Misdirected Marantz Pitch

[Johnd]

Just the other day I picked up some cables (subwoofer and surround) at a local (sort of) high-end av/ht dealer. I mentioned my new quest for my badly outdated denon 5000, and I mentioned that I was interested in the 3910 or 2900. With the ongoing and neverending inordinate possible permutations (hdmi/dvi/br/hd/sacd/dvda etc., etc., etc.) I made the following case: I have approximately 200 dvds, and I want to purchase one last dvd player. I want it to be well-built, with phenomal dvd playback, progressive scan (I know, but like I said, my last dvd purchase was the 5000 in '98 or '99...pre-progressive scan) and sacd. I like the 2900 or 3910 because, imho, and with my "limited" experience with Denon (eight years and going strong with my dvd5000, avr1601 and avr5803), I have no complaints, no issues, only praise for Denon and their equipment...and the 2900 or 3910 suits my needs...although I was receptive to other brands/models. The dealer, who also happens to be the owner of the store, wasted no time in berating Denon, saying they were just a cheaper version of Marantz, who are both owned by the same parent company (D&M Holdings). He then guided me towards the Marantz Universal DV-6600 for $580.00 w/ 5 year warranty. So I bit. I asked if he had one in stock...yes. Now I hate to think I look like I just fell off the turnip truck, and w/o taking anything away from Marantz...THERE IS NO COMARISON, THEY'RE NOT IN THE SAME LEAGUE, AND THE DEALER IS JUST PLAIN OUT OF HIS DEPTH. I just purchased a 2900 for $489.00 (tax, shipping, warranty included). I guess what bugs me most is he never asked my what type of display, speakers, receiver I have, nor did he ask me if I jam, primarily will use it for movies, etc., etc., etc. Ignorance is bliss, particularly when you're ignorant about 1) your own ignorance, and 2) people's perception of your ignorance. Good Day!

 

[Leprkon]

The dealer, who also happens to be the owner of the store, wasted no time in berating Denon, saying they were just a cheaper version of Marantz, who are both owned by the same parent company (D&M Holdings).

I may be wrong here, but don't they also own McIntosh ? If we follow with the owner's logic, he should not have been pitching you Marantz, either....

 

[Johnd]

Leprokon: Good to chit chat with you again. Yes, D&M also owns Mac, but this dealer doesn't sell Mac. He sells three speaker makes (B&W, Paradigm (which I own and love and did not purchase from him...so maybe there's a grudge) and Avantgarde Acoustic). As far as power supplies he sells Bat, Bryston, Nad, Rotel and Marantz. Don't get me wrong. I do not want to "cheerfully beat the pulp" out of him for his misdeeds. He, in fact, knows quite a bit about processors, sound, speakers etc. I think he just got me confused with the lady behind me who was interested in a new programmable remote, and I didn't appreciate the Denon bashing (and misinformation).

 

[BMXTRIX]

Strange... I've always thought it was the other way around.

Marantz is what the badge says when Denon poorly engineers a product and doesn't want to stick their name on it - but invested to much to not do something with that product.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Marantz and Denon used to be separate companies. Back in the 70's and 80's, Marantz was highly regarded. Denon has always been an upscale name in audio, but when D&M Holdings decided to start buying up A/V companies, I think the parts bin started to see some sharing going on. Some even say McIntosh took a step down in quality, but I can't back that up - ask MacManNM.

IMHO, Denon probably makes some of the best DVD players - sound and pic quality. Pioneer Elite isn't far behind. There are some newcomers that have scored very high in the pic quality, but build quality and sound take a back seat to the first two. Those being Oppo and Neuneo. Why not wait for Blu-ray to hit the shelves? It will most likely be a multi-function disc player, and upconvert your dvd's to optimize pq to your HD set.

AH has some great reviews on players here:
http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/index.php

This may be edited, but check out this site as well:
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-bin/shootout.cgi?function=search&articles=122

 

[mtrycrafts]

I made the following case: I have approximately 200 dvds, and I want to purchase one last dvd player.

Don't count on that HD dvd players are around the corner and even if you don't buy early, you will have to upgrade the TV and maybe a projector in your future that would benefit from such a new payer

 

[highfihoney]

The dealer, who also happens to be the owner of the store, wasted no time in berating Denon, saying they were just a cheaper version of Marantz

this dealer sounds like a d!*# head,did he also make sure to say that D&M holdings also owns ESCIENT , MCINTOSH, SNELL & BOSTON ACCOUSTICS,all killer brands!

these companies that d&m holdings owns all have their own engineers & designers,you should ask him if marantz is just a cheaper version of mcintosh harman kardon (harman international) also owns a ton of companies with MARK LEVINSON & PROCEED being their high end brands .

it never ceases to amaze me the depths that dealers will sink to in order to make a sale.

 

[highfihoney]

Marantz and Denon used to be separate companies. Back in the 70's and 80's, Marantz was highly regarded. Denon has always been an upscale name in audio, but when D&M Holdings decided to start buying up A/V companies, I think the parts bin started to see some sharing going on. Some even say McIntosh took a step down in quality, but I can't back that up - ask MacManNM.

the worst thing that ever happened to mcintosh was when it was bought out by clarion,they instantly ruined every speaker design that mcintosh had & started doing alot of creepy stuff with the amps too in order to cut costs.

d&m holdings has been a very good thing for mcintosh & they are letting the designers at mcintosh have the control in designing that they had before clarion took over with their program of micro management.

i cant really speak for the other brands that d&m owns but i own gear from every build era from mcintosh & the d&m holdings era is producing some of the best gear that mcintosh has ever made.

the early clarion years were horrible.

 

[mtrycrafts]

it never ceases to amaze me the depths that dealers will sink to in order to make a sale.

When you have practically 15 brands of sugar on the shelves, how else will you sell them???

 

[Johnd]

When you have practically 15 brands of sugar on the shelves, how else will you sell them???

I don't mind a sales pitch, as long as it is kept honest. Marantz better than Denon, especially in dvd players (or receivers)? Pure poppycock! Besides, the Marantz weighed in at 5.5 lbs. @ $580.00, and the Denon 17.6 lbs. @ $490.00. The simple math is they want $6.59 an oz. for Marantz, $1.74 an oz. for Denon. That makes Denon a bargain by any measure!

 

[Leprkon]

The simple math is they want $6.59 an oz. for Marantz, $1.74 an oz. for Denon. That makes Denon a bargain by any measure!

John, buddy, please tell me you don't use this same formula when picking your dates !!!

 

[Johnd]

Leprokon: Sometimes a pound for pound (or dollar per pound, in this case), comparison works for dates (or dvd players). In these lean times one needs to be frugal and maximize the return on his dollar.

 

[Leprkon]

I see now. Output, in terms of quality AND quantity, should always be the goal.

 

[Johnd]

Yes, well put. All kidding aside, back to my beef with this dealer. So I called him yesterday after purchasing a 40' Tributaries sub cable for $98.00 (yes, $98.00. Convenience is nice, but never again. Go online!), and told him the auto function no longer worked on my servo15. Did he have a possible soultion? His only answer was that "it was not the cable." I quickly discovered that I connected the cable to one of my multi-zones...but this guy was no help, and he offered no possible solutions. I thought that was one of the main selling points of purchasing from your local dealer...professional help. I further neglected to add that I informed him I purchased my Denon avr5803 for $2,000.00 in 12-04 (a never used demo) at a competitor of his with a five year warranty, to which he quipped, without hesitation, that the service at that dealer was far inferior to his shop, because it may actually have to travel 70 miles to their service facility, and they would not offer me a loaner for the interim, whereby he would, etc., etc., etc. All of this seems moot, becomes I am a long-time avid fan of Denon, and my 5803 has worked flawlessly since my purchase (as have all my Denon equipment). At this point the stars would have to align, it would have to snow in hell, and I would have to win the lottery before I make any future purchases from this dealer.

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

Does that guy sell cars too, I think he has a store up here