Official Marantz NR1602 Owner and Buyer Thread - Page 2

Thank you for your reply.

I noted the limitation stated in the owners manual.

I guess I have to stick to 96kHz/24 bit tracks in the future. Unless of course Marantz starts utilizing the hardware that they have installed in the NR1602 (maybe a firmware update could do the trick).

Why limit the amp compatibility to 96/24? does it take additional processing power elsewhere in the system to deal with 196/24 (now that the DAC in the NR1602 actually supports such D/A conversion)...

I guess I should get in touch with Marantz on this one.

I got the popup for a firmware update tonight and went through the ~20 minute process to update. I haven't noticed any discernible differences yet, so I'm curious what this updated. Anyone have a change list?

I checked the Marantz site for firmware information and noticed the NR1603 has been released. The biggest change I noticed was 6 HDMI ports (one up front)rather than 4 and aesthetic changes (cleaner UI, updated front fascia). Seems like a minor update, which I'm thankful for since I pondered waiting for an update to the 1602.

"I got the popup for a firmware update tonight and went through the ~20 minute process to update."

Had you previously done a manual update in the last couple of weeks since you had bought it, or is this a months old update that you just installed?

Ah, nope. It is a new update. I'd guess that it's just a crash-bug fix or the like.

I had checked for an update through the menu system a few times in the past few weeks and it said I already have the latest firmware. So I'm lead to believe it's a new update.

I have a question – Is it possible to use the analog pre-outs of this unit as part of a multi-channel signal path setup? I have a pair of powered Airmotiv 4 speakers which I would like to add (via RCA) to my current 5.1 setup and, eventually, switch to a dedicated 7.1 system.

I bought this unit new a few days ago and, so far, have been quite impressed by its sound quality. The “chestiness” during dialogues often heard with my old center speaker and ancient Denon AVR 2802 receiver has now disappeared. Instead, I’m hearing quite a nice warm and overall balance sound from across the room.

Initially, I thought it was time to upgrade my old NHT 1.1c center channel and original Superzeros. But the Marantz just lifted a veil off my speakers.

Yup .... FL/FR pre-outs.

thanks, jdsmoothie. But wil it still decode to dolby or dts HD with this setup? Also, I wanted it for the surround channels though because that would mean I will need to look for a new center channel to match with the F and L...and by having another Airmotiv 4 - I'm not sure how that will connect to the center channel using RCA cable.

Main zone pre-outs are just an extension of the speaker posts so doesn't matter whether you use the pre-outs or the speaker posts to power the speakers, the AVR still processes the audio the same way, however, the pre-outs on the 1602 can only be used for the FL/FR speakers. You would have to upgrade to the 500X or higher models to get a full set of main zone pre-outs.

Tried it last night and worked out nicely. I suppose there are no drawbacks to this, as I plan to keep this type of setup for a while. Even as the center channel being different from my F/L, I cannot pinpoint any differences of tonality in the dialogue using my reference film Inception (unless there’s a better sample to use). Nevertheless, I plan to run Audyssey this weekend hoping to get even better results.

Hi guys,

I am a bit of a noob, so go easy on me!

My NR1602 is my first amp. Love it. Everything works really well for me except the internet radio drops out every now and again, usually freshly after turning the amp on. The display still says the station details, but nothing happens, if I switch between favorites or presets this fixes the issue. Firmware if up to date. Does anyone else have this issue?

Thanks in advance for talking it easy on me!

Jim

Is the connection from the 1602 to the router/modem "wired" or "wireless" via a bridge? If wireless, you may want to consider wired or upgrading to a newer/more robust wireless router.

Just bought an open box NR1602. Everything seems to work fine except my sub is not being detected by the Audyssey calibration. There is no audible sound when the calibration program reaches the sub, and it will say that no sub is present. My sub is Klipsch RPW-10 with the cable connected to the left/LFE on the sub, and to the SW pre-out on the receiver. Any suggestions?

Skip the calibration and play a movie. Does the sub make noise?

Make sure the sub power cable is plugged in and the sub is powered ON. Remove the cable from the AVR and rub your finger over it ... if you hear static, the sub and cable are fine, otherwise, either one or the other is bad.

I popped in Transformers; nothing from the sub I'm thinking since it's not detected it won't do anything).

I pulled the cable from the AVR, rubbed my finger over it, but didn't hear anything. If the cable tip touches a metal contact it does create that buzzing sound. I had the sub connected to an HK AVR 354 but that unit is now bricked so can't test it there.

Try swapping out the cable with another coax cable (use a "yellow" composite video cable as a substitute).

I tried swapping in a yellow composite but it was the same result. Sub does not get detected during calibration, it doesn to play any sound during a movie, and I get the buzzing sound when touching it on the metal outside of the port connectors.

Time to follow jdsmoothie's signature and reset the AVR. The manual tells you how. That would be available as a PDF on Marantz' site.

Have you gone to the Speaker Config in the System Setup menu, scrolling down to the Subwoofer channel and choose - yes?

You should also get static by rubbing your finger over the cable tip so it might still be the sub. However, as darklordjames suggests, do the reset the microprocessor procedure (p. 132 OM).

I'll have to double check this setting when I get home; really hoping it's something this simple. I know I did choose a 5.1 setup with sub present, but I think that is a different menu option.

Hi,

I'm considering buying this beautiful receiver. But there is one thing that I just can't get information about.: Is it possible to listen to SACD and DVD-Audio in Multi Channel via HDMI. Preferably"raw" DSD stream to the recievers DAC?

Anyone who knows something about that?

In multi channel PCM yes (ie. decoded by the player), DSD bitstream no.

HDMI was really designed for decoding of any bitstreams to happen on the player side, feeding out universal multi-channel PCM to the receiver. That results in the highest level of value in HDMI audio, as the receiver can stay the same for years and years, while you swap out the relatively cheap player to gain new formats. It's really quite silly that even the HD DTS and DD formats are transmittable over HDMI.

So, find an SACD/DVDA player that spits out 6 channel PCM and you are good to go.

Someone on another forum suggested I connect a CD player directly to the sub to see what type of resposne I would get. It just plays a very faint static-icky clipping sound; pretty sure the issue is with the sub. Thanks for everyone's suggestions.

Yup, sounds like it. The sub should at least give you the thump-thump-thump of musical bass when hooked direct to analog in from a CD player.

Hi everyone.

I am now a member of the NR1602 Club since I found it on Sale at a extremely nice price. I am very happy with the receiver, it's perfect for my small living room and I have listen to some SACD's and I am very happy with the sound. It feels a bit warmer compared to my old Pioneer receiver. Love the size and the features. The only thing I don't understand is the Napster app for music. Last FM is not supported in my country, would rather have seen Spotify.

Thank's for your helpful replies.

^^
Spotify is scheduled to come to the new 2012 models (ie. 1603) in the next month via firmware update.

I guess the hardware in 1602 would support Spotify, but I guess they want to sell the 1603 now so there will probably be no firmware upgrade with Spotify for 1602.

Sorry, but that is correct .... no firmware upgrade for the 1602 (or other 2011 models).