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Seeking replacement receiver advice

post #1 of 20
3/5/08 at 12:39am
Thread Starter 
I have a Marantz AV-560 receiver that seems to be on it's last legs, and I'm looking to replace it.

I'm looking for something that will drive two MA700 (fronts), and three MA500 (center and rears), Mono Amps. The amps drive Martin Logan SL3s (fronts), scripts (rears), and a cinema center speaker. I also have a Velodyne HGS-18 subwoofer.

I'm hoping that I can get some good advice from some knowledgeable folks here.

What I'm trying to decide is if it is better to replace just the AV-560, or the AV-560 AND the Mono Amps and drive the speakers directly (but that does not seem a cost effective direction).

What is a good bang-for-the-buck solution for replacing the AV-560? Suggestions?

Thanks in advance...
Brett
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post #2 of 20
3/5/08 at 5:34am
Brett,

If those are the Marantz amps from a bit ago, I remember they were pretty good. In that sense I wouldn't replace them unless for some reason you want new amps.

I would replace the AV-560 with a unit that can decode or receive all the new Dolby and DTS hi-def audio, which just about every receiver can do now. Bypass the amps in the receiver and use it as a pre/pro.

I say think about a receiver because the problem is there isn't much actually on the market now that can do that in terms of a pre/pro that is readily available. Onkyo and Integra have theirs though it's tough to find one, and Marantz will be out with their pre/pro in a few months as well, along with additions such as Cary and Krell. It may be a little bit of hurry up and wait.

I would save your money for something else by staying with your current amps unless you think for some reason it's critical to replace them.

You already have better performance than receivers.

Richard
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post #3 of 20
3/5/08 at 6:40am
Markertek is taking orders for the next shipment of the Onkyo Pro PR-SC885P - it has just about every feature you could possibly want. I have not heard it yet but the virtually identical Integra 9.8 got a very favorable review at"Secrets" a while back. The Pro model has a different (and more appealing to me) faceplate but otherwise is said to be the same.

As for an amp to drive you MLs, do yourself a favor and contact Roger Sanders at Sander Sound Systems about a used Innersound ESL amp he has listed for sale. That amp, which he designed when he was at Innersound, which he founded, was designed to drive electrostatic speakers, and is a magnitude level above the amps you are using now. He is only asking $1,800 for an amp that cost $3,995 when new, and I am sure he will give you some warranty with it (his current ESL amp, which is very similar, has a lifetime warranty). Here is a link:

http://www.sanderssoundsystems.com/used-equip.htm
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post #4 of 20
3/5/08 at 9:38am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by AVSRichard View Post

Brett,

If those are the Marantz amps from a bit ago, I remember they were pretty good. In that sense I wouldn't replace them unless for some reason you want new amps.

I would replace the AV-560 with a unit that can decode or receive all the new Dolby and DTS hi-def audio, which just about every receiver can do now. Bypass the amps in the receiver and use it as a pre/pro.

I say think about a receiver because the problem is there isn't much actually on the market now that can do that in terms of a pre/pro that is readily available. Onkyo and Integra have theirs though it's tough to find one, and Marantz will be out with their pre/pro in a few months as well, along with additions such as Cary and Krell. It may be a little bit of hurry up and wait.

I would save your money for something else by staying with your current amps unless you think for some reason it's critical to replace them.

You already have better performance than receivers.

Richard

That sounds like solid advice, and confirms what I was planning.

I don't have to have the latest greatest receiver, but I would like to get a receiver that controls my mono amps power on/off like the AV-560 does.

Any specific receiver models to suggest that I can go look at?
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post #5 of 20
3/5/08 at 9:40am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by dsmith901 View Post

Markertek is taking orders for the next shipment of the Onkyo Pro PR-SC885P - it has just about every feature you could possibly want. I have not heard it yet but the virtually identical Integra 9.8 got a very favorable review at"Secrets" a while back. The Pro model has a different (and more appealing to me) faceplate but otherwise is said to be the same.

As for an amp to drive you MLs, do yourself a favor and contact Roger Sanders at Sander Sound Systems about a used Innersound ESL amp he has listed for sale. That amp, which he designed when he was at Innersound, which he founded, was designed to drive electrostatic speakers, and is a magnitude level above the amps you are using now. He is only asking $1,800 for an amp that cost $3,995 when new, and I am sure he will give you some warranty with it (his current ESL amp, which is very similar, has a lifetime warranty). Here is a link:

http://www.sanderssoundsystems.com/used-equip.htm

Thanks, these look like interesting suggestions, but I'm hoping for something lower end if I can use my existing mono amps. I just need a simple receiver, perhaps 3 (or 4) HDMI inputs, a remote, and the ability to turn on and off my mono amps, and I would be happy.
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post #6 of 20
3/5/08 at 9:41am
Thread Starter 
By the way, AVSRichard and dsmith901, I appreciate the responses.
Thanks!
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post #7 of 20
3/8/08 at 9:13pm
Thread Starter 
Well, my AV-560 is really dying now.

Not sure if it is the remote, or the AV-560, but the volume control no longer works for volume up. (Volume down still works? and yes, I've changed the batteries). Defeats the purpose of a remote.

I don't want to spent hundreds/thousands of dollars unnecessarily.

Is there a inexpensive pre-amp that has component and HDMI switching (with a remote)?

I've looked around and not seen anything that is better than my AV-560. I would have thought by now there would have been a low cost replacement...

Thanks
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post #8 of 20
3/8/08 at 9:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bilbrey View Post

Well, my AV-560 is really dying now.

Not sure if it is the remote, or the AV-560, but the volume control no longer works for volume up. (Volume down still works? and yes, I've changed the batteries). Defeats the purpose of a remote.

I don't want to spent hundreds/thousands of dollars unnecessarily.

Is there a inexpensive pre-amp that has component and HDMI switching (with a remote)?

I've looked around and not seen anything that is better than my AV-560. I would have thought by now there would have been a low cost replacement...
Thanks

The Emotiva LMC-2 will be avail next month and looks very promising.

If you want to use a receiver as a preamp, I'd check out the Marantz 7001/7002.
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post #9 of 20
3/9/08 at 1:13am
Thread Starter 
Well, it is becoming clear that I want a 5.1 channel preamp with some HDMI and Component inputs.

I don't understand why they have to be expensive. (trust me, I know electronics)

Seems like a GOOD preamp could run in the <$500 range and still be exceptional.

I'll have to keep my eyes open...

Thanks
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post #10 of 20
3/9/08 at 1:52am
Depending on what you need you might buy a yamaha rx-v663. I use it as a pre amp and like it very much, but I also needed 7.1.
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post #11 of 20
3/9/08 at 11:28am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by kmannth View Post

Depending on what you need you might buy a yamaha rx-v663. I use it as a pre amp and like it very much, but I also needed 7.1.

Yes, it does look interesting. How do you use it as a pre-amp?
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post #12 of 20
3/9/08 at 11:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bilbrey View Post

Yes, it does look interesting. How do you use it as a pre-amp?

You connect the amp to the pre-outs on the receiver.
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post #13 of 20
3/9/08 at 12:56pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by gunbunnysoulja View Post

You connect the amp to the pre-outs on the receiver.



Yes, I would imagine so.

I was trying to see the back panel of the unit on the web and it did not look like there were preamp outs. But all the images I found were too small to really tell what was on the back...


Looks like the preamps might be middle top?
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post #14 of 20
3/9/08 at 1:06pm
Thread Starter 
By the way, the posts are appreciated.

The yamaha rx-v663 looks interesting, and in the right price ballpark for what I want for now. (I have 5 kids, of which three are in college, so having disposable income for AV gear is not in favor with the wife right now. )

I'm at work today (a Sunday), so that should give you an idea why I'm asking for help rather than spending hours surfing the web to gather the info.

I do appreciate the advice and it is helping me to think about what I want to do next.
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post #15 of 20
3/9/08 at 1:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bilbrey View Post



Yes, I would imagine so.

I was trying to see the back panel of the unit on the web and it did not look like there were preamp outs. But all the images I found were too small to really tell what was on the back...

Looks like the preamps might be middle top?

Correct...

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post #16 of 20
3/9/08 at 1:45pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by gunbunnysoulja View Post

Correct...

Great image, thank you!

The Yamaha is a good placeholder as I consider my options.
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post #17 of 20
3/9/08 at 1:47pm
Thread Starter 
Ah, quick question.
Does the unit convert the Component inputs to display on the HDMI output?
So I only need to run one HDMI cable to my TV and all switching is done on the receiver?

Or do you have to switch between HDMI and Component at the TV?

Thanks!
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post #18 of 20
3/9/08 at 1:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bilbrey View Post

Ah, quick question.
Does the unit convert the Component inputs to display on the HDMI output?
So I only need to run one HDMI cable to my TV and all switching is done on the receiver?


Thanks!

Yes, but not 1080p component. HDMI transcoding from component is only up to 1080i. 1080p component needs to be output as component. IMO, this is a non issue pending the tv in question properly deinterlaces.
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post #19 of 20
4/12/08 at 10:23pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bilbrey View Post

Well, my AV-560 is really dying now.

Not sure if it is the remote, or the AV-560, but the volume control no longer works for volume up. (Volume down still works? and yes, I've changed the batteries). Defeats the purpose of a remote.

I thought I would post a follow up to my situation. And perhaps it will make a few folks smile...

Well, first let me start by saying that I have 5 kids, and things do not tend to stay static when I turn my back. Why do I say this? Well this applies to my Marantz AV-560 receiver.

It seems, that one of my helpful children (which one exactly will remain nameless) was crawling behind the equipment and knocked off a wire (one of the digital audio cables - coax 1) and when plugging it back in on the back of the receiver, put it in the control input RCA jack instead of the coax 1 input. When I went to use coax 1 input I found no sound?!? Debugging the problem I found the cabling problem.

Correcting the cabling issue resulted in the remote starting to work again. Well, not the remote exactly, but the receiver.

I want to thank everyone that responded previously, I'm still looking for a new receiver, just now I'm not in a rush.
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post #20 of 20
7/26/09 at 3:10am
Thread Starter 
Well, it has been over a year, and I did end up replacing the Marantz AV-560 with a Pioneer VSX-94THX receiver and I've been very happy. It was like getting new speakers. The Martin-Logan speakers came alive with the new receiver. Very happy with how it turned out...
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