I ended up with an ARCAM AVR 550. However, I wish I could have afforded to pay $5,800 for the ARCAM AVR 850. Their G technology is incredible, as the first 50 watts are pure A. I had a real problem with their customer support and they are probably the worst in the business. He was a real jerk and hid behind his phone. Not sure what I would buy less because I want to be able to have an amplifier that can handle both 2 channel and home theater. When the time comes I will call upon this group to help direct me.
Difference between amps
OK so let's talk amps. I'm sure this has been addressed before but are there real differences between multi-channel amps among the various brands in the mid-fi to high end markets with comparable specifications? Adcom, Anthem, Classe, Emotiva, Krell, McIntosh, Marantz, NAD, Parasound, Outlaw, Rotel, etc. What are the differences in these brands? I can site one difference. In multi-channel Marantz amps, the specs never state "all channels driven". They are notorius for misleading the consumer with their power output ratings. But that's a marketing decision. What are the real or should I say physical or performance differences among these? .