Jim Henson of The Muppets swore by the saying "Simple is good". This amp does not have the bells or whistles that other AVR's use. This amp is all about the sound quality and is superb.

Bloody brilliant video. I wish I could reassign the outputs.

Adam, you are spot on regarding the remote. I definitely feel the response needs to be better. I love the receiver but their are some improvements that could be made. Primarily the face screen could be wider and brighter. I currently have the AVR 550. Just an opinion.

Great video. I would like to see you review a NAD T787.

Great review! Thank you sir.

Awesome video review. Kudos. Time for an upgrade to a 4K AVR after getting a new tv. What’s the downside to buying an AVR this old? Will I miss out on anything like HLG, ALLM, etc.? Should I wait on the next iteration of this or pull the trigger now? Thx!

This receiver is not everyones cup of tea, it cost 7500 Canadian and comes with much much less features. But when it comes to sounds and effects you are intended to listen the way movie maker or musician wants you to enjoy, you will enjoy. Love it..

Hello Terry :D. I am seriously impressed with your review on this product, so I dig a LOT about it and this G class. Everywhere I search they say is the best. I am between that and the ROTEL RAP 1580. Problem is that I want a simple 5.1.2 atmos system but really good in sound quality, space is small too and I don't want so may channels. Unfortunately the rotel doesn't have height speaker binding posts and you can't assign them, so I need a second for the two atmos. I see in this avr the far left and far right ones say: height, souround back and zone2. Am I to assume those 2 I can assign them for heights and have 1 single serious amplifier for the 5.1.2 atmos I want? Probably I will get the Dynaudio evoke line in 5.1.2 atmos, if this thing can drive 5 KEF reference, it sould drive 7 Dynaudio evokes too. Great job at your reviews again. Thanks in advance for the reply XD

Hi There. Great review and help. I just added parasound halo a23+ to this receiver. Do I have to calibrate again. I do see there is difference in stereo sound when playing through parasound sound vs playing directly from Arcam. Which I didn't like. Is it because of calibration not done? Your expert advice please...thank you

Another great video, I've since bought the AVR550. Any chance you could review that model?

@jimmy2shoes75

5 жыл бұрын

since it's been a year how did you find the AVR550, I have the denon x3300 and have really been interested in getting a Diarc Iive receiver, would you recommend the upgrade?

Great vid!! Are you also going to review the new 2019/2020 Arcam avr's 10 20 and 30.......?

@PursuitPerfectSystem

4 жыл бұрын

Yes I hope so soon

I have been enjoying an AVR600 for more than 7 years now. I have only used its audio processing and amplification with OPPO controlling AV processing (and sometimes the audio processing). I have no driving need to get "better sound", but I do worry about the AVR600 computing system eventually collapsing - it has regularly needed rebooting from the beginning. Question: if i ever for have to replace the AVR600 in an OPPO-managed system, which multi-channel-processing audio-only Arcam (or other brand) should I look at to replace it?

What make speakers be better for this, few name please. Does Dynaudio fall into it.

Thank you. Seriously thinking about buying this as the wife is tired of looking at multiple amps and the space that it takes in our small apartment. Really hesitant to sell my 5 Rotel 960 bx amps and Rotel rsp 1570 processor. This unit sounds like what I'm looking for.

@RS-do1of

5 жыл бұрын

Warren Frederick - I took the plunge. It’s awesome. If you want gizmos and gadgets look elsewhere... but if your focus is on sound quality.. look no further.

@jackryder6732

5 жыл бұрын

Warren, there is nothing close to 850. Surround and two channel is just amazing. Go for it. Just be little extra careful to match speakers

Great review. I would like to know your opinion about AVR 390 and 550.

@PursuitPerfectSystem

6 жыл бұрын

vadimkrylov I havent spent any time with those models. I think they have a similar front end to the 850 obviously with Dirac Live so it will depend on how demanding your speakers are which model will be best

Considering an AVR 550 to replace my Denon X2600 but concerned at lack of new features on the Arcam (Bluetooth for headphones, Alexa etc). I have KEF Q 5.1.2 speaker package and wonder if I’d really be able to tell the difference at usable eg neighbour friendly volumes?

Not being able to have 2 Dirac settings for movies and 2 channel music is a massive oversight. Does the new AVR30 solve this? Best Arcam reviews on You Tube by far

@PursuitPerfectSystem

4 жыл бұрын

New range has 3 saves but you can get one dirac save to cover both if you work with well. where multi saves is really useful is if you have a projector screen going up and down even then it's not a massive difference

@torqueofthedevil8145

4 жыл бұрын

Pursuit Perfect System Thanks

Yes, you will buy more blue ray movies when have this, surround sound is better than a theater experience. Love watching movies

Thanks for a great review!! I just wish other reviews could be so professional, interesting and succinct!! I currently have the ubiquitous Sony VA 777ES AV amp (now 20 years old). I have been holding on to it as it has a two channel direct facility to knock out all other circuitry which I use when playing music. It also has a line input for my vinyl which I play a lot. Does this amp have a direct 2 channel facility and a line input as vinyl is important and need a means to use the turntable on occasions?

@PursuitPerfectSystem

4 жыл бұрын

It has a stereo direct mode yes, it has line inputs as well but no phono stage. The special thing about this receiver is the inbuilt Dirac Live - get that right and Stereo Direct listening is a thing long in the past :)

@mr.blackhawk142

3 жыл бұрын

@@PursuitPerfectSystem I bought a NAD and had nothing but trouble with the Dirac, so I returned it! What a FIASCO! I am saving up for the Lexicon RV-9 which is IDENTICAL to the AVR850, but the RV9 has Logic7 on it. I had a Lexicon DC-1, with Logic7, back in the 90s and I loved it.

@mr.blackhawk142

3 жыл бұрын

BTW, I am 80% movies, 20% music so I'm SO looking forward to getting a CLASS G AMP with ATMOS! I already have the HUGE Klipsch center speaker! The rest are M&K speakers with their subwoofer. 7.2.2

i am about to invest in Mt60D speakers with Arcam AVR 390 for music and Movies In my TV room I am having built what do you think to this as a setup

@PursuitPerfectSystem

6 жыл бұрын

andrew wright sounds like a nice system take your time and get it setup properly make sure dirac live is done properly and you will be happy I am sure

hi PPS I just did a listening session with the avr550 I know the 850 is much better based in the posts is it for you still the best AVR in FEB 2018 for 5000e I have the NAD T777v3 too for 2700e and avr 550 for 3500e

@nespressoman

5 жыл бұрын

The 850 is fantastic.

@jackryder6732

5 жыл бұрын

I dont there is anything in that price range to give that immersive surround sound. 850 the best

Please do a review of arcams av860 processor can we have a review on the unit and not all about Dirac

@PursuitPerfectSystem

5 жыл бұрын

the cinema side of my review system will be up to scratch soon so I ca start reviewing AV products. But in terms of dirac it's what makes these arcam av products what they are - it allows the user to unleash the full performance not marred by the room the system is in ;)

I have a question. I have some receiver, running dynaudio emit M30 4oms speakers. I dont get a punchy sound or true stereo enjoyment. Why is that.

@PursuitPerfectSystem

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Jack, that can be for a lot of reasons to be honest from room acoustics, to setup, to kit quality - getting really great sound takes a lot of work and is the result of a lot of attentions to detail in my experience anyway :) I am sorry that is probably poor advice

Just bought one for £750 but now see it's not wifi which is a bugger but can run a cable as have one to go and will it be better than my older Pioneer SC-LX 73 amp?

@PursuitPerfectSystem

Жыл бұрын

Yes if you set it up properly

Hi Terry. Great video and detailed review. The AVR 850 Sounds like a must have. Only problem I am having is justifying the price for the features given. Are their other comparable units in the market that you would recommend? On the fence....

@PursuitPerfectSystem

5 жыл бұрын

You don't really buy the 850 for the features you buy it for sound quality and dirac live. They are superb I have setup a few system recently (done dirac live calibrations) using them and both systems were atmos based used the 850 for all 7 channels and sounded superb. It's a very good amp for home cinema. I don't really know any alternatives that well, maybe NAD or Emotiva units both have Dirac Live as well

@jeromejax8675

5 жыл бұрын

@@PursuitPerfectSystem Hi Terry, thanks for the response. I wanted to upgrade/add a new receiver to pair with my Integrated Prima Luna HP when watching movies for home theatre use. I've taken your advice in the past and added the Tellurium BD IC and Ultra Black speaker cables. Also added the ISO Acoustics Gaia II for my Kanta 2 speakers. Always looking to improve my system hence the question for the Arcam 850. It sounds like the one to buy. May have to sell off my Yamaha Aventage 3040 to do it. Hence my dilemma...

@PursuitPerfectSystem

5 жыл бұрын

@@jeromejax8675 the Yamaha are supposed to be very good but Dirac Live is a special tool in the right hands. YPAO is ok but not as comprehensive as Dirac in my experience. Not much recently though I will admit. I did a setup the other day and the Arcam 850 impressed me much not then than when I made the review video FWIW

@jeromejax8675

5 жыл бұрын

@@PursuitPerfectSystem Terry you make a compelling argument. I think I wanna try the Arcam 850. I am intrigued on the possible benefits in SQ for Home theatre. You are right, I don't think I need all the other bells and whistles that other models might bring. To me SQ is King.

@PursuitPerfectSystem

5 жыл бұрын

@@jeromejax8675 the big thing with the arcam avr 850 is setting it up correctly. otherwise you will only hear 50% of what it is capable of. I made a guide video for this as well but Dirac requires some extra skill that I can't make a guide video for. That's why I am offering myself out as a calibrator for it to come an actually do it

Hi all, this looks good fairly newbie. Getting a 5.2.4 set up in loft the front 3 will be the B&W 702 S2 and matching centre. Do those 3 need a separate power amp and another AV to do the rest? Or will the the 850 suffice? worried about the music credentials over the movies

@PursuitPerfectSystem

5 жыл бұрын

music is an interesting one - worth a try to see what you think then maybe add a separate hifi chain if it's not delivering what you want

@robp5136

5 жыл бұрын

@@PursuitPerfectSystem Dont know if I want to spend that much money to see if I like it 😅

@PursuitPerfectSystem

5 жыл бұрын

@@robp5136 haha it's an av receiver sure you will like it for movies once its setup properly. Music is good from it as well

After you recommending an Arcam I'm gonna get one. This review is over 2 years old so does this review still hold up?

@PursuitPerfectSystem

4 жыл бұрын

Yes it does hold up - the have updated some firmware things since this review but I still feel the same about the amp as I did back then

@darrenlomax1283

4 жыл бұрын

Pursuit Perfect System I'm gonna get one then. Would the power amp add on be suitable to drive stereo speakers for music? Or is it not that kind of amp? I'm trying to recreate a Sony integrated stereo 60wpc amp I had a few years back, it must be 20 years old now.

I know this question isn't related to the product but do you have any experience or thoughts on the Arcam 2.1 movie integrated amp? I only have room for a 2.1ch set up so that looks perfect but I can't see any "proper" reviews (10 minutes plus). Thanks in advance mate. 👍

@PursuitPerfectSystem

6 жыл бұрын

Hello there, if you mean the SR250 I havent had any time with it but in principle it seems like a great unit and idea for a 2 channel user that wants a hub for all their content movies and music. It has Dirac Live which will be the same for all Arcam units and is Great! Its also class G and my impressions of Class G amps is very strong. Where in the world are you? If your in the UK maybe contact Nintronics and see of you can have a demo of one.

@mb-electricalservices

6 жыл бұрын

Pursuit Perfect System. Hi pal. I'm in Manchester mate so UK....I've been looking at a budget setup so the typical Marantz, Denon AVR paired with the monitor audio bronze 5 towers to be honest but these Arcams have really opened my eyes. The actual unit is called: Arcam Solo Movie 2.1. It's a small AVR by the looks of it with HDMI in etc. Looks ideal but I'm starting to realise that there's a lot of "snake oil" in this industry.

@mb-electricalservices

6 жыл бұрын

Pursuit Perfect System In the end, I opted for a pair of ex-demo Dali Opticon 6's in mint condition, boxed with warranty for £700. Also, grabbed a Rotel A12 ex demo too £475....think I'm set...👍. Rotel is possibly slightly underpowered for the speaker but I can add a power amp later on if required. Happy days.

Hi, I’ve got a avr850, which sounds great! But it fails to pass through HDR content from sky Q or PS4 Pro (PS4 pro works if both hdmi outputs are used from the 850 to my don’t 4k screen. It also drops hdmi handshake from Oppo 203 UHD player. It’s been back to Arcam and given the all clear, store that I purchased it from can’t get it to drop but I’ve filmed it and sent it to them so they can see what’s happening but just wondered if you have any ideas? Cheers Paul

@PursuitPerfectSystem

3 жыл бұрын

Maybe try rolling back thr firmware to the one before the very latest

@PaulAnnis

3 жыл бұрын

@@PursuitPerfectSystem I'll speak to the store tomorrow, could be a last attempt to get it working. With you'r experience have you come across this sort of issue before?

@PaulAnnis

3 жыл бұрын

@@PursuitPerfectSystem I can't even find any previous versions online

Is this a warm sounding receiver or neutral or bright receiver. Please advise

@nespressoman

5 жыл бұрын

Definitely not bright.

@PursuitPerfectSystem

5 жыл бұрын

warm side of neutral - about spot on actually

@jackryder6732

5 жыл бұрын

@@nespressoman thank you

@jackryder6732

5 жыл бұрын

@@PursuitPerfectSystem thank you. What make speakers would you recommend

Hi do you know if this unit has a factory default reset as I can’t find anything at all on the internet , hope you can help :-)

@PursuitPerfectSystem

4 жыл бұрын

Yes if you check the firmware update instructions it tells you I think hold down menu 5 seconds then ok then direct but check the firmware instructions on the arcam website - you download the firmware and it has a pdf with it

@soundadvice8669

4 жыл бұрын

Pursuit Perfect System Hi thanks for that ,do you recommend where to buy minidsp UMIK-1 :-)

@PursuitPerfectSystem

4 жыл бұрын

@@soundadvice8669 they used to sell them on amazon but si csnt see them on there so probably direct from miniDSP is best

good review , but i was hoping you would play that harp lol,

@PursuitPerfectSystem

6 жыл бұрын

when I hit 1000 subscribers I start to play the harp in the videos :)

@nespressoman

5 жыл бұрын

@@PursuitPerfectSystem You've hit the mark now play the harp.

@nespressoman

5 жыл бұрын

(Wearing an Elton John Mozart wig)

Nice review! Arcam really screwed up on the implementation of uPnP/DLNA and USB. They put 20 year old DACs in (for these inputs), that only supports up to 24/48!!! If you have uPnP/DLNA servers playing hi-res audio 24/94+, you can forget it. You will need an external HDMI uPnP box, or a server that can transcode all files to 24/48. The AVR will just stop playback, and sometimes it requires a reset of the AVR.

@nespressoman

5 жыл бұрын

My Arcam sees 24/96 and 192 as well via HDMI.

@SimplySketchyGT

5 жыл бұрын

Use an Apple TV via optical audio in.

@nespressoman

5 жыл бұрын

@@SimplySketchyGT No 7.1 or Atmos via Optical In.

does any company make an quality 2 or 4 channel integrated amp? like 80's japanese models. would be great if someone did make one with modern components and power. and stronger connections. better/removable power cord. better cooling. but thats it, source switching and 2 channel amp with optional zone 2 channels. jeez, these old models are fragile with modern rca's. think just broke loose something in my Proton due to monster cables

@mb-electricalservices

6 жыл бұрын

Shock Yeah, The Arcam Solo 2.1 and 5.1 integrated amp. I'm looking into them right now..

@experiment54

6 жыл бұрын

arcam sr250

@photomusicman9413

6 жыл бұрын

The Arcam P429 is a great G-Class 4 channel amp.

Thanks, this really put me off trying this. The build quality, finish and remote need to be near perfect at this price, as you say!

@PursuitPerfectSystem

6 жыл бұрын

Ferbeldeyberb they should be better but the amps performance is truly Stella so you should get a demo of one at least

My BIGGEST pet peeve with AVRs is trying to connect NON-banana-plug speaker wires!

What an outstanding product, yes its not a value for money but value for quality and luxury. It sounds better than todays theaters. Can some one tell me how to connect or play spotify via this receiver.

@nespressoman

5 жыл бұрын

From the Spotify app on your phone. The phone will see the amp's name.

@RS-do1of

5 жыл бұрын

Jack Ryder - you need to connect the Arcam to your WiFi network with a LAN connection (you can use a wireless bridge with a LAN port). Then your Spotify app on your phone will see the Arcam as an available device and you can stream to it

@jackryder6732

5 жыл бұрын

@@RS-do1of thank you

@jackryder6732

5 жыл бұрын

@@nespressoman thank you

I refuse to buy any more Arcam products as they are made in Vietnam and China. I can’t understand why the power amplifiers are made in the USA when they could be built in the UK? It can’t be for cost surely? The US and UK costs must be similar? The AV860 seems to be made in the UK though. What a sad state of affairs for a British manufacturer. If you want a great amplifier for music try Sugden, hand built in Yorkshire.

@nespressoman

5 жыл бұрын

No Dirac on the Sugden though.

@SimplySketchyGT

5 жыл бұрын

@@nespressomanNo 4K or Atmos or IMAX certification either. What a sad state of affairs that someone forgo some of the best tech because it's manufactured in a different country. Bet they have a Bravia or an iPhone.

@nespressoman

5 жыл бұрын

MAAS Gaming I love the 850. Sounds great.

I don't know who will ever beat Suzano

@PursuitPerfectSystem

5 жыл бұрын

the arcams with Dirac Live is way more advanced than the older pioneers with MCCAC. I would also have class g amplification over ice as well having lived with both.

@sekainiheiwa3650

5 жыл бұрын

@@PursuitPerfectSystemNever hook a Suzano with Yamaha speakers

Review is 35mins too long

@PursuitPerfectSystem

5 жыл бұрын

I am inclined to agree maybe check out my newer work

@custortroy

5 жыл бұрын

@@PursuitPerfectSystem Sure will. I enjoyed the music upgrade options that you gave at the end.

@custortroy

5 жыл бұрын

@@PursuitPerfectSystem What are your thoughts on the AV 860 Processor, & setting up a home cinema system with?

I’m looking at getting the 390 and use it as a processor. Running it with Rotel power amps. 100% movies. Whats your thoughts ? It’s Dirac that’s has me interested.

@Screen1couk

5 жыл бұрын

Hi Snowy, I'm thinking exactly the same thing with Rotel RB971 monoblocks, did you go ahead an purchase?