I used to have an AV-550 too,however just like the only other reviewer in this section i found the exact same problems. i had distortion in my left surround speaker all the time. it drove me nuts! i tried to take it back to the store and the salesman kept telling me that he never ran across that problem with marantz in the past. After six months and about hundred phone calls, i finally got rid of the piece of junk.
Warning: Before you buy any Marantz products, take them home and try them out!

Good Luck!

none

This is a great product. I picked mine up for $599. and I am really enjoying the sound and the switching flexibility the Marantz gives you.

I have had the Marantz AV-550 for almost 7 months. Actually, this is my second unit as the firt one was returned due to a very annoying hum. The second unit did not hum and has been operating acceptably for 7 months. Overall the unit operates as expected for a $1000 pre-amp. After much listening to CD and watching DVD and LDs I have concluded that the unit has some aspects that make it come up short in performance. The unit has too few digital inputs.
The volume control has to be turned very high to drive my Marantz M-700 and M-500 amps at a realistic level for movies.
The sound imaging and soundstage in stereo mode is poor. Placement of elements in the soundstage is muddy and imprecise.
The unit does not have a mode to run all speakers from a stereo source.
The unit does not have even an adequate mode for three speaker stereo. The sound is reduced to whisper levels in the front speakers and the volume must be increased dramatically; with poor results.
The unit has no switched outlets! This is crazy for any electronic device in this day and time. I cannot autostart my Sony CD player from the remote. This is a pain and could have easily been avoided. If this easily installed and low cost feature was overlooked, what does this say about the more critical electronic components?
The instrument setup lack some fundamental utility such as assigning inputs to specific equipment and the ability to modify the input levels of the individual equipment.
One final negative aspect of operation is that to utilize AC3 playback features of my DVD, I have to do the following:
1. Turn on AV550 which turns on my M500s and M700s.
2. Press the DVD button on the remote twice; press play
3. Press the AMP button; press the COAX button
4. Press the DVD button twice and hope that the preamp will now decode AC3 from the COAX connection to the AV550 from the DVD.
While this may not seem like much of an issue it just pisses me off that I have to do it when the unit should know that I have connected DVD to the COAX connection.

I am still looking for a good preamp that will do music staging and imaging properly; will decode AC3, DTS and do THX for less than $2000. In the mean time I will continue to endure the short comings of this unit.

After listening to the AV 550 and 600, I have to admit the 600 killed the 550!
Do get me wrong, the AV-550 is an excellent buy! For $1000US, it does include the AC-3, good sound, excellent user display and good DVD/DSS interfacing. But soundwise, it wasn't as rich and dynamic as the 600. It didn't have the analog front end of the 600. It also didn't have the THX capability, which there is no way of adding to the AV-550.

The 600 also gives you the option of adding DP-870 giving you AC-3 and all the plugs you would need for DVD, DSS and whatever comes along.

The AV-550 would be prefect for someone who loves movies and wants good music. The 600 is for the audiophile who wants good video with their excellent music.

On a side note:

Just as I was considering picking up the DP-870, I have heard from a reliable inside source at Marantz that they are releasing a follow-up unit to the AV-600 that will have built-in AC-3 and auto peak equalization. It should be out Q1 or Q2 of '99.

Since my local audio shop offers one year trade up at full value, I might test the new unit against a AV-600/DP-870 combo before buying...:)

Here's my system for comparison, or to blow holes in my review..:)

System:

Speakers: Linn 5140s, Tukans, and a 5120 center channel.
Amps: Marantz MA500s (Two of them driving the Tukans in the rear).
Marantz MA700, (Five of them, one for the center channel and 4 bi-amping the 5140s).
CD player: Marantz CD-17 Mark II.
Interconnects: Audioquest Quartz.
Speaker wires: Audioquest Midnight X3s.
Preamp: Marantz AV-600



Steve

Good product for $1000 or less, considering the included remote, which alone is worth $250. This preamp may be an alternative to purchasing a processor - however, the shortcomings in the number of digital inputs, in switching as well as in the audio domain, as described below are true, and need to be considered. I also did not get used to the slight hissing in DPL mode, though in DD it was pretty good.
I had a little more money to spend, and so I brought my unit back to the dealer after two weeks, and purchased a - more expensive - B&K unit (2030), about which I feel better.

However if 1G is all you got, and you want that great remote go fer it...

4 Stars for the price, 3 stars overall totals to 3 stars for me, but may total to more for you.

Paid $500 from a high end shop for this preamp...The best $500 I've ever spent. I am very happy with the Marantz AV 550. Good friend of mine bought one for the same price and convinced me to as well. Glad that he did. Coupled with a Rotel power amp the sound is incredible.

Recently purchased AV-600 and DP-870. I did have a Acurus RL11 preamp. I will say that I have noticed a degredation of sound on stereo from the Acurus when I had them hooked up to a pair of Snell D's. Made the bass not as full and the the high were really bright. I also recently bought PSB Stratus Goldi's and I think the Marantz sounds better than the Acurus. Not sure what to make of this except matching is more important than I thought. On Dolby Pro Logic and DD the sound is incredible. I only give 4 stars, becuase it isn't a lexicon or act 3, or etc. PS-The remote is worth getting no matter what equipment you have, finally my seven remote are 1.
Associated equipment

Acurus A250
Acurus 200x3
Sony DVP-S7000
Pioneer ELite PD-65
PSB-Stratus Goldi's, PSB Stratus C6, PSB Stratus Mini's

AC-3, MK-2000 remote, easy to use, value

Awesome a/v preamp. Lacks the "musical punch" of other audio dedicated preamp(duh!).

I bought mine with an Acurus A-150x3 for about $900.00. Read about the guy who bought it for $290 (holy sh..)that's a real good deal. I loved it as a AC-3 decoder but something was missing musically. Maybe it was me, I have listened to other preamps with my Acurus amp; Counterpoint, Acurus, Bryston, and there was a clear diffrence musically. Maybe the extra couple grand seperating the preamps, and the fact that the Marantz was an A/V pre. So I am branching out and getting an "audio" preamp for upstairs, jeez this is an exspensive vice. The value is incredible, though $1000 new I might been a little disappointed if I would have made the purchase than. The AV-550 is a very, very good pre for $500.00 and below. The remote is easy to use and is like cruise control on a car. One push of the button and kick back and relax. Can't complain much about it. I am very please with its performance. I am still starting out so any of you "veteran audiophiles" that knows where I can get good deals on gear, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!
System:
Marantz AV-550 preamp Monitor Audio (MG-10)front
Acurus A150x3 (Front/Lows,center) A/d/s (rear)
Harmon Kardon PA 2400 (Highs/Front) (lame subwoofer)
B&K ST-140 (Subwoofer)
Theta Cobalt D/A
Marantz 67-Se
Toshiba A100 DVD player

Similar Products Used:

Harmon Kardon PT 2500(not really a good comparison, first A/v preamp for me!)

Great bargin at $400 from Audio Advisor

none given the price

The AV-550 replaced my old AV-600. This was by far my most cost effctive AC-3 upgrade option. Needless to say, the AC-3 blows away Pro-Logic on movies.

I am using MA-700's driving Infinty speakers, Overture-3 left/right front speakers, CC3 Center speaker and Overture-1 left/right rear speakers. My sub is a Velodyne F-1800RII.

Comparing the AV-550 and AV-600 on stereo music, I have to say the AV-550 sounds just as good on my set-up. If you are concerned about the lack of stereo sub outputs, set the sub output to off and try Paradigm's X-30 external crossover. Install the X-30 between the pre-amp outputs and amp inputs for your left & right main speakers. This unit provides more bass managment flexibility than the AV-550 itself and provides stereo outputs if you need them.

Since my main speakers have full range capability, I have always had trouble on the AV-600 getting seamless bass between the front main speakers and sub. The 600 and 550 don't provide a crossover any lower than 80 Hz. The Paradigm provides crossovers of 100, 80 & 50 Hz. The 50 Hz crossover point was a huge improvement with the 600 and works just as good on the 550 with my speakers. I think I paid $150 for the X-30 and highly recommend it to anyone with full range speakers. Suggest you have a sound level meter and CD with test tones to do proper set-up.

I paid $400 for the factory reconditioned AV-550 from Audio Advisor. The unit was in perfect condition and Audio Advisor provides outstanding service! The remote is worth every penny of the $250 if purchased separately so I figure I got the 550 for $150. A fantastic bargin!

Similar Products Used:

AV-600