Marantz SR8500 Low Volume @ Install

[rob_SJ]

I hooked up a new SR8500 last night and got almost no sound from my DVD player or iTunes (Airport Express) until I hit around -30dB on the Volume. Cranked up to max (+18dB), it's a little loud, but nothing earthshaking - I would normally expect to blow a few windows out of my apt. (as well as the receiver itself) at that level. Marantz Tech Support confirmed this this morning, and stated that in their experience, anything around -30dB should be getting loud, with 0dB to be downright painful. He suggested double-checking my speaker polarities, which I did, and suggested returning the unit if that fails to solve the problem.

Before I go through the headache of shipping this monster back to the factory and getting a new one, has anyone out there run into this problem with any make/model receiver and found a solution? I'd be thrilled if I just hooked something up wrong or have something set incorrectly.

fyi I also went thru the standard setup using the MRAC volume/speaker optimizing routine. The system had no errors and finished ok.

Appreciate your help,

Rob P.

 

[hydro]

Hi Rob
I am sorry to hear about you problem, My Sony is the same way! volume 25 before I hear any thing and wide open (75) is not what I would call loud. You can send it back but I think you will find that there is no help for you.... are you moving from a stereo receiver to a av receiver? did you fall for the all channels driven @ X watts? they lied, take the wattage and divide not multiply by the numbers of speakers you are running for a more accurate power rating and read the post above about the "all channels driver fallacy"
Sorry hope that helps
Joe

 

[rob_SJ]

follow up

Hey Joe,

Thanks for the response - and yes, I went from a 15-yr old Yamaha 90W/ch receiver to this one (125W/ch) and if anything, expected more oomph not less. I did searches and will double-check night mode, tape monitor, other settings too, but I think you're on target.

Thanks again,

Rob

 

[outsider]

I recently auditioned this receiver at my local dealer and I can say it was fairly loud at -30, or so.
It sounds to me that you've got a defective unit.

 

[j_garcia]

How big is your room? What speakers do you have? Did you check to see what settings MRAC made? I have an 8300 in a large room and I have no problems with it getting loud. I normally listen about -20. Have you tried any other sources besides the airport? Does SJ mean you are local? If so, PM me.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Hi Rob
I am sorry to hear about you problem, My Sony is the same way! volume 25 before I hear any thing and wide open (75) is not what I would call loud. You can send it back but I think you will find that there is no help for you.... are you moving from a stereo receiver to a av receiver? did you fall for the all channels driven @ X watts? they lied, take the wattage and divide not multiply by the numbers of speakers you are running for a more accurate power rating and read the post above about the "all channels driver fallacy"
Sorry hope that helps
Joe

Actually they didn't lie to you, just misread the published info. Very few components are published as all channels driven. X watts by 7 ch doesn't mean all channels driven.

 

[hydro]

Actually they didn't lie to you, just misread the published info. Very few components are published as all channels driven. X watts by 7 ch doesn't mean all channels driven.

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Taken directly off the best buy site!!! How many watts do you read!!!
I read 700 watts!! Not 100 watts, I have this amp And believe me it cant make the 100 watts per channel in stereo mode.
Now tell me I have misread it
Joe

 

[MDS]

Places like Best Buy advertise the total wattage because it sounds more impressive to a layperson. It has 7 channels and each is rated for 100 watts so they add them all up and say it is a '700 watt receiver'.

Normally it will just say ' 7 x 100 watts', which again means there are 7 amplifiers and each is capable of 100 watts. You have to read the manual for more detailed specs and there you will find that in most cases it will say something like '100 watts per channel, 20Hz - 20kHz, 2 channels driven.'

People tend to read '7x100' and expect that to mean 'all channels driven'. Then when they actually READ the specs, they see that is not the case and claim the manufacturer is lying. The manufacturer doesn't lie - the user interprets the spec according to their own wishes instead of reading what is actually stated.

 

[j_garcia]

Best Buy > Home Audio & Speakers > Receivers > Product Info
Taken directly off the best buy site!!! How many watts do you read!!!
I read 700 watts!! Not 100 watts, I have this amp And believe me it cant make the 100 watts per channel in stereo mode.
Now tell me I have misread it
Joe

Start your own thread if you want to complain about it, but let me start by saying that Sony's DE line is a waste of time.

MDS is 100% correct about the power rating. That is not a manufacturer's claim, that is the store's sales gimmick; and you took the bait. That is EXACTLY why they publish the info like that.

 

[outsider]

rob_SJ-

so what have you found out?

 

[hydro]

Just an update, I got my Sony back from the shop and guess what? It is operating normally. So for every one reading this post that is used to 2 channel amp, Follow me by a receiver with preamp outs and keep adding amps till you are happy.
Latter Joe
P.S. if anyone knows the "magic" words so I can find receiver that really makes 100 watts on all seven channels at the same time I might even settle for 75 that is 525 watts, and can back it up let us know.

 

[jcPanny]

Receiver upgrade

Something like a Yamaha RX-V2500 should have a problem delivering 90-100 Watts into two channels. You can get a refurbished on on ubid for <$500.

For the external amp option, look for something with pre-outs like the $300 Yamaha HTR-5860. Add the Behringer A500 stereo amp for $180 which will deliver over 200 Watts / channel into 4 ohms. You definately won't have a power issue with this setup.