Ресиверы — Arcam AVR21

The Arcam AVR21 sits at the high-power end of Arcam's HDA receivers, and its seven amplifier channels are derived, according to Arcam, from the designs used in the company's stereo amplifiers. Its surround decoding reaches 16 channels for Dolby Atmos, Auro-3D and DTS:X, and video switching is HDMI 2.1 with HDCP 2.3.

Key specs that matter

With two channels driven from 20 Hz to 20 kHz below 0.02% THD, rated continuous power is 110 W per channel into 8 ohm and 175 W into 4 ohm. Measured at 1 kHz with 0.2% THD, two channels deliver 125 W and 190 W, while all seven together give 90 W and 110 W. The A-weighted noise figure, referenced to 100 W, is quoted as 100 dB normally and 110 dB in Stereo Direct, with residual hum and noise under 0.15 mV. Stereo line inputs take a maximum of 4.5 V rms, present 47 kohm and offer user-adjustable sensitivity of 1, 2 or 4 V, with a line response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz held to 0.2 dB. Width, depth including terminals and height including feet come to 433 x 425 x 171 mm, and the unit weighs 16.6 kg net.

Engineering and use context

Arcam fits an over-engineered toroidal transformer for real world power with low noise, and digital conversion uses two ESS 9026PRO DACs supported by ESS reference voltage regulators. Seven HDMI inputs are joined by three HDMI outputs, including one for Zone 2, and eARC is supported. All inputs carry 8K at 60 fps and 4K at 120 fps, with Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10 and HLG passed through. Streaming options include Google Chromecast, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Bluetooth aptX HD and UPnP through the free MusicLife app, and the receiver is Roon Ready with MQA decoding. Wi-Fi, Ethernet, RS232 and IR handle connection and control. Peak consumption is 1.5 kW, typical idle is 100 W and standby stays below 0.5 W, and in the carton the receiver weighs 19.9 kg. Supplied items include a calibration microphone, a DAB/FM aerial and three antennas for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Pairing

Preamp outputs run at 1 V rms nominal, reach 5 V rms at most, have a 560 ohm source impedance and measure -100 dB THD+N, which lets a separate power amplifier or powered speakers take the channels beyond the internal seven. The headphone output reaches 5 V rms into 32 ohm with an impedance under 100 ohm.

Alternatives

The Arcam AVR11 is the lower-powered HDMI 2.1 receiver in the same HDA series, with a lower power rating and two HDMI outputs.