HK or Marantz?

[upgradeitis]

I currently have a Marantz SR3001 receiver and DV4600 dvd player. My speakers are Jamo C603 fronts, C60 center, some el-cheapo Sony surrounds and an Energy ESW8 sub. This is in a small apt. I have decided I'm going to take the Blu Ray plunge(Panny BD35) and want a receiver that decodes the new codecs. However I listen to a lot of music and want something that performs well in 2 channel. There is an authorized HK dealer that has the 254 for $389 shipped. This is very tempting but I'm concerned about all the bugs I've read with this unit. Should I stay away? I can also get the Marantz SR5003(refurb) for $549. I don't want to spend more than $600. I have been happy with the Marantz sound for 2 channel but I have heard that HK has similar characteristics and it definitely has the aesthetics. I just keep wondering if I will regret getting it due to the bugs. I would appreciate any advice

 

[lsiberian]

I think all the bugs are actually PS3 related.

So you should be safe. Plus HK did recently patch their firmware. If your not doing a PS3 I think HK is the way to go.

However I must offer a counter.

I think you should look at the Onkyo 705 at accessories4less. It's 400 works perfect for me, has a good balance for music and home theater, nice audio processors, and 3 pre-amp outs.

You should at least consider it. I think a 705 will have more power than a 254(but don't hold me to that). I actually looked at that receiver and went Onkyo because of the issues.

 

[upgradeitis]

I personally have no experience with Onkyo but I've read posts from other users who were not happy with music quality from Onkyo. If you say it is good for 2 ch. maybe I will consider it.

 

[lsiberian]

I personally have no experience with Onkyo but I've read posts from other users who were not happy with music quality from Onkyo. If you say it is good for 2 ch. maybe I will consider it.

If you are going for mainly 2-channel get an HK. They have the best MQ of MidFi receiver. HD surround sound does bring out movie theater quality though. They have patched the 254 and the issues were all with the PS3.

If you are going for home theater get an Onkyo, Denon, or Marantz.

I don't think you should overspend on a receiver so stick to your budget and save the money for something else. Maybe a DCX.

I personally love the kind of sound the Onkyo gives my speakers, but I'm a soft listener. That's because I can hear the slightest detail even at low volumes. I couldn't say how well it would do pushed, because I would hate it.

 

[bigred7078]

Marantz is known for exceptional music performance. If you think otherwise then you obviously dont know Marantz. But yes they also do a fantastic job with HT.

I just finished a thread of a review on the Marantz SR6003 (which is extremely similar to the 5003.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52159

In the past few months i have used an onkyo 805, Denon 2809ci and 3808ci, Yamaha RX-V3900 and RX-V663, Emotiva LMC-1, Emotiva DMC-1, and most recently the Marantz 6003.

The Best performers by far have been the Emotiva DMC-1, Yamaha 3900 and Marantz 6003 IMO. The Marantz has pretty much zero bugs and the yammie only had a few for certain people using certain cable boxes. For the money and performance that it offers i really recommend the Marantz. The SR5003 is a steal at the $549 price.

But of course everyone has different opinions and different equipment, so these are just my little thoughts

-Steve

 

[upgradeitis]

Bigred, I do know the quality musical sound of Marantz. I just keep looking at what a good deal the HK is for under $400 shipped. If the HK offers similar 2 ch performance and has fixed the bugs I'm willing to switch brands this time. But if not I will definitely stick with Marantz since I am familiar with them anyway. Just want to know of any experiences with 2 ch listening with HK and whether the bugs are fixed. How do I know the unit I order will have the latest firmware?

 

[rnatalli]

Both are excellent units. Can't go wrong either way. The Marantz does have Audyssey features, but I found HK's EQ system works pretty well. The HK has a better OSD without a doubt and most issues corrected with December's firmware. Power wise, they're probably close as Marantz is usually right on target with their stated specs and HK generally underrates. FYI, 6th Avenue had a 25% off coupon bringing a brand-new SR5003 to $599. Not sure if they're still doing it.

 

[Midcow2]

Set speaker levels with SPL meter

Both are excellent units. Can't go wrong either way. The Marantz does have Audyssey features, but I found HK's EQ system works pretty well. The HK has a better OSD without a doubt and most issues corrected with December's firmware. Power wise, they're probably close as Marantz is usually right on target with their stated specs and HK generally underrates. FYI, 6th Avenue had a 25% off coupon bringing a brand-new SR5003 to $599. Not sure if they're still doing it.

The Audyssey is a good starting point and gives pretty good sound setup, but you can't beat equalizing speaker levels with an SPL meter

Later!

MidCow2

 

[bigred7078]

Both are excellent units. Can't go wrong either way. The Marantz does have Audyssey features, but I found HK's EQ system works pretty well. The HK has a better OSD without a doubt and most issues corrected with December's firmware. Power wise, they're probably close as Marantz is usually right on target with their stated specs and HK generally underrates. FYI, 6th Avenue had a 25% off coupon bringing a brand-new SR5003 to $599. Not sure if they're still doing it.

yeah they are and the code is aflaud25

 

[lsiberian]

Marantz is known for exceptional music performance. If you think otherwise then you obviously dont know Marantz. But yes they also do a fantastic job with HT.

I just finished a thread of a review on the Marantz SR6003 (which is extremely similar to the 5003.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52159

In the past few months i have used an onkyo 805, Denon 2809ci and 3808ci, Yamaha RX-V3900 and RX-V663, Emotiva LMC-1, Emotiva DMC-1, and most recently the Marantz 6003.

The Best performers by far have been the Emotiva DMC-1, Yamaha 3900 and Marantz 6003 IMO. The Marantz has pretty much zero bugs and the yammie only had a few for certain people using certain cable boxes. For the money and performance that it offers i really recommend the Marantz. The SR5003 is a steal at the $549 price.

But of course everyone has different opinions and different equipment, so these are just my little thoughts

-Steve

Marantz certainly has a great reputation, but price was his concern. I think the HK would be good enough for his needs.

 

[bigred7078]

Marantz certainly has a great reputation, but price was his concern. I think the HK would be good enough for his needs.

no his concerns were with buggy units. But regardless the Marantz is within the price range he stated.

 

[upgradeitis]

Price is a concern as well. $600 is really at the very top end of my budget. Is the Marantz really worth almost $200 more than the HK? As I said, I have enjoyed Marantz. This is not my first Marantz receiver so I'm very used to how natural they sound for music. But to get the new codecs plus the supposedly "warm" HK sound for under $400 is almost too good to pass up. This is a tough decision

 

[bigred7078]

Price is a concern as well. $600 is really at the very top end of my budget. Is the Marantz really worth almost $200 more than the HK? As I said, I have enjoyed Marantz. This is not my first Marantz receiver so I'm very used to how natural they sound for music. But to get the new codecs plus the supposedly "warm" HK sound for under $400 is almost too good to pass up. This is a tough decision

Well if the $400 price mark is where you would rather be at, go for it man. The H/K is a great unit. I used it for a few months when it first came out over the summer. It was for sure a nice unit, and has the best GUI in its class by far (hell alot of receivers costing $1000 more don't even have the on screen gui overlay). But i would not necessarily say this H/K had a "warm" sound, but it was good.

 

[DD66000]

I personally have no experience with Onkyo but I've read posts from other users who were not happy with music quality from Onkyo. If you say it is good for 2 ch. maybe I will consider it.

I'll go along with that. Its my experience that HK just sounds better than Onkyo.

But, you might want to wait for the new HK 7550HD receiver, which has the HDMI 1.3a. The cheaper 3550HD has most of the same features as the 7550HD, but has only 75wpc, compared to 110wpc. The 3550 is currently available for $699.

Marantz, which you also asked about, does do audio very well.