2018 Preamp-Processors

[Scott Y.]

I had not seen that one.

I just downloaded the 344 page, Marantz SR7012 manual. I don't think there is a way to reassign the LCR amps, but it would be cool if that was possible. With 9 amps, I could cover my speakers with the other amps that I have. I just wouldn't be using the largest three amps in the 7012. The specs are not clear on output power but since they don't say, all channels driven, I'll assume that the ratings are for two channels driven.

I'm thinking about just buying a pre-pro and perhaps a couple of Outlaw 5000's just to cover the 8 surround/height speakers.

Which pre/pro is the question. I'm wondering if it's worth waiting for HDMI 2.1, eARC, etc. I'm watching all of the announcements to see if there is anything worth waiting for.

I'm not too worried about the speaker calibration technique as long as the system let's me override/modify the results after calibration. I use REW to adjust delays, volumes, and check frequency response. I use REW & MSO along with my MiniDSP to calibrate my three subwoofers. This will have to be redone as soon as my room mods are complete.

I need to download some more manuals to dig into the setup options.

 

[Ras777]

If money isn't a limiting factor then a Pre/Pro cant hurt as long as you wait for HDCP 2.2 Dolby Vision etc. No sense spending that kind of money without the newest formats.

I got fed up trying to read the manual and went on the Marantz website and texted them about the amp assignment. I was also told by a forum member/Marantz dealer who said it was possible.

Even though its 2 channels driven you are offloading the LCR which sucks most of the power. The Outlaw looks great for the money but do you think that it's really necessary for driving surround speakers? I could spend $3000 on the SR8012 and use it with my Emotiva XPA-3. I think that would be more than enough power in my 3100cf room.

Spending $3500 to $4000 on an 11ch Pre/Pro in addition to $1200 on two Amps is tough to justify. Do you really think the cost/benefit makes sense? If so I would like to get your opinion on this since I will be replacing my SR6007 within the next few weeks.

 

[Verdinut]

I had not seen that one.

With the SR7012, you shouldn't worry about insufficient power on your surround amplifier channels, unless you plan to play the amplifiers loud with the all-channel stereo playback setting. This AVR has better all channels driven performance than some of the more expensive Anthem AVR.

 

[PENG]

The specs are not clear on output power but since they don't say, all channels driven, I'll assume that the ratings are for two channels driven.

Here are theS&V bench test results for the SR7011's output, SR7012 output should be similar:

Test Bench
Two channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads:
0.1% distortion at 138.7 watts
1% distortion at 169.1 watts

Five channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads:
0.1% distortion at 104.9 watts
1% distortion at 117.0 watts

Seven channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads:
0.1% distortion at 75.1 watts
1% distortion at 90.4 watts

This graph shows that the SR7011’s left channel, from CD input to speaker output with two channels driving 8-ohm loads, reaches 0.1% distortion at 138.7 watts and 1% distortion at 169.1 watts. Into 4 ohms, the amplifier reaches 0.1% distortion at 203.5 watts and 1% distortion at 232.2 watts.

 

[Scott Y.]

If money isn't a limiting factor then a Pre/Pro cant hurt as long as you wait for HDCP 2.2 Dolby Vision etc. No sense spending that kind of money without the newest formats.

I got fed up trying to read the manual and went on the Marantz website and texted them about the amp assignment. I was also told by a forum member/Marantz dealer who said it was possible.

Even though its 2 channels driven you are offloading the LCR which sucks most of the power. The Outlaw looks great for the money but do you think that it's really necessary for driving surround speakers? I could spend $3000 on the SR8012 and use it with my Emotiva XPA-3. I think that would be more than enough power in my 3100cf room.

Spending $3500 to $4000 on an 11ch Pre/Pro in addition to $1200 on two Amps is tough to justify. Do you really think the cost/benefit makes sense? If so I would like to get your opinion on this since I will be replacing my SR6007 within the next few weeks.

Money isn't a huge factor but I don't want to spend money without a benefit. Yes, the Outlaw 5000 is more than is needed for a surround speaker. I'm probably not going to spend more than $3k for a pre/pro. The Yamaha is $2500, there are others that are less.

Yes, I agree that when the receiver is not driving LCR speakers, there should be more than enough for the surround channels. That's how I've got my 7.1 Yamaha receiver set up now. I think the Yamaha CX-A5100 just got the Dolby Vision update last month. HDMI 2.1 will require hardware, I'm wondering if there are cost effective chips out yet that can handle it.

I guess there's no way to make this stuff future proof unless it was setup like a PC with card slots.

 

[Scott Y.]

Here are theS&V bench test results for the SR7011's output, SR7012 output should be similar:

Test Bench
Two channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads:
0.1% distortion at 138.7 watts
1% distortion at 169.1 watts

Five channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads:
0.1% distortion at 104.9 watts
1% distortion at 117.0 watts

Seven channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads:
0.1% distortion at 75.1 watts
1% distortion at 90.4 watts

This graph shows that the SR7011’s left channel, from CD input to speaker output with two channels driving 8-ohm loads, reaches 0.1% distortion at 138.7 watts and 1% distortion at 169.1 watts. Into 4 ohms, the amplifier reaches 0.1% distortion at 203.5 watts and 1% distortion at 232.2 watts.

Looks good, thanks.

 

[Verdinut]

In the specs which we can find on Marantz's website, they specify a 70% Guarantee for the SR7012 and most other AVRs.
There are no details whatsoever but I believe that this statement relates to the ACD output performance as a ratio to the 2 channel published power ratings. Is that exact?

 

[PENG]

Looks good, thanks.

You are welcome. By the way, all channels are or equal power and specs, so should be good enough for a few surround channels.

 

[Scott Y.]

Here’s an announcement from Lexicon/Harman/Samsung:

https://news.harman.com/releases/media_kit_release-20180104

The new Lexicon RV-6 and RV-9 Immersive Surround Sound AV receivers and the Lexicon MC-10 Immersive Surround Sound AV Processor have been designed to bring outstanding audio and video quality to residential cinemas. Featuring DOLBY ATMOS® and DTS:X 3D surround sound processing, Dirac room Live EQ, the Logic7 Immersion™ up mixer, and plenty of responsive power, the receivers and processor deliver a sensory-rich and truly immersive experience.

See the link for the full release.