Looking for a used AUDIOPHILE AV Receiver

I heard an Arcam a couple of years ago, recently after auditioning Ayre and Audio Research.

I have to say, I wouldn't be too upset if I had to trade all of my gear for one of them. Sounded really nice, close to the Ayre's darkness/quiet but also detail and natural air.

Best,

E

Some select comments

(1) I would highlight that ONKYO AVRs as a likely must-to-avoid. It’s HDMI and related motherboard failures are legendary, to the point that the company grudgingly admitted the same. Here is a sampler epic lengthy thread of bad experiences

https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=29836&hilit=Onkyo%2C+another+one+...

(2) ARCAM’s AVR problems were not a simple design deficiency and not any pure engineering FUHBAR. Rather it shared a common issue affecting most AVRs since they were outsourced to be built in the cheapest-you-can-go arena and that triggered the problems: made in China.

Thus was regrettably poor Chi-Fi AVR build quality that was twofold: Cheap quality components subbed in at the ChiFi plants and dodgy assembly workmanship. NOTE: The HDMI boards eventually fail on just about every ChiFi AVR.

It got so bad that ARCAM capitulated and moved back to the UK  its top FMJ AVR unit production initially outsourced to China in face of mounting warranty claims .

The "top" build quality AVRs are regrettably uber-expensive, all north of $6k ( e,g ARCAM AVR 750, KRELL, CARY etc.) they perform top-shelf but AVRs change their CODECs and current models quickly become obsolete . The high buy-in cost in the face of rapid obsolescence make them a questionable buy for many of us.

Check out Cambridge Audio for your AVR. You may even find it suitable for 2-channel. You never know.

as per akg, the arcam sounds vg, and you can find "em within your budget, but there is alot of anecdotal scut about their reliability; likewise nad which sound fine when they actually work. i'd opt for anthem, which is significantly better made than its asian peers.

another brand to look out for is rotel.
the rsx-1550 is particularly good sound, no reliability problems.
the only drawback is that it was built for sound and has no luxuries like auto-setup etc.