Conclusion Area DVD: The Arcam AVR 550 is a device for multichannel enthusiasts who desire an acoustic experience that is unparalleled and sets new standards. This is precisely the case with the AVR 550, starting with Dirac Live as a top-notch room correction system. While it does require some time and ideally a bit of technological know-how, a PC is essential – but the results are worth every effort. Even challenging acoustic conditions in the listening room and/or poorly positioned speakers – to a certain extent – are effectively managed by Dirac.

Dirac Research comes from professional technology, and the principle behind this highly advanced room correction system is different from what we typically see in consumer AV receivers. A PC or Mac is essential to use the room correction system. Additionally, the PC, rather than the AVR, is used for calculating the optimal filter curves. The advantage: the immense computing power required for these calculations does not need to be present in the AVR. Of course, the AVR still needs to make the corresponding adjustments, but initially, the optimized curve from the PC is transferred to the AV receiver after Dirac has completed its work on the PC.