Arcam AV888 Processor

pearsall001
pearsall001 Posts: 5,201
edited September 2011 in Electronics
I've been eyeing this piece for awhile now. It looks like a top notch prepro that gets fabulous reviews & is easy on the bells & whistles compared to other prepros. Arcam seems more concerned with quality sound for both HT & 2 channel than they are with cramming in too much unnecessary fluff. I wonder how it stacks up against the Anthem D2V. Any thoughts or 1st hand listening experience.
"2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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Comments

  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,288
    edited September 2011
    Yes I have and it blows the Anthem out of the water. I'm going to be real raw here , Anthem as nice as it is and as featured loaded and carefully thought of is not as good as it's price tag IMO. I think it's a wonderful 8 HDMI in preamp but it's quirky as hell and I never been fully impressed with it. Yes it has ARC which is by far one of the very best room correction systems on the planet but something is just missing when I listen to one. I always walk away feeling like I got cheated or I'm missing something. To sterile maybe? I'm not exactly sure but I would never bu one.
    Now Arcam???? YES they are exciting to listen to with wonderful warm and happy feeling of joy and grace. Very pleasing no matter what you listen to music movies jazz rock reggie or whatever , Arcam delivers. If I had to choose between these to it's a no brainer for me. Screw Bells and whistles I don't even like whistles as they hurt my ears. Ok I might like bells as Christmas is on my top all time favorite times of the years so Bells are cool.

    The Receiver is one bad **** mother as well. Full of power and killer attack. The amp section is top notch and something to go after when searching for the ultimate sound and willing to give up what might be considered important.

    Phil I know a place where you can listen to both It's Hi FI house. They carry both and have for years. They even have the them receivers you can check out to get a fill of that Anthem sound. You might like it you may not but Arcam I can't see anyone not getting excited when listening. Sorta like when Bay Watch came on in the 80's 90's.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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