ARCAM has announced its new range of home theater solutions for 2022, made up of the ARCAM AVR11, ARCAM AVR21 and ARCAM AVR31 AV Receivers; and for him ARCAM AV41 AV Processor. The Cambridge manufacturer describes its new devices as the “The most complete AV equipment we have made to date, allowing the user to fully experience the latest AV technologies while enjoying the exciting musicality of ARCAM”. And it is that the new models include features that we have all been waiting for, such as compatibility with images up to 8K at 60fps.
The truth is that we have been a couple of years in which it is difficult to talk about AV receivers. The shortage of components has made it very difficult to get a new team, in addition to having also caused the uncontrolled rise in prices. But technology is advancing and manufacturers want to keep improving their devices. And the truth is that the new AV receivers were waiting like rain in May, not only to see if they had a better stock (which we doubt will happen in 2022, honestly), but also to solve the well-known problem of HDMI 2.1 . A problem that, at least on ARCAM’s part, seems to be completely fixed in the new series..
ARCAM AVR11, AVR21, AVR31 and AV41: HDMI 2.1 with support up to 8K and much more
The great novelty of the 2022 ARCAM AVR and AV models is, without a doubt, the incorporation of full HDMI 2.1 connectors. All models incorporate 8K@60fps video support, plus AURO-3D, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, DTS:X, HDCP2.3, and HDR10+.
All four also support Apple Airplay2, Bluetooth with aptX HD, Google Chromecast, MQA, Spotify Connect, Roon, and TIDAL Connect. When it comes to digital-to-analog conversion, the ARCAM design team has included in all models two ESS9026PRO audiophile DACsalong with ESS reference voltage regulators.
As you can imagine, the new ARCAM AVR11, AVR21, AVR31 and the AV41 maintain the Dirac Live room correction system. All models are also ready for Dirac Live Bass Control, a system that automatically maximizes the speakers’ low-frequency performance.
Regarding amplification, both the ARCAM AVR11 As the AVR21 they have seven channels of class AB amplificationwith 7 x 85 watts per channel (with all channels activated) and 7 x 110 watts per channel (with all channels activated), respectively.
On the other hand, the AVR11 has a native 12 channel decoding and his older brother adds another four, which means that the AVR21 can work with up to 16 channels. Another difference between them is that the AVR21 has three HDMI outputs compared to the two that the AVR11 equips, thus offering the option of a zone 2 configuration.
The top model of the range, the ARCAM AVR31has seven channels of class G amplification. The G-Class implements multiple power supplies to alleviate any power issues the device may have. That is, if the AV receiver is receiving a dynamic signal that exceeds the capacity of the first power supply, the secondary supply is gradually added up to full rated power as needed.
The manufacturer has not published the amplification power that the ARCAM AVR31 has, but we do know that, as we mentioned, it has 7 amplification channels and that it is capable of working with up to 16 channels. Equipped with 7 HDMI 2.1 inputs compatible with 8K@60fps and 4K@120fps, as well as three HDMI outputs with the possibility of managing a second zone.
Finally, the ARCAM AV41 is a high-performance AV processor that supports everything that AVRs support. Its rear panel provides balanced XLR outputs so that we can connect the 16 channels to the corresponding power amplifiers.
ARCAM AVR11, AVR21, AVR31 and AV41: price and availability
In short, ARCAM has renewed its AV receivers to add the features that we all expected in previous models. As you have seen in the images, the design of the new models is practically identical to that of the previous generation.
The new ARCAM AVR11, AVR21, AVR31 and AV41 will go on sale in the second quarter of the year, between April and June. As for the price, the ARCAM AVR11 will have an official price of €3,199the AVR21 from €4,599 and the AVR31 will have an official price of €6,899. the processor AV41 It will be sold with an official price of €5,399.
