Most players decode them, but honestly they don't make a hug difference in sound quality.
AS is nice, but a pain to run plus the 606 version is 2EQ not MultiEQ
The 4002 has MRAC which at this budget level is good enough.
Yes the 606 doesn't.
3
It will repeat 7.1 LPCM and pass 1080p signals just fine.
no but in US dollars it goes for 270 from accessories4less.
X-overs can be several things But generally speaking they are composed of high pass filters and low pass filters. I know of no reasonably priced receiver that has what I would define as a separate x-overs.
They will all high pass the mains and low pass the sub and that's it. For a good crossover you'll need to get a DCX 2496 and some external amps.
You can do this with the Marantz 4002. You can't do it with the Onkyo 606. For an audiophile I suggest the former. For a person only interested in a quick easy solution I suggest the later.
However the 4002 is available for much cheaper.
1. Doing the decoding in the receiver is preferable, better bass management than any blu-ray players. Plus blu-ray players with 7.1 multichannel analog outputs cost more money.
2. Running Audyssey is not harder than any other room calibration system.
And Marantz MRAC is in my opinion inferior to Audyssey MultEQ XT (705) or Audyssey 2EQ (606).
3. The 705 does have preamp outs for all channels.
4. The 606 have 4 HDMI inputs.
5. The HDMI version of the 606 is 1.3
Like I said in #1 answer, it is much preferable to do the decoding in the receiver instead of the player.
6. The price of the Marantz SR4002 in Canada is quite a bit more than in the USA.
7. Separate crossovers for all set of speakers is the general rule and the prefer choice of all audio people. It permits better configuration with your own speakers and your subwoofer(s). I'm talking different frequencies (50,60,70,80,90,100,120,150hz) for example, for each different set of speakers (center channel, front mains, side surrounds & rear surrounds, plus a separate LFE low pass filter for the LFE channel only).
On many Marantz receivers, you don't have that choice, it is a common x-over for all your speakers.
For Marantz to omit this feature is a retro application that doesn't cut it anymore in my book. Furthermore, for all Marantz receiver's models that include Audyssey MultEQ, to not be able to superimpose it over Dolby TrueHD & DTS-HD MA is a serious omission too.
I have a Marantz integrated amp in my 2-channel Stereo system (analog) and it sounds great.
In my Home Theater room, I use an Onkyo TX-SR876 and it rocks all the way to Heaven.
In my basement, I have an Onkyo TX-SR805 with an Emotiva XPA-3 coming soon.
And I also owned several receivers over the years (Denon, Yamaha, Pioneer, Marantz, Kenwood, Harman Kardon and more), and I still owned must of them. I love them all, but for the years 2007, 2008 and 2009, the Onkyos are the ones. For their specs, performance and power, features, ergonomics, build and price value (street), they are very hard to beat right now.
* Right now, the 705 is at #1, for value, features, power and overall performance.
The 606 is at #2, for the # of HDMI inputs (4 x version 1.3), Audyssey 2EQ, Dolby TrueHD & DTS-HD MA internal decoding and price value.
And the SR4002 is not in the running, because it does not decode the new high resolution audio codecs, for the reasons that I already mentioned. It might have a good sound from it's analog output, but it is not enough in this day and age. That's why I propose GomGom to look at the SR5003 instead.
One think that I learn over the years (over 40), is to go with the most up-to-date receiver, or you will regret it very fast. It happens to me way too often, just because I wanted to save money. In the end, I end up spending more money with constant upgrades. So I learn that it is best to spend a little bit more at the beginning from enjoying your purchase for a longer period of time, in particular with receivers.
That's my learned and paid experience.
Regards,
Bob
