Is new AVR worth it?

[snakeeyes]

Unless they are trying to see how the different EQ sound, right?

Less likely, but possibly to also see if the AVR can push some speakers to high volume from a distance, unless the AVR will only be used as a Pre-Pro.

For example, I love Audyssey DEQ, so when I see an Anthem Processor, I check out their Dolby Leveler EQ.

But in Direct modes, it is a waste of time comparing electronics.

The demo at the store is a waste maybe but they have 2 weeks to try it in their home. Keep in mind Best Buy hates returns and likely you can deal from there...

 

[pinky & the brain]

• We were trying to get an idea of whether or not we would even like the sound of the marantz, compared to yamaha. I pretty much agree it was a waste of time since they don't have our speakers to listen to them on. In home with our speakers will tell us more. The only thing I am really out is some gas and drive time if I have to return it.

 

[lovinthehd]

Unless they are trying to see how the different EQ sound, right?

Less likely, but possibly to also see if the AVR can push some speakers to high volume from a distance, unless the AVR will only be used as a Pre-Pro.

For example, I love Audyssey DEQ, so when I see an Anthem Processor, I check out their Dolby Leveler EQ.

But in Direct modes, it is a waste of time comparing electronics.

Even then, who set up the eq and how? Is it the same for different speaker sets off one of the speaker switchers? How about bass management with various subs in different positions? I don't think so. Just hard to analyze electronics in a store, hard enough at home but at least there it's an environment you/your speakers are familiar with and you can control setup. Comparing to another setup is difficult even then.

 

[KEW]

Even then, who set up the eq and how? Is it the same for different speaker sets off one of the speaker switchers? How about bass management with various subs in different positions? I don't think so. Just hard to analyze electronics in a store, hard enough at home but at least there it's an environment you/your speakers are familiar with and you can control setup. Comparing to another setup is difficult even then.

Yeah, I wouldn't trust anything short of full factory reset to be confident in what setup the floor model AVR has!

 

[PENG]

I wish I had seen this yesterday before we went to Best Buy Magnolia center to demo Marantz. It was really hard to judge how it might sound with our speakers. But after spending what felt like an eternity comparing yamaha and marantz, we decided to go ahead and order the Marantz SR8012. (mainly because I think the tweeters on the Paradigms are too bright and am hoping it will mellow them out without losing sound quality).

We have 2 weeks to return it, once it comes in, if we don't like it. What are your thoughts on this one? We know what Yamaha sounds like and like it, but it's the only brand we've had since the Kenwood from the 90's.

Kind of scared to order Receivers off of Amazon, have heard lots of manufacturers don't like to honor warranty ~ and wanted to make sure we at least had that. Have no idea quality of Marantz compared to Yamaha. Hoping the specs are honest and that this one will be enough without an amp.

I have owned both brands, still do, and my HT system is Marantz based. They don't have their own sound as such. Yes, there have been talks about Marantz being "warm", Denon more neutral and Yamaha a little on the bright side but those were mainly from hearsay in the past and still perpetuating via the internet talks. In pure direct mode they will sound the same when compared with the same speakers in the same positions playing the same music and operating well below their power limits and in blind tests when expectation bias are eliminated. Subtle differences are always possible, but even then, logically it would be random. Amps are a very matured product, so if one brand can consistently sound "warmer" for 20 to 40 years across their product lines; and if it is such a good thing, then every brand would have done the same by now right?

The fact is, all reputable mass market amps and AVRs are designed to amplify the input signal faithfully/accurately and that has been proven in many bench tests time and again.

The SR8012 should be a fantastic AVR, except for the DAC (just one notch lower), it is as good as the out dated Denon AVR-X7200WA. I would also bet that it could sound "warmer" than your Yamaha, but that would be due to it's better response in the lower frequency range because I strongly suspect the RX-V863 was having trouble delivering the needed current to your speakers.

Sorry to water down your expectation but now you will likely be nicely surprised. Your have done your home work and made a great decision, now please go get at least one of those AC Infinity fan that ADTG has been recommending, protect your investment!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Even then, who set up the eq and how? Is it the same for different speaker sets off one of the speaker switchers? How about bass management with various subs in different positions? I don't think so. Just hard to analyze electronics in a store, hard enough at home but at least there it's an environment you/your speakers are familiar with and you can control setup. Comparing to another setup is difficult even then.

Well, I don’t mean really comparing or analyzing. I mean just getting a taste of what EQ means.

If it’s at Best Buy or similar, then those guys probably won’t set up the auto EQ. But maybe they would at a dealer.

For example, a McIntosh dealer probably has the Lyngdorf Room Perfect EQ set up. An Anthem dealer probably has ARC set up. You’re just trying to see what these guys mean when they tell you that ARC or Lyngdorf or Dirac or Trinnov is better than Audyssey or better than Direct Mode. Ask them to turn on Dolby Leveler. Compare it to Direct mode.

Just getting a general feel of what people are talking about with EQ.

If you find that Direct Mode sounds better even when these guys tell you the opposite, you have that experience.

Of course, it’s best if you could try it at home.

Other than to get a taste and feeling of the EQ, there is not much else to check out on AVR.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

The demo at the store is a waste maybe but they have 2 weeks to try it in their home. Keep in mind Best Buy hates returns and likely you can deal from there...

Yeah, waste of time at Best Buy. I was thinking more of select dealerships.