You can, of course, hook up your own hi-def source to the Solo as there are two HDMI inputs capable of switching up to 1080i signals. However, they are not version 1.3, so there's no way of getting lossless sound. I would also have liked a third HDMI in, but the two-into-one component switching is pretty good compensation.

With Arcam's Muso speaker range not available during my audition I was free to choose another. I used my Miller and Kreisel array - which are often difficult to drive - with great success. Budget systems often claim outrageous power ratings, but Arcam's claim of 50W RMS to each speaker is genuine. There's plenty of volume and headroom on offer to achieve an authentic home cinema surround sound.

With all of my sources connected up, the Arcam is a joy to use as the main switching box ,and it looks great under the TV in place of the DVD player, amp and tuner. All this convenience makes me feel uneasy, but there is no compromise. All of the sources, particularly the DVD player, look and sound fantastic.

The puffed up press release proclaims it 'the world's best one-box home cinema system' and for once, I'm inclined to agree.