Marantz AV7005 - Page 6

Can a consumer buy an Audyssey Pro Kit? I've been tweaking my room for some time using Room EQ Wizard, so I think I could figure out how to use it.

If I could purchase an Audyssey Pro Kit for the Marantz, that would put it back on my radar.

Yes you can but it's pretty pricey. $400-$500.

You could also look at the Denon 4311 which will have Audyssey XT32. A bit more than the AV7005 but quite a feature packed AVR which of course can also be used as a prepro.

Bill

Is that the only cost, or do you need to pay something to unlock the unit itself?

I don't know enough about room correction software to know if "32x the filter resolution" is semantically equivalent to "32x the number of filters".

All I know is that it's probably easier to flatten out the frequency response when you have 512 control points to work with rather than 16. As for XT w/Pro vs. XT32 non-Pro; I just want a flat response. As far as I know, Pro just gives the user control of the transfer function, it doesn't magically give you a flatter response.

It seems like the appeal of Audyssey Pro is if you want to color the frequency response to your liking ("bright", "warm", etc), which I can understand for some people. Personally, I'll just trust the recording engineer and shoot for the flattest response I can get.

Honestly I think to have the ability to tweak ones room response is quite a treat.....

I already have ARC with my D2v with absolutely no ability to adjust the response... I can't complain with what I'm hearing at this point but it sure would be nice to be able to adjust things from time to time...

The AV7005 will reside in my second system but honestly, I think its a ground breaking product with its price point, especially since they have fixed all the shortcomings of the 8003 - hopefully Marantz is looking to implement a top of the line Pre-Pro later down the line with even more advanced features like XT32 in a more budget minded product, unlike the Denon AVP or Anthem D2v pricepoint. Ultimately XT32 is in all practical purposes right now in uncharted territory.

XT with pro addition is already pretty impressive as it sits.... Just look at Kal Rubinsons comparisons of ARC and XT w/Pro

I believe that you need to contact Audyssey to get a usage key every time you want to use the kit (the key matches up to a specific component, such at an AV7005), and I think that does cost something, so you can't just buy the kit and use it day after day to tweak your settings. However, I'm not sure, but I have a friend that owns the pro kit so I can ask him about it.

First, you need to buy a license from Audyssey and that is linked to the MAC address of your particular prepro. From this, Audyssey will give you a "key" so that you can address your prepro from MultEQ Pro. This key is date-coded and expires but, since you paid for a license for your prepro, Audyssey will generate a new key on request without any additional charges.

So, yes, there is an additional cost but it is also a one-time cost.

If I hold my breath will it make this unit come to market faster? Sometime in October maybe?

I've done some research on this because I'm thinking it is the way to go. As I understand it, you buy the kit and then you buy a license for the specific pre/pro or AVR you want to calibrate. Once you've paid for the license, you can rerun the calibration as much as you want for that piece of hardware. However, if you buy a new pre/pro or want to calibrate your friend's system, then you must buy a new license for that different piece of equipment.

Sounds like a fair licensing scheme to me.

Right. Of course, while the key is active, you may use it as often as you wish. I just wanted to make the point that you will have to re-new it eventually but at no additional cost.

All kidding aside I am in need right now...I may opt for the receiver version and just use it as a pre-pro if the wait is going to be too long. Is there any type of time frame being suggested for market on this unit?

I talked to Marantz customer service last week and they told me early November.

^^^^

Thank you!

I am looking at replacing my B&K Ref 70 with this Marantz (AV7005). Anyone have a guess on how it will compare? Also, does anyone know the dimensions of the Marantz. I have a custom built HT cabinet and the Pre/Pro cannot be taller than 7".

Thanks.

At the bottom of the page there's a link to the unit's "User Guide" - all you want to know - except the specific delivery date.

http://us.marantz.com/Products/3255.asp

5U rack space with feet attached, 4U without.

RMK8003AV Rack Mount Kit (also fits AV7005).

I'm using the SR7005 with 3 Emotiva UPA-1's for the front channels and it's fantastic. I like it better than the UMC-1, XPA-2 and XPA-5 I toyed with a few months ago (also used the AV8003 with the XPA'a as well) So far it's the best $2K I've spent on this obsession. That said, I was waiting for the new Anthem receivers and may give them a shot just in case

Great! Thank you.

Will the AV7005 pass 1080p/24? How good is its video processor?

Did you try out the internal amps in the receiver before the Emos? If so, what did you think?

I to was thinking about the anthem receivers and the word I have gotten from a high volume Paradigm dealer who has inside track to the new Anthem receivers is as with all new products do not be shocked to have some wrinkles to iron out even after there release.

I am just not sure I am up for a brand new piece to the market that may be buggy out of the box. The availability of ARC in an affordable receiver sure is tempting.

Anyone know if you can assign a physical input to more than one virtual input? I'd like to set up my PS3 with different surround modes and video options depending on whether I'm watching a movie or playing a game.

The AV7005 is on the web page now. I skimmed the specs, but does anybody see a compelling reason to get the AV7005 instead of the SR7005 given only $100 price difference to add amps to their pre/pro? I am not sure I saw any other feature differences between the two but must have missed something... Still no XT32.

Curious - Don

The pricing of the SR7005 is extremely attractive, but I already have a 5-Channel Marantz amplifier, so the AV7005 is for me.

Whenever it shows up!

I believe the AV7005 also has balanced out, if that makes a difference for you.

If the specs are basically identical I see no reason to go with the SR7005 either. The AV7005 has balanced preouts and preouts for Height and Wide speakers but the SR7005 has the amp section. So it would be a choice based on what one needs from a processor. I think the fact that the SR/AV7005 does not have XT32 would lead me toward the Denon 4311 or one of the Onkyos that have XT32. I'm not sure whether the AV7005 would be an improvement or a lateral move when compared to my 886.

Bill

The Denon 4311 fwiw is lacking quality dacs.

The AV7005 may also produce less heat than the SR7005? I am wondering if this would be the case for any receiver vs pre-pro?

I'll have to print out and compare specs again a little closer. Hard to believe adding the amps is only an extra $100!

Heat, almost certainly higher for the AVR (any AVR), but not a problem for me at the moment. I have enough space around the AVR and cut open the back of my console for more airflow (and easier access to all those &^#@ wires!)

Balanced would be as plus as my main amps f(Emotiva) or L/R/C and surrounds have balanced inputs. However, I am currently using the amps in my Pioneer receiver to drive the rears so having the amps would save me having to buy one more amp... I am not sure there's much difference in balanced runs for 6' in a consumer system (100' snake at a concert, yeah; 6' at home, not so sure) but have no way of telling if the amp's sound would improve.

More thinking to do! - Don