Marantz SR6004 Dolby PLIIz A/V Receiver First Look

[admin]

Marantz just put the rest of the industry in checkmate when they unveiled their new SR6004 Dolby TrueHD/ DTS HD PLIIz A/V receiver. Their claim is the performance of separates components in a single box. Given their strong history towards the audio side of the A/V equation, we have little doubt that the SR6004 would disappoint. If you are a Marantz fan and are looking for the latest in A/V receiver technology in this price range, you owe it to yourself to take the SR6004 for a test drive in your own home theater system to see and hear if its the right solution for you.

Discuss "Marantz SR6004 Dolby PLIIz A/V Receiver First Look" here. Read the article.

 

[jliedeka]

we have little doubt that the SR6004 would disappoint

That's too bad.

 

[Cage22]

Sound quality compared to RX-V3800

I've got a Yamaha RX-V3800. It sounds good, but doesn't present a soundstage like real high-end seperates. Wonder if this would really be a huge difference?

Comments welcome.

Running RBH MC-6CT towers and MC-616 center
Don't care about looks or features. Only sound quality.

 

[davidtwotrees]

That is one nice unit. No SVideo!! Yay! And they packed in some composites way up in the corner, out of the way if you have to have them. What a well layed out receiver. Then again, at $1200 clams it should be. Very nice, Marantz.
I'm still threatening to get my Lexicon out because it harkens to a kinder, simpler, gentler time. This receiver is trying to get simple...........

 

[jostenmeat]

I am assuming that Marantz finally fixed it so that they can apply both matrixing, and Audyssey, to the bitstreams of the new codecs.

I've got a Yamaha RX-V3800. It sounds good, but doesn't present a soundstage like real high-end seperates. Wonder if this would really be a huge difference?

Your Yammy probably is extremely transparent (the goal of all goals). Yamaha has a great rep for this. If you greatly preferred the Marantz, it would most likely be because you enjoyed the Audyssey suite.

 

[gene]

Your Yammy probably is extremely transparent (the goal of all goals). Yamaha has a great rep for this. If you greatly preferred the Marantz, it would most likely be because you enjoyed the Audyssey suite.

Agreed. Yamaha RX-V1800 and up have very good amp sections.

 

[acacia987]

what about the RX-V1500 amp section, how would you rate that?

 

[gene]

what about the RX-V1500 amp section, how would you rate that?

that is fine too. I am referring to the newer 665 and below models.

http://www.audioholics.com/education/amplifier-technology/trading

 

[Cage22]

Agreed. Yamaha RX-V1800 and up have very good amp sections.

So I guess I wouldn't hear a great difference. I'm looking for something preferably integrated for surround sound but with the sound quality of a high end system - really nice sound stage and depth of image.

I've heard some high end ($$) systems where I really felt like the singer was right there in the room with me.

 

[Kilgore]

Newb. First post.

This sounds interesting. It appears that the 6004 can bi-amp the front speakers. I have been looking around for a possible AV Receiver and have been leaning towards an NAD due to reports I have read about their sound quality for the music side of things. Could I expect the Marantz to offer anything near their claim of "the performance of separates components in a single box." How much of this is hype and how much might be real?

I am using Vandersteen 2ce's in the front and vandersteen 1's as surrounds. It looks like this set up would allow me to bi-amp the fronts using only the 6004. That would likely be a plus but I wonder just how much. Are there other Marantz units that allow bi-wiring? Does anyone have any experience using Marantz with Vandersteens?

Thanks for any help.

 

[selden]

It isn't clear to me that bi-amping gains much when you use the same receiver as is driving your other speakers: the power output is still limited by the shared power supply.

Marantz has always had a good reputation for the quality of the sound their equipment produces. Only you can decide if it's appropriate by listening to one in your room with your speakers.

 

[Jasper78]

There have been some reports on the AVS Forum from users whose SR6004 went into protection mode for reasons that seem unclear. Since I'm considering the SR6004, I was hoping some of you who have seen new receivers come and go over the past few years could tell me how worried I should be. All receivers will have some issues, no? But, then, not all of them will have threads devoted to them with big red letters and impressive looking polls on how many of them are failing, perhaps?

(I would consider a refurbished SR6003, but there are none to be found in the Netherlands; the SR5004 is supposed to suffer from the same issue.)

Also, any chance Audioholics will follow up their first look with an in-depth review of the SR6004?

That was my first post, please be nice. You seem like sensible people. I'm Jasper, by the way. Nice to meet you.

 

[red_5ive]

that is fine too. I am referring to the newer 665 and below models.

I would have to agree. I just happened to pick up an RX-V665 last week to try out as a pre-pro in a second setup, and I was not impressed at all. I ran it solo as well and I couldn't believe my ears. This is my first venture into entry level Yamahas as I have previously owned 2 mid models (RX-V2095 and RX-V1800) and 3 older flagships (DSP-A2070, RX-V1, RX-Z1). I wasn't expecting the same performance, but I figured as a pre-pro it would do the job. I'm sorry to say I was disappointed. Otherwise, the RX-V1800 I had previously did a significantly better job solo and as a pre-pro.

 

[red_5ive]

There have been some reports on the AVS Forum from users whose SR6004 went into protection mode for reasons that seem unclear. Since I'm considering the SR6004, I was hoping some of you who have seen new receivers come and go over the past few years could tell me how worried I should be. All receivers will have some issues, no? But, then, not all of them will have threads devoted to them with big red letters and impressive looking polls on how many of them are failing, perhaps?

(I would consider a refurbished SR6003, but there are none to be found in the Netherlands; the SR5004 is supposed to suffer from the same issue.)

Also, any chance Audioholics will follow up their first look with an in-depth review of the SR6004?

That was my first post, please be nice. You seem like sensible people. I'm Jasper, by the way. Nice to meet you.

I'm pretty green here as well, nevertheless welcome to Audioholics. I have an SR5004 on hold that I'll be picking up tomorrow from an authorized dealer. I'm skeptical myself, so I've actually called several reputable dealers throughout my area that know me and asked if they were aware of any failures on both the 5004 and 6004. Only one admitted to a problem on a 6004 that was returned, and he indicated it was related to an HDMI issue. However he couldn't confirm it was the POD which he also never heard of. In any case, I'll report back with how things go with the 5004.

 

[Jasper78]

In any case, I'll report back with how things go with the 5004.

Thanks for the welcome, and please do. Since there's only been one POD reported here in the Netherlands, it seems to be an issue only in a very small number of setups. I decided mine shouldn't be one and bought the SR6004. I haven't had time to set it up yet, but I'll let you know how it turns out.

For now, if nothing else, it looks good.

 

[gene]

Also, any chance Audioholics will follow up their first look with an in-depth review of the SR6004?

Marantz is sending me an SR6004 so I will be reviewing it and measuring the amplifier performance, etc. Stay tuned...

 

[gene]

I would have to agree. I just happened to pick up an RX-V665 last week to try out as a pre-pro in a second setup, and I was not impressed at all. I ran it solo as well and I couldn't believe my ears. This is my first venture into entry level Yamahas as I have previously owned 2 mid models (RX-V2095 and RX-V1800) and 3 older flagships (DSP-A2070, RX-V1, RX-Z1). I wasn't expecting the same performance, but I figured as a pre-pro it would do the job. I'm sorry to say I was disappointed. Otherwise, the RX-V1800 I had previously did a significantly better job solo and as a pre-pro.

That doesn't surprise me. I really don't like Yamaha's direction on their sub $1k receivers they've been taking. Their focus on their budget line is more feature based than performance as of late. I wouldn't be surprised if this applies to the preamp outs as well.

Read:
Trading Amplifier Quality for Features

 

[Jasper78]

Marantz is sending me an SR6004 so I will be reviewing it and measuring the amplifier performance, etc. Stay tuned...

Thanks, Gene. Looking forward to it.