Group test: AV receivers

Overview: Price: £1,000 Website: www.arcam.co.uk Size (WxHxD): 150x430x420mm Weight: 16kg Decoding: Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital EX, DTS, DTS-ES Matrix, DTS-ES Discrete, DTS 96/24 Processing: Dolby Pro Logic II, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, DTS Neo:6 Analogue inputs: 7 Digital inputs: 3 electrical, 3 optical Plus points: Beautifully composed performance with both movies and music Minus points: No-frills features

Arcam AVR250
Homegrown manufacturers may be few and far between in a land dominated by Japanese giants but British audiophile expert Arcam has preserved a prestigious niche by concentrating solely on sound performance.

Unlike other receivers in this class, the AVR250 isn't over laden with an endless list of features. In fact, a summary of the specifications is seen as standard even in some receivers at the opposite end of the price spectrum. Sure, there's seven-channel compatibility, a comprehensive set of connections and the usual surround processing suspects but there are few frills in such a feature-obsessed market.

Perhaps Arcam has realised that, like mobile phones, many features often go unused and its approach centres around sound quality. Although the meager power rating of 75 watts per channel may have been designed with the smaller room in mind, the sound is big on overall performance. Film soundtracks are delivered with outstanding detail and depth that shows no discrimination between ambient intricacies or superficial special effects. Sounds are seamlessly steered around the room to create a beautifully composed and enveloping experience. And the AVR250 is one of a rare breed of receivers that can translate its ability to music with both multichannel and stereo tracks sounding superior to any of the other receivers tested.

If sound performance is a priority and you're not fussed with features the AVR250 is the purist's preference.

Overview: Price: £1,000 Website: www.denon.co.uk Size (WxHxD): 170x430x430mm Weight: 17kg Power rating: 7x120W Decoding: Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital EX, DTS, DTS-ES Matrix, DTS-ES Discrete, DTS 96/24 Processing: Dolby Pro Logic II, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, DTS Neo:6 Analogue inputs: 10 Digital inputs: 2 electrical, 5 optical, D-Link Plus points: Equipped with everything under the sun; smooth, natural sound performance; automatic installation Minus points: Still struggling to find any

Denon AVR-3805
Denon is regarded as the 'granddaddy' of affordable AV receivers with an entire range of models that marries a typically smooth sound with an exhaustive array of high-end features.

The AVR-3805 is equipped to the eyeballs with more functions than you'll find in your average airplane cockpit. Of course, there are seven channels of sound each offering 120 watts of power and all the latest surround processing formats. But there's also an automatic calibration system supported by a room EQ set up that accurately adjusts all speaker settings according to your environment. Connections include a D-Link interface that, like FireWire, allows the uncompressed transfer of high-resolution digital audio from a compatible DVD player. And, there's even a clever touch screen remote that only illuminates when you're using it. Undoubtedly impressive on paper, but what's it like in practice?

Denon receivers are renowned for their warm, refined sound and the AVR-3805 is no different. Even at high volumes using the most challenging scenes the sound never loses its composure or seems like it's even breaking a sweat. Surround effects are beautifully balanced and cohesively steered around the room, while dialogue is doused with natural expression that combines to create an ultimately realistic experience. And using the digital D-Link connection acts to enhance depth and detail even more.

Denon has done it again - outstanding performance supported by a huge sum of specifications.

Overview: Price: £1,300 Website: www.pioneer.co.uk Size (WxHxD): 188x420x464mm Weight: 21.2kg Power rating: 7x120W Decoding: Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital EX, DTS, DTS-ES Matrix, DTS-ES Discrete, THX Surround EX Processing: Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, DTS Neo:6 Analogue inputs: 10 Digital inputs: 2 electrical, 3 optical, i.Link Plus points: Fully-fitted; automatic set up; excellent all-round ability Minus points: Lacks a little authority

Pioneer VSX-AX5Ai
Like the Denon AVR-3805, Pioneer's VSX-AX5Ai is packed to the hilt with a horde of high performance features that reads like a comprehensive list of home cinema innovations over the last couple of years.

There's an improved automatic calibration system that takes into account room reverberations, a full suite of advanced surround sound formats, THX certification prescribed by George Lucas himself, and connections that include i.Link direct digital audio transfer and a USB port for playing music from your PC - to name but a few from a fistful of features. Pioneer claims each of the seven channels offers 120 watts of amplification but the company notoriously use a less stringent means of measurement so it's best to take those figures with a pinch of salt.

And, in action, it's clear that the Pioneer cannot command the same unadulterated authority mustered by the Denon. Nonetheless, the VSX-AX5Ai puts in a classy performance characterised by a superb sense of spaciousness that comes courtesy of subtle steering, outstanding detail and an even-handed ability to separate the slams from the subtleties. And there's a wonderfully expressive midrange that instills both film dialogue and musical lyrics with real emotion.

Unless you're looking to turn it up to a Spinal Tap 11, Pioneer's VSX-AX5Ai is capable of class-leading performance and equipped with all you could ask from a home cinema receiver.