Newbie needs advice - Marantz question

[Methost]

I just purchased a Marantz SR8400. It was used for 3 days and returned. I got this for $500 and it "retails" for $1300. I didnt have much time to do a lot of research, so Im looking for someone to tell me that (as long as its in new condition as was told to me) I didnt get hosed.

It does have pre-outs on for upgrading to seperates later. (Ill get some mono-blocks or something).

I plan to pair this with a set of Axiom speakers.

Now the unit is a 7.1, but Im not really set up for 7.1 sound. I only have half the room as my "theater" and have no wall on the left side of my "soundstage" thus, nowhere to hang a left center speaker.

I could do a 6.1 though. Can a 7.1 unit be used as a 6.1 or even a 5.1? Will I get the distribution I need to get surround properly without all speakers?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

John

 

[j_garcia]

All you have to do is turn off whatever speakers you aren't using in the speaker setup menu and it will function as a 2.1, 5.1 or however you configure it. $500 is about average for a used 8400, and as long as it came with it's full 3 year warranty, that's a pretty decent deal.

 

[AVRat]

OK, you didn't get hosed. That's a decent deal with the warranty. It doesn't have the latest and greatest features as it's becoming a two year old product, but it may have all that you want or need. Get comfortable with the manual and enjoy.

 

[Takeereasy]

I've got the 8400 and you did not get screwed. You can run it in 6.1 no problem, just go into the on-screen menu, go into the speaker setup and choose the correct options. The only features this receiver is missing is HDMI or DVI switching, and you would have to pay much more for those. Great deal on a great receiver.