Harmon Kardon AVR 247 vs Marantz SR7001

[BlwnAway]

Hi everyone I'm new here and would like to throw out a quick opinion poll.

I'm replacing a Marantz SR96 and DP870 due to a lightning strike (also a 60" Marantz TV) and am trying to decide between the HK AVR247 (595w) and a Marantz SR7001.

I know this seems a little lopsided due to cost, but because of dealing with my insurance co. and depreciation my two choices are these:

New HK AVR247 from Best Buy (I know don't get me started.)
or
New SR7001 from a secondary retailer out of town with no factory warranty (supplied to me by the insuance co.)

either of these will cost me 250.00 to 300.00 out of pocket.

also in my decision making process is the fact that I am looking for a good Movie experience as apposed to just Music.

Here is what else I'm working With:

New TV 60" Sony 1080p
HD Direct TV service
Definitive Technology BP2000 front / BP10 rear / CLR2002 center / 12" powered sub
and your run of the mill DVD player with Component out's.

I'm really just looking for opinions here, so that I can try to make an informed decision.

Thanks ahead of time.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I don't know about the Marantz, but I know the AVR247 sounds pretty good to me. One strange thing I noticed about the AVR247 is that the sound levels seem louder through the optical/coaxial (DD/DTS) than HDMI 1.1 (TruHD, DD Plus). That's just my observation. But overall, I think the HK sounds pretty good.

 

[j_garcia]

Based on my buddy's recent issues with quality, I'd go with Marantz. Been a Marantz fan for years myself.

 

[NoTx]

Well, the 247 does not support PCM 7.1 (or 6.1), you might want to check on the marrantz. But isn't Marrantz denon? And the denons do...

 

[j_garcia]

No, Marantz is not Denon. They are both owned by a holding company; that does not make them one and the same.

 

[NoTx]

No, Marantz is not Denon. They are both owned by a holding company; that does not make them one and the same.

No, but makes technology trading much more likely... and Dennon has the capability. Personally, if I were to buy a new reciever I would at a minimun want PCM 7.1 support.

I had been looking at the Harman Kardons, but after weeks of waiting for a response from them... their engineers finally announced to their customer service that they do not support it (or 6.1).

 

[Seth=L]

I would without a doubt go with the Marantz. It has HDMI 1.2 and has 4 HDMI inputs. It is almost absolutely a more powerful receiver with more features and grace.

 

[smurphy522]

I agree w/ Seth=L and I even own an H/K avr 247. That Marantz is in a different league of receivers. Like a BMW 335 sedan compared to a Mercedes S550 sedan.

 

[Bluesmoke]

Yea, this is not even close. Marantz easily.