AVR300 utterly and completely transcends the label and category of AV receiver. It also leapfrogs the category of AV integrated amplifiers. Instead, the Arcam AVR300 takes its place alongside the finest, most expensive high end AV separates, and deserves to be considered with them as its true competition. And even here, in this exalted company, the AVR300 still usually carries off the gold medal for best sonic performance.
      Compared against the world's best, most expensive separate AV surround processors, the Arcam AVR300 is the best sounding. In addition, the AVR300's implementation of the new Dolby Digital PLIIX for video soundtracks gives it an additional leg up on all the high end processor competition. Compared against the world's best, most expensive multichannel analog line sections, the AVR300 (in its comparable analog Direct mode) is one of the two best sounding overall, and places first for the all important sonic aspect of spatial imaging. Compared against the world's best sounding multichannel separate power amplifiers, the AVR300 is sonically their equal overall, and is far and away the best sounding when compared to all such basic power amplifiers selling for anywhere near $1999 (which in the case of the competition gets you only a basic power amplifier, but in the case of the AVR300 gets you a whole receiver tossed into the deal). Thus, the Arcam AVR300 is far more than the world's best AV receiver, and far more than a shatterer of the AV receiver category myth.
      Also, at its modest price of $1999, the Arcam AVR300 is more than a bargain. It is actually five bargains, for the price of one. Even if you were only seeking the world's best sounding multichannel basic power amp anywhere near $1999, the AVR300 would be your best choice and best bargain. Even if you were only seeking the world's best sounding surround processor regardless of price, the AVR300 would be your best choice, and an incredible bargain at $1999. Even if you were only seeking the world's best sounding multichannel analog line section, to add to your high end system of separates, the AVR300 would be one of the two best sounding choices, and an incredible bargain at $1999. Even if you were only seeking the world's best sounding multichannel D/A converter, to add to your high end system of perfectionist separates (using your disc player just as a transport), the AVR300 would be the best sounding choice, and an incredible bargain at $1999. And even if you were seeking only to add, to your high end system of separates, Dolby Digital PLIIX, the milestone breakthrough in surround for video soundtracks, implemented in electronics whose superb spatial imaging can make the most of PLIIX's virtues, the AVR300 would be your best choice, and a bargain way to add PLIIX for just $1999. Of course, the Arcam AVR300 is actually all five bargains, all rolled into one unit, which gives you all five perfectionist high end components for the ridiculous high end bargain price of $1999, plus a tuner, plus the convenience of a receiver.
      The Arcam AVR300 transcends categorization. It is an AV receiver, but it is also so much more. The Arcam AVR300 gets my vote as best product of the year. Not just in one category. Best product of the year, period. So, if you want the best product of the year, once again the Arcam AVR300 is The Answer.

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