Arcam FMJ AVR500 7.1 Receiver: Official Thread

[recruit]

Overview

The AVR500 is based on Arcam’s all new high definition AV platform that was crafted in Cambridge, UK over three years of intensive research and development. The outstanding reception already given to the first two products using the platform, the AVR600 Receiver and AV888 Pre-Amp Processor, suggests that the AVR500 will also set new world standards for audio quality in its price range.

In Detail

Arcam has achieved a global reputation for producing state of the art home cinema electronics that excel in both movie and music reproduction. Arcam have developed numerous world-class products for the AV market having been involved in home cinema since the mid nineties.

The AVR500 is based on Arcam’s all new high definition AV platform that was crafted in Cambridge, UK over three years of intensive research and development. The outstanding reception already given to the first two products using the platform, the AVR600 Receiver and AV888 Pre-Amp Processor, suggests that the AVR500 will also set new world standards for audio quality in its price range.

The massive feature set provided by the bigger AVR600 is not required for every home cinema installation and so the AVR500 is able to preserve the core performance of the AVR600 by deleting some of the less used connectivity. Removing the network card for Internet Radio, streaming and IP control capability has reduced construction complexity and cost. In addition the number of legacy video and audio outputs and multi-room connections have also been reduced recognising the move in many systems to predominantly digital connectivity.

The AVR500’s seven-channel amplifier is rated at 100 watts (all channels driven) but its massive power supply ensures that it can drive even highly demanding loudspeakers without strain. Being fully equipped for the high definition world the AVR500 decodes all the latest Dolby and DTS high definition audio standard with phenomenal precision.

The AVR500 offers customers the highest level of Arcam performance and sound quality at a lower price by reducing the feature set and absolute power output. However, no compromise has been made in the essential ability of all Arcam AV electronics to produce a level of sound quality that will bring movies and music to life like no other manufacturer.


Technical Specifications

Analogue Audio

• Audiophile quality components for best sound quality
• Multi-channel 7.1 analogue input for DVD-A or SACD sources
• Stereo direct mode bypasses and disables all digital processing for 2 channel analogue sources
• 8 stereo analogue inputs (including front 3.5mm AUX input)
• Zone 2 stereo audio, from analogue inputs (Source and volume control independent from main zone)
• Support for iPod via Arcam rLead / rDock (independent of RS232 connection)

Digital Audio

• State of the art Analog Devices ADSP-21366 & ADSP-21367 DSPs for surround decoding
• Crystal Semiconductor 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 gain management and Tonal correction processing*
• 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 with auto lip-sync for compatible displays

Video

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

Custom Install Features

• Independent Zone 2 (audio & video), with fixed/variable volume
• RC-5 remote input jacks for both zones
• IP control over Ethernet (with optional Ethernet module)
• 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 and 2
• Full duplex RS232 control input for more complex control systems
• Audio streaming and Internet radio via Ethernet port (with optional Ethernet module)

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 & 230 volt
• Mains supplies
• Size – 435mm (17.1in) wide, 415mm (16.3in)
• Deep, 185mm (7.3in) high
• Weight 22kg (48.5lbs) nett, 27kg (59.5lbs) packed

Arcam FMJ AVR500

Arcam FMJ AVR500 Owners Manual

[Jungle Jack]

Hello,
It is excellent to see that Arcam has released a less costly version of the amazing FMJ-AVR600.
If the AVR500 is 75% as good as the 600 is, this is going to be a special Receiver.

Given the AVR500 shares much of the in house developed programming code from the AVR600/AV888, I would imagine this is going to be a pretty sweet AVR. I greatly appreciate the fact that Arcam pays great attention to keeping jitter as low as possible.

Though it seems primarily the European Press that pays attention to HDMI jitter levels, I do believe it to be an important consideration for achieving the best possible sound. Pioneer has also done an excellent job in respect to keeping jitter levels quite low and offering a solution when using PQLS with a partnering Blu Ray Player.
Cheers,
JJ

[Lordoftherings]

The Arcam AVR600 is truly an excellent A/V Receiver (expensive though at $4,995 list).

* I just read an excellent review on it. The 'Sound', it's all about the Sound.

[recruit]

Hi JJ,

Yes Arcam have paid a lot of attention to the levels of jitter that there new receivers and processor have over HDMI, I can certainly say that both the AVR600 and AV888 sound amazing and it seems that the new AVR500 is just a scaled sown version of the 600 which is good news for those that cannot stretch to the $5000 that its bigger brother is asking.

It only loses a little on the power side but it does omit pre outs which for some maybe a big deal, but I am sure it will sell well all the same...

Jungle Jack wrote:

Hello,
It is excellent to see that Arcam has released a less costly version of the amazing FMJ-AVR600.
If the AVR500 is 75% as good as the 600 is, this is going to be a special Receiver.

Given the AVR500 shares much of the in house developed programming code from the AVR600/AV888, I would imagine this is going to be a pretty sweet AVR. I greatly appreciate the fact that Arcam pays great attention to keeping jitter as low as possible.

Though it seems primarily the European Press that pays attention to HDMI jitter levels, I do believe it to be an important consideration for achieving the best possible sound. Pioneer has also done an excellent job in respect to keeping jitter levels quite low and offering a solution when using PQLS with a partnering Blu Ray Player.
Cheers,
JJ

[recruit]

Lordoftherings wrote:

The Arcam AVR600 is truly an excellent A/V Receiver (expensive though at $4,995 list).

* I just read an excellent review on it. The 'Sound', it's all about the Sound.

Yes the SQ is amazing on the AVR600, I had one on loan for approx 1 month before I took delivery of the AV888, so if the AVR500 has more of the same it will be very good indeed..

[recruit]

This is now the Official Thread for all Owners and questions relating to the new Arcam FMJ AVR500 as it has now been released

[Lordoftherings]

Lol, I just realised that this is the AVR500's thread, and not the AVR600. Oups! Better late than never I guess.

* And Good morning to you John.

[recruit]

And a very good morning to you Bob!

[romazicon]

I appreciate this dedicated thread for the AVR500. I am new to Arcam and only know of them by reputation. I had been considering the Rotel RSP-1570/RMB-1575 combo vs the Marantz AV8003/MM8003 combo for both home theater and 2-channel use as I have auditioned these units but was compelled to look into the Arcam AVR600 after reading several glowing reviews. While the extra 20w per channel is welcome, the feature set of the AVR500 fits my needs more closely and I am happy to save money where I can. I would appreciate any knowledgeable input regarding the following questions:

1) Can I expect the AVR500 to embody all the sonic attributes of the AVR600?

2) Can this receiver really equal the sonic abilities of a separate pre/pro and amplifier, especially the ones I've listed above? One review I read (referenced on Arcam's website) goes so far to suggest that the AVR500's big brother (the AVR600) "gives me the finest sound I have heard in my life, from any system. Ever. Anywhere. Regardless of price. Period." Quite frankly, I find this hard to believe and even suggests that this receiver is at least as good as Arcam's own separates (AV888/P777).

3) As I listen to a lot of digital music off of my computer (typically lossless formats), I am interested to know whether the AVR500 (with the optional network interface) functions as an outboard DAC in this situation or relies on my computer's DAC and merely streams music. Obviously, the latter scenario would be much less desirable.

4) I know one of the benefits of class D amps is that they run cooler and more efficiently than class A/B amps. What about the class G amp in the AVR500?

Thanks!

[recruit]

Hello romazicon and welcome to the Shack

With reference to your questions.

1/ The AVR500 shares all the same attributes as it's bigger brother albeit some features and slightly less power, I have heard from the feedback of dealerships that it sounds the same, which is of very high quality, I did have the AVR600 before I upgraded to the AV888 and can say that it is the best receiver I have heard.
With ref to the slightly less power which is 20watts, that really does depends on what and how efficient your speakers are but it I would expect it to power most quite easily.

2/I have not heard the pre/pro's you have mentioned although I do own the Rotel 1575 and that powers my M&K's and has huge output capabilities and matches my set up perfectly, I do think that the AVR's from Arcam would most certainly give them a good run for there money though and for music surpass them, there receivers certainly cannot match the sonic attributes of the AV888 which really is a step above in performance terms.

3/By feeding the AVR500 with an SPDIF/Optical interface it will be using the DAC's on board of the 500 so therefore the quality will be excellent.

4/I use the class D Rotel and it really is rather good but with the Arcams it is a funny one as the amplifier is similar in design to class D but also includes the toroidal transformer so therfore runs also like a class A/B amplifier but more efficiently, unfortunately I do not know the specifics of class G in particular, but HERE explains in more detail.

romazicon wrote:

I appreciate this dedicated thread for the AVR500. I am new to Arcam and only know of them by reputation. I had been considering the Rotel RSP-1570/RMB-1575 combo vs the Marantz AV8003/MM8003 combo for both home theater and 2-channel use as I have auditioned these units but was compelled to look into the Arcam AVR600 after reading several glowing reviews. While the extra 20w per channel is welcome, the feature set of the AVR500 fits my needs more closely and I am happy to save money where I can. I would appreciate any knowledgeable input regarding the following questions:

1) Can I expect the AVR500 to embody all the sonic attributes of the AVR600?

2) Can this receiver really equal the sonic abilities of a separate pre/pro and amplifier, especially the ones I've listed above? One review I read (referenced on Arcam's website) goes so far to suggest that the AVR500's big brother (the AVR600) "gives me the finest sound I have heard in my life, from any system. Ever. Anywhere. Regardless of price. Period." Quite frankly, I find this hard to believe and even suggests that this receiver is at least as good as Arcam's own separates (AV888/P777).

3) As I listen to a lot of digital music off of my computer (typically lossless formats), I am interested to know whether the AVR500 (with the optional network interface) functions as an outboard DAC in this situation or relies on my computer's DAC and merely streams music. Obviously, the latter scenario would be much less desirable.

4) I know one of the benefits of class D amps is that they run cooler and more efficiently than class A/B amps. What about the class G amp in the AVR500?

Thanks!