Yamaha vs. Marantz...some questions

[ChrisJam]

Hi,

I've been thinking about getting a Yamaha RX-V659 to replace my 1990s Yamaha AVR. I can get a new 659 for just under $300, with the Yamaha warranty. But if I spend another $250, I could get a factory-refurbished Marantz SR7500, again with factory warranty.

I don't need HDMI now. I do want my new AVR to have pre-outs on all channels, in case I want to use it as a pre-pro. Both the Yamaha and the Marantz do this. The Onkyo 605 doesn't, so that's why I'm not considering it.

I haven't been considering the Yamaha 661 because I don't need HDMI now, and because the 659's amp section is more robust from what I've read.

I'll be using the AVR for both home theater (5.1) and music (5-channel stereo, and 2.1). The Yamaha 659 would give me all the power I need. The Marantz 7500, with 5 more watts/channel, might give me a tiny bit more headroom. I know a 5-watt increase is insignificant for SPL, but am I right about headroom?

Would the Marantz 7500's amp section outclass the Yamaha 659's? Is it worth the extra money?

How about DACs? Does one of these AVRs do a better job decoding digital sources? My DVD player and CD player are years old, so I'd let the AVR do the decoding until I get something with improved DACs.

Any other thoughts or suggestions are welcome.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[Seth=L]

The DAC's in the Marantz are probably about the same as the ones in the Marantz, though I would hope that the Marantz are better integrated. The amplifier in the Marantz should definitely outclass the Yamaha along with a few other features.

The remote control for the Marantz is far nicer, if that is a factor. The switching abilities of the Marantz surpass the Yamaha as well. The Marantz offers component switching for up to 4 components. It also has one more Coaxial digital in than the Yamaha, for a total of three, and both receivers have 4 optical inputs (both have digital output, but the Yamha is only optical the Marantz has optical and coaxial). Aside from that they have similar audio in/out and video in/out configurations. Both have two zone ability. The Yamaha has an XMHD tuner on board. The Yamaha is made in Malaysia, and the Marantz is made in China. The Marantz has THX Select certification. Yamaha has a iPod Dock attachment available, Marantz doesn't. Marantz has more trigger options.

Can't think of much else, the rest is up too you.


Can't think of much else.

 

[ChrisJam]

Thanks, Seth, you gave me some good info. I have a follow-up, though. You lost me when you talked about DACs being better integrated in one AVR. I don't know what that means. If you could explain it, I'd appreciate it.

The DAC's...though I would hope that the Marantz are better integrated.

Not to hijack my own thread, but in the loudspeaker forum we were talking about B&W 705 speakers. I haven't had time to visit AH today except for posting in this thread. I'll go there in a couple hours or so to see if you got to demo the 705s.

Getting back to my AVRs, what if I threw the Onkyo 803 into the mix? It has THX Select Certification, 105 watts/ch, phono input, and HDMI (repeater).


Open question to all: If someone gave you one of these AVRs--Yammy 659, Marantz 7500, or Onkyo 803--and you could choose which one, which would you take? Would it be a slam-dunk or a close call?

Thanks again,
Chris

 

[gus6464]

Thanks, Seth, you gave me some good info. I have a follow-up, though. You lost me when you talked about DACs being better integrated in one AVR. I don't know what that means. If you could explain it, I'd appreciate it.




Not to hijack my own thread, but in the loudspeaker forum we were talking about B&W 705 speakers. I haven't had time to visit AH today except for posting in this thread. I'll go there in a couple hours or so to see if you got to demo the 705s.

Getting back to my AVRs, what if I threw the Onkyo 803 into the mix? It has THX Select Certification, 105 watts/ch, phono input, and HDMI (repeater).


Open question to all: If someone gave you one of these AVRs--Yammy 659, Marantz 7500, or Onkyo 803--and you could choose which one, which would you take? Would it be a slam-dunk or a close call?

Thanks again,
Chris

I haven't heard the Marantz but I would take the Yammy over the Onkyo.

 

[zumbo]

I say the Marantz here.

 

[j_garcia]

Marantz here also. There's a reason why I've owned so many

 

[OttoMatic]

I believe that some Yamaha receivers impose that all speakers use the same crossover point. That is, if you choose 80 Hz, then all speakers would be crossed over at 80 Hz. I don't like that, as I want to cross mains at 40 and center at 100 (just for example).

I haven't heard that complaint of Marantz, but I'm not sure.

Don't have time to read the manuals right now. Not sure how much of a difference it will make to you, but I would not accept that limitation.

 

[Seth=L]

Thanks, Seth, you gave me some good info. I have a follow-up, though. You lost me when you talked about DACs being better integrated in one AVR. I don't know what that means. If you could explain it, I'd appreciate it.




Not to hijack my own thread, but in the loudspeaker forum we were talking about B&W 705 speakers. I haven't had time to visit AH today except for posting in this thread. I'll go there in a couple hours or so to see if you got to demo the 705s.

Getting back to my AVRs, what if I threw the Onkyo 803 into the mix? It has THX Select Certification, 105 watts/ch, phono input, and HDMI (repeater).


Open question to all: If someone gave you one of these AVRs--Yammy 659, Marantz 7500, or Onkyo 803--and you could choose which one, which would you take? Would it be a slam-dunk or a close call?

Thanks again,
Chris

Ok, the DACs...

I would hope, emphasis on hope, that Marantz has taken more time and consideration in the design of their entire receiver. Like many complicated electronic devices, like computers, integration is important. Circuit layouts and best matching circuits should be more and more common with your higher end product, I would hope. Both receivers are good, I would like to think that the Marantz would be better in almost everyway when it comes to raw performance. Computers are a good representitive of what integration could mean. Computers are only as fast as their slowest component and parts have to mesh for the best performance.

I have not had the chance to demo the 705s, will try do get that done here in a few.

The 803 isn't a bad receiver, and would be a viable option, but if you don't think you will need HDMI for a while you may want to pass it by for now. The really great machine to buy now is the TX-SR805, it has reinvented the 800 series (20 pounds more than its predecessors thanks to its new kick some tail amplifier)

 

[j_garcia]

I believe that some Yamaha receivers impose that all speakers use the same crossover point. That is, if you choose 80 Hz, then all speakers would be crossed over at 80 Hz. I don't like that, as I want to cross mains at 40 and center at 100 (just for example).

I haven't heard that complaint of Marantz, but I'm not sure.

Don't have time to read the manuals right now. Not sure how much of a difference it will make to you, but I would not accept that limitation.

Marantz and Denon both do this, as do the majority of other receivers on the market. H/K and Sony and maybe a few others are more flexible, but that isn't a deciding factor IMO.

 

[avaserfi]

Marantz and Denon both do this, as do the majority of other receivers on the market. H/K and Sony and maybe a few others are more flexible, but that isn't a deciding factor IMO.

My Denon allows me to set individual crossover points for each speaker as well as the subwoofer. For the record its a 3806 so maybe it is a slightly newer feature they have been adding.

 

[j_garcia]

Good to know. Thx. I was sure the 580x was able to do this, but didn't know it trickled down to some of the others as well.

 

[mike c]

Good to know. Thx. I was sure the 580x was able to do this, but didn't know it trickled down to some of the others as well.

the trickle stopped at 280*

 

[ChrisJam]

Marantz and Denon both do this, as do the majority of other receivers on the market.

Does your 8300 do this, j_garcia? I'm asking because when I read the 7500/8500 owner's manual, it listed two only manually set crossover references. (The manual talks about the automated MRAC set-up system on page 21.)

1. On page 19 in the "THX speaker system" section, it says that the subwoofer crossover setting can be set to 80 Hz, 100 Hz, or 120 Hz.

2. On the same page under "speaker set up," it talks about manually setting speaker size. When set to small, the manual says "Frequencies of the channel you are setting lower than approx. 100 Hz will be output from the subwoofer." It then gives an example of the menu box:

2-2 Speaker Size

Subwoofer : Yes
Front L/R : Small
Center : Small
Surround L/R : Small
Surr. Back : 1 Ch
Surr. Back Size : Small
LPF/HPF : 100 Hz
Bass Mix : Both
Main Return Next Exit


The manual doesn't say if this approximate 100 Hz setting can be changed manually by the owner other than by using the THX set-up mentioned in #1. Do you know if it can?

Thx,
Chris

 

[j_garcia]

Nope, the x400 series was when they started doing the adjustable x-over, but it is still a global setting, not an independent one. I haven't checked the x500s though.

There is a section where it asks if you want to use THX speaker settings; answering yes means 80Hz for all channels on mine. The 7500/8500 are both THX Select also so I would expect the same.

 

[ChrisJam]

Nope, the x400 series was when they started doing the adjustable x-over, but it is still a global setting, not an independent one. I haven't checked the x500s though.

There is a section where it asks if you want to use THX speaker settings; answering yes means 80Hz for all channels on mine. The 7500/8500 are both THX Select also so I would expect the same.

Thanks. I can live with a global setting. Right now that's what I have, and my old Yammy ARV only gives me one crossover point: 90 Hz. That's one reason I want to upgrade my AVR. At 90 Hz, my sub doesn't quite disappear the way it should. It'd be nice to drop down to 80 Hz.

I must admit that given the 8500's MSRP, I'm surprised that it doesn't come with more crossover points. I've read manuals from less-expensive AVRs that allow a global crossover from 60-120 Hz, in 10-Hz steps. A couple I read about even offer a 40 Hz setting.

Still, I'd be happy with 80 Hz.

Chris