Changing receiver from Arcam to?


Hi

I have a Vandy HT system, Hsu VTF 2 sub. (2Ce, VCC-1, VSM-1) with Toshiba DVD as source, and Arcam AVR 200 receiver. Interconnects is MIT Terminator. Speaker cables is AQ Type 4.

My buddy is taking my receiver as he needed a good 220V receiver and I have to replace my receiver.

I am also thinking of setting up my computer as my transport and hopefully also play SACD and DVD A on it (not sure if that is possible).

Receiver wise

1. I can replace with another Arcam 200 or upgrade to a 250 or 300. I am not sold on Arcam, like the sound but don't like that I cant input SACD, DVD A digitally plus not sure it will handle bass.

2. Buy a receiver like the Pioneer Elite with iLink and either get Pioneer Universal or try to to link with my computer with Firewire.

3. Buy a cheap receiver with digital power amplification (think its the way of the future and has gotten increasingly better reviews) hopefully with a way to input SACD/DVA digitally but even if not I can sell and upgrade easily in a year or two.

Given all of these, which of these, or other options should I consider. Don't want to spend the money on separates as in a HT system get 80-90% of sound with a receiver much cheaper.

Thanks a lot for advice

Shriram
shriramosu
You might consider B&K. I've heard the AVR 200 and I like my upgraded 307 better. More power, better bass mangement.
You cant do SACD digitally except through proprietary connections like the Pioneer, Denon, or Sony solutions. Cheap digital receivers process everything through their dacs and would degrade the sound of SACD and DVDA. If you are only going to do DVD and music get a good 5 channel passive pre and a good 5 channel power amp. Use the DVD players decoders and your set.
I suggest you audition the Arcam AVR300, which is quite an improvement over the AVR200 (which is a nice enough receiver BTW, but the 300 is in another league altogether - much much better).

I have heard the B& K, and owned various Marantzes and Denons.

The AVR300 is the best solution I've heard for both HT & music by a large margin without investing $$$$ in separates. I'd try one and check out the feature set - this receiver deserves its rave reviews.