Arcam AVR-280 v Onkyo TX-SR875

admin_exported

New member
Aug 10, 2019
2,556
4
0
Visit site
Hi All,

I am considering purchasing a new AV system to go with my Panasonic TH-42PX70. I am caught between the Arcam AVR-280 and the Onkyo TX-SR875 to go with Monitor Audio Radius speakers (3xR250s at the front and 2xR90s at the rear).

The Onkyo obviously wins on the features list but as I will not use the receiver for HDMI switching, upscaling or for HD Audio decoding I am more interested in the out and out sound quality. Does anyone have any experience of these boxes that they can tell me about to help me decide?

Cheers

Mogster
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
I am auditioning these two amps linked up to a Monitor Audio system comprising of RS8, RSLCR, RSW12,RSFX wired up with silver anniversary XT on Thurs 13th. I have a PS3 and a Sony RDR-HXD970 already, but am told the 875 will upgrade the picture better as well.

If the Onkyo is musical enough to my ears will probably buy the system. Will let you know how I get on.
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Thanks for the reply. Just to throw this into the mix, you can now buy the AVR-280 for £600 from Superfi.

Let me know how the audition goes.

Cheers
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
I bought the Arcam after doing that comparison. The sound reproduction, particularly from CD was much better from the Arcam when auditioned with Kef, Epos and Quad speakers.
 

Clare Newsome

New member
Jun 4, 2007
1,657
0
0
Visit site
We've tested those two and yes, the Arcam is definitely the most musical. The Onkyo whips it for movies, however. All depends on your priorities!
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Brought my audition forward and went over to Wilkingson's Hi Fi today in Nelson.

I took with me my own PS3 along with a Tacima C5939 6 mains conditioning block, Meridian 207 CD/Pre amp and Kimber mains cables. Oh, and music from Bach, David Gray, Pink Floyd, Dire Straits.

Watching / listening to the Panasonic 42" / Onkyo on Casino Royal (blue ray) I was disappointed with both the visual performance and the sound track. My own Samsung LE46M86 plugged into the mains conditioner is better in all respects giving higher detail, definition and vibrancy. I didn't think the PS3 was on the optimum settings, nor was the room balance set up properly. The Onkyo sound lacked openness and sparkle from the mid range upwards. Bass was tight and controlled but the system wasn't singing along and sounded closed in. I was surprised by this as I have recently heard the 605 with Kefs IQ7's/ Alumni which was very good on cinema.

Switching over to music transformed everything. Even the PlayStation sounded passable on Cd's! The tone, dynamics and balance created a listenable sound. Linking my Meridian up lifted everything up onto a level where one just drifts off into pure listening pleasure with the sound staging, openness, sweetness, detail and placement being excellent. I had brought the 207 across with the thought of buying the Roksan Kandy thinking it would be better....... it wasn't any more musical, its slightly more aggressive (without being harsh) a little more clinical. Prefered my 207, so that was a result! It brought home to me that there is little gain to be made (over the years) on high quality bits of kit, its just that nowadays top notch sound is much cheaper to buy.

So I kept my Meridian, bought the Onkyo 875/ Monitor Audio RS8, RSLCR, RSW12, RSFX and didn't bother listening to the Arcam. Was not fussed about the poor Blue Ray performance as I am sure it is just a "setting up properly" issue and the musicality is spot on if you feed it with a good power supply / CD source and speakers. The Silver series are the best match I have heard on music for larger rooms producing an effortless detailed sound at this price level.

They are coming over on Monday to set it up for me, got a great deal on price, paid £2180 in total including 30mtrs of Silver XT with airlock plugs and quality sub lead. (RRP around £3385). Hope my review helps, I have been listening to quality Hi Fi for over 30 years and have done my fair share of modifications with high end components on Quad, Cyrus, Audiolab, Marantz MA6 Monoblocks, Rogers.

http://www.wilkinsons.tv/
 

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts