How does the new Denon 8500 rate against the Arcam 850 amp?

[Deleted member 2457]

Hi there, can anyone answer this? Thanks. Gel

 

[bigboss]

Arcam's DIRAC is superior. But in reality, you really cannot compare. Both cater to very different needs. If you don't need amplification for 13 speakers, then no point in getting the Denon.

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Arcam's DIRAC is superior. But in reality, you really cannot compare. Both cater to very different needs. If you don't need amplification for 13 speakers, then no point in getting the Denon.

Cheers BB, how about the Marantz 8012 and the Denon 6400?

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Could you also stick a Arcam A49 amp and a Arcam 950 processor together for an av receiver?

 

[bigboss]

Could you also stick a Arcam A49 amp and a Arcam 950 processor together for an av receiver?  

You can drive only 2 speakers with Arcam A49.

 

[bigboss]

Arcam's DIRAC is superior. But in reality, you really cannot compare. Both cater to very different needs. If you don't need amplification for 13 speakers, then no point in getting the Denon.

Cheers BB, how about the Marantz 8012 and the Denon 6400?  

Both have 11 channels of amplification and not needed if you don't have Atmos. Denon 7200W is a better bet.

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Thanks for the top advice as always BB.

 

[abacus]

There’s a review on AVForums.

Bill

 

[bigboss]

There’s a review on AVForums.

Bill

I think that's how he got the idea.

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Indeed it was.

 

[bigboss]

Indeed it was.  

The main reason it got "reference" status is because it has no direct competition. It's the only 13 channel amp on sale today.

 

[FunkyMonkey]

Indeed it was.  

The main reason it got "reference" status is because it has no direct competition. It's the only 13 channel amp on sale today.

The main reason it got reference status was that it sounds fookin awesome. Read the review not the numbers.
But yes it does have a USP.

And the Audyssey Vs Dirac debate is worth a read on the aforementioned review's discussion page.

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Here we go:

https://www.avforums.com/review/denon-avc-x8500h-13-2-channel-av-amplifier-review.14693

 

[bigboss]

Indeed it was.  

The main reason it got "reference" status is because it has no direct competition. It's the only 13 channel amp on sale today.

The main reason it got reference status was that it sounds fookin awesome. Read the review not the numbers.
But yes it does have a USP.

And the Audyssey Vs Dirac debate is worth a read on the aforementioned review's discussion page.

The review itself says that Arcam 850 is better. How did it get reference status then?

 

[FunkyMonkey]

Indeed it was.  

The main reason it got "reference" status is because it has no direct competition. It's the only 13 channel amp on sale today.

The main reason it got reference status was that it sounds fookin awesome. Read the review not the numbers.
But yes it does have a USP.

And the Audyssey Vs Dirac debate is worth a read on the aforementioned review's discussion page.

The review itself says that Arcam 850 is better. How did it get reference status then?

That is one they also mention PERFORMANCE, price, features.
Even if money no object, the Arcam will not give you 7.2.6, not even with external amplification.

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Looks really nice:

https://www.denon.co.uk/uk/news/news/480

It just says B&W speakers, I wonder what price point B&W speakers it can handle? Thanks

 

[FunkyMonkey]

Looks really nice:

https://www.denon.co.uk/uk/news/news/480

It just says B&W speakers, I wonder what price point B&W speakers it can handle?  Thanks

Why?

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Just in case I can find a really good deal on some really high end speakers. I would imagine it could handle them though because in the WHF review of the Denon 6400, it says it’s suited to handle high end speaker packages and this one is the next one up.

 

[Series1boy]

I have x6200 Gel and it should have DV update soon and it is mint, but I am denon fan and very biased. The 6400 will be fantastic choice, but then there is the x4400 too..

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Oh yeah, I forgot you had a nice Denon amp Series. Nice one. Cheers.

I am sure the 6400 would suit all my needs, hard to believe most of the Pioneer amps used to cost £1000 back in the day, like the Pioneer flagship model the Pioneer Vsx-lx70 amp, now they cost all sorts. But the amount of speakers I need the Denon 6400 would be perfect. And my Pioneer 81 amp was £1500 when first released, now the Pioneer sc-lx901 is £2500 and owned by Onkyo! Can’t see me getting Pioneer amp now, so Denon is top of my list.

 

[Series1boy]

Oh yeah, I forgot you had a nice Denon amp Series. Nice one. Cheers. I am sure the 6400 would suit all my needs, hard to believe most of the Pioneer amps used to cost £1000 back in the day, like the Pioneer flagship model the Pioneer Vsx-lx70 amp, now they cost all sorts. But the amount of speakers I need the Denon 6400 would be perfect. And my Pioneer 81 amp was £1500 when first released, now the Pioneer sc-lx901 is £2500 and owned by Onkyo! Can’t see me getting Pioneer amp now, so Denon is top of my list.

i did have a x4100 and I only upgraded because of the missing dtsx and it could only do a 5.1.2 for atmos.

the new x4400 is pretty much the same as my x6200 and has a 5.1.4 atmos. I’d go for the x4400 and is £879 at peter Tyson reduced from £1499 and is a really good quality amp!

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Oh yeah, I forgot you had a nice Denon amp Series. Nice one. Cheers. I am sure the 6400 would suit all my needs, hard to believe most of the Pioneer amps used to cost £1000 back in the day, like the Pioneer flagship model the Pioneer Vsx-lx70 amp, now they cost all sorts. But the amount of speakers I need the Denon 6400 would be perfect. And my Pioneer 81 amp was £1500 when first released, now the Pioneer sc-lx901 is £2500 and owned by Onkyo! Can’t see me getting Pioneer amp now, so Denon is top of my list.

i did have a x4100 and I only upgraded because of the missing dtsx and it could only do a 5.1.2 for atmos.

the new x4400 is pretty much the same as my x6200 and has a 5.1.4 atmos. I’d go for the x4400 and is £879 at peter Tyson reduced from £1499 and is a really good quality amp!

Cheers.

 

[FunkyMonkey]

Oh yeah, I forgot you had a nice Denon amp Series.  Nice one.  Cheers.   I am sure the 6400 would suit all my needs, hard to believe most of the Pioneer amps used to cost £1000 back in the day, like the Pioneer flagship model the Pioneer Vsx-lx70 amp, now they cost all sorts. But the amount of speakers I need the Denon 6400 would be perfect.  And my Pioneer 81 amp was £1500 when first released, now the Pioneer sc-lx901 is £2500 and owned by Onkyo!  Can’t see me getting Pioneer amp now, so Denon is top of my list.  

i did have a x4100 and I only upgraded because of the missing dtsx and it could only do a 5.1.2 for atmos.

the new x4400 is pretty much the same as my x6200 and has a 5.1.4 atmos. I’d go for the x4400 and is £879 at peter Tyson reduced from £1499 and is a really good quality amp!

I have the 4300 and the 4400 is a slight step up,so a definite bargain.

Unless you need 13.2, best choice under a grand by a country mile.

Gel,what speakers you got now?

 

[bigboss]

If I had a 5.1 system, I would look at Anthem MRX 520. More channels theoretically compromises overall performance. I would get the best 5 channel AVR for the money.

 

[buzz_lightclick]

If I had a 5.1 system, I would look at Anthem MRX 520. More channels theoretically compromises overall performance. I would get the best 5 channel AVR for the money.

Agreed- hasn’t Gel just got a 5.1 system?

So no point him buying the Denon X8500 or even the X6400.

Something like the Yamaha 1070 might be enough.