Arcam AV9 - User Opinions please .....

[Buckster]

currently considering

Yamaha 3900

or for similar price - Arcam AV9 + 5 channel Power Amp

now option 2 - doesn't support HDMI 1.3 - so no LPCM - but I have a feeling that D.Digital 640kbps on the Arcam will sound better than the 3900 with lossless ?

no EQ though which is the only downside

I did have an AVR350 Arcam - and compared it A-B with a Pioneer SC-05 - again - D.Digital on the Arcam, Lossless on the SC-05 - and the Arcam sounded better - but I haven't heard an AV9

any thoughts please ?

thanks, Mark.

 

[greggp2]

I'm willing to bet the Arcam will sound much better. The AV9 was a beast of a Pre-Amp and still is except it lacks the Sound EQ, which does little to nothing on the 3900 other than setup sound levels, crossovers and speaker distances. The Crossovers are not even accurate. I had the 3900 for a month and returned it. It's a good AVR, but no way will it compare to an AV9 with a good 5 channel Amp.

The only other thing lacking is HD audio codecs in the Arcam, but the Arcams ability to deliver depth and imaging will far outshine the HD audio of the Yamaha. At least that's my opinion when comparing the 3900 to the AVR350..