Marantz SR7013 vs Yamaha RX-A3080

[Spock7of9]

I'm in the market for a A/V Receiver, the system that I have is a preamp/pro B&K reference 30 with a B&K 3 x 200 amp, Adcom GFA 555 2 X 200 amp and a Rotel amp. I want to go to a 11.2 channel and utilize my 3 Channel amplifier for the front 3 channels. I don't want to go to another pre-pro because of the expense of a pre-pro and another 4-channel amplifier. So I kind of narrowed it down to Marantz SR7013 vs Yamaha RX-A3080. Any recommendation based on reliability, sound and ease-of-use. Thanks.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Well fwiw, I have a 6012 running 7.3.4 with a Yamaha pro amp for my mains, and it sounds fantastic. IMO of course. As far as reliability goes, I’ve seen people saying Yamaha is number one, but they all have lemons and I think there are probably less Yamahas out in the wild. I don’t have sales numbers so that is conjecture. I also dislike Yamahas menus and proprietary sound mode junk so if you can, grab a remote and navigate both brands. To me, if you hate using the menu structure, the experience can be lessened. I will say I’ve heard systems processed/powered by both, and they can both be excellent. IMO though, Audyssey with xt32 subeqHT is much more useful than ypao.
I also like the useless porthole on Marantz AVR’s lol.

 

[lovinthehd]

May as well consider Denon as Marantz, too. Something like the 4400/4500.

 

[PENG]

Apparently Yamaha's run cooler. For Denon or Marantz, if you add a quiet $10-$20 fan on top I bet they would work trouble free for a long time too.

With D&M you don't have to worry about the pre out voltage limit based on available bench measurements, and my own.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I'm in the market for a A/V Receiver, the system that I have is a preamp/pro B&K reference 30 with a B&K 3 x 200 amp, Adcom GFA 555 2 X 200 amp and a Rotel amp. I want to go to a 11.2 channel and utilize my 3 Channel amplifier for the front 3 channels. I don't want to go to another pre-pro because of the expense of a pre-pro and another 4-channel amplifier. So I kind of narrowed it down to Marantz SR7013 vs Yamaha RX-A3080. Any recommendation based on reliability, sound and ease-of-use. Thanks.

Reliability - Yamaha is arguably more reliable. But there’s no guarantee. Yamaha does operate a lot cooler than most brands, not just Marantz/Denon.

Sound - in Direct/Through mode, they sound the same. They only sound different if you use some form of EQ or DSP.

Regarding Auto EQ - some prefer Yamaha YPAO, some prefer Marantz YPAO. We’ve seen both YPAO and Audyssey produce good FR graphs. If Auto Room EQ is salient to you, then this is where you should focus on. If you are like me and couldn’t care less about any Auto Room EQ, then no big deal here.

Ease of use - Yamaha arguably has better Remote App, WiFi Music Streaming App, and HDMI compatibility. I’ve used the Denon/Marantz Remote App for years and it sucked for years.

Of course, everyone has a different opinion. I am trying to sell my Denon AVR-5308, which is in my living room. I would replace it with a Yamaha, probably a RX-A1080.

 

[snakeeyes]

Reliability - Yamaha is arguably more reliable. But there’s no guarantee. Yamaha does operate a lot cooler than most brands, not just Marantz/Denon.

Sound - in Direct/Through mode, they sound the same. They only sound different if you use some form of EQ or DSP.

Regarding Auto EQ - some prefer Yamaha YPAO, some prefer Marantz YPAO. We’ve seen both YPAO and Audyssey produce good FR graphs. If Auto Room EQ is salient to you, then this is where you should focus on. If you are like me and couldn’t care less about any Auto Room EQ, then no big deal here.

Ease of use - Yamaha arguably has better Remote App, WiFi Music Streaming App, and HDMI compatibility. I’ve used the Denon/Marantz Remote App for years and it sucked for years.

Of course, everyone has a different opinion. I am trying to sell my Denon AVR-5308, which is in my living room. I would replace it with a Yamaha, probably a RX-A1080.

If it fits the budget, the 2070/2080 is probably where you want to be.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

If it fits the budget, the 2070/2080 is probably where you want to be.

Okay, you’re right. For $200 more, I would take the 2080.

 

[Spock7of9]

If it fits the budget, the 2070/2080 is probably where you want to be.

I believe the 2080 can not process 11.2 only 9.2.

 

[snakeeyes]

I believe the 2080 can not process 11.2 only 9.2.

Yes that’s true but I was responding to @AcuDefTechGuy

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Yes that’s true but I was responding to @AcuDefTechGuy

Oh, hell, the 3080 is only another $200 more than the 2080, I might as well get that.