Marantz 7012/8012

[Zildjianmeister]

Hello,

First time poster here but I've been reading the forums for several years now.
I sometimes post over at AVS Forums.

I see there's a lot of Marantz fans over here so I thought I'd ask a few questions. I'm looking to upgrade my very old Yamaha 5.1 avr from 1998. It still works well but thought I'd try something updated and different.

I've been looking at both the Marantz 7012 and 8012. Other than the 8012 being 11 channel is there any reason to pick that over the 7012 if 11 channels are not going to be used? Is the fact that it's built in Japan a better reason to pick it for reliability/build quality? I haven't seen too many members complaining about their current Marantz gear.

I've read that the Marantz receivers run pretty hot. Does the 8012 run just as hot? It looks like a nice piece of audio equipment but it's too deep for my cabinet and would require some cutting. So thinking maybe the 7012 would do the trick.

Apologize if these questions have already been answered for someone else. I tried searching but didn't see anything specific to these two.

Thanks!
Z

 

[PENG]

Hello,

First time poster here but I've been reading the forums for several years now.
I sometimes post over at AVS Forums.

I see there's a lot of Marantz fans over here so I thought I'd ask a few questions. I'm looking to upgrade my very old Yamaha 5.1 avr from 1998. It still works well but thought I'd try something updated and different.

I've been looking at both the Marantz 7012 and 8012. Other than the 8012 being 11 channel is there any reason to pick that over the 7012 if 11 channels are not going to be used? Is the fact that it's built in Japan a better reason to pick it for reliability/build quality? I haven't seen too many members complaining about their current Marantz gear.

I've read that the Marantz receivers run pretty hot. Does the 8012 run just as hot? It looks like a nice piece of audio equipment but it's too deep for my cabinet and would require some cutting. So thinking maybe the 7012 would do the trick.

Apologize if these questions have already been answered for someone else. I tried searching but didn't see anything specific to these two.

Thanks!
Z

Based on my experience and based on the information available on the 7012 and 8012 and the AVR-X8500H that you didn't ask, I would predict all would run more or less equally warm if ventilated according to Marantz recommendation. For such sizable investment I think it is a good idea to add an external fan.

The 8012 will get you a better DAC chip, better shielding and toroidal power transformer for the power supply. None of those would likely result in audible difference. If you don't need the extra 2 channel of amp, the 7012 should be just as good. Note that the Denon AVR-X6400H sort of fits between the two, for about the same price. Marantz tends to cost more in NA, but seems the either way outside of NA. I mention this only because the two brands now have a lot in common.

 

[Zildjianmeister]

Peng,
Thank you for your response.

Yes, I did see that Denon X6400H.

Last year I listened to the Marantz SR7011 and Denon X7200wa. With music I couldn't really tell much of a difference. I know that Marantz touts the HDAM tech but I've seen others on here that don't really notice either. They both were pretty hot to the touch but the audio dealer had them in shelving with hardly any space around the top and sides.

I still haven't ruled out a return purchase to Yamaha (Aventage 1070) but I do like the way those Marantz' look

Z

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would go for the lower price option (Marantz or Denon) if you don't need all the channels, unless you have money to burn.

No matter which one you buy, get two 120mm USB fans and place them atop the AVR to pull hot air out.

I have a Denon X3100 AVR that runs hot as hell. But these fans keep the Denon operating very cool. So get these fans!

 

[Zildjianmeister]

AcuDefTechGuy,

Thank you. By chance are these the fans you use?

https://www.acinfinity.com/component-usb-fans/multifan-s3-p-quiet-ac-powered-cooling-fan-120mm/

I was looking at some of their other products as the avr will be in an enclosed cabinet. There's some holes in back for wiring and I leave the cabinet door open when in use. There's plenty of space on the top and sides.

Z

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

AcuDefTechGuy,

Thank you. By chance are these the fans you use?

https://www.acinfinity.com/component-usb-fans/multifan-s3-p-quiet-ac-powered-cooling-fan-120mm/

I was looking at some of their other products as the avr will be in an enclosed cabinet. There's some holes in back for wiring and I leave the cabinet door open when in use. There's plenty of space on the top and sides.

Z

Yep. That's what I use. They are silent, even with 4 fans running concurrently.

Looks like Amazon has these fans for a cheaper price.

https://www.amazon.com/AC-Infinity-MULTIFAN-Receiver-Playstation/dp/B00G05A2MU/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1517341223&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=USB+120MM+FAN&psc=1

 

[Zildjianmeister]

nice. Thanks for the tip! I was looking at those and their Aircom T9 component fan.



Z

 

[DigitalDawn]

The Marantz 8012 is my next purchase. I was upset when the Marantz factory was destroyed during the Fukushima tsunami. It was the end of an era in Japanese audio manufacturing. The fact that they started up again is a big deal - at least to me.

 

[Ras777]

Does anyone know if the Marantz 8012 has HDMI 2.1 certification? If not, would you spend that kind of money knowing it would be obsolete next year?

 

[sterling shoote]

Hello,

First time poster here but I've been reading the forums for several years now.
I sometimes post over at AVS Forums.

I see there's a lot of Marantz fans over here so I thought I'd ask a few questions. I'm looking to upgrade my very old Yamaha 5.1 avr from 1998. It still works well but thought I'd try something updated and different.

I've been looking at both the Marantz 7012 and 8012. Other than the 8012 being 11 channel is there any reason to pick that over the 7012 if 11 channels are not going to be used? Is the fact that it's built in Japan a better reason to pick it for reliability/build quality? I haven't seen too many members complaining about their current Marantz gear.

I've read that the Marantz receivers run pretty hot. Does the 8012 run just as hot? It looks like a nice piece of audio equipment but it's too deep for my cabinet and would require some cutting. So thinking maybe the 7012 would do the trick.

Apologize if these questions have already been answered for someone else. I tried searching but didn't see anything specific to these two.

Thanks!
Z

Keep the Yamaha.

 

[PENG]

Peng,
Thank you for your response.

Yes, I did see that Denon X6400H.

Last year I listened to the Marantz SR7011 and Denon X7200wa. With music I couldn't really tell much of a difference. I know that Marantz touts the HDAM tech but I've seen others on here that don't really notice either. They both were pretty hot to the touch but the audio dealer had them in shelving with hardly any space around the top and sides.

I still haven't ruled out a return purchase to Yamaha (Aventage 1070) but I do like the way those Marantz' look

Z

I like those RX-A1070 through 3070. The only reason I prefer D&M such as the SR7012 is Audyssey XT32 Sub EQ and now with the $20 editor that hopefully work well by now. 7012, 8012, 6400, 8500, even the 6012 and 4400 are most likely going to sound the same in pure direct when used well below their limits, but REQ will likely make a difference and Dynamic EQ is something that is a must have, for some of us at least..

 

[Zildjianmeister]

Thank you all for your input!

@sterling shoote
Regarding the Yamaha: Either way I'm going to keep it. Its been a trooper for this amount a time so no matter what I'd have it in another room for something.

Z

 

[Zildjianmeister]

Hello all,
Well I was able to take a listen to the Marantz sr7012, Denon x4400H, and the Denon X6400H. I could not hear a difference in the music I demoed with different speakers and direct/pure direct. The salesperson kept saying "Hear the musicality and airiness of the Marantz? That's the Hdam's" as if
using a Jedi mind trick on me. Darned if I could tell.

That said, I'm curious if it's worth going from the Denon X4400H to the Denon x6400H due to the Japan build?
Has anyone who owns them or the previous version tell a difference with the build quality? I'm only doing 3.1 now and most likely no more than 5.1 in the future. I won't use all those extra channels but don't want an external amp at this time so I'm looking at upper avr models.

I liked the upper yamaha models as well but they wouldn't fit in my cabinet. Except for the Rx-a1070 which seems like it's a little less featured than those Denons?
I couldn't listen to it. Saw it lacks the ability to eq duel subs. Not sure if it matters since I only have
one but may run a 2nd in the future. But ya never know.

Thanks!

Z

 

[PENG]

Hello all,
Well I was able to take a listen to the Marantz sr7012, Denon x4400H, and the Denon X6400H. I could not hear a difference in the music I demoed with different speakers and direct/pure direct. The salesperson kept saying "Hear the musicality and airiness of the Marantz? That's the Hdam's" as if
using a Jedi mind trick on me. Darned if I could tell.

That said, I'm curious if it's worth going from the Denon X4400H to the Denon x6400H due to the Japan build?
Has anyone who owns them or the previous version tell a difference with the build quality? I'm only doing 3.1 now and most likely no more than 5.1 in the future. I won't use all those extra channels but don't want an external amp at this time so I'm looking at upper avr models.

I liked the upper yamaha models as well but they wouldn't fit in my cabinet. Except for the Rx-a1070 which seems like it's a little less featured than those Denons?
I couldn't listen to it. Saw it lacks the ability to eq duel subs. Not sure if it matters since I only have
one but may run a 2nd in the future. But ya never know.

Thanks!

Z

Since, you don't need the extra features, if new with the 3 year D&M warranty I would just go with the 4400. The SR7012 has HDAM but also made in China, probably in the same place where the 4400 is made. For consumer electronics, if the device can last even a year trouble free, it won't matter if it was made in China, Vietnam or Japan. The >$1000 iPhone X's made in China too right? My Marantz AV8801 was made in Japan and the older AV7005's made in China, no issue so far.

Never mind HDAM, even my higher end all analog Marantz separate preamp/amp don't sound any different to me than my very old Denon AVR3805 that I am using for my LS50s.

Funny you mentioned Jedi mind trick, the $7500 Denon AVP and the $7000 Denon integrated amps PMA-SX don't have HDAM either so I guess they could be lacking musicality and airiness too lol..

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

...Dynamic EQ is something that is a must have, for some of us at least..

Don't go home without it.

It's the opposite of "Don't leave home without it."

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Funny you mentioned Jedi mind trick, the $7500 Denon AVP and the $7000 Denon integrated amps PMA-SX don't have HDAM either so I guess they could be lacking musicality and airiness too lol..

Well DAM (pun intended ), so my Denon AVP-A1HDCI is missing all that musicality, airiness, chocolatey ice cream flavor ?

Should have gotten the cheaper Marantz pre-pro.

 

[TechHDS]

Keep the Yamaha.

@sterling shoote , lol..smooth man I can dig it. lol, the OP, is getting solid advice from the old timers in here no doubt very solid recommendations. Dem Ole Timers in here are cool cats man..

 

[TechHDS]

Well DAM (pun intended ), so my Denon AVP-A1HDCI is missing all that musicality, airiness, chocolatey ice cream flavor ?

Should have gotten the cheaper Marantz pre-pro.

LMAO!. ADTG Man ya'll killen me!..lolo.. Jedi mind trick...lolo..

 

[Zildjianmeister]

Thanks Peng!

Yes it was pretty funny. Maybe the salesperson thought I was an "imperial stormtrooper" or something. Haha

 

[Zildjianmeister]

Hello,
Bumping this as I thought it was relevant to the latest video with the SR8012 un-boxing.

In the video Gene mentioned there was going to be an in depth review of the SR7012 last week and how it compared to the SR8012. Is this still in the works?

I'm interested to know how the SR7012 measured and what Audioholics thought of the build quality.
Z