Arcam is rubbish...
I have only had experience with Arcam amplifiers up to the Alpha 9, A65, delta 290 etc so quite old gear now but my experience has been positive. IMO their amplifiers always sound good and the build quality is also excellent, the service department is also very helpful. Sure there have been some silly mistakes even with these amplifiers......the over bias on the standard A65 springs to mind but this is true of all companies. With reference to newer models which are released and then need software updates to fix the bugs this seems to be the way all companies work these days not just Arcam. Sure its frustrating when you first buy one of these products but I think it is OK if they support the product and provide the updates. Unfortunately most of the Arcam amplifiers I see now are Alpha 9's and delta 290's with noisy I/P selectors in need of repair..........well I say unfortunately I am listening to an Alpha 9 which I have just finished doing and it still sounds pretty darn good to me.
...Whcih is one of the reasons why sniping users tend to be reined in fairly swiftly. True, some users have left, and some have been banned for unsuitable behaviour – it's just that the latter tend not to tell it like that when they pop up elsewhere.
Because that is how they see it, sometimes.
Amen.
I don't care about Arcam. Their styling is rubbish though, so shame on any Arcam fans who slagged off the Beresford! 
Interesting that most of the replies have come from older Arcam machines and not the new stuff.
Is know one using the rDAC, surely there are a few out their and that falls into the HiFi catagory if nor how abour the FMJ range of integrated's, any one have one of these? ...
And the AVR250 in my living room is still one of the best-looking surround amps I've seen. Understated and simple, like their FMJ stereo models. The newer AVR models are bulky beasts in comparison, and I don't like their looks, but not the worst I've seen.
No Uniti comes close to how my Solo Mini looks.
Is that a vote in favour of the motion before the house, or against? 
And the AVR250 in my living room is still one of the best-looking surround amps I've seen. Understated and simple, like their FMJ stereo models. The newer AVR models are bulky beasts in comparison, and I don't like their looks, but not the worst I've seen.
You're right - not sure what Al's going on about. They can be accused of a few things but looks and build quality, even entry-level, is spot-on. Allied to that you have a mass of inputs plus very good sound quality and you have a great package.
And the AVR250 in my living room is still one of the best-looking surround amps I've seen. Understated and simple, like their FMJ stereo models. The newer AVR models are bulky beasts in comparison, and I don't like their looks, but not the worst I've seen.
You're right - not sure what Al's going on about. They can be accused of a few things but looks and build quality, even entry-level, is spot-on. Allied to that you have a mass of inputs plus very good sound quality and you have a great package.
I still maintain their Blu-ray player looks like a cheap 80s CD seperate though.
I still maintain their Blu-ray player looks like a cheap 80s CD seperate though.
Ya see? 
Reading a few different posts this morning. Given that Arcam are experiencing firmware problems - very true and frustrating - let's not forget that other companies are suffering/suffered similar probs: Cyrus, Audiolab to mention two...
So i agree that Arcam needs to shape up with their product, they are by no means alone in this area.
From my 2 year experience of 5 Arcam av888's I would say 'Rubbish' as they never worked and even blamed 'something else in my system' for causing the problems...strange thing is my new Anthem D2v works flawlessly and even sounds better?
and now I'm having trouble with the Arcam bdp-100 that I bought when owning my 3rd av888 to make sure that Arcam couldn't blame another manufacturer for things not working?
I was such a sucker!!!
Currently own the rDAC and the A38 (connected to Dynaudio X12 or Sennheiser HD650).
I would describe the Arcam sound as "analytical" as opposed to "lively". It's very natural, detailed, and smooth. Unfortunately, this doesn't match my taste (I prefer to be swept away...something a little more involved). That's not to say Arcam is rubbish; they certainly build excellent products, just the sound isn't for everyone.
Dannycanham: if you're still around, how big a difference was there with the TeddyrDACps compared to the original rDAC power supply?
Considering my lukewarm feelings towards Arcam, I'm debating between upgrading the ps, or simply buying another DAC. I want my orchestral brass to roar, and right now they simply meow.
I still maintain their Blu-ray player looks like a cheap 80s CD seperate though.
Completely agree with that. Its a very nasty looking piece of kit.
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@DavieCee - I can understand your grievance, but isn't that the way of things in electronics? Why would Arcam's bringing out a new receiver with updated Dolby Digital preclude you from buying the brand again on the basis the one you already bought couldn't be updated at a time before firmware upgrades were available?
Onkyo TX-NR818 / Tannoy Revolution DC4 / Marantz SA7001-KI