The never ending rabbit hole....What Avr would you recommend for my setup? Marantz, Denon, Sony, Anthem, Yamaha, Integra, Emotiva or??????

[Eppie]

Depends on what part were talking about but for dac I like ess brand. I'm so picky I just got a anthem amp and have taking it apart and change all the caps in it.

How old of an amp are we talking about? Seems like a waste of time and money for what is well constructed equipment to begin with.

 

[TLS Guy]

Depends on what part were talking about but for dac I like ess brand. I'm so picky I just got a anthem amp and have taking it apart and change all the caps in it.

Unless there was something wrong with it as judged by bench instrument testing, that is a good way to ruin perfectly good equipment. Often there is a lot more to specking a cap than just the value, like operating temperature for instance. When dealing with electronic equipment not fixing what is not broken is a hard and fast rule. You are not picky but misguided and sooner or later you will learn an expensive lesson.

 

[chrysler82000]

So, I'm looking to purchase a new AVR and I'm overwhelmed by the choices. I'm hoping for some advice to help guide my decision. I was previously using a Denon AVRX4700, which I sold to replace it with the new Marantz C50. However, after a month, I decided to return the C50 and consider the C40 instead. The Marantz was a significant upgrade from the Denon in terms of both looks and sound quality.

The Marantz delivered more detailed sound, superior Atmos, and better two-channel music listening, even seeming to provide more power to my 11.2 setup. I'm using a pair of monoblocks for my main JBL L200 speakers, so the two-channel power isn't an issue. Interestingly, I found Audyssey to sound much better in my setup than Dirac, even though I had the option to switch between the two.

My current setup includes 2 JBL L200's for the mains (powered by separate monoblocks), an Emotiva C2+ for the center channel, Emotiva Tzero+ for surround, Emotiva E2+ for rear surround, Emotiva A1 for front and rear Atmos, and 2 SVS PB3000 subs. The new receiver needs to support 11.2, factoring in my separate amps for the mains. I also have another set of mains, JBL L100's, that I'd like to integrate if possible, but it's not a deal-breaker. I have an LG 77" OLED, PS5, APPLE 4K TV, and Fire Cube TV all newest additions.

I loved the Marantz C50 and wouldn't hesitate to choose the C40 if it could support both the L100's and L200's. Currently, I'm considering the Marantz C40, Marantz SR8015, Anthem MRX 1140, Yamaha RX-A8A, Sony AZ7000ES, Integra DRX8.4, Emotiva basX MR1, and possibly the Denon AVR6700 (if someone can assure me it sounds better than the AVR4700 and on par with the c40/50). I'd like to have 4K 120Hz support, but I can do without it if the sound quality is substantially better on a model without it. If there is a model not listed let me know I am open to suggestions. Thank you in advance for any suggestions.

My Marantz sr7012 took a poop after 4 years 8 months. I new they ran hot and thought at the time as long as I had good ventilation it would be fine. well it was for 4 years and 8 months. I replaced it last week with the Anthem MRX1140. I had no idea how good or bad an avr could be in my room. the sr7012 is not even close to being in the same league as the 1140. I did one quick calibration and it's clearly in every way better. Much better separation. More life like sound. And I been fighting my center channel for dialogue from day one with the Marantz. I treated the room, I raised the center voiume, I traded in my center speaker. FINALLY all I had to do was replace this marantz. I haven't begun to tweak this Anthem and I'll say it again, night and day versus the sr7012. yeah I know the sr7012 is still selling for $1500. But I go to the same store to purchase all my equipment because I always get a smoking deal. I paid $3300 for a brand new 1140

 

[chrysler82000]

Well, the Denon i have running downstairs is sounding great so I'm not inclined to touch it.

But the upstairs is where the Marantz 6013 was. I couldn't get clarity on my center and I thought it was the speakers. But then I decided to try the Sony ES up there and sure enough, crystal clear. So I did swap out the Marantz and the Sony in that room. But I wouldn't want to put the 4700 upstairs becuase I don't want to take it out of where it's working.

One day, if I decide to go to a processor in that room (it's where we watch most everything together... Living room). Then I probably would move the 4700 upstairs and A/B it with the Sony or whatever I have up there at the time.

Sony was simple to run however as you mention. That doesn't mean it will always be better. It's less EQ than Audyssey of course. It's mainly just distance and levels to be honest. But it's fairly effective in it's simplicity

"But the upstairs is where the Marantz 6013 was. I couldn't get clarity on my center " Dido that. For nearly 5 years I been trying to fix dialogue on my sr7012. Treated the room, ran rew till it was nearly perfect. raised the center volume, replaced the center speaker. None of that worked. I just bought the Anthem MRX1140 and now perfectly clear. With much more surround separation. And more life like while watching movies.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

"But the upstairs is where the Marantz 6013 was. I couldn't get clarity on my center " Dido that. For nearly 5 years I been trying to fix dialogue on my sr7012. Treated the room, ran rew till it was nearly perfect. raised the center volume, replaced the center speaker. None of that worked. I just bought the Anthem MRX1140 and now perfectly clear. With much more surround separation. And more life like while watching movies.

And we’ve all heard the exact opposite from some other people going from Anthem to Denon or Marantz or Yamaha, etc.

The point is - it seems everyone has a different experience.

Some of us doubt that it’s actually the AVR (or amp) at fault, but rather the user not being able to figure out how to set certain AVR up optimally.

I’ve even seen people say they went from a cheap Marantz to an expensive Marantz or cheap Yamaha to more expensive Yamaha, etc. and the older cheaper AVR sounded better than the new one. And then I tell them how I would set it up and next thing you know the new AVR sounded much better.

Different experiences in everyone’s life.

 

[chrysler82000]

And we’ve all heard the exact opposite from some other people going from Anthem to Denon or Marantz or Yamaha, etc.

The point is - it seems everyone has a different experience.

Some of us doubt that it’s actually the AVR (or amp) at fault, but rather the user not being able to figure out how to set certain AVR up optimally.

I’ve even seen people say they went from a cheap Marantz to an expensive Marantz or cheap Yamaha to more expensive Yamaha, etc. and the older cheaper AVR sounded better than the new one. And then I tell them how I would set it up and next thing you know the new AVR sounded much better.

Different experiences in everyone’s life.

that is the point why we are subscribed to audioholics. To share our experiences. In my experience it was not my inability to set up my sound audio unit. Yes it's less expensive than my new Anthem. More money it my case more better.

 

[lovinthehd]

that is the point why we are subscribed to audioholics. To share our experiences. In my experience it was not my inability to set up my sound audio unit. Yes it's less expensive than my new Anthem. More money it my case more better.

Sharing personal anecdotes isn't the big thing around here, nice story, tho.

 

[ssmokeyy]

Integra drx 8.4 / pioneer lx804 should be looked at here.

 

[Kingnoob]

Then you are all set, no point reading what others have to say about difference in sound quality between those AVRs right?

Even highly regarded PhDs such as Dr. Olive and Dr. Toole had stressed the importance of doing comparison listening in DBT. But then again, back to your belief, none of those opinions and/or findings could change you mind anyway, by the "sound" of it.

By the way, the Denon AVR-X4800H, Marantz C40 have the same parts in the audio signal path, came processors, dacs, volume ICs, opamps, power amps etc., just about the only difference is Denon still wouldn't use those silly HDAMs. In other parts of the world, the two have very similar list price, but in North America, people have to pay a lot more, $1000 more in some cases. So, if I were to choose, I would definitely go with the X4800H, but would take the C40 if I were in Europe such as Paris, or Singapore, because I like their look better, not the C50 though because of its limited info display.

Since you can hear a difference and think the Marantz has "better" sound (even though facts don't support that except in some specific scenario..), my suggestion is, go with the C40 even if you have to pay $1,000 more.

I could recommend a different brand anyday of the week I cannot decide period . I’m still kicking myself for not getting integra ..

First of all, I do not use room correction. If you do then you add in all sorts of variables. In addition the speaker amp interface adds in a host of variables.

So to really engineer optimally you have design the whole package as an integrated project. The speaker amp interface is a bigger variable than most realize especially given the limitation of receivers. I design my own speakers, that are largely active in the HT room. I stick to the same amps, I have used for a long time. I could use others, but they are a known quantity to me. I am very much in favor of a total design approach. But I use known design, techniques and measurements. I seldom change equipment, and speakers very rarely. Once I am satisfied I leave well alone, and avoid your so called rabbit holes and don't dig any.

That way I can then enjoy the hard work and artistry of myriads of hard working musicians. I do the science and engineering so I can enjoy their artistry to the full. There is NO magic, just solid engineering, design and execution. In these days of multichannel audio, the equipment and room ideally become part and parcel of the project.

you must have good speakers I need room correction to knock down my Klipch treble ..

 

[chrysler82000]

I could recommend a different brand anyday of the week I cannot decide period . I’m still kicking myself for not getting integra ..

you must have good speakers I need room correction to knock down my Klipch treble ..

As an owner of both Marantz and Denon they clearly have a different sound, under one company Sound United. I also own Anthem's which in my opinion are superior to Sound United. If you're undecided, buy both from a reputeable company with a generous return policy. Take time to evaluate them in your home. Return the one you don't want.

 

[ssmokeyy]

U can buy the integra drx 8.4 and return it. 90 days I would put that guy up to anyone. denon/marantz is easy work for him to over come.