New Products

Arcam Previews ‘Entry-Level’ AVR with 7.1.4 Processing, Dirac Option

Arcam, the Samsung/Harman-owned British audio electronics maker, has announced a new “entry-level” AV receiver featuring seven channels of Class AB amplification, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X decoding for a 7.1.4 speaker layout with upmixing from Dolby Surround or DTS:Neural:X, and the option of adding Dirac Live room correction.

At $2,000 (without Dirac), the AVR5 will be Arcam’s least expensive AVR when it hits store shelves in November and is anything but entry level in the traditional sense with seven HDMI inputs that support 4K HDR passthrough as well as Dolby Vision and HLG high dynamic range (HDR), HDCP 2.2 copy protection, and enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) connectivity. Like all Arcam AVRs, the AVR5 can be upgraded to HDMI 2.1 for passing uncompressed 8K video through all of its inputs and outputs.

The receiver decodes MQA files and supports wireless streaming via Bluetooth aptX HD, Apple Airplay 2, Google Cast, and Spotify Connect. In addition, it is certified as Roon Ready, ensuring full compatibility with the Roon music-management software favored by audiophiles. Harman’s MusicLife app enables playback and control of the receiver via Android and iOS devices in addition to facilitating internet radio, music streaming, and podcast listening.

A pair of ESS HyperStream II (ES9026PRO) digital-to-analog converters (DACs) make the AVR5 ready for low-noise playback of hi-res audio files. Rated power output is 60 watts per channel into 8 ohms or 85 watts in to 4 ohms with all seven channels driven (at 1 kHz with 0.2% THD).

The AVR5’s sparse front panel features a large volume knob and spacious display, a row of 10 buttons for handling a variety of tasks, a power button, and two 3.5mm minijacks — one for headphones, the other for auxiliary hookups. Around back there five digital audio connections (two coaxial, three optical), six analog inputs, a set of analog preamp outputs for use with an outboard power amp, and two HDMI outputs in addition to the aforementioned seven HDMI inputs.

For more information, visit arcam.co.uk. Click here for information on activating one of four Dirac Live options, all of which are being offered at a 50% discount through the end of March 2022. Prices start at $100 for a limited bandwidth version of the room-correction system and scale up to $649 for the “all-in-one package” featuring full-frequency correction and Dirac Live Bass Control.

McIntosh Targets Whole-House Audio with New Amp

McIntosh, the iconic audio brand that has been building power amps for seven decades, just launched a low-profile amplifier designed to power up to 12 speakers in a whole-house audio system.

Expected to ship any day, the $4,000 MI1250 pairs a series of closed-loop digital switching amplifiers with “extremely robust power supplies” in a 2U rack-mountable chassis with detachable ears. McIntosh says the amp, rated to deliver 12 x 50 watts into 8 ohms or 90 watts per channel into 4 ohms with 0.05% THD, is built to “produce performance levels rarely achieved in distributed audio.”

McIntosh’s Power Guard signal-overload technology prevents speakers from being overdriven, while Sentry Monitor short-circuit protection guards against unsafe operating levels. A 12-volt trigger automatically turns other connected McIntosh components on and off and signal sensing is used to turn the amplifier on when a signal is present and off when no signal is detected for a specific a period of time.

A row of LEDs below the illuminated McIntosh logo indicates the status of each channel. Around back, dual-pin Phoenix-style push terminals are used for each (unbalanced) speaker connection. Each channel has its own volume control and each channel pair has a dedicated set of inputs, which can be set to mono or stereo.

The MI1250 has two digital audio inputs — one optical, one coaxial — and two sets of Bus inputs and outputs for distributing a stereo signal to multiple outputs or amplifiers.

For more information, visit mcintoshlabs.com.

Andover Launches Step-Up Turntable

Andover has added a new turntable to its Spin System series of audio components aimed at music lovers who want a simplified stereo setup.

A step-up from the $349 SpinDeck, the new SpinDeck MAX ($599) is a fully automatic, belt-drive turntable fitted with a low-mass tonearm and Ortofon OM10 phono cartridge with a 1.5g tracking force. It has an aluminum platter and MDF base supported by shock-absorbing feet and features a rubber-isolated, low-vibration DC motor with electronic servo regulation to minimize wow and flutter and ensure speed accuracy.

The turntable is available in black or white and includes a clear acrylic dust cover. For more information, visit andoveraudio.com.