Yamaha RX-A1080 vs Marantz SR6014

[JonCr]

My aging Pioneer AVR will need to be replaced soon due to the WE22 error that will eventually render it useless. This is for a 5.1 system in my family room where it used mostly for TV and movies and occasional music as background while doing chores or working on my computer. I have a dedicated 2 channel system, so this isn’t used for any kind of serious music listening. Two of my requirements are a good, powered zone 2 for my back porch speakers and a reliable, decent iOS app. I’ve narrowed it down to the Yamaha RX-A1080 or the Marantz SR6014. In my eyes, it is a toss up between these two, so I’m wondering what the group thinks.

Zone 2 - They both seem to have this covered
iOS app - They both have one, but not sure if one is better
Reliability - Advantage to Yamaha
Sound - Possibly advantage to Marantz based on reviews, but both should be good
Price - Advantage to Yamaha, but either price is ok
Room correction - Advantage to Marantz, but I think either would be fine
Misc - Marantz has a HDMI port in the front, which I like

Is this just a coin toss? Thanks!

Jon

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would go with Yamaha for reliability, compatibility, WiFi streaming, WiFi remote apps. Yamaha has a much better iOS and Android app than Denon/Marantz.

I have a Yamaha RX-A3080 in my living room (just sold my Denon AVR-5308 and replaced with RX-A3080). I love the MusicCast app for controlling the different Zones.

Home Theater is from the CX-A5100.

Family Room (Zone1) and Back Porch (Zone2) are from RX-A3080.

Eventually I will add other inexpensive Yamaha AVRs with MusicCast to other rooms and control any room with my iPad or Phone.

 

[Pogre]

I would go with Yamaha for reliability, compatibility, WiFi streaming, WiFi remote apps.

I have a Yamaha RX-A3080 in my living room. I love the MusicCast app for controlling the different Zones.

Home Theater is from the CX-A5100.

Family Room (Zone1) and Back Porch (Zone2) are from RX-A3080.

I agree with all of your points about Yamaha. One question I have tho is, isn't the 1080 the bottom rung of the Aventage series (more comparable to the SR5014) and the 6014 a step or 2 up in Marantz's hierarchy?

Maybe Yamaha's bottom rung is more or less equal to Marantz's mid range offerings, but I don't know. That's why I ask.

Plus for room correction, especially subwoofage, I believe Marantz with XT32 has the edge, but that's a subjective preference.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I agree with all of your points about Yamaha. One question I have tho is, isn't the 1080 the bottom rung of the Aventage series (more comparable to the SR5014) and the 6014 a step or 2 up in Marantz's hierarchy?

Maybe Yamaha's bottom rung is more or less equal to Marantz's mid range offerings, but I don't know. That's why I ask.

Plus for room correction, especially subwoofage, I believe Marantz with XT32 has the edge, but that's a subjective preference.

Good points.

I suppose the SR6014 is more comparable to the RX-A2080.

And how someone feels about Room EQ and Subwoofer EQ would also play a huge factor.

I think Audyssey XT32 has an edge over YPAO for people who care about Auto-Room EQ and Auto-Sub EQ.

But for guys who prefer MANAUL EQ, the Yamaha has the edge with Parametric EQ (7 bands for every single speaker, 4 bands each sub).

For me, I don't care much about Auto Room EQ or Auto Sub EQ. I use Pure Direct Mode on my Yamaha anyway, so EQ isn't even a factor. So I would still take the RX-A1080 over the SR6014 for things that matter more to me.

Here's more on the Denon/Marantz vs Yamaha:

Denon/Marantz vs Yamaha vs Anthem Thread

It seems DM, Yamaha, and Anthem are the 3 big AVR heavyweights these days. I think a lot of newbies would love to get some perspective on these three brands. What are their pros and cons? If you have owned all three brands of AVR, your opinions would be greatly appreciated. If you have at...

forums.audioholics.com

 

[JonCr]

Thanks for the responses. I think you’re right in that the Marantz SR5014 is closer to the Yamaha 1080. I think I initially went with the 6014 because it had the better version of Audyssey. But, I believe the same could be said about the YPAO in the 2080 vs the 1080.

So, assuming I go with Yamaha, if I don’t need more than 7 channels (5.1 + zone 2) and likely will never add more to this room, is there any reason to go for the Yamaha 2080 over the 1080?

 

[Pogre]

Thanks for the responses. I think you’re right in that the Marantz SR5014 is closer to the Yamaha 1080. I think I initially went with the 6014 because it had the better version of Audyssey. But, I believe the same could be said about the YPAO in the 2080 vs the 1080.

So, assuming I go with Yamaha, if I don’t need more than 7 channels (5.1 + zone 2) and likely will never add more to this room, is there any reason to go for the Yamaha 2080 over the 1080?

For me it comes down to room correction. If you plan to run 2 subs XT32 does an excellent job and can set levels/delay independently and the editor app ($20) adds a lot more control.

Like ADTG said tho, if room correction is not a priority then the 1080/2080 might be the ticket for you. Overall sound quality should be more or less equal with the differences coming down to eq and room correction.

 

[PENG]

It is difficult to compare Marantz to Yamaha's. The 6014 can do 7.1.4, you need the 3080 to match that, but overall the 7013 is more comparable to the 3080. The 2080 is an odd ball, it can't do 7.1.4 so it is a no go for me but other than that it seems as good as the 3080.

For sound quality, I think in pure direct mode anyone who claimed to be able to tell which was which easily had to be using their eyes. In non pure direct mode, then it depends..

 

[JonCr]

I have always used the MCACC room correction in my Pioneer, so I’d imagine I’ll use room correction with this AVR also. I just have one subwoofer and since this is our living room, I’ll likely never add more subs or speakers to this room. I was under the impression that either YPAO or Audyssey would probably be fine for my setup.

 

[Pogre]

I have always used the MCACC room correction in my Pioneer, so I’d imagine I’ll use room correction with this AVR also. I just have one subwoofer and since this is our living room, I’ll likely never add more subs or speakers to this room. I was under the impression that either YPAO or Audyssey would probably be fine for my setup.

Lol. Well that's a big, fat "depends". I think most will agree that Audyssey is the superior room correction tech, but I think YPAO isn't exactly horrible either.

Single sub does simplify your setup, but there's also what PENG said to consider as well. If you want to go full blown atmos down the road neither the 1080 nor 2080 will do 7.1.4.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

For me it comes down to room correction. If you plan to run 2 subs XT32 does an excellent job and can set levels/delay independently and the editor app ($20) adds a lot more control.

Like ADTG said tho, if room correction is not a priority then the 1080/2080 might be the ticket for you. Overall sound quality should be more or less equal with the differences coming down to eq and room correction.

Same here. Xt32 wins the day. Plus I hate Yamahas proprietary language and the menus are pain. And I think the reliability thing is conjecture as I’ve not seen any data points. Not to dis any members that have feelings otherwise. I just think there are more DM units in the wild so it reflects a larger percentage of potential issues.

 

[KEW]

Lol. Well that's a big, fat "depends". I think most will agree that Audyssey is the superior room correction tech, but I think YPAO isn't exactly horrible either.

Single sub does simplify your setup, but there's also what PENG said to consider as well. If you want to go full blown atmos down the road neither the 1080 or 2080 will do 7.1.4.

My understanding is that YPAO does very little with the lower frequencies. Since I use the app to apply Audyssey only to the lower frequencies, that makes it an easy call for the Marantz!

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

I have always used the MCACC room correction in my Pioneer, so I’d imagine I’ll use room correction with this AVR also. I just have one subwoofer and since this is our living room, I’ll likely never add more subs or speakers to this room. I was under the impression that either YPAO or Audyssey would probably be fine for my setup.

I use mcacc in my bedroom. It’s pretty good but Audyssey is definitely better. IMO, ypao is about as good as mcacc. I think DIRAC is pro but the best but ARC is supposed to be good too.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Thanks for the responses. I think you’re right in that the Marantz SR5014 is closer to the Yamaha 1080. I think I initially went with the 6014 because it had the better version of Audyssey. But, I believe the same could be said about the YPAO in the 2080 vs the 1080.

So, assuming I go with Yamaha, if I don’t need more than 7 channels (5.1 + zone 2) and likely will never add more to this room, is there any reason to go for the Yamaha 2080 over the 1080?

Depends on how much power your speakers TRULY require.

For example, the A2080 can output 260W x 2Ch into 4ohms, the A1080 can output 173W x 2Ch into 4 ohms.

But otherwise, probably don't need the upgrade if you don't need more than 7 TOTAL Ch of amps (the A2080 has 9Ch amp).

 

[KEW]

Thanks for the responses. I think you’re right in that the Marantz SR5014 is closer to the Yamaha 1080. I think I initially went with the 6014 because it had the better version of Audyssey. But, I believe the same could be said about the YPAO in the 2080 vs the 1080.

Maybe, but Audyssey XT32 with the control of the app is well ahead of the best YPAO has to offer!

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Maybe, but Audyssey XT32 with the control of the app is well ahead of the best YPAO has to offer!

Agreed.

 

[JonCr]

Thanks all for the feedback. I’m still pretty undecided, but this was all good information.

 

[lovinthehd]

Might throw Denon into the mix, for similar feature set as its sister brand Marantz it tends to be better priced.

 

[snakeeyes]

Not sure what speakers you have but I like the 2080 series from Yamaha. I have the RXA2060. The iPhone controller works every time. I also have RXA770 and RXV681 in other rooms.