows great power shaking the individual speakers, but I find the Arcam easier to listen, and giving more the feeling of enwrapment when the rear speakers kick in. In the opening 10 minutes of Saving Private Ryan with the Denon amplifier I could here each speaker firing sounds at me... with the Arcam I couldn't quite tell where it was coming from, I had more a feeling of soundstage than I got from the Denon. The sound effects from the Denon had a greater impact, but I preferred the laid-back soundstage offered by the Denon...
And I like it more and more with my new Kef speakers.
What about that "teachin'" remote though...(as opposite to learning, because it teaches you where the buttons are after so many unsuccesful attemps to switch from VCR to DVD or CD...)
(;-))

Similar Products Used:

Denon AVR-3801

great stereo and surround sound, good looks, good price.

3 digital ins (but for 1K not bad), no digital outputs. nothing else to complain about

I really like this receiver. I think it is great for 1000. I thought that I would need more power but it seems to do just fine in my bedroom. The avr 100 has very little noise even though there is a fan on the back. I have never heard it spin. I think it sounds great in two channel mode and lives up to the Arcam name. I was surprised at its performance in home theater and it has not let me down. I have a B&K avr 202 and have auditioned a variety of different A/V receivers but hardly any have really met my two channel needs. I was blown away with the sound of Arcam's CD players and I think they have done a great job with their first entry into the DD/DTS receiver market. Highly recommended.

Similar Products Used:

lots

Special thanks to the last reviewer. I was caught up on the Arcam salesman's hype and was trying to decide between this product and the Denon 3801. I was leaning toward the Denon because I liked the sound (with my B&W 602's) but I liked the unique look and brand name of the Arcam. Many of my friends have Denon, NAD and Sony but not Arcam. I thought it would be cool to have an exotic brand.

I checked out the Arcam site and the "salesman tips" and couldn't help but feel "scammed". My salesman was acting like this was the only receiver that could bypass the DSP or tone controls, etc. The only advice I could give anyone looking at this product is to listen with your ears. Arcam is a great company. Consumers deserve better than this.

Preach on brother Ray!!! I have to agree, not the ABSOLUTE BEST in the world, but damn good. I have owned separates, and this sounds as good, or better than some of those. I am very happy.........sounds great in 2 channel, and I drive fairly demanding speakers. I DID listen to the NAD and Nakamichi side by side and noticed a HUGE difference in 2 channel...........even my girlfriend noticed, and trust me ,that in itself is an accomplishment.
I am very happy....... that's all that matters to me.

Great review here, that pretty much sums things up....great unit. Doesn't have all Arcam electronics, but most importantly, has Arcam amplifiers, which is what really counts.


http://www.aslgroup.com/arcam/AVR100etown.htm

I CAN'T FIND ANYONE THAT SELLS ARCAM IN MY AREA. DOES ANYBODY KNOW OF ANY INTERNET SITES THAT I CAN GO TO? THESE REVIEWS HAVE REALLY GOT ME CURIOUS. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.

Name brand

Expensive, no power, Bass management, Remote,

I don't own that receiver, I went to my local audio store to listen to it as a potential replacement.. actually I wanted to combine my audio system with my AV into one good and musical receiver that can do both. My audio system is a vintage Fisher 800C tube receiver running Magnepan MMG planner speakers and a tube CD (JoLida 603A); my AV system is an Onkyo TX939 receiver and Phase Technology Teatro 7.5VLD speakers (great speakers!!!) I was really wanted to like the Arcan because of the brand name and good products they make. I'm sorry to inform you that this receiver sound was unacceptable for me, voices sound so metallic like out of a bad solid state amp, boy, even my Onkyo 939 was by far better sounding not to mention my Fisher. I really think that Arcam are making ton of money on that one. I'm sorry to be that Boy that said the "king is naked". I will however don't think that it deserve only one star like the one reviewer before me.

So far it looks that after listening to so many receivers out there, it looks that I will have to keep AV separate from audio as I didn't find any that can do both to my satisfaction.

Similar Products Used:

Onkyo, Marantz, B&K, Harman kardon, Yamaha, Denon, Nacamichi,

good all rounds sound

speaker management and memory settings

I am starting to grow into the arcam and still feel that 2 ch stereo is great. I still feel statisfied with DTS and DD but would like to know if it is worth changing the product for the arcam 85 for the amount of money i would spend. If i did this how would i get DD and DTS from the Arcam 85. I have KEF 55.2 speaker, are these good enought for the arcam 85.
I would be grateful for any help as i am new to this.

I do feel that the arcam is best suited to my needs but i have not heard any two channel amps that have been conveted to DD / DTS.

Poor bass management. Quality.

I thought this receiver was good when I first got it. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of listening to a friend's "real" Arcam and sold the ARV to a friend. I purchased a separate receiver for HT applications. I also learned a valuable lesson. If you want a HT receiver, get one that is great for HT. If you value great music, get a used Arcam or creek integrated amp. I have not heard a receiver (including this one) that is great for music.

My friend who bought it loves it because it sounds much better than the sony it replaced.

This is an update review of the AVR100.

Some people have been complaining that the AVR100 seems somewhat underpowered and limits the sub crossover at 100hz in Digital/DTS mode. I partially agreed with this, but still liked the AVR100 very much. So after some discussions with the Arcam distributor in Canada and my local dealer, i have purchased a DiVA P85 power amp to power my Front L/R speakers ( for 800$US)
It hasn't been burned in 100% yet, but it is quite spectacular ( and for the weight fanatics, it is weighs a nice 21 lbs, with a truly massive toroidal and huge heatsink, with a power supply rated at 800 VA for 2 channels... the AVR100 is rated at 500VA for 5 channels...)

I will test AVR100/P85 as a bi-amp combo later, but so far the P85 has been quite astonishing. The 85W power rating is VERY conservative: the bass output is quite impressive. Even more impressive is the control and articulation of the bass, as well as an improved soundstage, amazing articulation of the low level detail. The power amp has been "on" for 72 hours and it hardly ever gets hot ( and i've played it an insanely high levels several times).

It has proved so far to be a great addition to my gear, and at a reasonable price. Later this year, i will purchase the PAM 85 3rd channel upgrade module so that i can power the 3 front channels. I really like Arcam's upgradeable design philosophy.

In regards to bass, i now have the sub connected to the L/R pre-out (through the p85 daisychain pre/outs) and have set the AVR100 to the speaker preset #2, this lets me control the sub crossover manually on the sub for better integration with the front l/r speakers. It really is the way to go!