What AV amplifier for 4 x b&W + centre

Maybe look for a Krell Trio 3-channel amp to do your front stage.  The use the Arcam for surrounds.  The Krell is likely very close to the Arcam sound.   Or get the Arcam PA720 amp if you want to match the sound exactly.

the Classe 5300 will have a different sound.  Cleaner and more neutral than Arcam.  Arcam has a somewhat smooth and liquid coloration in my opinion.  However, I did try Classe once in my system with B&W D3 and the sound was rather flat/sterile.  Caphill feels completely differently though.

there are other amps that would do well with B&W

Questions. Do you have a budget in mind? Do you need support for 4K and/or HDR? Support fo Dolby Atmos? Room correction?

Sorry, I’ve been out of town and driving/traveling a lot.

For your budget and requirements, the Krell Foundation 4K comes to mind. It’s $7500 retail and about $4500 used. Make sure to get the latest "4K" model. The earlier model does not support 4K. The Foundation has excellent power supply and audio stages - excellent audio resolution. It is only a 7.1 processor, so you are paying for probably the best 8 channel processor that still supports 4K (everything else is already doing 13-15 channels). Krell has it’s own ARES room correction, which is pretty good but it’s been said that others are better. That being said, the Krell does not support HDR (high dynamic range, which is extended color depth). If HDR is a requirement, you will need to look elsewhere.

If you want HDR, maybe look at a used McIntosh MX-160 (probably around $8-9k). It’s based on the Lyngdorf DSP/processing board and software, but uses all McIntosh power supply and DAC/analog stages. The configuration flexibility is excellent for a processor. The room correction system is supposed to be very excellent.

Alternatively, I have heard that the Audiocontrol M9 has excellent sound (retail $8900). However, the configuration flexibility is somewhat limited (i.e. you can only do a global subwoofer crossover frequency settting, etc.).

A NOTE: I am not a fan of room correction. I prefer doing acoustic treatments and very minor manual EQ if I can. However, others love room correction.

Well, I guess it depends on how current you want to be and how current your sources actually are.  The MX-170 does support those newer HDMI standards, but the retail is $15.5k.  That is, if you want to be in the "always get the cutting edge" technology mindset.

@mayoradamwest - why would you call MX-160 old tech?  It does use the new Lyngdorf DSP/processing hardware.  

The MX-150/151 is the "older tech" platform.

Well, I agree that Marantz AV8805 is an excellent product for the cost.  However, it's important to know that it carries the Marantz "sound", which is warm and full, but has softened high frequencies.  Some people may not get the visceral impact/excitement that they are expecting if they choose this processor.  That being said, it is likely to be an excellent pairing with fast amps such as Bryston and fast/bright speakers such as Monitor Audio or KEF.  It is just too warm sounding for neutral systems.

Hmmm, just be aware that most dealers that have the MX-160 will likely have it all hooked to only McIntosh amplifiers.  I do know for a fact that the Mac amps are very laid back in the midrange (and overall).  It will NOT sound like your Classe 5300 and you could actually be dissappointed because of the lack of excitement from the Mac amps.  This may or may not be a result of the MX-160 processor, so if they can hook it to higher resolution amps, it will give you a better idea of what it will sound like in your system.