Nad t773 vs Marantz 8001

[roccostiffready]

It took a while but I have narrowed my selection down to these two receivers. The Nad T773 and the Marantz 8001. The Marantz dealer would not allow me to bring my speaker in to listen to them on that receiver and there are no refunds. So I was hoping I could get some help from the people here.
I what a better sounding receiver for music and for surround sound (movies). I've decided that in the future I'm going to get a DVDO when they have HDMI solid and when (hoping) they come down in price.
The speakers I have now are B&W 602's. Eventually they will be my rear speaker and I'll get 604's for the front. I might also look at the 700 series but that's a couple years away.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Indiansprings]

I can only comment on the 773. I really enjoy mine. Sounds very smooth and natural. I am kind of a minimalist and like the clean apperance of the NAD too. You really need to go back out and mess with both of them again. I think you will be able to pick one of them after that.

 

[billy p]

I haven't heard the t773? I have played with the t753 & t763 they should sound very close with less power to the t773. I've heard that the Marantz sound is warm and frankly that's the same opinion I heard about the Nad before I had a listen. Frankly go with the one which cost less and you feel gives you the best bang for the buck and flexibility for later.

 

[j_garcia]

If it is forward compatibilty you are looking for the NAD doesn't have HDMI while the Marantz does (1.2). Sound wise, I think the NAD would edge out the Marantz, but that doesn't mean the Marantz won't still sound good.