Marantz 7706 vs 8805

[Bernie Williams]

I am currently running a Marantz 8802A. Speakers are legacy audio focus SE's with REL ti/9 subs. Have the subs connected both high level and LFE. When I listen to Music (most important to me) I run L+R bypass. Given my age and usual slight hearing loss I miss the equalizer option. Am considering upgrading to the above components mainly because of the Audyssey app. Not holding my breath on 8k. With the app I understand you can manipulate some of the frequency curves. I understand there are a couple of default Audyssey options for high frequency roll off's as well as disabling the "BBC" dip (just discovered this issue). So my questions are:

1. Do you think the app is worth it from the perspective of modifying the curves and making an impact on the sound? I run bypass currently because I sense a better mid/high frequency response for me. Will the app work in L+R bypass, maybe if the curves are modified I could just run Audyssey full time on both music and movies?
2. Do you think there is a real/measurable difference between the 7706 and 8805? I kind of doubt that I could hear the difference. Maybe all about quality and reliability?

Thanks in advance for any responses

 

[Bernie Williams]

One additional point, I also like the streaming/heos option in the new preamps, not available in the 8802A

 

[PENG]

One additional point, I also like the streaming/heos option in the new preamps, not available in the 8802A

If you are concerned about "roll offs", you actually should go with the Denon AVRs and save a few hundred dollars at the same time. Any of the 2020 models from the X3700H and up will outperform the AV8802A and the 7706 on the test bench based on the bench test results of the AV7705, 8805 and SR7015. It is hard to believe but the test results are there for all to see.

If you must use XLR, then go with the 7706 unless you can get the 8805 for the same price or less, and if you are sure you don't need HDMI2.1/8K. Regardless, get the $20 App, it is worth it and you obviously know the reasons already.

 

[VMPS-TIII]

I am currently running a Marantz 8802A. Speakers are legacy audio focus SE's with REL ti/9 subs. Have the subs connected both high level and LFE. When I listen to Music (most important to me) I run L+R bypass. Given my age and usual slight hearing loss I miss the equalizer option. Am considering upgrading to the above components mainly because of the Audyssey app. Not holding my breath on 8k. With the app I understand you can manipulate some of the frequency curves. I understand there are a couple of default Audyssey options for high frequency roll off's as well as disabling the "BBC" dip (just discovered this issue). So my questions are:

1. Do you think the app is worth it from the perspective of modifying the curves and making an impact on the sound? I run bypass currently because I sense a better mid/high frequency response for me. Will the app work in L+R bypass, maybe if the curves are modified I could just run Audyssey full time on both music and movies?
2. Do you think there is a real/measurable difference between the 7706 and 8805? I kind of doubt that I could hear the difference. Maybe all about quality and reliability?

Thanks in advance for any responses

Hi,
If you are interested in better measurements I would look at the Denon 4700 instead of the Marantz 7706.

Marantz AV7705 Home Theater Processor Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Marantz AV7705 UHD Home Theater Audio Video Processor. It is on kind loan from a member. The AV7705 costs US $2,200 from Amazon with free shipping. From what I have read this unit is current until October of 2020. The design is typical of...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Question #1. As far as Audyssey, it's a great app. If you run L+R by pass, Audyssey still works with your other connected speakers. The best part of Audyssey is the $20 app you can buy for the iPad/iPhone that allows you to create custom curves, easily turn off midrange correction and save these EQ settings. You can load them on the receiver, save them for later and have as many as you want to try. And it you really get into it Ratbuddy lets you get even more precise with your EQ and you can use UMIK to analyze your room.

So yeah, Audyssey opens up a lot of options or as few as you want.

Question #2. I seriously doubt you could tell the two Marantz receivers apart in a blind test. It more about features than sound. If you put any merit in the ASR testing measurements you will probably want to look at the Denon line for better measurements.

Denon AVR-X4700 AVR Review (Updated)

This is a second review of the Denon AVR-X4700 AVR. It was kindly purchased by a member and drop shipped to me. It costs US $1,700 from Amazon including free shipping. I will explain the reason for the revision in a bit. For now, I will cut and paste some of the information from the first...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Denon AVR-X3600H AV Receiver Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Denon AVR-X3600H 9.2 channel AVR. It was purchased new by a kind member who drop shipped it to me. It costs US $1,099. From outside the AVR-X3600H seems like any other AVR: But the controls feel a lot better than some other AVRs. The...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Denon AVR-X6700H Home Theater AVR Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Denon AVR-X6700H "8k" 11.2 channel Audio/Video Receiver. It is kindly loaned to me by a local member and costs US $2,499 on Amazon with free shipping. AVRs look the same these days and the AVR-X6700H is no exception: Inside though, is quite...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Marantz AV7705 Home Theater Processor Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Marantz AV7705 UHD Home Theater Audio Video Processor. It is on kind loan from a member. The AV7705 costs US $2,200 from Amazon with free shipping. From what I have read this unit is current until October of 2020. The design is typical of...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Review and Measurements of Marantz AV8805 AV Processor

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Marantz AV8805 flagship Audio and Video Processor. It is on kind loan from a member and costs USD $4,499. If you are not familiar with this category of device, AV Processors are the heart of high-end home theaters. They provide all the input...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Bernie Williams]

I just signed up for ASR this morning, stumbled across it, did not have time to find those reviews and measurements of Denon and Marantz. Found them very interesting and it does raise a lot of questions for me. Back to hearing a difference do you think I would be able to tell the difference in music between the denon and marantz? Will be heading to Best Buy and Bjorns to hear for myself, interested in others opinions.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I am currently running a Marantz 8802A. Speakers are legacy audio focus SE's with REL ti/9 subs. Have the subs connected both high level and LFE. When I listen to Music (most important to me) I run L+R bypass. Given my age and usual slight hearing loss I miss the equalizer option. Am considering upgrading to the above components mainly because of the Audyssey app. Not holding my breath on 8k. With the app I understand you can manipulate some of the frequency curves. I understand there are a couple of default Audyssey options for high frequency roll off's as well as disabling the "BBC" dip (just discovered this issue). So my questions are:

1. Do you think the app is worth it from the perspective of modifying the curves and making an impact on the sound? I run bypass currently because I sense a better mid/high frequency response for me. Will the app work in L+R bypass, maybe if the curves are modified I could just run Audyssey full time on both music and movies?
2. Do you think there is a real/measurable difference between the 7706 and 8805? I kind of doubt that I could hear the difference. Maybe all about quality and reliability?

Thanks in advance for any responses

If you use BYPASS, then Audyssey will be turned OFF. So of course, you won’t be doing any Audyssey curves in Bypass mode.

You KNOW there is absolutely no guarantee you will like Audyssey with any app and curves.

Only way to know is to try it yourself. Nobody’s words will guarantee it.

When I owned Denon’s, I also always used L/R Bypass because it sounded BETTER than Audyssey.

So if you prefer Audyssey Bypass (NO Audyssey), if I were to make an educated guess, I would say you will NOT like Audyssey with the app.

But, of course, my words, like everyone els’s, will not guarantee anything either.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I just signed up for ASR this morning, stumbled across it, did not have time to find those reviews and measurements of Denon and Marantz. Found them very interesting and it does raise a lot of questions for me. Back to hearing a difference do you think I would be able to tell the difference in music between the denon and marantz? Will be heading to Best Buy and Bjorns to hear for myself, interested in others opinions.

Did you read the FINE PRINT that all those measurements are INAUDIBLE in REAL LIFE?

Those numbers are academic. Just like they have ALWAYS BEEN academic forever in the days of Stereophile, S&V, Soundstage, and all those publications.

So no, you are not going to hear a difference between Denon vs Marantz or anything else.

The difference will be in the speakers, room, source, and setup.

 

[VMPS-TIII]

Audyssey L&R By-Pass only turns off Audyssey for the fronts. All the other speakers still use Audyssey in this configuration unless you select "off". I have tested my system with and without Audyssey and I find using Audyssey is definitely a benefit for my home theatre system.

When playing Stereo only it's less apparent that I need Audyssey. But if I were using UMIK to flatten out the subs Freq response I would notice a much bigger difference. The beauty of Audyssey is you can use as little or as much of it's features as you desire. You can setup house curves, decide if it only impacts a certain frequency range or all frequencies. Use it on the entire Home Theatre or just everything besides the Fronts or nothing at all. It offers so many options. AND you can save different presets to the iPad or iPhone and load them as needed. Very cool feature for customization.

The other Audyssey feature we have not talked about is Audyssey Dynamic EQ. This feature allows your system to have the same bass punch even with low volumes and it works automatically while providing the user with custom settings for the amount of Dynamic EQ applied. This can make a nice difference in the depth of the music. Most users love this feature.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

I always like to share this graph when dynamicEq comes up. You can see the relation has with the high, and low end and how the MV affects the whole curve. Most people don’t associate Deq with treble, but it’s there.

 

[VMPS-TIII]

I always like to share this graph when dynamicEq comes up. You can see the relation has with the high, and low end and how the MV affects the whole curve. Most people don’t associate Deq with treble, but it’s there.

Which setting do you use?

 

[lovinthehd]

I just signed up for ASR this morning, stumbled across it, did not have time to find those reviews and measurements of Denon and Marantz. Found them very interesting and it does raise a lot of questions for me. Back to hearing a difference do you think I would be able to tell the difference in music between the denon and marantz? Will be heading to Best Buy and Bjorns to hear for myself, interested in others opinions.

Will your listening experience actually be a fair comparison, tho? The difference in the electronics is mostly academic.

 

[VMPS-TIII]

Will your listening experience actually be a fair comparison, tho? The difference in the electronics is mostly academic.

I think the ASR tests debunk the Marantz premium, if nothing else.

 

[lovinthehd]

I think the ASR tests debunk the Marantz premium, if nothing else.

It was mostly marketing to begin with....or perhaps the slight thd increase from hdam people find pleasing? Dunno....my last Marantz was a 2270 back in the day.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Which setting do you use?

I’ve been using either LR bypass, or limiting to 200-300 with the app. I usually listen at about -20 or so and use a minidsp/rew to build my own house curve. Plus I hate what Deq does to my surrounds, and rear tops. Makes em too hot... I do like what Deq does for bass at lower volumes and I know @lovinthehd likes the RLO’s but I still haven’t used them successfully much. It’s almost winter now though, so I tend to experiment more.

 

[lovinthehd]

I’ve been using either LR bypass, or limiting to 200-300 with the app. I usually listen at about -20 or so and use a minidsp/rew to build my own house curve. Plus I hate what Deq does to my surrounds, and rear tops. Makes em too hot... I do like what Deq does for bass at lower volumes and I know @lovinthehd likes the RLO’s but I still haven’t used them successfully much. It’s almost winter now though, so I tend to experiment more.

Well I do use the RLO setting to differentiate between use for movies vs music, particularly upmixed music. If surrounds are hot, trim 'em down

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Well I do use the RLO setting to differentiate between use for movies vs music, particularly upmixed music. If surrounds are hot, trim 'em down

I could trim, but the Deq level changes via MV level so I’d have to know how much. Too much fukkin around lol. The house curve is where I like, and I listen loud enough so the Deq is subtle anyway. If I’m listening more quietly, it’s probably not something with great bass anyway lol.

 

[lovinthehd]

I could trim, but the Deq level changes via MV level so I’d have to know how much. Too much fukkin around lol. The house curve is where I like, and I listen loud enough so the Deq is subtle anyway. If I’m listening more quietly, it’s probably not something with great bass anyway lol.

I've adjusted surround levels for Audyssey surround levels before in some circumstances, find that just taking a few dB off trim level can work well at various levels via DEQ....

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

I've adjusted surround levels for Audyssey surround levels before in some circumstances, find that just taking a few dB off trim level can work well at various levels via DEQ....

I’m normally a set it and forget it. But, I’ve been itching for a new sub calibration, and once over for the system. You know, to make sure I’m getting the most out of for all my winter viewing. Which is when I get to use my system more consistently. I will definitely let you know when I get to experiment with things. One problem is my laptop is fukked atm so... rew and minidsp are where they are. For now.

 

[Bernie Williams]

All: appreciate all the responses, have learned a lot today. my conclusions so far is that Audyssey/dynamic eq implementation has more to do with my listening experience that perceived quality of electronics. My question: Assuming I am using Audyssey across all speakers, and have adjusted the curves to boost the 2k to 5k freq by 2 db as as example, would this have a commensurate impact on the Dynamic EQ curves shown by Spartan? DEQ sort of reminds me of the old loudness control but it has an impact on the whole frequency listening spectrum.

 

[lovinthehd]

All: appreciate all the responses, have learned a lot today. my conclusions so far is that Audyssey/dynamic eq implementation has more to do with my listening experience that perceived quality of electronics. My question: Assuming I am using Audyssey across all speakers, and have adjusted the curves to boost the 2k to 5k freq by 2 db as as example, would this have a commensurate impact on the Dynamic EQ curves shown by Spartan? DEQ sort of reminds me of the old loudness control but it has an impact on the whole frequency listening spectrum.

Yes, Audyssey Dynamic EQ is essentially a loudness contour, altho more comprehensive, for adjusting things below reference level.