Review Marantz AV8802 (Just Unboxing)

[Cos]

I realize it's a marathon, not a sprint, and I am going to take my time doing this review. I took one day to get it out of my trunk, now I just finished the initial unpacking. Throughout the next 2 weeks or so I will continue to add my feedback and thoughts as I play with my new toy. Please excuse the messy townhouse as I am moving into my new house at the end of April, so let the packing begin!

Unboxing: (Initial Impressions)

• It is boxed well, for this part I am comparing it to an Marantz AV7005
• Surprising that it is not much bigger than the box for the AV7005, but weighs a noticeable bit more

What's included

• Usual items (Manual, Power Cord, remotes)
• Nice little extras (cardboard cutout to make a temp mic stand, CD and Label stickers)
• Wi-Fi Antenna, I didn't know this unit even did wifi
• Is it just me or do these Audyssey Mics seem really cheap, having used an Anthem mic for ARC

Quick Impression:

• Everything is well packed, I like the little extras like the mic cutout & CD, and the build quality seems much improved vs the AV7005
• Would have liked to see a better Mic, but I am sure this will do the job just fine

Build Quality

• The unit feels really solid (See Enclosed Pictures) It feels more hefty and high end than the AV7005
• I read some initial concerns that there were no side vents on the unit, this is NOT the case
• From the front faceplate, you would be hard pressed to tell the difference between models, with the exception of the button arrangement when you flip the panel door open
• Other then the front faceplate, everything feels more premium
• Really surprised that there is no bottom venting, we shall see how that effects heat & airflow once I start using it. I will be sure to include measurements as I proceed through this review.
• There is much less venting overall than previous models, I hope I didn't just buy an oven I know it has extensive copper included in the build quality so hopefully that will act as a heat sync similar to a PC

I know it's not much so far, but enjoy the pictures, and I promise to dig into the weeds this weekend and I will add a much more thorough review.

Fronts (AV8802 to your left / AV7005 on right)

Top View

AV7005

Back Panels (AV8802) on right

The side AV8802

What's Inside the Box

 

[Cos]

Part 2: Setup
----------------
I know, more boring stuff, but I am really taking my time here, partly because I am just testing the unit to make sure it works before I bring it to the new house and I don't enjoy moving 100lbs speakers

That being said, this is by far the easiest time I have ever had setting up a pre-pro and the first time I didn't have to deal with any hum or sound problems, though it is not quite perfect yet.

Setup:(Since most of my systems is packed up I ran 5.2 (Phantom Center)
Equipment Used:
- Audioquest King Cobra XLR (When I didn't know better)
- Parasound Halo A51 Amp
- Kimber Kable Speaker Wire 8TC for the front only
- Monster 12AWG speaker wire for the surrounds
- Furman Elite 20-PFI
- Sony XBR65X850B 4k TV
- Monoprice ultra Slim 18Gbps Active High Speed HDMI Cable with RedMere® Technology

Hook UP:
- No surprises here, everything fit snugly in, HDMI, XLR cables,
- Easy to find everything,
- Layout is easy to work with and makes sense was very quick
- Triggers worked perfectly with my Halo A51 A21

Setup Part 1:
- Probably one of the most user friendly GUI Interfaces I have worked with
- Step by step on screen instruction to walk you through everything
- Menus are fast, easy to go back and correct mistakes, and redo

Having used previous Marantz, Integra and Anthem, this setup process is the closest to "idiot proof" you are going to find

WiFi setup was a breeze, I used my IPAD with IOS 8.x and it was able to pull my WiFi settings directly from that, done!

I will have to update the Audyssey settings, because, while the process is easy, I still need more time to tweek it with the Triton 1s. I will update later tonight after I have had more time to work with it. I will say, even without running Audyssey it sounded fantastic.

it was quick and easy to setup inputs and didn't take long to test everything out.

NOTE ON WIFI: Like many other receivers that use wifi, this one does NOT use the 5Ghz band so it is single band wireless N using the 2.4Ghz band only. I was a little disappointed by this and caused an initial setup glitch on my wifi with my Ipad because I didn't have that band setup on it.

Notes: ON Screen Setup: I did notice that the on screen menus the text overlay, for example over a TV broadcast. The text was difficlut to read and I had to turn off the source so I could get a black screen. I didn't have this problem on previous versions of Maratnz or Integras.

Overall Time to setup: About 1 hour.

CURRENT PROBLEMS I AM FACING: (PROBLEM RESOLVED)
I am having problems with ARC working with my Sony TV. I can not get sound from the TV apps (hulu etc) I believe I have it setup properly in the Pre/Pro and this is a Sony related issue, I will update tonight as I continue to play around with the unit.

RESOLUTION to ARC
It was an ID 10T error on my part I just had to find the right place to set HDMI Control to ON in the AV8802. The Manual for this unit absolutely sucks, I had to go to page 55, than 155, than 194 and none provided a decent description of where to find it.

 

[witchdoctor]

Did you use a local dealer or order online?

 

[TLS Guy]

Don't worry about heat. Those Marantz pre/pros make very little heat. There are no power amps in the case, which do not belong in a box with high gain circuits and micro processors.

 

[Cos]

Did you use a local dealer or order online?

I was very, very lucky. I went to a different dealer than my own, it's actually made up a few people who worked for my dealer, and they apparently didn't like that person too much lol. I asked them to quote me a price, because I was also thinking of them to do my inside wiring, and the one guy quoted me a price that was $700.00 less than he was supposed to. Needless to say I saved about 38% off of List . I will say that I will give this dealer more of my business based on them still honoring the price. They carry pretty much all the same brands as my guy, with the exception of GoldenEar, and I know why. Thy also are a local dealer who carries ATI amps. That 6000 series is a beast!

There pricing was definitely on par with the person I have buying from for the past 13 years and it almost felt like I was cheating my girlfriend buying from someone else...but 38% While you probably won't get my deal, they seemed like a rock solid place who I definitely go back to and I am having them visit my house to quote some work on my HT room.

I have another source on AVS forum who can do a solid deal on the AV8802 if anyone is interested, they are an authorized reseller and I was going to use them until I got lucky with this deal. Send me a PM if interested and I will refer you. (NOTE: I have no relation to the dealer, nor am I compensated in anyway and no, it's not me )

 

[Cos]

Don't worry about heat. Those Marantz pre/pros make very little heat. There are no power amps in the case, which do not belong in a box with high gain circuits and micro processors.

I was actually surprised, I pushed it hard for a bit and played the Last Hobbit Movie, and it was still only warm to the touch, it did not heat up like I expected, all the heat was at the top of the unit, the sides were still cool, which I thought was a little strange. I do have to add, It is in an open shelf and not inside a rack.

As for Pre/Pro heat, I have read several reports, a few on this site that the AV8801 got really hot so I was concerned when I saw less venting.

 

[TLS Guy]

I was actually surprised, I pushed it hard for a bit and played the Last Hobbit Movie, and it was still only warm to the touch, it did not heat up like I expected, all the heat was at the top of the unit, the sides were still cool, which I thought was a little strange. I do have to add, It is in an open shelf and not inside a rack.

As for Pre/Pro heat, I have read several reports, a few on this site that the AV8801 got really hot so I was concerned when I saw less venting.

Pushing it hard has nothing to do with it. The volume setting is irrelevant on a preamp. The heat dissipation will be the same at zero and full volume.

The only variable is the heat in the processor. Heat output might vary marginally due to complexity of task, but not volume.

You have just noted the reason why separates are the way to go.

 

[Cos]

Pushing it hard has nothing to do with it. The volume setting is irrelevant on a preamp. The heat dissipation will be the same at zero and full volume.

The only variable is the heat in the processor. Heat output might vary marginally due to complexity of task, but not volume.

You have just noted the reason why separates are the way to go.

I have been using separates since 2004 since my AVM30, kinda stuck with separates because I have too much invested in amps now Was really worried about line noise based on my experience with the AV7005, happy to report I am much better educated on grounding from everything I learned on this site and I have almost 0 hum or noise unless I push my head into the speaker I hear a very, very slight hum that I can't hear past 1 inch away. I am sure it helps I added 2 20amp dedicated circuits the last time I bought my pre/pro