Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Denon AVR-4806 vs. ARCAM AVR-350

Here is my situation. My HK7300 has died. I have Axiom M60's/VP150/EP500/QS8. I was mostly happy w/the Surround Performance of the HK, but the music was harsh in what is a fairly bright room. I love the Axiom sound when I had it in a warmer room. Unfortunately, I have modified the room all the wife will allow and now need to mate my Axioms with a Receiver that will help w/some of those highs.

I have read AMAZING things about the Arcam Avr-350, but it does not offer Audyssey EQ. My question is, will the non-EQ'd Arcam potentially sound better than an EQ'd Denon 4806? I have heard the Arcam's are in a different class sound wise, but not sure if the EQ would outweigh the quality for my situation.

Thanks for any guidance. Also, my room is 32x12x10

One of my final choices before going with my current set-up (Outlaw 990/7125) was the Arcam AVR 300 (before they upgraded to the 350). You are right - it is a "giant-killer" in terms of bang for the buck. Kind of like Axioms!

I can't really advise you much, but am curious to hear how this turns out...

Kris, there aren't any miracles in audio electronics and that's about what it would take for a receiver such as the 350(as well as the newer 280)which has no special room equalization circuitry, to help with your situation. You'd be well-advised not to take seriously those "amazing" things you've read. Reality is that, along with all other competantly designed receivers which are engineered with the basic object of meeting the proverbial goal of "a straight wire with gain"(i.e. simply making the signal louder without adding any audible sonic characteristic of its own)the 350 has an audibly flat frequency response and can't do anything to help correct a too live listening room.

Although the majority of views seem to favor the Audyssey system, some have found that it didn't help their situation. It can be said, however, that there's at least a possibility that it could help with your room acoustics, while there's no such possibility with the Arcam. You might try one of the current Denons, or consider the new units with the full Audyssey system which are coming out in the next month or two(e.g. Denon 3808 and 2808, Onkyo 805 and 705).

Well said JohnK.

Is there a difference in the new up and coming Denon's (3808) and the Audyssey implementation in the 4306/4806?

No, at least not as far as is known. By "full" I was differentiating from the simplified Audyssey system(fewer measuring points, no sub equalization)found, for example, on the Onkyo 604 and which will also be on the new 505 and 605.

What about the Outlaw 990 and the new Axiom Amp.
The Denon 48xx is $4000usd
and the Outlaw 990 $1000usd and the Axiom AMP I belive is around $3000usd

John has once again brought some clarity to a topic. Based on what you are looking to spend, an extra $40 for a simple Radio Shack SPL meter will provide better results than an embedded EQ system.

John's post, in my opinion, is completely true and accurate.

Another brand you might want to consider is Emotiva. Although I have never heard them myself, they are getting rave reviews and are quite inexpensive for what you get. I personally will be purchasing their products as soon as I move into a bigger, more soundproof place.