Arcam AVR 100 replacement, Yamaha DSP AX863 SE or Denon 2309?

[admin_exported]

Looking to upgrade my Denon 1940 to a blue ray player, and my Arcam AVR100 to something suitabe to decode high def audio. Prob go for the Pana DMP BD35 blue ray player. Was looking at the above receivers, but wanted to know how they would compare sound wise to my ageing Arcam. I currently have the front speakers(B&W DM 601 s3) amplified by my Arcam A65 plus via pre outs from the AVR100. The receiver amps the surrounds (B&W MT M-1), centre, (LCR60 S3), and subwoofer (REL Quake). QED silver anniversary speaker cable. Will either of the above receivers produce a sound to better the Arcam, or will I need to spend more? Would I be better to connect the fronts with the receiver when purchased? Would I still need to connect my optical cable(Chord optichord) from my Sky HD box? My tele is a Pioneer PDP-428XD. Also my current HDMI from my Denon and Sky HD is an Ixos XEN XHT658. Should I stick with this and buy another to go from the receiver to the Pioneer, or is it worth considering changing to the Chord 1.3 Silver Plus?

 

[Anonymous]

If you're looking at that price, definitely take a look at the Yamaha 1800 and 3800's which are heavily reduced at the moment. These will do a better job than an 863, and have more features and better connectivity.

 

[Anonymous]

Wouldnt you be better waiting for a new HD Arcam? I'm not sure but would think you'd be going backwards on sound quality with either the Denon or Yamaha.

 

[Anonymous]

Not really, the AVR100 was a bit poor compared to recent Arcams.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Damien Buckley:Wouldnt you be better waiting for a new HD Arcam? I'm not sure but would think you'd be going backwards on sound quality with either the Denon or Yamaha.

No, you can get the Arcam AVR350 for £599 and it doesn't offer the gadgetry that is around nowadays. The Denon will without doubt be a big step up from the AVR100. And the new HD Arcam is around £2300!!

 

[Anonymous]

Okay, cheers guys, as much as I would love my new amp to be an Arcam one, spray painters don't earn that much money!!! Now swaying towards the Yamaha rx-v1800 or the Denon 2309. Will need to demo these, but you know what its like ; Its not your living room is it? And you just never know until you open that box and hook it all up. I'm hoping that I will hear a step up in sound, especially from the HD audio.