Detailed fast precise decoding of Dolby/DTS. Very good imaging/tight bass response for stereo.

Remote is not very good. Already have problems with it. Bindings for the speakers are very congested. However, I have seen very roomy connectors only in the B&K I looked at. Quite deep and high. Make sure you have enough room for it.

Having used this site for my research I decided to post a review. I was looking for an AV receiver for 80% music and 20% movies. I was impreseed with the sound in the store when I auditioned this for music. However, once I installed it at home and connected everything up, it sounds really good. I compared this against an ARCAM stereo amp and did not notice too much difference. Connecting a separate upsampling DAC does make an appreciable difference. The DACs in this are 24bit/192KHz but only for DVD Audio. The performance with movies is also very good. Processes DTS and Dolby audio with equal ease. The processing is quite fast too. In general I really like the receiver. Considering that I did not want to buy a stereo amp and an AV receiver the 5300 is excellent middle ground. My system: - Marantz SR5300 - APEX DVD 1500 - Panasonic 27" TV - Sony CDP XX - PT P-3A DAC - BW 601 mains - BW 600 rears - BW LCR60 center - REL Q108 subwoofer I gave the value rating as 4 because I bought it while it was being discontinued and got a really good deal.

Similar Products Used:

Denon AVR1803 NAD T760 HK AVR210

I can still still listen to CDs in two channel stereo with the source direct through my JBL100Ts and it just sounds terrific. I was very surprised at the detailed imaging and the clean bass response. I would only expect this sound quality from a seperate amp for at least double the price.

Now I have to go rent all the movies I already saw and watch them again in surround.

Well after using this site for so much research I felt obligated to send my own review. I was very reluctant to purchase a new AVR because I did not want to give up the sound quality of my 15 year old Luxman amp. I can say I am totaly satisfied with the Marantz 5300. I was willing to pay $650.00 at a local dealer for this product because it far outperformed any other AVR in this price range. I was not real concerned about all the bells and whistles but mainly just sound quality. When I found this at CSW online for $499 I was a little skepticle but CSW provides a great service. As Jack Buck would say "That's a winner folks"

Similar Products Used:

I compared this to every AVR on the market and the only other one I seriously considered was the Marantz 7300.

Sound quality (wonderful for music) Build quality 3 year warranty Pre-outs for all channels

Limited bass management

I was looking for a receiver for 80% music and 20% movies, so it had to be very musical, and this Marantz is excellent. I also auditioned Yamaha, Onkyo, and Denon. None of them could match the music reproduction of the SR5300. Of course, the Marantz is no slouch with movies--digital surround sounds just as rich and clean as music does, with plenty of punch. And little things like a firm volume knob and source-selection buttons (as opposed to spinning a knob) do make a difference. I do wish it had more variable bass management, but I suppose at this price point we can't have stellar sound *and* every bell and whistle. I bought this to replace a malfunctioning Harman AVR65, and I've been delighted with my purchase.

Similar Products Used:

Harman Kardon AVR65 Denon AVR1804

detail, precise decoding, ease of set up

remote, not quite powerful enough especially with 2 channel music.

I purchased this receiver as a temp replacement for my yamaha rxv-1 while is was in the shop for a 6 week upgrade. Later to be put in another room for a secondary system. This unit is outstanding, in its detail and decoding ability. especially with movies. It seems a little thin in music modes. One who has had a plethora of units both separates and receivers, Denon 5700, 4800, ead theatremaster(totaly sucked) and the rxv-1, which I love. Just the Marantz so amazed me the rx-1 is sitting on a shelf yet.

Similar Products Used:

denon 1604, jvc, pioneer.

Exceptional sound, both stereo and surround. More than enough inputs for anyone. Build quality is far above average in this price range. Front panel is attractive, though a bit busy. Others complain about the remote. To me, it works very well, though it is rather large and doesn't have backlighting.

The owner's manual is not very informative, as well as being poorly translated. This receiver is quite heavy, tall, and deep-make sure you have enough room for it. Can not make any complaints about the sound or operation.

I purchased the 5300 to replace an old Technics a/v receiver I had owned for several years. The difference is astounding. Whether listening to cd's, playing dvd's, or watching tv, the sound is always crystal clear and dynamic. This receiver has breathed new life into my old PSB A/V speakers, reminding me why I bought them in the first place. Plenty of power for all channels. Sounds equally great in stereo or surround sound. Extensive inputs, both analog and digital, including front panel inputs for quick hook-up of temporary sources. The on-screen menu is easy to use, as well as being quite comprehensive. This is a good thing, since the owner's manual is not very helpful. The use of good cables is a must with a receiver of this quality, do yourself a favor and invest in something better than what you find at the local department store. The one exception--buy a cheap s-video cable for the on-screen menu, nothing more is required. I shopped around for 4 months before purchasing the Marantz, having compared similar products from Onkyo (601), Denon (1803,1804), NAD (752), Yamaha (5560), H/K (225), and Sony (DA-1ES). None of the others offered better sound or features. In my opinion, a best buy for the price.

Similar Products Used:

Very old JVC, Technics sa-dx530

Warm detailed sound, no hiss even when at full volume

remote completely sucks.....rediculous

I have owned the 5300 for about 3 months now. I find this reciever works flawlessly. It has taken my families movie experience to a whole new level. I am using mission m70 speakers and could not be happier with this setup

look, sound, name

manuel sucks

I bought this Receiver at accessories4less.com for $399. I am very impressed with the warmth of the mids and highs and the tight bass. There is a look and feel of quality you dont usually find at this price level. I have found that for music from cd's it is better to use good quality analog interconect wire instead of the optical connection. For dvd it sounds great either way. My only complaint is that a small light labeled "peak" comes on any time I play from an anolog input. This does not effect the sound or the power at all but the manual does not address this situation. Overall I know I cant find a better product for the money I highly recomend.

Similar Products Used:

yamaha 1070, marantz cd-63, sony dvd-655, vandersteen 2ce, nht sub and surrounds

90 Watts x 6 (All Discrete Amplifiers 192kHz/24bit D/A Converters) DD EX®,Pro Logic II®, DTS ES®(Discrete 6.1,Matrix 6.1, Neo: 6),SRS Circle Surround II® (6.1) On screen display that will use the receiver's display or your TV.

4 digital inputs (2 optical, 2 coaxial)

I use this receiver for about 80% Movies and 20% music. But oh when I use it for music it sounds excellent. Musically I don’t think you can find a more musical receiver under $600. In the source mode with good full range speakers is a sonic delight for the ears. As a home theater receiver it is also excellent. The bass is deep and very clean when compared to the other receivers I tested, see list below. The sound is dispersed very evenly and well when watching DVD’s. The first few minutes in Star Wars Episode II will test your receiver and subwoofer. The first 15 minutes or so in Lord of the Rings, Extended version in 6.1 will also test the system. The bass in both scenes are great and it gives you an idea of how the 6th channel can be used effectively in DD EX and DTS ES. The circle surround mode does a good job with TV shows and other DVD’s that may only be in 2.0 Dolby surround sound to give a more fuller 5.1 set up. It is great to watch TV shows in High Definition, 55 inch Mitsubishi HDTV, and in 5.1 sound. Playing X-box games in 5.1 sound is awesome and very cool. I really enjoy my Marantz SR-5300 and I am sure you will too. For a musical and HT receiver I couldn't recommend it enough for the price. Sure there is better for more money, but for the price it can't be beat.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha RXV-740, Pioneer Elite VSX-41, Kenwood VR6070

Plenty of Power for most room and speaker combinations. Excellent Decoders Well made unit, no weak buttons or loose connectors etc Black Anodized Aluminum Face Plate

The slightly annoying -db meter for the volume control. Everyone who visits my house asks "why does it do that". Remote does not have learning capability

I always look a specs and listen to different equipment looking for my next purchase. I have been looking into SACD and HDCD for some time and I decided to get a new reciever with 192kHz DAC's. Looking at the opposition from Yamaha, Onkyo, Pioneer, etc. I just could not find the sound quality of the Marantz SR5300. This unit is under rated on power. Marantz claims 90 Watts per channel rms. but it clearly has reserves. And it is clean power. Give it a clean signal and it retuns clean clear sound with authority through all of the 20-20,000 Hz range. No harsh highs at high volumes, with well seperated bass notes at all volumes. The main reason I bought the unit was for the DAC's and the Dolby Digital EX, DTS ES, and the Dolby Pro Logic 2 decoding. The surrond processor works wonders with everything from VCR tapes to DTS ES encoded DVD's. Surround speaker setup is very easy with the menus. All the specifics are also easy to find in the menus but mostly aren't needed

Similar Products Used:

Marantz SR5000 Yamaha 5280

Build, sound in surround mode.

Slight clicking noise when changing volume and clicking when you change surround modes.

Well i picked it up at christmas first in Black then it was changed for me by richer sounds to gold when i complained about their pushy sales pitch to have it in black in time for xmas. What a performer. It's movie abilities are second to none. I have heard a few a/v amps and this one beats the competition because of the distinct channel separation and high definition of the sound. Everything my DVD player can throw at it it handles beautifully. As for music play back well i have been slightly dissappointed so far but i am playing cd's through my ageing Toshiba SD2109 DVD player. Either a new DVD-A compatible player is my next purchase or a dedicated CD player.

Similar Products Used:

Toshiba SD2109 Ditton DC 6 Carina floor standers Gale G20 bookshelf speakers QED original bi-wire mk2 speaker cable Aiwa Sub S50