Hey matey. I had an Arcam AVR 100, with B&W DM601 S3 fronts, the matching centre, REL Quake, and B&w MT surrounds. I upgraded to a Yamaha RXV-1800 to decode hd audio for my forthcoming blue ray player. Let me tell you, straight swap, Arcam out, Yamaha in, the sound difference was awesome. My hi fi is Arcam, and i have always been a fan, but this Yamaha delivers a much more cohesive, entertaining forceful sound. It just seems to have went up a gear or two, no make that three. My whole system has just taken on a new lease of life with better effects steering, slightly more attacking sound, with weghty bass, supreme dialogue, but coupled with eery discreet audio from thrillers, horrors etc when required. Can't recommend this receiver enough, I got mines for a steal, and you could prob get it for around £500 to £600 now. Hope this helps.