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Arcam DiVA AVR300 Advanced Cinema Receiver £1299.90 (4/5/2004)

From the UK's leading AV manufacturer, the first AV receiver with the heart of an audiophile amplifier. Separates power of 100 Watts rms x 7
- all channels driven simultaneously.

Power and music quality are where most AV receivers in this class disappoint; Arcam begs to differ and the AVR300 does a lot more than crash and boom. This is a very high performance 7.1 audiophile component, that makes use of the experience gained designing Arcam's £5500.00 FMJ AV8/P7 combo, to deliver both superb quality on music and dramatic dynamics from movies, without compromising the advanced videophile feature set required by today's AV marketplace.

Overall digital circuitry is state-of-the-art: the master DSP is the new Crystal CS49400, with 24-bit and 32-bit processing; the audio DACs, ADCs and volume controls are all 24 bit devices from Wolfson Microelectronics.

Support is included for all current audio decoding, including DTS 96/24, Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Pro Logic IIx & more. Video supports both component, RGB and S-video, and includes upconversion from composite or S-video to component or RGB to help minimise the number of cable runs to a display. Three component / RGB video inputs are available, all with sufficient bandwidth for HDTV. A programmable master audio delay of up to 220 milliseconds permits use of digital displays without loss of lip sync.

Both the stereo and multi-channel performance of the AVR300 are exceptional, made possible by a huge toroidal power transformer and seven identical ultra low distortion power amplifiers designed to audiophile standards. There is a direct signal path for both stereo signals and the 7.1 multi-channel input. Power output is 120 Watts per channel into 4 or 8 ohms (two channels driven) and 100 Watts per channel with all seven channels driven. The most noticeable result is the absolute clarity and stability of the soundfield, regardless of volume.

Pre-amp outputs are available and an independent second zone, with stereo line level audio and composite video, is supported. Two-way RS232 control is built in as standard; which also enables system software updates.

The AVR300 is designed to have fine aesthetics and look attractive in domestic surroundings; to this end it is available in silver or black finishes. It is also surprisingly compact with a front profile of 430 x 145 mm (17 x 5.75 inches) and an depth of approximately 450mm (18 inches). It is supplied with a backlit learning remote control.

Note - the AVR300 does NOT replace the £799.90 AVR200, which continues in production.

Analogue Audio

- 100 WPC continuous power output into both 4 and 8 ohms, with all 7 channels driven simultaneously at 1kHz.
- Stereo output power over 120 WPC into 4 or 8 ohms, 20Hz - 20 kHz.
- Huge toroidal power transformer and 48,000 microfarads of reservoir capacitors.
- In 5.1 systems the 6th and 7th channels are assignable to the front L & R for bi-amplifying or driving zone 2.
- Audiophile quality components for best sound quality, including 1% metal film resistors, polypropylene film capacitors, OSCON electrolytic capacitors and double sided, through-plated fibreglass circuit boards.
- Pre-amp outputs for all 7 channels and subwoofer plus Multi-channel 7.1 analogue input for DVD-A or SACD.
- Stereo direct switch bypasses (and disables) all digital processing for 2 channel analogue sources.
- 7 stereo analogue inputs (plus tuner); 3 tape outputs (one a tape loop).
- Zone 2 stereo audio, from stereo inputs or internal tuner. Source and volume control independent from main outputs.
- Built in FM/AM RDS stereo tuner with 30 FM and 16 AM presets.

Digital Audio

- State of the art Crystal Semiconductors CS49400 DSP, with 24 bit fixed point double precision Dolby Digital and DTS decoding and 32 bit fixed point double precision bass management. 4 layer PCBs.
- Wolfson Microelectronics 24-bit 192kHz DACs, stereo ADC and precision electronic volume controls.
- Dolby Digital EX, Pro Logic IIx (including full music mode), DTS 96/24, DTS-ES Discrete and Matrix 6.1, DTS Neo 6.
- 6 Arcam-optimised surround effects for 2 channel (Music, Party, Club, Concert Hall, Sports and Church).
- Adjustable crossover switching from 40 Ð 130 Hz in 10 Hz steps.
- Separate sub woofer level settings for film and stereo. Bass and treble EQ, both global and for each of 7 main channels.
- 6 fully assignable digital inputs, 3 co-axial, 3 optical; 1 coaxial & 1 optical output.
- Assignable audio delay, from 0 Ð 220 milliseconds, to compensate for video delays in digital displays or DVD players.

Video

- 5 composite and 5 S-video inputs; 3 fully buffered outputs of each type (monitor output and 2 tapes).
- 3 100MHz bandwidth component video inputs and 1 monitor output (these may be configured to support RGB, with sync on composite video, for use in European TV systems; no other AV receiver does this to the best of our knowledge).
- On screen display for all menus; configured as full page or mixed with video. Works on all types of interlaced video output.
- Video up conversion. Composite to S-video & vice versa via monitor out; composite & S-video to interlaced component video.
- Video up conversion to RGB with sync on composite (SCART compatible) for European TV displays. 12v triggers support S-video, RGB and widescreen switching for SCART equipped TVs. To the best of our knowledge this extraordinarily useful feature set is unique to Arcam.
- Composite and S-video inputs assignable to "non video" audio inputs such as DVD-A / SAT (for tuner) or CD; high quality (component / RGB) inputs each assignable to any audio input.
- Zone 2 composite video output, from composite video inputs.

Custom Install features

- Independent Zone 2 (audio plus video), with fixed or variable volume and parental access control to sources.
- Duplex RS232 control; also suitable for system software updates.
- RC-5 remote input jacks for both zones plus IR pass through for source components
- 12 Volt triggers, on/off for zones 1 and 2 and either SCART control (video in RGB mode) or on / off and video signal sensing (component video mode).

General

- Supplied with back-lit CR80 learning remote control with support for up to 7 other components.
- Large, clear 12 character dimmable VFD front panel display.
- Compact size - 430(W) x 145(H) x 433(D) mm.
- Weight 16.2 kg nett, 21.4 kg packed.
- Available in silver or black.

www.arcam.co.uk