This 12 months has signified a shifting tide on this planet of dwelling cinema receivers, as mainstay gamers equivalent to Denon and JBL have been succeeded by Sony and Arcam. In a market rocked by fluctuating costs and competing know-how, producers have been required to be daring and step up their sonic recreation. And two most definitely did.
So what made the Sony and Arcam so good? And what did these two fashions do higher than their competitors? This is the total lowdown.
Let’s begin with the Sony TA-AN1000, which has earned itself the celebrated title of “Finest dwelling cinema amplifier below £1500”. Honestly, we had an inkling that this AV amplifier was a candidate for this Award again in April once we first examined it. Nonetheless, consolidated this with additional testing in opposition to rivals from the likes of Yamaha and Denon, and it seems we have been proper.
That is really the primary Awards listing to not characteristic a Denon AV receiver since 2015, which simply goes to point out how the model has dominated the class over one of the best a part of a decade and the way particular the Sony is to oust it from the entry-level award. The Sony is pricier than the Denon AVR-X2800H albeit cheaper than the AVC-X3800H whereas additionally outperforming each. Subsequently, we deemed it to be the candy spot between these two five-star dwelling cinema amplifiers, thus eliminating each.
It is also the primary time since Sony has been on this coveted listing since 2020, as that 12 months signified the top of the legendary Sony STR-DN1080’s prolific run on in our yearly Awards lists. Keep in mind that the legendary AVR launched in 2017, which means the DN1080 spent 4 years on the high of our dwelling cinema receiver listing. This additionally implies that the TA-AN1000 was practically seven years within the making, and there was an agonising three-year look forward to a successor when the DN1080 went out of manufacturing.
So was the wait price it? Unequivocally, our reply is sure. The TA-AN1000 is a sonic marvel, with weighty, impactful dynamics and crisp, detailed and exact sound that solely will get higher the extra we use it. Pair that with a bunch of streaming smarts, HDMI 2.1 with 4K/120Hz functionality and help for HDR within the Dolby Imaginative and prescient, HLG and HDR10 codecs, and we’ve a characteristic set to match the formidable sound.
However the Sony is not the one inspiring story on our Dwelling Cinema Amplifiers Awards listing, as Arcam enjoys success with its AVR31 (pictured beneath). Launching final 12 months and narrowly lacking out to the JBL Synthesis SDR-35 in our 2022 Awards, the Arcam lastly sees its time to shine.
The 2 AVRs have been so intently matched in our testing final 12 months, however after a troublesome name, the JBL edged out the Arcam because of the barely higher sound and minor worth disparity. Nonetheless, the SDR-35 has simply been phased out for an almost identically sounding and significantly costlier mannequin, which means we struggled to justify the marginal sonic enhancements this time round.
That is to not say that the Arcam is the default winner that was solely chosen for that reason, because the AVR31 received its well-deserved ‘Finest Dwelling Cinema Amplifier over £1500’ Award by itself benefit. In our five-star assessment, we praised its clear and spacious sound, HDMI 2.1 connectivity for avid gamers and attention-grabbing construct, making it a surprising premium choice for these seeking to energy their dwelling cinema speaker system.
Able to delivering as much as 16 channels of processing over seven channels of amplification, the AVR31 has virtually each characteristic you may want together with help for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, IMAX Enhanced and Auro-3D, in addition to Dolby Digital Peak, DTS Neural:X and DTS Digital:X for techniques with out peak audio system. You may additionally discover HDR in the entire present codecs (Dolby Imaginative and prescient, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG) in addition to VRR and ALLM for satisfying avid gamers enjoying on the latest-generation consoles. That is additionally a streaming-savvy AVR, with help for streaming through Google Chromecast built-in, Apple AirPlay 2, Bluetooth aptX HD, Free MusicLife, helps MQA, Roon Prepared, Tidal Join and Spotify Join – catch all that?
So what has the What Hello-Fi? Awards Finest Dwelling Cinema Amplifier class taught us this 12 months? We suppose it is that good issues come to those that wait, as each Sony and Arcam can bask within the limelight after biding their time and perfecting their craft. Each are wonderful choices in case you’re seeking to drive cinematic sound in your house theatre or lounge setup.
MORE:
Learn our full Sony TA-AN1000 assessment
And our full Acram AVR31 assessment
This is our full listing of What Hello-Fi? Awards 2023 winners
And take a look at our picks for the finest dwelling cinema amplifiers
