Arcam AVR 600 7.1 AV Receiver

The AVR600's discrete styling hides a huge seven channel, 120wpc power amplifier and some of the most advanced audio and video processing ever seen in a high performance AV receiver.

The AVR600 AV receiver represents a tour-de-force of Arcam’s design skill and technical prowess.

While most receivers are designed to provide an overwhelming list of specifications but are short on outright performance, the AVR600 is focused on the complete experience. Never before has an AV receiver delivered such a fine balance of state of the art sound and video processing backed up by an all encompassing technical specification.

The AVR600’s discrete styling hides a huge seven channel, 120wpc power amplifier and some of the most advanced audio and video processing ever seen in a high performance AV receiver. But it's the quality of sound that separates the Arcam AVR600 from the competition. The AVR600 is designed with the music lover in mind and will amaze the most critical of listeners with the quality of sound reproduction. The sixth and seventh channels can also be reassigned to the front left and right channels to allow bi-amp mode on suitable high end speakers

Fully equipped for the high definition world, the AVR600 decodes the very latest Dolby Digital+, Dolby TrueHD, DTS High Resolution Audio and DTS HD Master Audio streams with phenomenal precision.

With well over 100 input, output and control connections, from simple analogue I/O to high speed HDMI, the AVR600 is fully equipped to deal with the most demanding of home cinema systems or custom installations. Sources such as DVD, Blu-Ray, set-top boxes, iPods® and games machines are all accommodated with ease.

Using 6 layer PCBs and ultra high precision digital audio and video circuits, the internal design of the AVR600 is the culmination of thousands of man-hours of research and development work by Arcam’s world-class design team and represents the largest project ever completed by the company. $7499 rrp

Analogue Audio

Digital Audio

• State of the art Analog Devices ADSP-21366 & ADSP-21367 DSPs for surround decoding
• Crystal Semiconductor 24bit 192kHz DACs, stereo ADC and precision electronic volume controls
• Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital+, Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, DTS HD Master
• Audio, DTS High Resolution Audio, DTS-ES Discrete, DTS-ES Matrix, DTS96/24, DTS Neo:6
• Dolby Volume processing for balancing of program material gain and tonal balance
• Adjustable crossover switching 40Hz, 60Hz, 80Hz, 100Hz, 120Hz, 150Hz
• 8 digital inputs 4 rear optical, 3 co-axial, 1 front 3.5mm optical AUX input
• Global audio delay, adjustable from 0-1000 milliseconds, to compensate for video processing delays in digital displays and sources
• USB input for audio file playback from UPnP mass storage devices
• Ethernet connection for Internet Radio and audio streaming

Video

• 5 HDMI inputs (up to 1080p, Deep Colour)
• 2 HDMI outputs (up to 1080p, Deep Colour)
• 5 Component inputs, one monitor output (up to 1080i)
• 5 S-video inputs, one monitor output, 2 tape outputs
• 5 Composite video inputs, one monitor output, 2 tape outputs
• Full video up/down conversion & frame rate conversion of all inputs where technically allowed
• Video enhancements: Edge enhancement, Mosquito noise reduction, Random noise reduction, Block noise reduction

Custom Install Features

• Independent Zone 2 (audio & video), with fixed/variable volume
• Zone 3 audio with fixed/variable volume
• RC-5 remote input jacks for all three zones
• IR pass through for source components
• Full suite of discrete IR RC-5 codes, including separate on / off etc
• 12Volt triggers, on / off for zones 1, 2 and 3
• Full duplex RS232 control input for more complex control systems
• Ethernet connection for IP control

General

• Supplied with back-lit CR102 learning remote
• control with support for up to 7 other
• components and a huge on-board code
• library
• Large, high contrast dimmable VFD front
• panel display
• User switchable between 120 & 230Volt
• mains supplies
• Size – 435mm (17.1in) wide, 435mm (17.1in)
• deep, 185mm (7.3in) high
• Weight 25kg nett, 30kg packed

                                        ARCAM AVR600 REVIEWS

Widescreen Review:

 AVR600 Widescreen 09 (2).pdf  875.15 KB    

Make no bones about it, ARCAM is pinning plenty on the AVR600. This AV receiver leads the company's freshly reinvigorated FMJ range and aims to 'represent a tour-de-force of Arcam's design skill and technical prowess'. And retailing at $7999.00, there's no doubt it needs to deliver.

Initial impressions are certainly favourable, with no holes in the technical specification. It's a 7.1-channel amplifier capable of belting out 120 watts per channel of continuous power as well as decoding all those lovely HD audio codecs.

There are five HDMI inputs and two HDMI outputs, with complete video upconversion to HDMI. You'll also find a set of 7.1 analogue inputs for DVD-A or SACD.

Elsewhere there are competent AM, FM and DAB receivers, an Ethernet connection, USB input and support for two further zones.

No volume control knob
It's all controlled using a smart, backlit remote control – the attractiveness of the AVR600 itself proved something of a split decision, though the lack of a volume control knob in preference for buttons wasn't popular.

Down to business and the auto-set-up proves a little off kilter in our room but once we sort things out manually it's plain-sailing all the way.

We start with some music and we're blown away listening to 'John Legend - Live at the House of Blues' on Blu-ray.

The PCM 5.1-soundtrack is brought to life; the Arcam successfully conveying the energy and raw sound of live music at the same time as delivering punch, subtlety and rhythm.

It's a similar story with two-channel music – comparable AV amplifiers simply sound lightweight and unrefined.

Fast, powerful and punchy
Dealing so proficiently with music bodes well for movies and sure enough the Arcam gives a fast, powerful and punchy rendition of the thrilling if preposterous car chase scene in Eagle Eye.

The AVR600 partners detail and authority with dynamism and weight, all the while retaining a level of control Peter Crouch could only dream of.

Fargo's more intricate, spacious soundtrack shows the Arcam equally adept when more care and attention is required, shifting surround effects around the room with precision and delivering clear, authoritative dialogue with sufficient sparkle but no hint of edge or brightness.

Have we enthused sufficiently? For this is some amplifier. Arcam may have had plenty of eggs in this basket, but happily for them, and the punter with $7999.00 to spend on an AV receiver, the AVR600 well and truly delivers.

What-HIFI Magazine 2009