Marantz AV8003 or Denon 4308 ?

[Joeyrebar]

Which should I chose? would really like to get the 5308 but would knock down the budget on the speakers

The Marantz is not so hot on the video processing (read that some where)

This will be my first receiver.

Then its on to the speakers. (2-3k budjet)

Trying to do this right.

Thanks for the help.

 

[browninggold]

I have the Denon 3808ci. You could save even more by getting the 3808. About the only diffrence is wireless internet with the 4308. I just have a ethernet cable hooked up all the time on the 3808. Purchased from monoprice.com. Denon and marantz is owned by the same company D & M Holdings.

 

[mperfct]

another small difference is with the Marantz, you'd have to buy an amp. That particular model is the preamp/processor (or pre/pro). It will not make any sound without you hooking it up to an amp, and your speakers up to the amp. The accompaning Marantz amp is so-so, I think there are a lot better alternatives for the same or less money.

My opinion is to save your money, and buy a 3808 and get a full Audyssey install. That'll be better than a 4308 any day of the week.

 

[jamie2112]

Denon all the way for me.....I would choose your speakers first THEN get your receiver

 

[Joeyrebar]

Thank you for the replys. The 3808 might be the choice I really do wish I could get the 5308 but, is almost dubble the price worth it? Need to do some more home work on this. I am still building the room ( sheet rock etc.) it is 13 x 15. By getting the top end or close to it am I over killing it. Just want good sound for movies and music.

Thank you mperfect & browninggold

 

[AVRat]

You really need to nail down your speaker choice first, and then figure out how to power them. Although it doesn’t hurt to know what your power unit options are too help with the overall system/budget. Heck, in a room that size even the 2808/9 would be sufficient, depending on the speakers of course.

Subs (minimally):
SVS PB12-NSD
HSU VTF-3 MK3
AV123 MFW-15
Epik Knight/Caliber

 

[bigred7078]

I love my Marantz SR6003, its definately a performer.

The 8003 like others have said needs an amp. So this will definately make the price go up. But the AV8003 gets awesome reviews and is a fantastic unit.


You definately need to pick your speakers first though...they are the most important part of your audio setup and your audio system is supposed to evolve around the speakers.

I agree with AVrat about the 2809. If you dont mind not having a GUI with on screen volume/overlay, and dont care about networking being built into the receiver, then the 2809 is a fantastic unit for the money.

 

[Warpdrv]

I have also been looking for a dedicated Pre-Amp for quite some time as I have in both of my systems separate amps, I have also been using my Pioneer Elite 91's as the dedicated/temporary pre-amp for almost 2 years.

I just can't seem to lock it down to a single unit that doesn't have shortcomings in one area or another...

I would also like to spend a REASONABLE amount of money in the $2K each or so range - 1 unit for each of my systems.

I have looked at

Marantz 8003 (why just MultiEQ and not XT) Video upscaler is jaggy
Integra 9.9 / Onkyo 886 (scared of their Cust. service and support)
Emotiva, not too keen on their products personally
Pioneer - doesn't offer a Preamp at all...
Yamaha - doesn't offer a Preamp at all...

Denon doesn't offer a Pre-Amp in my price range
Anthem isn't 7.1 also too expensive

Any Others we are missing here in a 2-3K price range?

Please don't jump on me here, if I mentioned a product you own - I'm not knocking it, just trying to sort through it like the OP

Warp

 

[mperfct]

What about Outlaw? I just saw their new pre/pro is coming out soon. Might be worth your consideration...

http://outlawaudio.com/products/997.html

Has a Reon VP (which is pretty good, depending on the implementation of said chipset), balanced outputs, and 4x1 HDMI 1.3 switching. Looks pretty solid.

I know they aren't a boutique brand, but they put together some solid stuff from what I've seen.

 

[Warpdrv]

Yes mperfct, thank you as I forgot to add this to the list, but as of right now it is not available and everyone is still unsure of how powerful it will endup being.

I am not crippled by the method I am employing right now, but I would like in the future to be purchasing something more future proof. I have been running these systems like this for 2 years waiting for something to pan out, but I am still a bit unsettled in my choices.

1080p is here, as it wasn't back when I started and also 1.3 hdmi is really starting to settle in more now so there is less struggle from the manufacturers standpoint and they can focus on working out the wrinkles of what they have to work with.

At this time I am not forced to make an upgrade, but I still don't see anything new available that has it all figured out...

 

[mperfct]

1080p is here, as it wasn't back when I started and also 1.3 hdmi is really starting to settle in more now so there is less struggle from the manufacturers standpoint and they can focus on working out the wrinkles of what they have to work with.

At this time I am not forced to make an upgrade, but I still don't see anything new available that has it all figured out...

As fast as things are changing in the A/V world these days, especially regarding where we are getting our source material, I don't know if things will settle down for awhile. I think by 2012 we will start seeing some settling down and maturation of what's out there (no more 2+ minute Blu-Ray load times).

 

[Warpdrv]

Yes you are totally right - at least now the processing power is available to implement some of the room correction features like Audessey MultiXT, and better then average upscaling processors, but the only problem is from the time they start designing a unit to the time it gets produced for the consumer at the rate of change in the processing power, these units start to become obsolete when they hit the market.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

What about Rotel RSP-1570 for $2199?

http://www.rotel.com/NA/Products/ProductDetails.htm?Id=474&Tab=1&Pic=1

http://www.listenup.com/lu/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=RSP1570&Category_Code=&Store_Code=l

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

...I really do wish I could get the 5308

Yeah, it's $4,100 @ J&R Music World when you call and talk to a sales rep.

It's great, but for that price, most people would just get a Pre-Pro + Amp from Outlaw, Emotiva, Rotel, or Marantz.

Don't ask me why I didn't.

I guess I like going back and forth. Next I upgrade, I will probably go back to Pre-Pro + Amp.

I know the Outlaw 200wpc x 7 amp + upcoming pre-pro will be < $2500.
The Emotiva 200wpc x 5 amp + upcoming pre-pro will be < $1,800.

I think video processing is overrated because when you watch blu-ray, the picture is already 1080p perfect.