sound quality

Many units seem to be defective

This is a follow up to my earlier review. I recently bought a DVD-A player and hooked it up to this unit. The processor will not recognize the DVD-A's multiple channels (meaning the appropriate lights do not register and of course the sound is absent). The oversensitive peak indicator I mentioned earlier (when connected to analog sources) can not be remedied by the ATT button (as suggested by another reviewer) without a significant loss of sound quality. I mentioned these problems to my dealer and he said that many owners have had this same experience with the unit. I love the sound and overall quality of this unit but am very disappointed with these defects.

tom, i respect your disagreement but regardless that i have klf-30 that have 2nd octave bass slam like none other in their price range & should not be cut-off at even 80hz, woudn't u like a receiver that lets u adjust that cut-off when using it's sub-out. u may not need it but many would like that luxury anyway & it wouldn't cost 'em that much to add it to the dsp. i'll bet u that within a year they all will offer it. then i'll demand they'll trade me up due to the design flaw.

sounds like marantz made that up for u after I "talked" with them. they never mentioned anything about the 80hz on the small setting to me after 3 phone calls to 1 1/2 different guys. & how did u ever find their phone#? :) like I said 80hz is still too high for my klipsch mains as they'll run fine all the way down to 40hz. so u see if i could adjust that small cut to round 55 or 60hz music would be fine.

& when u set a channel group large there is no cut-off of low bass to it. that's the whole meaning of large setting - full range. if they said 100hz for large then they must be talking about about where the sub starts cutting off. & that's too high by far for my velodyne hgs-18. & I hope that doesn't start cutting LFE at 100hz as that easily can go up to 120hz.

so u see u should not disagree w/ my opinion. i agree it's a great sounding high current receiver. but even u have a problem that could be easily recitified by marantz & all those other inflexable receiver makers. it's just that u can't hear how much better it could be. even w/ those jbl sattelite speaks. :)

Remote, Multi-room function

User manual, weak power output, multizone output is louder than main outputs

I first bought the Integra 7.1 and I returned it because it did not have a variable volume setting for my multi-room NAD 906 amplifier. After returning the Integra, the folks at Overture sold me on the Marantz. When I brought it home, the output level sounded low to me (I had to turn it up to -20/-18 to satisfy my semi-loud listening tastes).

The reciver does have great two channel sound, DTS and Dolby Digital but the other listening modes are useless and quiet. I have since bought another multichannel amp to power my main room (Rotel RB 1070, not bad for $650: 150 watts x 3 bridged). I am now using the Marantz as a surround sound processor, preamp and tuner.

If you're looking for power and great home theater sound without an external amplifier, I recommend the Integra 7.1 (it's THX certified too).

If you listen to music and you don't desire high volume levels, I recommend the Marantz (the remote rules).

Nothing beats separates though. Save your money and buy a real surround sound processor with external amps.

Similar Products Used:

Denon 3801, Integra 7.1, Rotel

MULTI-ROOM MULTI-SOURCE!!!!!! The RC-2000II!!! Copper Chasis! Copper sheilded HDAMs!!!! DTS and Dolby Digital! A more meticulous design than the SR-8200!!! There is more!

Pre Pro Logic 2

One should not even have to ask if the Marantz SR-8000 is better than a Sony, even the ES line. The Marantz SR-8000 will deliver a much cleaner and ambiant sound than any of the other two listed recievers. First off, look at the build quality of the amp: copper chasis, copper sheilded HDAMs, copper screws. Take a look at the capacitors and compare it to the Sony, you'll notice a huge difference. Next look at the remote control. Find a better push button programable remote that comes with a reciever. Hell, the remote is worth $250 for a reason. Multi/Multi. Enough said if you want to be able to hook up your house. Go to a Marantz Dealer, they should be able to give you the rest of the facts.

Similar Products Used:

Marantz, Onkyo, H/K, Denon, Marsh Sound Design, Cambridge SoundWorks M-60 bookshelf and P-500 Sub.

This is not a review, so my apologies if needed.

This is a serious question, since I'm a bit clueless about which to get:

A) DENON 3802
B) SONY STRV555ES
C) MARANTZ SR8000

I am a big fan of Sony prods. but not sure if it beats the others here. Please advise FAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks much.

sound reproduction is extremely clear and unbiased.
Multi room/multi source capabilities
Remote Control is one of the best
Clean, warm, smooth, natural sound. Especial good with DTS 5.1 signal.

Can be a little dull when listening to CD's. Offers several different listening modes, most of which are useless, but the 5.1 mode and direct-CD mode are very, very good.

This receiver surprised me. For a fully integrated DTS receiver under $1000 this is one of the best on the market. The DTS 5.1 sound is clear and vibrant. The other audio modes are not as good as the 5.1 mode with many of them sounding dull. But the 5.1 is worth it. The multi room feature is an added plus and when using another preamp (I use an Adcom) and amplifiers (Two Adcom Amplifiers) to power other room speakers the Marantz passes through a source cleanly. The remote is a learning programmable remote that is tremendous. Easy to program and easy to use. Overall this is a good buy if you can get it under $1000.

Similar Products Used:

None

sound reproduction is extremely clear and unbiased.
price for this "older" model is very attractive
quality components
multi room/multi source !
all the i/o you can dream of.
6 channel input
the remote, the remote !, learning IR codes, you can name the commands, it's a $250 remote
did I mention the sound quality that is very clkose to my classical B&K ST140 amp.

I'm trying hard, let's see, maybe better speaker bindings for people (unlike me) who want to switch speakers all the time.
may s-video for second zone (as if component and s-video is not enough for first zone)

I was looking for a high low end, low high end A/V receiver.
I did not expect the sound quality to come close to my audiophile stereo set up. This receiver surprised me. It was close, very close, frankly I didn't think that a sub $1000 receiver will be as good as a sub $1000 preamp amp combo, but it definitely is.
Within the price range and with a decent set up of speakers DVD players and cables this was the best choice for me in a system under $3000 . Here is my set up:
Marantz VC5000 dvd (not the best dvd but for 250 refurbished on Ubid nothing else comes close)
Marantz SR8000
front NHT super one (clarity that I found to complement the marantz "softness" very nicely, especially with my stereo set up: the 2.5i with marantz highend cd player and B&K amp,preamp)
center Klipsch (may seem surprising but I do like their clarity for voice)
rear Mission 71 (decent, low price)
audio interconnect: datalink 100 (not many other choices under 50$ for digital rca)
speaker cables: GBC by audioquest (where it matters), the usual 0.30 per foot where it doesn't matter so much.

I have to say something about the remote, it is unbelievable, I even use it to run my TIVO (that has a great remote by itself). The RC18sr remote (a version of the RC2000MKII) is learning and programmable. Best of all you can name the 32 commands for each of the 10 components you operate. It is heavy and you need to rest your hands after using it, but I see no other way to have all this put into one remote without making it huge.

One last thing, the closest competitor to the sr8000 was the yamaha rxv1000, that costs slightly less. It has basically the same gadgets (although the remote is not remotely as good), the yamaha however is way behind when it comes to sound quality. If you love bose speakers the Yamaha is for you. If you care about music reproduction (even when dolby digital is on) the Marantz is a clear winner. Mind you , Marantz is considered less reliable than Yamaha, and it's customer service has a ad reputation, also , if you buy online you don't get warranty from marantz (actually, I think Yamaha will give you trouble as well). I had 4 pieces of equipment by marantz and none of them acted up within the first five years.

p.s. the local highend (not goodguys, real highend) audio/video stores here carry the marantz but not the Yamaha. They want $900 for it.

Similar Products Used:

Did not use any other A/V receiver. I did test the Yamaha RXV 1000 and the kenwood 4090. Have had experince with stereo preamps,amps and receivers such as B&K (various models) my favorite.

Sounds unbelievable, nice 5channel/stereo

Remote could be better

I've had this for half a year now and loved every second of it. Definitely, worth the price you pay at any price. The sound is magnificent and the CD audio is just right if you do as the other reviews recommend and use the Audio Direct mode for listening to CDs. It handles my DVDs smoothly and with gusto. I truly cannot complain.

*Excellent Build Quality
*Extremely Quiet Receiver
*Excellent Sound Reproduction
*Excellent Remote

*The instruction manual is horrible.

Wow!

This is one heck of a receiver.

Mine is driving a Sony 36" XBR450, Sony 7700 DVD, Arcam 6 disc changer, Tivo Recorder, Marantz VCR, & PSB Image Series Speakers.

The sound is excellent when listening to rock or classical. It's very warm like other have said, but it also reaches the highs when required. The receiver has also taken watching DVD's to another level, the power is impressive which comes in handy when watching a fun flick like Jurassic Park or Independence day.

Also, the remote is great and easy to program.

It doesn't have all of the bells whistles of some of the newer receivers, but for $850 which includes shipping, I think I stole it.

Similar Products Used:

Denon 2801

Clean, warm, smooth, natural sound. Fantastic for DD. V musical in 2 Channel. V easy to use. Cool remote. Stunning looking in Gold/Champagne colour.

Can sound a little too laid back at times if matched with laid back speakers & cable. Sometimes have to hunt on the remote to find a feature (eg: select 5-Channel surround).

A few years ago I had a v expensive 2 Channel set up but sold it before travelling (doh!). Recently I decided to revisit hi-fi heaven but $$$ prohibited a similar set up (especially with the higher cost of gear here - low NZ$). I originally bought the Nad C370 for it's effortless musical sound, but found it ultimately too bright (even with my laid back Mirage speakers). As I now watch a lot of tv (Sky digital) & vids, & less music I decided to go HT instead.
I nearly went with the SR7000 for it's lower price, extra warmth & good musicality, but due to a heavily discounted price decided on the SR8000 (thanks Bruce) for it's extra current & beautiful gold finish.
After a few months of listening I now find this is a far superior beast to the SR7000 - well worth the extra $$$. The extra warmth in the 7000 seems to come mainly from some congestion in the mid-range & mid-bass. This works fine on movies but when using the tuner or playing cds, translates to a slightly muddy closed in sound. The extra current, copper shielding & gold connections on the SR8000 still provide the warmth but also a much clearer, tighter & more accurate sound. After listening for a while, this means a more natural unforced sound.
The 5 Ch stereo is a fantastic feature, especially for Sky Digital which is only 2-Channel stereo in NZ. This gives a way better result than Pro-Logic decoding. Why Marantz bothered with the few remaining ineffectual surround fields is beyond me - forget 'em.
For now a PS2 does DVD, which gives a v good result with Monster Optical Digital & S-Video leads - an essential upgrade. Dolby Digital 5.1 is fantastic!!! Better than anything I've heard at similar & reasonably higher dollar values. As for the ATT monitor continually lighting in analogue playback - ignore it! I agree that it seems way too sensitive & doesn't make any difference to the sound anyway. With an excellent DVD player (eg-Marantz DV7000 or Denon 2800), the sound is sensational!
Tuner is nearly as good as my previous Sony 777es unit - clear, clean & v musical with a strong signal.
CD playback (Marantz CD67 for now) is smooth, natural & musical.
Set up for HT & use is very easy, including the remote. It's upgradable with pre-outs on every channel for extra power amps & provides for 6 channel set-up.
Downside: Occassionally the sound can sound a little too smooth/laid back & lack that extra bite (especially with my laid back speakers & vdh cable), but I love smooth so I can live with that.
Comparisons: HK sounded v good but was a nightmare to use & unreliable. The Pioneer was worse & sounded crap with music, tho' vg for DD. Arcam was v musical but too clean & neutral for my taste. If you can't afford the 8000, the SR7000 is still a damn good amp.
Conclusion: Ok, high end separates do sound better (you can't beat a top quality pre-amp), but in the HT world this is a great amp that thoroughly deserves it's class leading reputation. If you want superb HT & don't want to compromise on music, you will be hard pressed to find better value (especially in the States - $700 on Ebay -Wow! Who's got a spare green card?). Happy listening.

Similar Products Used:

Home trialled Marantz SR7000, HK AVR500, Pioneer VSX908 & Arcam Diva. Recently owned Nad C370 2 Channel Amp. Previously owned Perreaux, Musical Fidelity, Adcom & Parasound pre/pwr amps. Current speaker set up: Mirage OM-12 fronts, OMC-2 Centres & OMR-2 Rears (no sub yet). vdH D-352 speaker cable.