Rotel to marantz?

[enrique]

I know i may have asked before but would really like to get some opinions to get me over the fence and yes i have asked this in other forumms aswell so please dont hold it against me..I have an opportunity to get either a 7002 or 8002 for a significant price.7002 for 980. the 8002 for 1,400.So i may be selling my rotel.I have a tosh hd player that is connected via dig. because analogs are taken up by my universal which i dont want to sacrifice.My display only has 1 hdmi.I'm assumng that with either marantz both which have significant more power than the rotel i could save my universal via analog and also take advantage of the new hd formats via hdmi.I do plan on getting a blue ray player later on.My speakers are 4ohm but 90db.I also have an hd dvr which is via component.I use my rec for video switching,very convenient for the family.I'm guessing that i could connect everything via the marantz to the 1 hdmi of my display to continue the switching via the rec.My question at last is if you were me would you think selling the rotel to get either marantz would be an obvious choice,and if so which one the 7002 for an extra cpl of bucks move tothe 8002.Hope you guys understand my long post,its that this is a big decision for me which is going to last a while.thanks

 

[MUDSHARK]

Thats a great price on the 7002. I purchased one recently for 1200 and am quite satisfied with it. Yes, all your sources can connect to the display via the Marantz HDMI output (there are 2 HDMI outs if needed). The 7002 has 4 HDMI in, as well as components for the dvr. I am not sure of the 4 ohm ability, however. I will delve in the manual to see if that item is referenced.

 

[enrique]

Thanks for the reply mudshark.I'm actually thinking 8002.Toroidal transforrmer,copper chasis and more power.Just have to justify selling my rotel to get the marantz.Getting off the fence so to speak.

 

[chadnliz]

Caution Rotel sounds better than Marantz,

 

[Wayde Robson]

I'm looking at the same choice right now. It's upgrade time to the HDMI 1.3 world and I’ve narrowed my choices to the 7002 and 8002.

Competitors eliminated from my choices: I don’t trust the Onkyo offering’s (SR-875)heat issues, Denon in this category is doing Wi-Fi and I just don’t trust it from a musical device.

I can get the Marantz locally for a better price than competing Yamaha and I prefer the Marantz name. My dad owned one when I was a kid so there’s the whole positive association thing too.

I am currently auditioning a 7002 in my system which I thought would be fine for my purposes. I didn't think there'd be any audio quality difference from my old receiver but I'm amazed that there is. The possibility that the 8002 could be as large a step up from 7002 as the 7002 was from my Arcam AVR200 is very tempting.

But the sonic differences could be in my head, a kind of "honeymoon" effect having the smell of new gear.

Do I drop a few extra bucks and an afternoon's setup time to upgrade to the 8002 now before it's too late? Or do I live for the forseeable future happy with my 7002?

Here are the differences extras the 8002 offers over the 7002.

125w per channel against 110w
Toroidal Transformer
Copperplated Chassis
Customized Components
Line memory
60 Tuner presets against 50 for the 7002
Multi room out via component
Gold plated In/Out
IR receiver in and Emitter out
HD Radio

I require none of the 8002 features, I’m only interested if it’s going to offer audio quality difference.

WPC is practically the same. I don't know if the toroidal transformer and copper chassis are going to make a difference, maybe better power supply parts will provide better handling of peaks etc. The Arcam has a toroidal transformer too but almost half the WPC and it didn’t allow me to bi-amp my speakers.

My inner practical objectivist is telling me - if the DACs are the same and the build quality is about equal, I probably wouldn’t hear any difference if I did a side by side comparison at comfortable volume. I’m interested to hear if anyone disagrees.

 

[enrique]

One of the things that has me heading for the 8002 is that i dont want to say to myself " what if " i dont want to think back and have any regrets.I can get a great price on either unit,but i think the extra 400. is worth it to me for peace of mind.I mean if i didnt have the extra than that would be a different story.

 

[jochie00]

Just get the 8002 so you won't regret yourself in the future

 

[Wayde Robson]

Done! It was quick and painless. Pulled the 7002 and took it back for an upgrade to the 8002.

I am pretty sure I'll never "hear" the difference, but... perhaps there will be times when the enhancements will smooth out the sound. I was very impressed with 7002 and the 8002 looks incredible.

That torodial transformer is unmistakable through the top, it's got the Marantz logo and is covered with a kind of shield that matches the outer design of the receiver. The copper chassis is also visible when you look through the vents from the top.

Needless to say I am glad I took the advice of those who said to just do it!

 

[corysmith01]

Jealous! Congrats!

I'm in the same boat as the OP, deciding whether I want to sell my 1056, which I bought for my 2 channel leanings, and bumping up to the Marantz 8002. My 8400 years ago was like a "first love" and I've been wanting to go back to Marantz for a while. We'll see.

 

[marty261]

scratches on SR7002 SR8002 normal?

Hi

I just purchased a Marantz SR7002 and so far I'm very pleased with form and function once the equalizer is set properly. I was using a B&K Reference 30 surround processor/preamp and I have to say the Marantz has made me a believer in receiver use for audiophile music and theatre sound. Very impressive. I'd be happy to answer any specific questions about the SR7002 for forum members. However, before I get too comfortable with my new Marantz I need to sort out a cosmetic issue. I recently noticed that the clear plastic display window has faint scratches all over it in a circular pattern as if they are a result of an orbital buffer machine. This seems like a factory -induced issue but not necessarily a defect. The scratches or scuffs are hardly noticeable and can only be seen in direct light from some angles but annoying nonetheless. I noticed that DENON uses a very similar piece of plastic for the display window on their newer receivers and might have the same pattern. Can any Marantz or DENON users confirm that this pattern is normal? Should I return unit for this cosmetic issue or is it normal?

I'd appreciate your thoughts. Thanks. Ed

 

[mperfct]

Hi

I just purchased a Marantz SR7002 and so far I'm very pleased with form and function once the equalizer is set properly. I was using a B&K Reference 30 surround processor/preamp and I have to say the Marantz has made me a believer in receiver use for audiophile music and theatre sound. Very impressive. I'd be happy to answer any specific questions about the SR7002 for forum members. However, before I get too comfortable with my new Marantz I need to sort out a cosmetic issue. I recently noticed that the clear plastic display window has faint scratches all over it in a circular pattern as if they are a result of an orbital buffer machine. This seems like a factory -induced issue but not necessarily a defect. The scratches or scuffs are hardly noticeable and can only be seen in direct light from some angles but annoying nonetheless. I noticed that DENON uses a very similar piece of plastic for the display window on their newer receivers and might have the same pattern. Can any Marantz or DENON users confirm that this pattern is normal? Should I return unit for this cosmetic issue or is it normal?

I'd appreciate your thoughts. Thanks. Ed

I don't see anything on my "new" 8001. I wouldn't sweat nonetheless.

 

[enrique]

Done! It was quick and painless. Pulled the 7002 and took it back for an upgrade to the 8002.

I am pretty sure I'll never "hear" the difference, but... perhaps there will be times when the enhancements will smooth out the sound. I was very impressed with 7002 and the 8002 looks incredible.

That torodial transformer is unmistakable through the top, it's got the Marantz logo and is covered with a kind of shield that matches the outer design of the receiver. The copper chassis is also visible when you look through the vents from the top.

Needless to say I am glad I took the advice of those who said to just do it!

excellent.Can you give your impressions/comparisons when you can.Unfortuanately i wont be able to get mine till next month.

 

[enrique]

Jealous! Congrats!

I'm in the same boat as the OP, deciding whether I want to sell my 1056, which I bought for my 2 channel leanings, and bumping up to the Marantz 8002. My 8400 years ago was like a "first love" and I've been wanting to go back to Marantz for a while. We'll see.

Hey Corey we meet again, I've decided to go ahead and get the 8002.will get it sometime next month.Getting rid of the 1056 is going to be hard but ultimately i think its the best choice.

 

[corysmith01]

I've decided to go ahead and get the 8002

Awesome! I'm right there...teetering on the edge. I love, love, love the Rotel...but there's just such a draw from the 8002. I think I'll be making a decision in the coming days/week. I'm leaning more and more towards it. Congrats again. That unit looks like the real deal.

 

[Midcow2]

Just bought Marantz 8002 for amazing price

I just received and installed a Marantz 8002 last night and it is as exceptional as I thought it would be!

I bought over the Internet through Pricegrabber - Hypatia Way (hypatiaway@gmail.com )for a total price of $1299.99 including shipping, tax and handling.

They are currently out-of-stock but the price was outstanding and they shipped a new Marantz via UPS very expediently (received exactly one week after placing order).

Good luck in your choice between the 7002 and 8002.









LOL- I finally upgraded my garage stereo which was using a FIsher Studio digital tuner and a Marantz 1030 ( 30 RMS 2 chanenl amplifier) which was over 35 years old!

 

[enrique]

great price for the 8002.Are they an authorized dealer? reason i ask i think is obvious.either way congrats and enjoy.The best i can do locally from authorized dealer with full warranty and such is 1400.

 

[Ace Deprave]

great price for the 8002.Are they an authorized dealer? reason i ask i think is obvious.either way congrats and enjoy.The best i can do locally from authorized dealer with full warranty and such is 1400.

No, here is the list of authorized internet retailers on the Marantz website:

Accessories4less.com

Audioadvisor.com

Audioholics.com

Crutchfield.com

Musicdirect.com

OneCall

Secondact.com

6th Ave.com

ThrillingAudio.com

 

[mouettus]

Any downgrade in sound from Rotel to Marantz?

 

[enrique]

No, here is the list of authorized internet retailers on the Marantz website:

Accessories4less.com

Audioadvisor.com

Audioholics.com

Crutchfield.com

Musicdirect.com

OneCall

Secondact.com

6th Ave.com

ThrillingAudio.com

Great listing.I actually checked these sites after you posted them.Not all have the 7002/8002 and all are at full retail according to the site.Onecall is slightly less.

 

[PENG]

thing too.

I didn't think there'd be any audio quality difference from my old receiver but I'm amazed that there is. The possibility that the 8002 could be as large a step up from 7002 as the 7002 was from my Arcam AVR200 is very tempting.

But the sonic differences could be in my head, a kind of "honeymoon" effect having the smell of new gear.

First of all, if you level match the 7002 and the AVR200 and then do a blind test you will more than likely not be able to tell them apart. I bet approx. 50% of the time you will prefer the AVR200. To me, it is extremely unlikely that you will find a receiver that offers better SQ than Arcam receivers.

Secondly, if you don't need any of the 8002's extra features why pay for them? You seem to know that the toroidal in the 8002 is not going to give you audible SQ improvements over the 7002.