Marantz HDMI 1.3 receivers now up!

[Seth=L]

Marantz Receivers

The SR8002 and SR7002 have the latest in HD audio processing (Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital TrueHD, and DTS-HD MA). The SR5002 and SR4002, while they support HDMI 1.3 switching they do not process bitstream HD audio (as the repeating feature is HDMI 1.1 only). They can process 7.1 LPCM from an appropriate source.

The SR8002 and SR7002 do not have an upscaling feature it seems, this is something we expect to see on HDMI 1.3 capable receivers in this price range. As always Marantz is a tad behind on things.

These receivers are light. The heaviest specified weight is 33.1, and it seems like this should be a typo, but when the depth of each unit is at max 16 inches you really can't fit too much more into the package.

I can't fathom putting down $2,000 on a 33.1 pound class A/B receiver that lacks even the most outdated upscaling features. Are they even trying to compete, or do they feel they don't need to do so?

 

[mdrew]

Marantz has always catered to a smaller following of audiophiles that tend to feel less is more when it comes to audio processing. When they introduced this new line of HDMI equipped receivers, I believe they tried to supply a low cost, but yet upscale sounding receiver using some higher end audio components (and they do sound very good). While there is a large demographic of consumers who want video processing included, there is another group who do not. One thing these units do very well, is completely bypass the video processing stream and output an unadulterated video stream. I for one do not want my audio processor to do anything with the video stream because I use an external VP.

The weight of the 7001/8001/7002/8002 is light. However, this weight savings can be attributed to the use of a copper bottom plate for heat dissipation in lieu of heat sinks and it works very well. My 8001 never gets hot, at any volume level. It doesn’t even get warm to the touch. I can attest that this unit does have a very robust power supply and my 4 ohm speakers will not shut it down.

All that aside, I have not been overly impressed with the reliability of my 8001, and I am also somewhat disappointed with the lack of user configuration (a universal X-over setting for all channels is ridiculous at this price point). I have had numerous issues with it that ultimately lead to Marantz replacing it with another unit. I now have an intermittent video drop out with the HDMI 1 output one the replacement that I can not resolve and Marantz wants me to send it in for testing (another $100 for shipping, again). Fortunately, the HDMI 2 output works flawlessly so I can live with this unit for now. I am looking for a different processor to replace this unit with and I will not be buying another one of these “cheaper” Marantz receivers. If Marantz would follow suit with their earlier offerings in their normal, “high end” reference line (9600 for example), I’d be more inclined to give one of them a go, but it seams they want to compete with Onkyo, Yamaha, Pioneer and other low to mid level manufactures.

The 7002/8002 may prove to be more reliable than the 7001/8001, but I will not be a beta tester for them at my expense. It is unfortunate, because the SQ of the 8001 is extremely good and on par with my Rotel Separates.

 

[j_garcia]

Finally....now I can get a new receiver They have always seemed to be after a very specific market, which is why they don't seem to feel the need to have the latest and greatest on every model. My receiver is 42lbs and my 4 Ohm speakers have exhibited strain previously, which is why I added the monos.

 

[Seth=L]

I don't need the latest and greatest either. It is worth noting that they do offer the latest in audio processing on the top two models.

Is it possible to get some internal pictures of the 8001/8002?

 

[Seth=L]

Onkyo TX-SR805
http://www.areadvd.de/images/2007/onkyo_tx_sr805_inside.jpg

Marantz SR8001
http://www.areadvd.de/images/2006/marantz_sr8001_inside.jpg

The Onkyo is not as wide as the Marantz (by less than 1/2"), is taller (by 3/8") is is longer (by about 2.5"). The Onkyo weighs more (by 23 pounds). The power supply is a different less efficient type that will weigh more than a similarly rated Toroidal power transformer. The case on the Onkyo may weigh 5 pounds more than the Marantz at the most. So say 18 pounds difference. And lose some more weight for the power supply, say 10 pounds. They are comparable receivers for power most likely. I think the Onkyo TX-NR905 (which has a toroidal and weighs almost 60 pounds) would easily outpower the Marantz SR8002.

As far as the "Sound", I don't buy that so much. They will likely sound about the same (maybe the Onkyo will have a higher noise floor, but until it's printed...)

 

[j_garcia]

Amps don't sound considerably different (unless you are under powered), but receivers DO sound different because they all have different circuitry and implementation of that circuitry as well as how a particular brand perceives as what sounds "good" as their company philosophy. The difference is subtle yes, but it is there. I do think the lowest lines of most of the companies sound more similar than not these days. I have heard first hand the differences in amps too, but again it is very subtle.

 

[Seth=L]

I do think the lowest lines of most of the companies sound more similar than not these days.

Why do you say that?

If most amplifiers (given they are the same topology) sound the same (uncolored sound), then what are these lower end receivers doing? They shouldn't be coloring the sound. Marantz, NAD, Rotel, and other high end receiver manufacturers offer receivers that have stellar amplifier sections (robust, drive low impedance loads). If you where to power certain sets of speakers that are hard to drive and innefficient with a mid-fi receiver it may not sound to great even at modest levels if the material you are listening to is very dynamic. You put more "grunt" behind those same speakers at a given wattage from Marantz or NAD the sound is likely to be better at moderate to higher levels of output. The Onkyo TX-SR805 and up seem to have addressed this problem and are competing with the higher end AVR manufactures by putting out some pretty chunky receivers. The best part is, they are maintaining the features and price of a typical Onkyo in the model range brackets. If you look at the specifications and bench tests for previous TX-SR800 series receivers you will see they are around 20 pounds less than the TX-SR805, lack THX Ultra certification of any kind, and true ability to drive lower impedance loads.

 

[j_garcia]

The reason I say that is because they know people in the $200-$400 range aren't looking for a receiver with the best sound or the most features or to drive difficult loads to extreme levels; they are simply looking for sound. What I am getting at is, they are all pretty good these days and the lower cost lines are starting to have fewer differences than before as the manufacturers focus more on their higher models.

 

[mdrew]

I have not heard any of the new Onkyo’s, so I can not comment on how I think they sound in comparison to anything. I’m sure they sound great if one can believe their specs.

Sound, in general, is a matter of personal choice. There really is no way to compare two units without performing a true, blind listening test with level balancing. Even visual impression and known ‘weight’ can effect an individual’s impression of said sound.

I have had several HK’s (7200, 7300, 745), the Yamaha 661, an older 800 series Onkyo, and now the 8001 in the same room driving the same speakers. I can not say with a straight face that I could detect any difference is sound between any of these receivers in Pure Direct Stereo until I started reaching max current output (which was beyond a comfortable listening level). However, where I did notice a dramatic difference is in multi channel surround, even after careful channel calibration and balancing. The Marantz just sounds better to me with better bass management than any of the rest. This most definitely does not mean that any of these units is better sounding than the other, but only to me it does.

As already stated by Jgarcia, each processor handles decoding, surround sound processing and bass management a little differently than the other. It’s simply a matter of personal preference to which one an individual would prefer.

I will say that the out of all the audio equipment I’ve owned, only my Rotel and now the Marantz has a lower noise level than the others. This is somewhat hard to explain, but one way of describing it is: when there is no source input to the processor and pin the volume, I hear absolutely no hiss or other noise with these two units. All the others I’ve owned always had a slight hiss.

High volume levels is another story. At around 100 dbs and 12’ away from the mains, the Marantz sounds as crisp and clear as I could ever wish for. I can not say that for the rest of the processors with the exception of the Rotel gear.

Weight used to be a great way to determine if a receiver or amp had the ‘oomph’ to drive a heavy load. I’m not so sure that should be a prerequisite any more. Manufactures have come up with unique and innovative ways to streamline power supply and basically, make power transmission more efficient. While I wouldn’t suggest that anyone ignore heft, I wouldn’t base my purchase choice or comparison on that alone anymore.

Don’t worry about the 8001/8002 running out of current. They do very well. I tend to like things on the loud side and I haven’t been able to even come close to pinning the volume without coming out of the HT tone deaf for several hours. (for reference, I listen to movies at an average 85 db's with much higher peaks sitting 12' away)

My issues with Marantz are strickly in regards to reliability and customer service. Neither has impressed me.

 

[Seth=L]

The benchtests for the TX-SR805 (maybe it was the TX-SR875) where quite impressive.

 

[mdrew]

I’ve almost got myself convinced that to buy either the 905 or 8.8 right now. They really do look impressive and leaps / bounds ahead of the competition. I’m watching the AVS threads now to see if Onkyo/Integra resolve the lip sync and color space issues the Reon is creating. I’m pretty sure they will, eventually, seeing how fast they’ve pushed out a firmware update so far. My 8001 is working OK now, so the urgency is not there, but as soon as I feel confident the issues are resolved and the units are shipping with the firmware installed, I’ll most likely buy one.