ARCAM New AV Receivers & Processors w Dirac ART!

After the success of the ARCAM Radia stereo electronics, including the excellent ARCAM A25 Integrated Amplifier reviewed by Gene DellaSala in 2023, ARCAM is back with the first AV products in the Radia Series. These new products replace the AVR11, AVR21, AVR31, and AV41, which were launched in 2022. The new AV lineup adopts the yellow-accented design language used in the ever-growing Radia Series, which was recently updated with the addition of the ARCAM Radia+ integrated amplifiers. The new Radia AV lineup includes three receivers — the AVA15 ($4,499.95), AVA25 ($5,499.95), and AVA35 ($6,999.95) — plus the 16-channel AVP45 processor ($5,999.95), the PA9 9-channel power amp ($4,999.95), and the 4-channel PA4 power amp ($1,499.95). ARCAM is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and the company views these new AV electronics as a continuation of a legacy that began with 1995’s Xeta 1, which the Cambridge-based brand calls “the world’s first audiophile AV amp. The distinctive industrial design of these new products might divide opinion — it’s certainly not as aesthetically “safe” as the unassuming gray models of yesteryear. But while some brands seem happy to stick with conventional, perhaps even boring design (looking at you, Denon), it has been refreshing to see companies like Marantz, JBL, and now ARCAM offer up AV electronics with individual style worth showing off. I definitely wouldn’t feel compelled to hide these new Radia components away in an AV closet, or even stuff them in a rack. These components are packed with features, and we expect excellent performance from ARCAM, but the styling might be the single most appealing factor for some customers. I am a big fan of the bold Radia design language, with its black casework and yellow accents, and the new models add high-resolution 6.5-inch color displays. The displays make it much more appealing to interact with these electronics up close, but when you’re across the room, the ARCAM Radia App reportedly simplifies everything from initial setup, to programming and selecting presets, to streaming music from your favorite streaming service. ARCAM has always offered great hardware, but some previous generations of its AV electronics suffered from glitchy software. I expect these new models to be much improved in that area.

All of the new models support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, and all but the AVA15 also support AURO-3D. (We’re still waiting to see if the new Pure Audio Streaming service can breathe new life into AURO-3D with the promise of lossless immersive audio, but it’s a nice feature to have, just in case.) High-resolution streaming support includes TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, and Spotify Connect, plus Apple AirPlay and Google Cast. All models are officially Roon Ready — a great feature, and one that is becoming more common now that Roon is owned by ARCAM’s parent company, HARMAN. All Radia AV models support audio up to 24-bit/192kHz for the audiophiles, and Bluetooth 5.4 with Auracast for the casual user.

The AVA15, AVA25, AVA35, and AVP45 all support Dirac Live, and my understanding is that all come with Dirac Live Room Correction included, with the option to add Dirac Live Bass Control and Dirac Live Active Room Treatment (ART) by purchasing upgrade licenses from the online Dirac store. These are the first ARCAM products to support ART, which enables advanced system-wide optimization that goes beyond traditional room correction by actively coordinating all speakers to improve bass performance, timing, and overall clarity.

ARCAM has long been recognized for delivering sound that honors the integrity of the original recording. With Dirac Live Active Room Treatment coming to the Radia Series AV models, ARCAM customers will be able to experience a new level of low-frequency precision, clarity, and immersion. Together, we’re enabling home cinema systems to perform at their full potential, regardless of room constraints or speaker layout.

— Fredric Tapper, Dirac’s Vice President and Head of Business Development

The Radia Series has already resonated strongly with customers for its musical performance and distinctive design. Bringing Dirac Live Active Room Treatment to our first Radia AV models ensures that music, movies, and immersive formats are reproduced with exceptional control, depth, and realism in real-world living spaces.

— James Todd, Senior Global Product Line Manager for ARCAM at HARMAN

ARCAM Radia AV Models

Radia AVA15 ($4,499.95)

The entry-level AVA15 offers 9 channels of Class D power rated at 75W into 8 ohms with all channels driven (20Hz – 20kHz). It has 12 channels of processing and flexible speaker assignment for additional subwoofers, height, or surround speakers.

Radia AVA25 ($5,499.95)

The AVA25 offers 9 channels of Class AB amplification rated at 100W into 8 ohms with all channels driven (20Hz – 20kHz). Upgrades over the AVA15 include a substantial toroidal linear power supply for stable, consistent power, “enabling controlled performance for larger rooms or demanding speakers,” according to ARCAM. The AVA25 also offers 16 channels of processing, instead of 12.

Radia AVA35 ($6,999.95)

The AVA35 also offers 16-channels of processing and 100W of power across 9 channels, but the amplification here is ARCAM’s signature Class G, with twice the efficiency of Class AB, according to the company. This should translate to more usable power on demand, while maintaining a sound closer to traditional Class A. Class G technology delivers controlled, precise performance and consistent output across the full dynamic range, according to ARCAM. This AVR also offers Matrix Channel Assignment for flexible speaker configurations. Compared to the other receivers in the Radia Series, the AVA35 features an upgraded DAC architecture — the same used in ARCAM’s stereo gear. This suggests that the AVA35 should offer better 2-channel performance than its less-costly siblings.

Radia AVP45 Processor ($5,999.95)

The AVP45 Processor is a sixteen-channel preamp/processor with single-ended and balanced outputs, Matrix Channel Assignment for flexible speaker setups, and the same upgraded DAC architecture as the AVA35. It also includes a stereo Zone 2 output.

Radia PA9 Power Amplifier ($4,999.95)

The PA9 is a 9-channel power amplifier using Class G amplification “optimized for efficiency, low distortion, and confident headroom on demand,” according to ARCAM. Specs were not yet available as of the time of writing, but I understand that the PA9 will at least match the 100W output of the AVA35. With the benefit of a dedicated power supply, the PA9 promises “controlled, effortless power across all channels, enabling high-channel immersive setups to perform at their best,” according to the company.

Radia PA4 Power Amplifier ($1,499.95)

The slim PA4 is a 4-channel Class D power amp housed in a 1U slimline chassis. It is intended to power height, surround, or second‑zone speakers with “clean, confident power,” according to ARCAM. It can be used with any of the other Radia AV products to expand the system as needed.

The Radia Series has resonated with our customers for its musical excellence and superb design. We’re excited to extend those strengths into the AV category, bringing the same musical integrity to movies, TV, and immersive home entertainment.

— Scott Campbell, Director of Sales and Marketing at ARCAM

ARCAM Radia AV Electronics: A Potential Downside?

We have only just learned about these new products, and frankly, they look awesome. But there is already a potential downside worth pointing out. Competing products from Denon and Marantz include 4 dedicated subwoofer outputs, but these new Radia products appear to have only one dedicated sub out. There is the option to assign other preamp output channels to be used for additional subwoofers, but this reduces the total number of speakers than can be used in the system. For example, the AVA25, AVA35, and AVP45 all have 16 channels of processing, but if you use 4 subwoofers, that leaves only 12 channels for loudspeakers. That will suffice for most users, and is enough for a 7.1.4 system with 4 subwoofers. But for those with larger theaters, both the 16-channel Marantz AV 10 processor and Denon AVR-A1H receiver enable the use of an additional 3 loudspeakers while still using 4 independent subwoofers. Maybe you want an extra pair of height channels, or a pair of front wides. Either way, the ARCAM components don’t provide quite as much flexibility for these larger installations as some of the competition. For many users — myself included — these channel-count limitations will be a non-issue.

The ARCAM Radia AVA and AVP models will be available from authorized ARCAM dealers from Q3 2026. The PA models are scheduled for Q4 2026. More information: ARCAM