Processor Shootout Arcam AV9, Lexicon MC12, Proceed AVP2, Upgrade Company Onkyo SC885

[welwynnick]

Hmmm, this reviewing stuff is hard work, at least while it’s not my day job. Setting up takes a long time; there are so many things to get wrong. The Onkyo is relatively straightforward, and even though I’m familiar with it, I had a hard time even getting analogue audio out of it. There are so many settings and connections that may be right or wrong, so I compiled a list for the record:

1. Listening mode
2. Digital input
3. Audio select
4. Pure audio
5. Monitor out
6. Input assign
7. Audio TV output
8. TV control enable
9. HDMI control
10. Speaker settings
11. Muting
12. Headphones
13. Zone 2/3 output
14. Record out
15. Bi-amp output
16. Power amp
17. Interconnects
18. Not to mention other pitfalls like 3800 LFE output level or auto DRC on the 885 L
19. And yes, I do use pure audio mode on the 885 J

And each processor has its own way of doing things, of course. It’s difficult to fit listening in around the family, so I've decided to split the system and have a separate review system in a different room. This should give some more flexibility, and I'm free to use the best speakers. Don't know why I didn't think of that before.

I haven’t fired up the Arcam yet, but I’m keen to do so, as it’s a keeper prospect. It has HDMI video switching, which is convenient, and most important of all, there’s a multi-channel audio input. The AVP-2 doesn’t have that, although there’s an AVP-2 +6 version that does have this, and is worth rather more. Realistically, the Proceed is in the frame because it’s the sound quality yardstick. Without multi-channel inputs, I can't keep it, even if the best system sound came from the 3800 SE plus AVP-2 with analogue connections.

Dave, I look forwards to hearing what you think of your Pioneer!

Nick