Marantz AV7005 - Page 294

I thought I had a simple question

^^^

you did...

unfortunately, "belief" is very strong in the land of a/v...

You asked a simple question which almost always generates highly emotional responses from both "objectivists" and "subjectivists".

You should get better sound due to the Audyssey room equalization software which is included in the AV7005. The improvement provided by room EQ usually is much more noticeable than the subtle improvements due to using higher quality sound tracks.

Room EQ (and bass management) cannot be applied by the AV7005 (or its competitors) to the multi-channel analog inputs. You'll have to use digital connections, including HDMI, in order to be able to take advantage of the EQ. (Stereo inputs can be used, but that means the audio winds up going through a D-to-A conversion in the player and then an A-to-D conversion in the pre/pro.)

Don't forget that the AV7005 is a preamp/processor, while the AVR200 is a receiver. You'll have to get external amplifiers for all of your speakers (except the subwoofer) which don't already have them.

Or he may not need to buy another amp, at all; He could re-purpose the 5.1 analog in jacks on his old receiver to function as "pre-amp ins". This might actually be superior in a sense, because he can set the Arcam's gain (volume) to maximize the system's overall signal to noise ratio, yet keep the Audyssey calibration safely within is operating window. [No need to buy those attenuators we have to suggest to some of the owners of amps with unusually high gains, for example, nor any issue for folks with super efficient speakers.]

Or he could get the SR7005 if he wants a receiver

I was thinking of doing the same since I am using my Onkyo TXSR806 only as a pre now

I have (almost) decided to go for it. Hoping not to be disappointed

So, the decision is final. Now I have to choose where to buy it from Crutchfield, Audio Advisor or Outlaw Audio. Whom would you recommend?

If the prices are the same, I recommend Crutchfield.

Have dealt with them for years and if there's any problem, they are there for you!

Also Crutchfield provides a 60 day return as well as lifetime support.

Crutchfield is a bust. Can not order from US site (even my shipping address is in US but billing is in Canada). Canadian Crutchfield doesn’t carry Marantz (and prices are way higher on other brands). So I’m left with Outlaw, Audio Advisor or Music Direct.

Audio Advisor has been good to me.

don't think you'll be dissappointed with this purchase, the Marantz AV7005 is a great unit for the price, has pretty much all the latest features. You can't really compare these two unit's (I think), one is a pre-pro the other a (70wpc) receiver. Although I've always preferred Arcam's analog sound. The Arcam AVR200 retailed (in 2002) for approx $1199.00 . Get a good amp (150wpc-plus- minimum) to go with the AV7005, you'll be nicely impressed.
Edited by WestCoastD - 11/30/12 at 1:09pm

Yes I have. The prices are fare over and above. You wouldn’t believe what are we expected to pay here in Canada, even now when dollars are more or less equal.

Already have amps – used AVR200 as pre/pro. I have Arcam P85/3(channel) that drives centre and twitters on fronts, P85 that drives woofers on front and P80 for the rears. They’ll have to do (for now).

Passively bi-amping, that is using two amps for one speaker (and removing the jumper straps on the back to create two independent inputs) where both amps receive the same, full range input signal (which I suspect is what is being described above), is a complete waste of time, space, electricity, and expense. It has no audible consequences, in fact it might actually be detrimental if the two amps don't have exactly the same gain factor to the tenth of a decibel. The added cost would always be better spent buying, for example, a more powerful single amp, rather than buying two amps for "passive bi-amping". [That more powerful single amp scenario could at least play more loudly before distorting, or could be said to have "cleaner, less distorted peaks".] All that passive bi-amping does is make one's amplification doubly expensive and requires more wires; retailers and amp/wire vendors therefore have no problem recommending it.

Active bi-amping, on the other hand, where there is an electronic crossover in addition to the two amps, which each receive different signals, is quite useful in many cases and all of us using powered subwoofers are employing a version of that.
Edited by m. zillch - 12/1/12 at 8:46am

Guess you were lucky. The best offer I could find was about 20% higher

Before purchasing a new 7005, consider that the 8000 series pre pro from Marantz hits the streets in a week or two. Many 7000 series owners looking to upgrade. Likely used units going in the $700-$900 range. I would wait. Mine willbe up for sale in a week or two, as will some others I know of

I currently have a Marantz SR5002 in my system. It is being powered by a Marantz MM 9000 5 channnel amp. I have decided to "upgrade" to a dedicated processor. I have narrowed my choices down to either a new AV7005, or a used AV 8003 in the $800 range. Could someone please give me some advice as to what would be the better choice. I listen to 70% movies, and 30% music.

From all the specs I hve read, the AV 8003 is a much heavier unit. And also, the AV8003 retailed for a much higher price than the 7005, when it was new. Also, my Blu Ray player is capable of doing all of the decoding to get the latest and greatest surround codecs such as DTS master, etc.

I am thinking that the used AV 8003 might be the better value. But, the 7005 seems to have great reviews. And also the new 7005 would come with a three year warranty.

Last but not least, I don't want to have to deal with any firmware issues. It seems that I read somewhere that there were problems with the 8003 as far as firmware. As I recall, it had something to do with Audyssey.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated !!

THANKS !!

I've had both (still have the AV7005) and sonically, there isn't much of a difference. However the AV7005 solved some issues the AV8003 had. My vote would be the AV7005.

The AV7005 should sound better than the AV8003, because the AV7005 has Audyssey MultEQ XT, while the AV8003 has only MultEQ. Also, the AV7005 can decode bitstreamed HD audio while applying Audyssey. The AV8003 cannot do both at the same time, so HD audio needs to be decoded in the player. By itself, that shouldn't make any audible diffrerence, though.

The AV7005 also supports 3D if that makes a difference to you.

huge price difference too- ie. $3599.99 for the AV8801 as opposed to $1599.00 retail for the AV7005, or $1699.99 for the AV7701. We'll see how many ex-AV7005 owners can actually afford a new AV8801

I'm waiting for my 8801 now to replace the 7005. Should be interesting.

yes, should be interesting. What amplifier and speakers are you using?

The only reason I considered AV7005 is because of its price drop. All else (including 7005 at retail) is out of my reach.
Audio Advisor seems to be sold out so I ordered one from Outlaw. They put in extra effort in crating that AV7005 guide, so they deserve it. I dealt with them (a while back) before with no problems.

Make sure to download the Outlaw manual too. I thought it was a nice addition/supplement to the Marantz manual. I actually set mine up from the Outlaw manual, because it's an easier "read" than the Marantz manual, and then I just used the Marantz manual for reference after that.

Have been off these audio forums for awhile. I went through a very rough divorce, that really took it's toll on me. Now I am back on them, and low and behold, the upgrade bug has already smitten me after less than a month. LOL

Somebody please talk me out of upgrading ! Please tell me my Marantz SR5002 receiver and my MM9000 170 watt five channel Marantz amp, are plenty good enough to drive my Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1's. Would the AV7005 really make that much of a sonic improvement in my system ?

HELP!! Please save me from pulling the trigger !!