Marantz AV7005 Networking A/V Processor Review

[sterling shoote]

Makes me glad I've got a Sony TA-E9000ES which, knock on wood, is still working. Sony should bring out an updated one dropping S-VHS and adding HDMI, plus, 7.1 analog inputs.

 

[PENG]

There has been talk about Marantz coming out with the AV8005, in fact Audyssey even confirmed which devices will be added to the list to have the ability to run Audyssey PRO with the updated 3.4 software....
http://72.9.159.100/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=19422057&postcount=32535

So it looks like there will be a more professional unit that will likely fill in the missing gaps that the 7005 has such as DACs and a good chance there will be Audyssey XT32 as well... I may just have to wait for that one...

In a private PM with Chris from Audyssey, he stated that Marantz was roughly 6 months behind the other early adopters when I asked about XT32, which led me to believe that there was a unit in the works to be released at a later date.... seems to all be adding up to an 8005

That makes me momentarily consider cancelling the order for the 7005, but then the 8005 would likely go for double the price and potentially end up with the same cirrus logic DAC that the 8003 has. So I guess I should stick to my plan of going the analog route with my old and reliable 3910 universal (by 2005 standard).

 

[PENG]

Drop the radio, drop the phono input, drop the bluetooth and put those resources into what should be more important, the audio quality. Anyone who is buying a pre/pro over a AVR probably doesn't need the scratchy little tuner module or mediocre at best phono input and blue tooth I don't even know what to say about that. You could have hit a home run with this one but instead fouled out. . . again.

I say drop the ABT too. What a big myth about ABT, REON etc., they all look the same to real life material and I have no interest in watching synthetic pictures!! Those who own very large screens likely have an Oppo 83/93 or watch HD exclusively anyway. Just give me more and better DAC, higher SN ratio, better cross talk specs and more HDMI. The one in the front doesn't count, there is no way I would have a wire hook up to the front full time as it would spoil the look.

 

[adk highlander]

Hooked this up yesterday and am having issues.

I am getting a serious buzzing sound through all my speakers with this pre-amp. I am fairly certain this is not a ground loop issue. I have dedicated circuits for my theater and have never had any other component have this issue. I use ATI 2002/2005 amps for my 7.1 setup.

When the amps are on (w/o using trigger) they are dead quiet with almost zero noise floor with the balanced connection and with the RCA's there is a bit more noise. As soon as the pre is on I get a buzzing out of all the speakers with the same tone and loudness.

I have tried every iteration of gear from nothing connected to hooking each piece up separately to see if it goes away. I've tried another amp (Onkyo M282) I use for zone duties.

I've spoke with my dealer I purchased it from and I told him I would call back tomorrow to see if I was able to fix it.

Any ideas? I have it in a middle atlantic rack so it is a pain to pull out but that will be the next step. I'll bring to my office and try it there. I bought this to upgrade from an 885. It was working perfect so I'm really feeling dumb now.

 

[PENG]

I am getting a serious buzzing sound through all my speakers with this pre-amp. I am fairly certain this is not a ground loop issue.

Why are you "fairly" certain? On this dedicated circuit did you have only the 7005 plugged in? If not, try this first, and do not hook it up anything, balance or not, just have the 7005 powered up by itself with nothing, no inputs/outputs, and see if it still buzz. If it does not buzz by itself, then hook up the speakers and see if it would buzz through the speakers.

 

[adk highlander]

Why are you "fairly" certain? On this dedicated circuit did you have only the 7005 plugged in? If not, try this first, and do not hook it up anything, balance or not, just have the 7005 powered up by itself with nothing, no inputs/outputs, and see if it still buzz. If it does not buzz by itself, then hook up the speakers and see if it would buzz through the speakers.

Thanks, I guess I was not clear the buzzing is coming through the speakers. I have tried just the pre and amp on the one circuit and it does not make a difference. When I was saying balanced vs. rca I was referring to the connections to the amp.

Heck I just ran an extension cord to another part of the house just to see and plugged an amp and the pre into that and it still does the same thing.

 

[PENG]

Thanks, I guess I was not clear the buzzing is coming through the speakers. I have tried just the pre and amp on the one circuit and it does not make a difference. When I was saying balanced vs. rca I was referring to the connections to the amp.

Heck I just ran an extension cord to another part of the house just to see and plugged an amp and the pre into that and it still does the same thing.

Thank you for the clarification. Did you plug both the 7005 and the power amp not only to the same circuit but to the same outlet, not one to the outlet and another to a power bar, power conditioner etc.? I just want to eliminate the possibility of ground loop.

 

[adk highlander]

Thank you for the clarification. Did you plug both the 7005 and the power amp not only to the same circuit but to the same outlet, not one to the outlet and another to a power bar, power conditioner etc.? I just want to eliminate the possibility of ground loop.

Yes. I have and I again should have said. I have two outlets that each go to their own 20 amp breaker.

With the last setup. I used one outlet for both the amps and the other outlet for the other gear (pre, bd, sat boxes) through a conditioner. But once this started I went to just one amp and was trying it through just one outlet. But now I've tried all sorts of combos. Uggh.

 

[Warpdrv]

are you running xlr's ?

Where did you get them if so....

Some people have had issues with monoprice's xlr's in their setup...

 

[adk highlander]

are you running xlr's ?

Where did you get them if so....

Some people have had issues with monoprice's xlr's in their setup...

Yes and the XLR's are quieter than the rca's with just the amp on w/o the pre. When the pre comes on is when I get the buzz. The xlr's are made with canare star quad and nutrik connectors.

 

[PENG]

It would be much easier to isolate the potential issues if you pull them all out. Have the 7005 and the power amp both out so you can try plugging things in only one at and time. Even the power amp to preamp XLR connections, one at the time. If everything worked perfectly before with no buzz/hum and the only change now is you replaced the Onkyo with the Marantz, then you may have some internal wiring error in the Marantz, resulting in ground loop currents. It is hard to believe this sort of thing can happen but anything is possible. That's one thing good about AVRs, less chance to have ground loop within itself. Now you have got me worry about my back ordered 7005. My Denon AVRs are all extremely quiet even by my standard.

 

[jostenmeat]

adk, sorry if I missed it, but the buzzing happens always, with music being fed, in stereo, in mch, in mch matrixed, etc?

Just curious because I think I may have buzzing only in the rears (not sides) when feeding stereo? Something like that, and it almost never comes up since I never use stereo w/o matrix in the HT (have a dedicated stereo system). Soon as I matrix, buzz absolutely gone. I know, weird.

Of course in your shoes, since it's brand new, I'd exchange/return.

 

[Warpdrv]

yeah, those are the good cables....

PENG - I agree, your right and I have heard about this happening to more then one user of the Marantz.... which is not cool if all they did was change out preamps or receivers...

 

[adk highlander]

adk, sorry if I missed it, but the buzzing happens always, with music being fed, in stereo, in mch, in mch matrixed, etc?

Just curious because I think I may have buzzing only in the rears (not sides) when feeding stereo? Something like that, and it almost never comes up since I never use stereo w/o matrix in the HT (have a dedicated stereo system). Soon as I matrix, buzz absolutely gone. I know, weird.

Of course in your shoes, since it's brand new, I'd exchange/return.

The buzz is there with any source or no source and with any surround mode.

Peng - I did more than just replace the pre. I also installed the middle atlantic rack and was starting to do the wiring when I started hearing the buzz when it was just powered up.

I will have to get someone to come over tomorrow to help me pull them out so I can test them in another environment. The Marantz does not have a grounded plug only a two prong. Is there a way to ground the pre or will just being bolted to the rails ground it. If I run a wire from the rails to something will that help? (sorry if that is a dumb question/idea).

 

[sterling shoote]

Bad SRAM chip?

 

[alex1950]

Very good review. Really enjoy it.

I have been looking to replace a Denon 3808. This A/V receiver has been very good for me but I decided to go separates. The main reason was not enough power to drive the speakers. I do have Paradigm studio 100 V5 for front and the cc390 for center. These speakers require more power. I did buy 4 Emotiva amps. two XPA1 monos, one XPA2 duo, and one XPA3 trio.

I have been using the Denon as the Processor. I did buy the Emotiva UMC-1 but I do not have the time to put it to work right now. So I am lookink for a processor that will work out of the box.

I have been reading about Anthem (expensive), Integra (did not like onkyo), and now the Marantz. For the price it seems a good deal. I am in Canada,and I can get it for around 1500.00CD normal price.

I am going to try have it as loan to test it before I buy because I have a complex setup.

Anything that I should now more about the Marantz? Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

 

[avliner]

Hi Alex,

first off, welcome to the family
Considering that you got the Emo amps. already, I se no reason whatsoever to change your AVR though.. think about it: you do have pre-outs on the 3808, so all you gotta do is to give it a lot of more power and be fine.. sure your 'digms will shine though

 

[PENG]

I have been looking to replace a Denon 3808. This A/V receiver has been very good for me but I decided to go separates. The main reason was not enough power to drive the speakers. I do have Paradigm studio 100 V5 for front and the cc390 for center. These speakers require more power. I did buy 4 Emotiva amps. two XPA1 monos, one XPA2 duo, and one XPA3 trio.

I have been using the Denon as the Processor. I did buy the Emotiva UMC-1 but I do not have the time to put it to work right now. So I am lookink for a processor that will work out of the box.

I have been reading about Anthem (expensive), Integra (did not like onkyo), and now the Marantz. For the price it seems a good deal. I am in Canada,and I can get it for around 1500.00CD normal price.

I am going to try have it as loan to test it before I buy because I have a complex setup.

Anything that I should now more about the Marantz? Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

We are sort of in the same boat but not really. I ordered the Marantz combo to replace my 4308 but I never did consider it an upgrade except for the slightly increased power. I like toys to play with and the Marantz comes with more up to date features for playing.

I can tell you that your 3808 has the same Burr Brown DAC that my 4308 has, perhaps fewer of them but it is the same PCM1791. The Marantz has DACs that are not as good on paper but will likely sound just as good in real life. I do not expect any sound quality improvements whatsoever but I wouldn't mind it at all if it happens.

The Marantz should offer you much better video upconversion/scaling if that means something to you. It means almost nothing to me. I am still waiting for mine, so I hope you have better luck.

By the way the 3808 has very impressive lab measurement in the HTM review a couple of years ago. It yielded excellent THD, cross talks, S/N ratio, power output figures etc., far superior than those of the Marantz SR7005 reviewed by the same person and presumably measured in the same lab.

 

[PENG]

Is there a way to ground the pre or will just being bolted to the rails ground it. If I run a wire from the rails to something will that help? (sorry if that is a dumb question/idea).

Theorectically you could ground the chassis but it should be be necessary as I am sure the 7005 has the needed approvals by the appropriate authorities such as UL, CSA etc. It is probably double insulated. Also, grounding the unit would likely increase the chance of developing (or make the existing worse) buzz and hums.

 

[adk highlander]

I thought I should update everyone on my trials.

I pulled the 7005 and two different amps our of the rack and the noise is still there. I also spoke with my dealer and I think I am going to get a replacement. The Marantz rep is out at CES but he was able to speak with him and they will replace it within the first 30 days. I think there is a backorder so it may be a couple of weeks but I will use this one until that other one comes in.

The rep and tech support said they had no previous complaints like I am experiencing so this I hope is a one off.

Thanks to everyone especially TLSguy who I have been hitting with PM's.