Hello everyone,
My first post at Audioholics but I have been at this hobby for 41 years
I was shopping for a new processor to replace my trusty Integra 80.3 and could not find any reviews of these two processors.
So I thought I share my first impressions after living with them for two weeks. My budget allowed up to 3000 dollars retail. A quick shout out to safeandsoundhq for making it happen.
This is my subjective opinion notes with the processors in my current system: I hope this helps some of you:
Equipment: Currently running a 5.3 system.
TV: LG 86UK6570aua
Processor: Yamaha cx-a5200
Amplifiers: 4 Crown XLS 2500
Speakers: Klipsch LaScala IIs, center: RC-64II, Rear S. RB-81
Subwoofers: Two PSA V1811, Earthquake MK-V15
Game: Xbox 1s
CD-DVD bluray: Denon 2500BTCI
Media: Apple TV 4k
Yamaha CX-a5200:
Build quality is fantastic. 33 lbs for a preamp...it is a Beast. Better circuit layout and a torrid transformer is a nice touch.
Bluetooth transmission with headphones and rear surround speakers.
Cleaner and quieter sound...with more dynamics than the 7705.
Envelopment with movies and music was deeper. The steering in this processor is just excellent.
It just sounded better with both two channel and movies.
The new AI surround feature works excellent with movies.
I preferred the AI on with movies, off with music.
Slightly sharper picture quality than the 7705...but very close.
I really liked Yamaha's new remote. Touch feel indentations makes it so I do not even need to look at the remote. Weight in the hand is better.
YPAO provided consistent and repeatable measurements in my room above 31hz. Howerver, it did poorly on the subwoofers. But you can manually dial in it in with your PEQ down to 15Hz, With the Yamaha you need to settle in for a day or two of tweaking. You can get much better sound in the end IMO. But you do work for it. I did go in manually with the Yamaha PEQ and matched the Audysses sub calibration in the end. I used a test disc and found out I had a big peak at 50hz...YPAO did minor correction but missed it IMO
The Yamaha has virtual presence speakers you can turn on and off...Front and Back. In my setup I cannot cut out the ceiling for speakers. That leaves me with bounce house speaker option for atmos speakers or use the virtual speakers. Currently I like what I hear using the virtual but I need more time with them.
Marantz AV7705
Please note as a disclaimer I did not use the new Audyssey app as I had a finite time limit I was up against.
Audyssey is easier to setup. You can be up and running in 10 minutes with this processor. Initially Audyssey did a better at sub eq than the YPAO RSC. Audyssey seemed to be having a tough time with my front LaScalas. It was good but not great. However, XT32 did nail the sub calibration perfectly..
If your are going to run the acoustic software correction once and never look at settings again. Hit the easy button and get the 7705.
This 7705 is noise sensitive. Keep your wifi router away from this. It does not like RF at all and I was using full XLR wiring throughout.
I could never get it to quiet down fully. Please do keep in mind I am running highly efficient Klipsch LaScala IIs at 105db/1m.
The Yamaha was dead quiet from the moment I plug it in.
The Marantz has the both IMAX and Auro3D certification. While Yamaha does has their equivalent called HD3 which sounded great....This may be important to you.
The Marantz locked on to HDMI signals about 2 seconds quicker than the Yamaha. I think Yam has improved it over its predecessor, the cx-a5100, but the Marantz still is faster.
Neither one had any video drop out or issues in my system.
The 7705 is 500 dollars cheaper, or less on the street price. However, it could make the difference to you. For me the Yamaha was worth the extra money.
Conclusion:
Overall the Yamaha CX-a5200 was the clear winner. At least in my system. Particularly with sound. But I also liked the Yamaha video processing slightly better.... I could of lived with the AV7705 and been happy IF I never heard the CX-a5200. But once I heard the 5200 I could not go back to the 7705. Logically, I think the AV8805 would be an interesting comparison also as it represents each companies flagship processor. But with AV8805 listing at 4500 retail, price becomes a factor quickly.
While I have demo'd the Marantz av8802a awhile back. I think the cx-a5200 build quality is equivalent. As long as you do not mind the Yamaha method of doing things, the cx-a5200 is one of the best processors out there for the money.
