Cobaltturbo, I hope the original poster takes our subjective remarks and suggestions for what they are, subjective.
When I suggest going with a 7.1 system I usually mention room size is not an issue and regardless of the quickly growing amount of available 7.1 media that simple 5.1 productions on both disc and broadcast can sound much more surrounding when matrixed through a capable 7.1 system. The LCR somehow become more discrete in locating on screen audio queues than with 5.1. I can't speak of the actual way the matrixing is accomplished other than to say the side channels seem to bridge the left and right channels with the rears widening the screens sound stage and creating a rear that's more peripheral. The effect is amazingly uncanny and far more fun than 5.1. Another variable I can't speak of is just how much the quality of the room correction being used plays into the success of matrixed 7.1.
When auditioning for my current HT I too found the Arcam to provide a very nice audio presentation. Ultimately, I passed on Arcam. When pushed to more realistic volume levels its output became somewhat congested similar to the Integra unit I was replacing. It also lacked a comprehensive automatic time, EQ, and volume balance room correction program in favor of Dolby Volume processing and gain management.
When I suggest going with a 7.1 system I usually mention room size is not an issue and regardless of the quickly growing amount of available 7.1 media that simple 5.1 productions on both disc and broadcast can sound much more surrounding when matrixed through a capable 7.1 system. The LCR somehow become more discrete in locating on screen audio queues than with 5.1. I can't speak of the actual way the matrixing is accomplished other than to say the side channels seem to bridge the left and right channels with the rears widening the screens sound stage and creating a rear that's more peripheral. The effect is amazingly uncanny and far more fun than 5.1. Another variable I can't speak of is just how much the quality of the room correction being used plays into the success of matrixed 7.1.
When auditioning for my current HT I too found the Arcam to provide a very nice audio presentation. Ultimately, I passed on Arcam. When pushed to more realistic volume levels its output became somewhat congested similar to the Integra unit I was replacing. It also lacked a comprehensive automatic time, EQ, and volume balance room correction program in favor of Dolby Volume processing and gain management.
