Marantz AV 8802A

[fred1942]

I would like to hear from users of the Marantz AV 8802A. Yamaha is releasing the CX5100 this month that should be about a thousand less than the Marantz. Why is the Marantz more expensive? What makes it worth the extra dollars? I plan on running a 11.2 speaker setup with Emotiva amps, I have Goldenear speakers, Triton 2's and supersat surrounds. Thanks for your inputs.

 

[PENG]

I would like to hear from users of the Marantz AV 8802A. Yamaha is releasing the CX5100 this month that should be about a thousand less than the Marantz. Why is the Marantz more expensive? What makes it worth the extra dollars? I plan on running a 11.2 speaker setup with Emotiva amps, I have Goldenear speakers, Triton 2's and supersat surrounds. Thanks for your inputs.

If Cos does not respond soon enough you should PM him. He has the 8802 and Goldenear speakers.

I have the 8801 but I would switch to Yamaha if they had Audyssey. Since they don't, my next upgrade will likely be a Denon X7300W. That is, no more expensive pre pro for no good reason.

Back to you question about why Marantz cost more, I guess mainly because they think they can get away with that base on brand loyalty and the associated perceived better sound quality. Marantz does have to pay Audyssey but I am sure that is just a tiny part.

 

[Cos]

I have the AV8802 back Fresh with the AV8802(A) upgrade. I have the GE Triton One Speakers. Not knowing much about the Yamaha CX5100, I can't give you a very helpful answer at this point.

DACs are different: AK4490 32-bit DACs for the Marantz
ESSES9016 on Yamaha (Save as the Previous Geneartion 5000)

What does that mean? I don't have a clue. I will have to defer to someone who has a much greater grasp of that piece. Looks like the both have all the same codecs. At the end of the day I am sure both will sound excellent, and I doubt very highly you will be able to hear any noticeable difference between the two.

That being said, the List Price Difference is $500 not 1K $4999 vs 4499. I paid $2500.00+Tax for my AV8802 from an authorized dealer who quoted me the wrong priced and honored it. This was before they had the HDCP 2.2. I paid $60.00 to ship to Marantz and just got it back last week. They even put an 'A' Sticker on my box. I will say the build quality is superb and that I did notice a difference between that and my Integra 80.3 (Perceived I know) on music. I did no measurements to quantify this. I have had 0 problems on the software side of things and it is quiet as a mouse with mittens with my Halo A51s and A21.

I have not used a Yamaha since the RXV-2000 or 2100. I really liked Yamaha, but it was well before they had YPAO I think.

I do know that I am addicted to Audyssey and tweeking it out with my room setup. I do not know enough about Yamaha's room correction to make a direct comparison, but Yamaha has never been one to slouch on features.

I will run mine in full Dolby Atmos, only because I built my room from scratch. 7.4.2.

PENG stated it correctly, I believe Marantz can get away with higher pricing because of brand loyalty. In my case, Price was excellent and all things being equal or slightly more expensive I would go with Marantz again, just because I have become fairly proficient it setup and room configuration and have no desire to learn something new with room correction lol. I think back to the AV7705 and it really killed everyone back in they day for Price/Performance for a pre/pro. Their Flagship has always commanded a really high cost.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Why is the Marantz more expensive?

Why is anything more expensive?

Because some people like it, want it, and are wiling to pay for it.

I can't do without Audyssey Dynamic EQ. Kidding me? No way. Must have. No way I'm ever buying Yamaha or anything else that doesn't have Audyssey Dynamic EQ.

It's like a drug addiction (not that know anything about drugs and addiction). Once you're addicted to Audyssey DEQ, you can't get enough. You will pay.

 

[fred1942]

Thanks for your replies. An Ebay seller is selling the 8802A for less than normal retail. Is there a problem with this? Warranty issues?

 

[Cos]

If it is new, you need to verify it was purchased from an authorized reseller, or they are an authorized reseller and are able to provide you with a receipt from that reseller, or bye bye warranty.

If it is used:

Warranty does NOT transfer with Marantz. I am 99% Positive on this. You may want to call Marantz to verify.

If it is used:

1. Ask the buyer if he is the original owner
2. Was it purchased through an authorized reseller
3. Serial Number

Hope this helps

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Thanks for your replies. An Ebay seller is selling the 8802A for less than normal retail. Is there a problem with this? Warranty issues?

Unless you buy from an authorized dealer, you get no warranty.

What is the price?