Marantz NR1403 and NR1603 Slim Line Receiver Thread - Page 7

Just picked up the 1403 today..50$ off at best buy
I'm replacing a Harmon/kardon avr 254...omg I hope I did not make a mistake!...because the GUI on screen menu on the Harman is awesome..will not be swapping out till later tonight..only using it as a preamp & to power center and surrounds only..hope audessy is all the hype I have heard about!...we shall see in a few hours

Ummm...well think I'm returning the 1403..I love audessy it sounds very good
But the video I'm getting going HDMI into marantz and HDMI into monitor is not very good
My h/k upscaled everything to 1080p..this marantz don't do upscaling I know..but straight thru for video should be very good..I don't know..not crazy about the gui-on screen setup either..everything is so hard to get thru
Might step up and check out the 6006..love the slim look and audessy..but I sure miss my Harmon/kardon..that I just sold!..don't get me wrong..great avr..just not for me..

Ummm...well think I'm returning the 1403..I love audessy it sounds very good
But the video I'm getting going HDMI into marantz and HDMI into monitor is not very good
My h/k upscaled everything to 1080p..this marantz don't do upscaling I know..but straight thru for video should be very good..I don't know..not crazy about the gui-on screen setup either..everything is so hard to get thru
Might step up and check out the 6006..love the slim look and audessy..but I sure miss my Harmon/kardon..that I just sold!..don't get me wrong..great avr..just not for me..

Ummm...well think I'm returning the 1403..I love audessy it sounds very good
But the video I'm getting going HDMI into marantz and HDMI into monitor is not very good
My h/k upscaled everything to 1080p..this marantz don't do upscaling I know..but straight thru for video should be very good..I don't know..not crazy about the gui-on screen setup either..everything is so hard to get thru
Might step up and check out the 6006..love the slim look and audessy..but I sure miss my Harmon/kardon..that I just sold!..don't get me wrong..great avr..just not for me..

Ummm...well think I'm returning the 1403..I love audessy it sounds very good
But the video I'm getting going HDMI into marantz and HDMI into monitor is not very good
My h/k upscaled everything to 1080p..this marantz don't do upscaling I know..but straight thru for video should be very good..I don't know..not crazy about the gui-on screen setup either..everything is so hard to get thru
Might step up and check out the 6006..love the slim look and audessy..but I sure miss my Harmon/kardon..that I just sold!..don't get me wrong..great avr..just not for me..

Sorry..I studder...actually its the dang tablet

jdsmoothie, thanks for your help. I went ahead and exchanged the NR1603 for an SR5007, and will be asking questions I'm sure on that thread going forward.
Also took the dive on a Canton sub 10 and Monitor Audio RX-1 monitors and RX-LCR center. The sub is set up and speakers coming later this week.

Okay. We'll see you in that thread in a few then. Don't forget to update the firmware first thing.

Would you please reference the page in the manual you read this? Page 47 of the manual I have clearly states the L&R pre-outs are for an external amp to drive the mains. However, I haven't actually tried an external amp yet, but I will just to see if it works ok.

Thanks,
Lacro

I want to manually configure my 1403 to the Def Tech ProCinema 800 speaker system. Is there a list of manual settings for the 1403 that someone can share w. me? Ideally the configuration will be optimized for the DefTech speakers. Thanks much!

Can anyone out there using the 1603 tell me if it up scales 480p std def signals from sat/cable to 1080p?..if so how good is the video processer ?

Yes it will, although whether your TV or source do it better will of course depend on your TV and source being used.

Unlike a TV set, with an AVR you simply run the Auto EQ program .. in this case Audyssey. Settings for your speakers in your room will vary from other environments based on your room dimensions and whatever furniture/wall hangings you have installed.

Review the Audyssey 101/FAQ Guide linked in my sig for more info.

Hi, I wonder if anybody would be able to help me out here?

I've just bought the Marantz NR1403 to use for PS3/Blu-Ray and also to run a record deck.

Ideally, I'd like to be able to use the video from the ps3 and be able to switch the audio from the ps3 to the record deck as and when I fancy. Is this possible?

I've got the ps3 going into the Game HDMI input, and the deck going into the CD phono inputs.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Can somebody talk to me like I am six years old for just a minute?

I am very excited to put some respectable 5.1 sound in my basement to go along with my new Panasonic TC-L55ET5. I am not an audiophile, but I want sound that I can be really proud of when I have the guys over for some gaming, the football game, or a movie. I'm going to budget approximately $2000 total for the receiver, 5 speakers, and sub. (Otherwise, there is nothing complicated about my setup: comcast DVR, PS3 right now, maybe a roku or airplay at some point later.)

Problem is, I went about this all wrong, and bought the TV stand before anything else, and now I am really space-limited. The 1403 or 1603 will save my butt because it will slide right into one of the small spaces I've got left. Most of the big standard-sized receivers will not.

Please just let me know, at a high level -- will these receivers disappoint? Is 50w per channel plenty (the basement is not that big)? Is it going to mess up my video quality, as esh516 suggests? Are there other quality receivers to try that are the same slim profile?

Thanks!

From one six-year old to another:

I just bought the NR1602 and am very happy with its big, fine sound. I use the Energy 5.1 Classic speakers with SW. Excellent acoustics and versatile system. Have the Apple TV, a DVD, cable, and will probably be putting in a phono deck with mini amp.

I think the size or profile is similar, although I'm not completely sure of this.

I think the 1403 or the 1603 would be perfect for you!.. 50 watts is plenty of power and the sound quality of these marantzs are very,very nice,I'm using mine as a pre-amp and to power my center and surrounds..its sitting with over 9k worth of amps,speakers etc..I'm very happy with mine,as far as the video goes I'm working on it..I'm taking back the 1403 and getting the 1603 to see if the up converting is better than my Sony TV..I'm very impressed with audessey,the way it steers the surround effects from speaker to speaker is absolutely amazing,like you are there kind of amazing!..don't take my video problems to heart,everyone's system is different..these avrs are top notch..and do not let the slim chassis fool you,these sound better than my big,hot running 1500$ avr that just got replaced by the marantz..highly recommended!

Thank you -- very helpful!

Now over to the other threads for speaker advice!

That's easy!... With your budget..PARADIGM monitor 7s!
Check out the reviews..there top notch..just sold mine after having them for 6 yrs..stepped up to paradigm studio 60s

I had the exact same issue as you . I recently moved to a new townhouse, and bought a simple TV stand from Ikea with the intention of going with a soundbar setup, since my family room was very small. After much reading, I convinced myself that a soundbar wouldn't cut it and I had to go with an AV receiver and 5.1 speaker setup. The TV stand left me with just over 4" of clearance, the NR1603 was my only choice. Having previous experience with a Denon 3808, I knew Marantz can be considered as an upscale Denon, so I wasn't compromising too much with this receiver. It's a very simple unit compared to my 3808, but it does everything I need it to.. whereas, I used maybe 40-50% of the functions on the 3808. 50 watts per channel is plenty. I'll turn it up to reference volume (0dB) without clipping. Clean, clear sound. I honestly have no complaints, not even minor issues.

In your situation, one thing you should be aware of is cooling. My TV stand just clears the receiver with less than an inch to spare. I installed a USB-powered fan to help circulate the air above the receiver. The fan is connected to the TV's USB port, so when I power on the TV, the fan turns on at the same time. It stays quite cool with the fan, and it barely warms up the TV stand. Cooling is a serious consideration and you should plan accordingly, heat is one of the biggest sources of receiver failure/damage.
Edited by zone555 - 1/10/13 at 9:24am

Hello, I'm new to this site and looking for help on upgrading to a 1603 for a 7.1

I'm currently using a older 5.1 Denon running two Energy C-70 towers, a DT Procenter 1000, JBL 12' sub and two rear bookshelves.
I'd like to upgrade the towers in the future and possibly get a VTF-15H (that I've read about on here) in the next couple of months. Do you guys recommend the 1603 (I like the look of it) to run my setup or should I look for more of a traditional 7.1 receiver and I would like to stay under $800.

Thanks,

Depends on what features you need as the 1603 should have plenty of power for your speakers.

Thanks again esh516 -- I'll check out those Paradigms!

zone555 -- very funny. Doesn't happen to be the Hemnes from Ikea? That's the one I'm dealing with. I'm hoping that cooling won't be a problem -- the opening is tight, but just inside the opening there is an extra inch or two of space.

Ok -- Now I could really use some help from one of you that owns the 1403 or 1603. I just measured the opening in my TV stand carefully and it is looks to be exactly 4 1/4 inches. The specs say that the 1603 is 4 3/16 high. That's pretty close. Can somebody please measure theirs and let me know if 4 3/16 is accurate? Also, does that include or exclude the feet? If it does not include the feet, how much height do those add?

(Also, while you're at it, could you give me an accurate count on the width? My stand is not quite as close on the width, but might as well be sure.)

Thanks!

^

Yeap, that's exactly what I have, the Ikea Hemnes

It fits the NR1403/1603 perfectly, like it was designed for it:

Suggest looking for another location in this cabinet (or another cabinet). Although the owner's manual recommends a 12" clearance, generally at least 3"-4" clearance above and around the unit is sufficient to ensure proper ventilation. Poor ventilation is the cause of a number of issues discussed in these threads.

Zone555 -- It looks like we are leading parallel lives! Thanks so much for the response and the picture, very helpful! I'm relieved to know that it will fit in there. Wasn't sure what my next move was otherwise.

If I might continue to learn from your experience, can you let me know what USB fan you are using and where / how you placed it (perhaps another pic?). It sounds like a good solution to the potential heating problem, especially that it comes on without extra steps.

Also, what speakers did you go with and how do they sound? My set is 55" and doesn't leave space on the left or right of the set on top of the stand for bookshelf speakers (except maybe for some tiny ones), so I am looking at towers for the left and right, or bookshelf speakers on stands.

Thanks again!

Noobio

The fan is a Thermaltake A1888, plugs into the USB port on the back of my Samsung TV. Turns on/off with the TV with no intervention. Purchased from a local computer store. http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Product.aspx?C=1295&ID=1801

It's simply sitting on the mess of HDMI and speaker cables coming out the back of the NR1603, aimed in the upwards direction to create airflow above the receiver. I wish I could mount it properly to the TV stand, but there's just not enough room to do anything elegant. Better than nothing I suppose.

Finding speakers that fit will be your challenge. I was lucky that my TV frame was very thin, about 1" and it's a 55" TV, so I could fit a bookshelf speaker with a maximum width of about 5". It's a game of inches with this TV stand

After much research, I went with the Polk Audio TL350 set and a Polk Audio DSWPRO440wi sub to match. They sound good for their size, and that's the largest I could fit in my situation. Floorstanding speakers were not an option due to the walkway beside my TV. The center channel sits above the TV with a Center Stage bracket. http://www.centerstagebracket.com/

Please excuse the poor cell phone quality:

That is incredibly helpful, zone555. Thanks so much for your help. When I get it all set up, I'll let you know how it went and try to post a pic or two of my own!

I am a new member to the Marantz family with the purchase of the 1403 and been living with it for about a week. This forum along with the helpful sales man in the Magnolia department with his expertise helped make my decision to go with Marantz over the Denon after a critical listening session in 2 channel stereo where I and another guy were pretty much left alone in the sound room for about 2 hours where we flat wore out the 1403, 1603, 5006 and the denon 2113 and 2313. We auditioned the B&W 683b and 684b going against the Energy CF30 and 50's with the 50's sounding almost as full as the B&W 683 with a clearly richer sound all though similar coming from the Marantz line. I would like to stress that in our session we listed to the same song which for some reason I cannot remember ?? over and over again listening to parts with one receiver and then the next to get a accurate oppinion on what sounded the best. Our opinion which I would place money on is all the Marantz receivers from 1403 to 6006 sound exactly the same with absolutely no difference in sound quality on any of the speakers tested even with the varying listed wattage, with that said the 1403 and 1603 volume had to be raised for 50 on the 5006 and 6006 to I think we had it at 60 and they all sounded the exact same. I would venture to say that unless you are rocking out at close to pegged volume levels the 50 watts are more than enough for B&W and Energy speakers. We also listened to the 685 and 686 and energy b20 all which left us wanting more from the recording. If money was no object I would go with the 683's and on a budget energy 50's. also all speakers needed a sub so we went with the energy 12 which was a nice match for both speaker parings.


Now on to my opinion going from a Onyko 803 to Marantz 1403. I miss the large and in charge size of the 803 also the build quality of the face on the 1403 is cheap and plastic, I would gladly pay $50 more for a full metal front. Now I'm a 98% home theater listener and thus immediately ran odyssey which showed one speaker out of phase. This turned into a pain in the $#@! to calibrate as when it was all said and done the tone of that one speaker was extremely loud and tonally out of whack so I ended up adjusting that one channel separately as good as I could with my ears. Now on 5.1 movies the system really comes alive and brings a more controlled lower frequency response to the sub making the system allot richer and accurate. The 1403 switches between inputs flawlessly with 3d pass threw working as advertised. I am still trying to ge used to the dynamic eq and been leaving it for the most part to on. The dynamic volume to off for movies and on low for tv but that changes quite frequently. At $400 retail I feel you cannot get a better sounding reciever but the feature set is leaving me wanting more like the android app and front height speakers with pro logic IIZ. The only hold up is I want the odyssey xt in the 5007 and above series but that's allot more cash just for one feature so it looks like a 1603 for me.

Now on to the Denon or Marantz issue with my opinion being the Marantz is using class A amplifiers and the Denon using class A /B amplifiers that are similarly matched to Marantz, I would equate the Difference as Marantz being a Lexus and the Denon being the Toyota identical models. Both use most of the same features but the lexus has a little better motor and some wood trim. I liked the Marantz sound but loved the Denon feature set at the applicable price differences at the $600 range comparing the 1603 to the 2113. Back to the amplifiers as im sure this could become a big dispute, I tried to verify what the magnolia sales man said with Marantz using class A and Denon using class A/B which he was quoting from the Marantz and Denon reps, There is nothing on the internet that I can find or have found to back up these claims so if someone can verify true or false that would be great.

Anyways I am happy with the receiver even though it will be returned in the next day or 2 for most likely 1603. Looking forward to more opinions and suggestions and tips with the Marantz slim line receivers. Cheers !!

^^
A key point to note is that when comparing the various models at Magnolia, you were not listening to the speakers using Audyssey. There would likely have been a noticeable difference when comparing the 1403/1603 which use MultEQ to the higher version Audyssey MultEQ XT in the 5006/7 and Denon "CI" models. Also the 1603 would be considered the sister model to the 1913.