Thanks Clare, it sure is a shame. The amp sounds great but Arcam seem have let their customers and themselves down in their eagerness to release and make money. I lost count how many times I had to re-boot mine over the weekend. It's just not good enough for an amp costing £3500!
jase fox
Well-known member
Sorry to hear about your troubles with your amp, your absolutely right as it isnt acceptable for a new amp costing 3.5k to crash etc your more patient than what i would be as i would of more than likely of taken it back & got something different, sod waiting for firmware for that money...
My 600 also suffer from numerous problems. It doesn't recognise the Oppo on HDMI until I switch to another input and then back again, when turning it on. It outputs garbage to the screen so that I have to switch the screen off and on again for a new handshake and then it syncs ok. It's annoying, doesn't detract from the outstanding performance, but really seriously needs looking at in firmware.
HDMI has too much control over products. There should not be any need for me to even have my screen connected to the amp in order to listen to an SACD over HDMI, but the AVR600 won't play the audio unless you switch the screen on. Why? I have no idea at all.
There are serious failings with this machine's usability. Oppo have updated their firmware several times to fix issues and this is in stark contrast to other companies like Pioneer who took six months to release a DTS MA decode capability to their players. Arcam appear to be taking the Pioneer route.
At the very least they should keep their customers informed of firmware progress and which issues they're working at resolving.
And, yes, I've been in touch with them. Very helpful in terms of contacting me back, but no firmware updates as of yet. Come on Arcam!
HDMI has too much control over products. There should not be any need for me to even have my screen connected to the amp in order to listen to an SACD over HDMI, but the AVR600 won't play the audio unless you switch the screen on. Why? I have no idea at all.
There are serious failings with this machine's usability. Oppo have updated their firmware several times to fix issues and this is in stark contrast to other companies like Pioneer who took six months to release a DTS MA decode capability to their players. Arcam appear to be taking the Pioneer route.
At the very least they should keep their customers informed of firmware progress and which issues they're working at resolving.
And, yes, I've been in touch with them. Very helpful in terms of contacting me back, but no firmware updates as of yet. Come on Arcam!
jase fox:sod waiting for firmware for that money...
I am tempted not to hang around any more, it grates everytime it freezes or you stop playing a disc and then resume to find the volume level has lowered - how much did I pay for this privilege. Trouble is there's no obvious direct replacement, certainly where stereo sound is concerned, I'm guessing I'd go with the Yamaha DSP-Z7 and save some money.
I am tempted not to hang around any more, it grates everytime it freezes or you stop playing a disc and then resume to find the volume level has lowered - how much did I pay for this privilege. Trouble is there's no obvious direct replacement, certainly where stereo sound is concerned, I'm guessing I'd go with the Yamaha DSP-Z7 and save some money.
After purchasing my Z7 I spoke to my retailer and mentioned that I was thinking about selling the yammy and getting an Arcam, he told me to stick with the Z7 as through his years of dealing with Arcam and Arcam products he found them to be very unreliable and said I would spend most of my time sending it back.
pete321:
Apparently firmware 1.9 is in beta testing and will hopefully be available next week.
From the sounds of it mate, 1.8 is still in beta testing as well. You just didn't know you had to pay £3500 to become a beta tester.
I feel for ya.
Apparently firmware 1.9 is in beta testing and will hopefully be available next week.
From the sounds of it mate, 1.8 is still in beta testing as well. You just didn't know you had to pay £3500 to become a beta tester.
I feel for ya.
We've got Arcam engineers in at the moment, discussing through the issues - and having latest firmware applied to our AVR600. Once they're finished, we'll be able to give you our prognosis....
Clare Newsome:We've got Arcam engineers in at the moment, discussing through the issues - and having latest firmware applied to our AVR600. Once they're finished, we'll be able to give you our prognosis....
Have you experienced the same issues with your test AVR600, other than the speaker pops and bangs which seem quite common? The more serious issues I've had are freezing requiring a mains re-boot or different sound levels if play stopped and re-started again.
Have you experienced the same issues with your test AVR600, other than the speaker pops and bangs which seem quite common? The more serious issues I've had are freezing requiring a mains re-boot or different sound levels if play stopped and re-started again.
pete321:
Apparently firmware 1.9 is in beta testing and will hopefully be available next week.
Just had confirmation from Arcam - next release will NOT be generally available next week, and won't be 1.9 - it'll instead be a 1.8 point release.
Arcam engineers have agreed to give us a list of all-known issues to date, plus the issues the next firmware fix will tackle - we'll publish that list here as soon as we receive it.
In the meantime, we have amended the verdict of our review to include warning of the firmware issues - and will continue to update that as/when. As also previously mentioned, Arcam's ability to fix these issues will be reflected in any ongoing recommendation/featuring of the receiver.
Apparently firmware 1.9 is in beta testing and will hopefully be available next week.
Just had confirmation from Arcam - next release will NOT be generally available next week, and won't be 1.9 - it'll instead be a 1.8 point release.
Arcam engineers have agreed to give us a list of all-known issues to date, plus the issues the next firmware fix will tackle - we'll publish that list here as soon as we receive it.
In the meantime, we have amended the verdict of our review to include warning of the firmware issues - and will continue to update that as/when. As also previously mentioned, Arcam's ability to fix these issues will be reflected in any ongoing recommendation/featuring of the receiver.
pete321:
Clare Newsome:We've got Arcam engineers in at the moment, discussing through the issues - and having latest firmware applied to our AVR600. Once they're finished, we'll be able to give you our prognosis....
Have you experienced the same issues with your test AVR600, other than the speaker pops and bangs which seem quite common? The more serious issues I've had are freezing requiring a mains re-boot or different sound levels if play stopped and re-started again.
At the moment the more serious issues appear to be based on interoperability issues between particular brands/products - in other words, you only experience them using a certain combination of products, and even when those products are used in a certain way.
Again, Arcam will supply us with known compatibility problems in the fix-list we'll publish here.
Clare Newsome:We've got Arcam engineers in at the moment, discussing through the issues - and having latest firmware applied to our AVR600. Once they're finished, we'll be able to give you our prognosis....
Have you experienced the same issues with your test AVR600, other than the speaker pops and bangs which seem quite common? The more serious issues I've had are freezing requiring a mains re-boot or different sound levels if play stopped and re-started again.
At the moment the more serious issues appear to be based on interoperability issues between particular brands/products - in other words, you only experience them using a certain combination of products, and even when those products are used in a certain way.
Again, Arcam will supply us with known compatibility problems in the fix-list we'll publish here.
Hi pete321,
Thanks for the pointer to this forum. I will be interested to see how this pans out.
Thanks for the pointer to this forum. I will be interested to see how this pans out.
pete321: Trouble is there's no obvious direct replacement, certainly where stereo sound is concerned, I'm guessing I'd go with the Yamaha DSP-Z7 and save some money.
Assuming you don't use the EQ in the AVR-600 and your BD player will output LPCM, get a refund, save yourself £1000 and but the Audiolab 8000AP/X7 combo. Stellar stereo and stellar surround performance and the few bugs there were on launch have long since been fixed.
Assuming you don't use the EQ in the AVR-600 and your BD player will output LPCM, get a refund, save yourself £1000 and but the Audiolab 8000AP/X7 combo. Stellar stereo and stellar surround performance and the few bugs there were on launch have long since been fixed.
Clare - can I ask why a £3,500 with known compatibility problems still gets 5 stars? I would have thought that you would either reduce it by a star or suspend its rating until they sorted (or didn't sort) out the issues?
It's a situation under review while we assess a) the true extent of the issue and b) how fast/well Arcam move to address it.
When in full flight, the Arcam remains an awesome performer, even at that price - people looking for an all-round receiver should understand its potential and audition one, even if the current firmware issues deter them from buying it at this point.
Personally i'm depressed that HDMI issues - for all kinds/prices of product- continue to cause so many problems. What a 'standard'
When in full flight, the Arcam remains an awesome performer, even at that price - people looking for an all-round receiver should understand its potential and audition one, even if the current firmware issues deter them from buying it at this point.
Personally i'm depressed that HDMI issues - for all kinds/prices of product- continue to cause so many problems. What a 'standard'
Clare Newsome:
It's a situation under review while we assess a) the true extent of the issue and b) how fast/well Arcam move to address it.
When in full flight, the Arcam remains an awesome performer, even at that price - people looking for an all-round receiver should understand its potential and audition one, even if the current firmware issues deter them from buying it at this point.
Personally i'm depressed that HDMI issues - for all kinds/prices of product- continue to cause so many problems. What a 'standard'
Couldn't agree with you more, across the board on this one. It is an awesome amp. And it's great that Arcam are working on fixing it. Please do publish that list of known issues and planned fixes. As an owner, I'd be very keen indeed to read it. Thanks Clare.
It's a situation under review while we assess a) the true extent of the issue and b) how fast/well Arcam move to address it.
When in full flight, the Arcam remains an awesome performer, even at that price - people looking for an all-round receiver should understand its potential and audition one, even if the current firmware issues deter them from buying it at this point.
Personally i'm depressed that HDMI issues - for all kinds/prices of product- continue to cause so many problems. What a 'standard'
Couldn't agree with you more, across the board on this one. It is an awesome amp. And it's great that Arcam are working on fixing it. Please do publish that list of known issues and planned fixes. As an owner, I'd be very keen indeed to read it. Thanks Clare.
As another AVR600 owner, I would also like to see this list printed. The only trouble I've experienced so far (touch wood), is I have a slight delay on audio returning when pausing/rewinding SkyHD. I spoke to Arcam, said they were aware of this, and err, were working on a fix. Other than that I'm over the moon with it.
Sounds to me like the software was designed by a Mr.B Gates, release the product and then let your customers beta test it for you
For that sort of money you would expect there to be no issues what so ever, but at least they are working on fixing the bugs. Hardly suprising though when there are so many combinations of equipment being used with the amp. It's the same with alot of electronics these days, the actuall electronics are usually very reliable but the software/firmware on the other hand is another story.
For that sort of money you would expect there to be no issues what so ever, but at least they are working on fixing the bugs. Hardly suprising though when there are so many combinations of equipment being used with the amp. It's the same with alot of electronics these days, the actuall electronics are usually very reliable but the software/firmware on the other hand is another story.
I've always liked arcams kit and I've been seriously contemplating the '600. My budget, however, is more around the 'Z7- not that stretching to the arcam is out the question, just more than I want to spend right now with some uncertainty about the immediate future. So given the issues it's kind of a blessing, as I CAN'T ABIDE buggy products. They tend to get physically assualted.
Sort it out, arcam.
Sort it out, arcam.
Maybe i've just been lucky but i've had my avr600 for nearly 5 months now and never had any problems yet. And it does sound fantastic!
pioneer krp600a, pioneer blu-ray bdp-lx91, arcam avr600, B&W 683, 686
pioneer krp600a, pioneer blu-ray bdp-lx91, arcam avr600, B&W 683, 686
Iv had the Arcam600 for a while now and for the money very unhappy. Loud noises when turning off/on 1st one sent back to Rayleigh hi fi and replaced. Second one Loud noises and lip sync way out, had to keep turning off/on as froze all time. Did firmware upgrade and then the sytstem went loopy. Same problems but sound was affected through sky, wouldnt play sound on extras, remote turned tv off etc.....it is back with ARCAM AT MOMENT and Im still waiting three weeks later...lucky iv got 5 year warrenty
Hi all, I'm a relative newcomer back to the world of HiFi and want to replace my old system. It seems like a good idea to get one that you can use for both regular music and for surround/movies etc.
It seems like the Arcam AVR500/600 is in a class of its own here, and so I'm very tempted to stretch the budget.
BUT - there is a lot of talk about these reliability issues.
It there anyone out there that can sum up the position as of today?
Thanks.
B&W 604s2. 20 year old Technics separates. Great turntable though......
It seems like the Arcam AVR500/600 is in a class of its own here, and so I'm very tempted to stretch the budget.
BUT - there is a lot of talk about these reliability issues.
It there anyone out there that can sum up the position as of today?
Thanks.
B&W 604s2. 20 year old Technics separates. Great turntable though......
I've had mine mine for 4 months now and am generally really happy with it, the only thing that is causing me concern is the on/off switch, which is a bit iffy, I just keep it on standby all the time and then turn off at mains. I get the odd slipght popping noise when switching sources but it doesnt bother me too much.
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