Excellent sound stage, dynamic range, clarity for music and movies. Very usefull all-in-one remote. Probably the finest value under $1,500.

None so far.

A salesman recommended & gave me a test run to me at a local high-end store. I was impressed then but was very sceptical due vareous room dynamics, speakers, power amps, etc. I continued to research this unit for over a year. All reveiw where strong. One day I stopped-off on a whim and made the purchase ($730).

Immediately after hooking up, I was thoroughly impressed. My first run was with Steely Dan's "Two Against Nature". Being a musician, I demand to hear each instrument clearly within the ensamble at all volume levels. The SR7000 easily did this with accuracy and warmth. The only thing that would have been better was to be in the studio. The internal amps are very clean for this price point. I have not yet once heard any inclination of distortion.

In testing it's theatrical abilities, I loaded the DVD with a copy of "Twister". I found that the lower sonic register to be clear, rich and powerful. Mid's and high's were crisp, clean very enjoyable. My media room
(35'L x 20'W x 12'H) was beautifully colored. I could not ask for much a more enjoyable unit.

Similar Products Used:

Polk RT55, Polk CS320, Energy 12" Sub. Proscan DVD & Adcom CD player.

Warm and clean sound, lets you enjoy the music/the movie and forget about the electronics, a filling that I did not have with other receivers.

Excellent tuner

No A/B speakers switch; no direct button for Direct Mode on the remote; no sub output in Direct Mode

I started looking for an AV receiver before Christmas. I wanted to replace my budget stereo Marantz receiver with a DD one. I tried the Denon 2800, Yamaha V-1105, Onkyo 676 and did not like any of them. The Denon was the most acceptable, the Yamaha was the worst but neither one sounded better than my old stereo receiver. When I brought the Marantz SR-7000 home more than two months ago, I was not excited but decided to keep it because it was better than the other three. In a week or so however, this receiver started to sound better and better and now I love its smooth sound. Only the Denon came close but the Marantz has tighter and deeper bass and very natural highs while the Denon's highs were muted. For movies the Marantz has excellent detail and very well controlled bass through the sub out.

IMHO this is the best receiver under $1,000 both for music and movies. I can understand some complains that it sounds flat and compressed, this is the price you pay for the warm and undistorted sound I guess for less than $800. For music, it lacks the dynamics of good quality separates but surpasses my expectations for an AV receiver in this price range and I would recommend it to everybody. I did not go for the SR-8000 because I thought that the extra $400 would be better spend in the future for (used) 2 channel amp or monoblocks.

Similar Products Used:

Denon 2800 (best), Yamaha V-1105 (worst, by far), Onkyo 676 (OK)

Build Quality; Amplifier; Flexibility

Owner's Manual

I second virtually everyone below in lauding this solidly-built receiver. It puts out great volumes of clear sound. One of the reviewers below complained about not getting sound from his sub, and I write mainly to agree and describe my (partial) solution. I first tried hooking my sub (a Velodyne FSR-10) to the SR-7000's subwoofer output jack, and setting the subwoofer to "yes" and front speakers to "large" (I think I tried "small," too). But when I played music the sub was not putting out any bass or even turning itself on. I eventually concluded that the Marantz uses the sub out jack for movie special effects, and does not really put any sound out through it for stereo music. Unfortunately, the owner's manual does not address this issue. Eventually I ran the preamp main left and right signals out to my sub (which has left and right low-level inputs), and set the sub to "no" and the main speakers to "large." The receiver's preamp outs do not have any effect on the signal reaching the main amps, so the sound still comes out of my main speakers (JBL L65s) but the sub also puts out the bass frequencies from the preamp. Seems to work pretty well. It's especially cool with headphones, since the sub works along with them for some great vibrations. When I get a new center-channel speaker (the B&W LCR6 looks good to me) I will try setting the center speaker to "large" and sending the preamp out from the center channel into the sub as well, using a Y connector on two of the three cables (left, right, and center). In the end I should have bass going to all three front speakers and to my sub. I wish the sub out jack was more effective, but I guess that's just how goes. Does anyone have any advice on this problem? Can anyone explain why the SR-7000 seems not to use its sub-out jack for most signals?

Similar Products Used:

None

5 ch. stereo, DD & DTS, 100Wx5, HCC capability, 96/24 bit capability, build, 6ch. I/P & O/P, 5 Dig. I/P all configurable, 2 Dig O/P, copper screws (LOL), nice remote, etc...

No component video I/P, manual is baddly written

Great sounding receiver. As time is passing the unit seems to sound better and better. The sound is getting warmer and more transparent as time passes and as the receiver breaks in. Also with all my speakers being 4 Ohm I don't let the unit run at low current levels at all. So far I did not run into any problems with any of the modes as I did with my SR5000, which I returned after noticing that the unit ran out of juice powering my Odeon Speakers. The SR 7000 seems to run much cooler thx to its huge heatsink and HCC capability. I usually listen to music on it at around 0dB which I figure is about half power of the receiver due to the log scale of the volume control, and that is enough to enjoy any type of music anyone is listenning to. At about +5dB my speakers come to life, and so do my walls, that is when the unit really starts to work. I also compared this receiver to the denon3300. However, the denon's sound was too much "in your face" and lacked the warmth and sonic qualities that the SR7000 has. Video switching is excellent. No degredation of the signal present in any of the modes i.e. like with HK500 or Marantz SR5000. The only thing this receiver does not have which I would like is component video. However, I figure that I can always connect my video sig. directly into the TV and save my self the trouble of using the receiver as the "middle man". This receiver is worth the money. At around $1000 CDN it was an excellent buy, and always shop around because some places sell this gem for $1500 CDN(claiming its on SALE).

Similar Products Used:

HK AVR500, Denon3300, Marantz SR5000

BASS will rock the house down, nice multichannel decoding, very fine, detailed sound quality and the best standard remote control I have ever seen.

The remote rules but the LCD has no back-light, and the manual is the worst I have ever seen.

I had a Sony which had a tuning problem and I returned it. Then I got an Onkyo which sounded much better than the sony, but it sent a horrible buzz to the left and right surround as well as the center speaker and it caused the sub to let loose a constant and low bass noise. It also caused the rears to make a "pop" sound every few minutes. It was also returned and the next one I got made even louder sounds! It was sent back to the company and they sent it back saying there was nothing wrong with it. anyway I was fed up with them and just got the sr-7000. This puppy can blow away the onkyo. It holds back no bass and has perfect channel control during dvd movies. As far as music goes, the sound is crystal clear. Guitar strings and other instruments as well as vocals are reproduced with excellence. It has a 100 watt output, plenty to power even large rooms at a good volume. The remote is one you can be truly happy with. The LCD commands can be named to whatever you want and is very easy to program (no reading huge charts). It also has a huge memory and can store macro commands. It is well worth the money and will turn a good system into a true cinema experience. Remember, NO ONKYO'S!!!

Similar Products Used:

Sony, Onkyo, Yamaha and Denon.

Preformance,Value,Looks,and Sound Accuracy.

None.

Before purchasing this reciever, I narrowed my choice down between the Denon 3300 and the Marantz SR7000. The Denon had alot of great reviews by all kinds of audio rags, but let me tell you that while the Marantz SR7000 is not reviewed by many publications it FLAT OUT out preforms the Denon hands down. I felt that the Denon had too many highs and weak bass. The Marantz SR7000 sounds awesome, I listen to different styles of music and it delivers in a big way, my Energy C-2 speakers never sounded better,home theater sounds amazing and the remote is stylish and easy to work with. If your looking for a reciever under $1200 don't believe the hype about the Denon product and listen to the Marantz product, the sound is smoother,sweeter highs and accurate bass, trust me your search will end.

Similar Products Used:

Denon 3300, H/K AVR65

quality build, sound!, multiroom, addressable digital inputs.

you call this a manual? remote could be lit.

this receiver rocks.
it looks cool, sounds great.nice and warm.
i've got it hooked up to a pair of Klipsch Kg4s and they never sounded better.
can't wait to finish the HT setup and really watch the matrix.
nothing really came close to the sr-7000 in features and build for the money. can be found easily for 700 dollars.
and a three year warranty? show me a receiver in this range that gives you that! yamaha should be ashamed of themselves and their ONE year warranty.
my advice? get some good speaker cables to go with it.

Similar Products Used:

yamaha, denon

Sound quality. Built solid

Lacks a phono input.

After trying out the Yamaha and the Onkyo at home and returning them I checked on this web site, again, and
found a review where someone referenced the SR-7000. After finding a local dealer who just got 2 units in, I helped them unpack and set up the unit. So I got a good opportunity to see how it was to set up.

The sound was so much more full. Like other reviewers have noted, it was not harsh or dull, but just right. So I got one home and I have had a hard time pulling myself away from listening to it!

A few things pro and con. This unit is a bit deeper than most I have had at home and had to take a saw to my entertainment system to get the back off enough to fit it in. No big deal there. I also noticed that at the listening levels I like the other units I used produced quite a of heat. I don't know why, but this unit just doesn't seem to get anywhere near as warm. The only dissapointing item was the lack of a phono input. I have some old recordings which I will never find on CD. Luckily, my old receiver, which finally blew up after 17 years, only lost the main amp and I am able to use the phone inputs
on it and route it into one of the analog inputs of the
SR-7000. The remote is a little different too. The thumbwhell took a little getting used to. Once you are used to the thumbwheel and menus it is a breeze to use.

So far it has been a rewarding experience. I was able to get this for $730 after showing an ad from www.wildwestelectronics.com for $749. According to the guys at the store, Marantz doesn't want to sell on the web, so they figure that the products at Wild West Electronics are
B grade, but they beat their price anyways.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha 795a, Onkyo 676

Purchased 3 days ago based on past reviews.

Concerned about model number for "B-stock" item.

An SR-8000/U1B reviewer discussed "B-stock" items as cosmetic blems, last year's model, returns, factory reconditioned, electronically perfect. My SR-7000 also has model # "U1B". What #'s do other SR-7000 owners have? Any problems with receivers having number "U1B"?

Until I hear otherwise, I'll give it a top rating.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha 800 (auditioned)

High Quality and Excellent Clear sound all around

Remote is not backlit

First, I would like to thanks all of the reviewers here. I think without all of you I believe my search would never end. I've done several intensive researchs before I actually committed myself to this unit. Let me just say that it takes a lot for me to be satisfy. I work hard for my money so I want something that will make my money worth and this is it!! My review is simple without all that mumbo jumbo...

This receiver is simple and it has everything I would ever need. However, I can sure use alittle more watts but it's fine. All my music cds sounded awesome with crystal clear sound and solid bass. To sum it up, the sound is amazing!! No hissing or noise at any volume levels...Watching movies was like being at the best theater. As a result, my dvds collection have gone way up! I don't have to worry about fighting for that perfect seat at the movie anymore. I got it all in my bedroom and I can now feel the impact on my chest like never before. Wow!!!

To all of you who want that excellent receiver and don't want to spend over a grand, go and check this Marantz sr7000 out. You'll get high quality sound that you thought you couldn't afford. Note: To make your receiver even better, it helps to use good quality speakers and cables for your system. I hope my review is simple enough for everyone to understand my satisfaction. Happy joy joy!