ARCAM Radia AV Receivers & Processors Review: Dirac ART, Design, and Performance! (2026)

ARCAM's new Radia AV receivers and processors, powered by Dirac ART, offer a compelling blend of performance and design. With a 50-year legacy in audio excellence, ARCAM's latest offerings are a testament to their commitment to delivering exceptional sound quality and immersive experiences. The AVA15, AVA25, AVA35, and AVP45 receivers, along with the PA9 and PA4 power amplifiers, showcase a bold and distinctive design language, featuring black casework and yellow accents, and high-resolution 6.5-inch color displays. This design approach, while potentially divisive, adds a touch of individuality to the AV market, moving away from conventional, perhaps even boring, aesthetics. The new models support Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and AURO-3D, ensuring a wide range of immersive audio formats. High-resolution streaming support includes TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay, and Google Cast, catering to various user preferences. All models are officially Roon Ready, a feature that is becoming increasingly common in the industry. The AVA15, AVA25, AVA35, and AVP45 also support Dirac Live, with Dirac Live Room Correction, Dirac Live Bass Control, and Dirac Live Active Room Treatment (ART) available as upgrade licenses. Dirac ART is a game-changer, actively coordinating all speakers to enhance bass performance, timing, and overall clarity, pushing home cinema systems to their full potential. The AVA25 and AVA35 feature substantial toroidal linear power supplies, ensuring stable and consistent power delivery, while the AVA35 boasts an upgraded DAC architecture, promising superior 2-channel performance. The AVP45 processor, with single-ended and balanced outputs, offers Matrix Channel Assignment for flexible speaker setups, and the PA9 power amplifier, using Class G amplification, delivers controlled and precise performance. The PA4 power amplifier, housed in a 1U slimline chassis, is designed for height, surround, or second-zone speakers. However, the potential downside lies in the limited channel count for subwoofers, which may not provide the same flexibility as competing products from Denon and Marantz. Despite this, the ARCAM Radia AV models are set to be available from Q3 2026, and the PA models from Q4 2026, marking a significant step forward in ARCAM's AV electronics portfolio.

ARCAM Radia AV Receivers & Processors Review: Dirac ART, Design, and Performance! (2026)
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