Marantz AV-7701 - Page 2

GM actually but that's a niggle , the idea is still the same.

As to the bliss of ignorance, saves you a bundle also. As we post, within the last couple of months, we upgraded the television to the "required" 60" size, the AVR to a unit with pre-outs for possible outboard Amp upgrade and replaced the center channel with one worth a Tinker's Damn, not to mention cables and additional in-wall speaker wires with an upgrade to the paired subs, soon to follow. That's about all the bliss we can afford right now.

At what price? For some of us illiterates, money is an option. We still have the 60" television, the AVR and center channel to get paid off (~$3,500.00) and then the addition of an upgrade to the paired subwoofers; somewhere between $1,000.00 - $4,500.00 depending on if we get the Martin Logan, Depth i's. Sometimes it's better not to hear better. (a yes nodding emoticon goes here)

For arguments sake,why would anyone buy a Yamaha and Pioneer..? People that know about audyssey ,knows about XT32 and they will be after a middle tier receiver that has it.. Onkyo 818.. They could easily have it in the 3313 or 7701,the top tier receivers have better amp sections,more bells and whistles. Or... you could buy and Anthem MRX 300 that has ARC..

The 818 or the 3009 would be excellent choices. I honestly do not think you are losing much if anything by going with the Onkyo. You are getting the feature (XT32) that you want at a very good price point. I'm not sure what you mean by "I'm guessing the stopped licensing it".

Bill

Sorry,I meant,I guess they stopped licensing it.. Which I have to take back ,because they still use audyssey,but they use XT32 in their higher end stuff. If the Marantz 7007 had XT32,I'd probably go for that one. I really like the looks..

You are totally missing my point. The point is until you experience how much of an improvement XT32 is over XT it is a moot point. You can spend your money any way you want. But XT32 with SubEQ will do wonders with the pair of subs you are planning on buying .

Bill

This fool would because he wants 11.2.

Besides, there are plenty of other things besides XT32 or DSX to enhance the SQ and to justify the cost of the AV8801 over the AV7701. Although the law of diminishing returns always stands. For the manufactoring cost of a AV7005/7701, some compromises have to be made. Compare it to the Denon AVP for example, which does not do "compromise". AV8001 should be filling the gap between AV7701 and AVP.

A quick summary from images from Cedia, comparing the AV7701 to the AV7005:
Added:
1 Extra HDMI input
HDMI 4K Input
HDMI 4K Output
4K Scaling
Better FLAC and media support

Removed:
1 Less Comp Video Input
1 Less Component Video Input
1 Less Component Video Output
1 Less Analogue Input
1 Less Analogue Output (Tape Monitor)
No Optical Out

No argument from this quarter. From comments like yours, I know I'm missing out. The good news, irrespective, I won't be able to take benefit of the new subs until they're delivered. That's all I can hang my hat on and never look back because, unless Marantz sells online upgrades to XT32, here is where I'm at. On the next AVR iteration, I'll see to make sure XT32 (or what ever is the current equivalent) is included. We all want the best we can afford and right now, the best I was able to afford is a unit with XT in it.

Recent list of upgrades:

60" LCD TV
Marantz SR5007
RC-64 II center channel.

Soon to be ordered:

SVS PB12-NSD subwoofer, 2 ea.

Maybe to be ordered in the not so distant future, just to say I have one:

Emotiva XPA-5

In my book, the above list qualifies as a reasonable effort to upgrade the home theater listening experience. XT32 is going have to wait to come to Papa.

Hi, Looking at the posts on this forum I can see there are some pretty knowledgeable people here so I hope you can help me with my dilemma.

I am looking to replace my old Arcam AVP700 processor, so I can either buy another processor or a receiver and continue using my external amps but I have a few questions.
Main reason for replacing the Arcam is it still sounds great for music and SD movies but it does not do HD sound.

First question:
Is there really going to be much difference in sound quality between the AV7701 and the SR7007 or is it just a marketing thing to maximise profits?
Both units are largely based upon 7005 units which are 2 years old (except 4k which I can't see me using for years, if at all and the 3rd HDMI out which I probably won't use either).
Some say the balanced outputs of the AV will make a big difference but I can't use them because my amps have phono connections.
Both units seem to have the same HDAMs and pre amp stages
The SR is likely to have a bigger and better power supply
The SR has power amps I could use for height or width speakers at a later date
The SR is cheaper

Second question:
If the processor does sound better than the receiver, are there any alternatives from other manufacturers for the same price (£1000 to £1500)?

Third question:
Because these units from Marantz do not have XT32 and I can't find an alternative for the same price, should I delay the replacement and keep my Arcam for another year?

If you have no use for XLRs or 4K then I would take a look at the NAD T187 (About the same price here in the UK):
http://nadelectronics.com/products/home-theatre-amplifiers/T-187-Surround-Sound-Preamp-Processor

I'm in a similar situation to you replacing an Old IR RDC-7.1 but consider 4K useful as I see very little else on the horizon that I really need. Another worth looking at in your price range is the Audiolab 8200AP, if you want more features and can stretch to £1800 then there is also the Onkyo unit.

Do any of the Marantz or Onkyo pre's offer balaced inputs or only outs?

The Onkyo prepros offer a balanced input but the current Marantz prepros (AV7005 and upcoming AV7701) do not. The AV8003 has a balanced input so I would assume the AV8801 would have one as well.

Bill

Thanks Krobar, I already ruled out the NAD and Audiolab but not sure which Onkyo you were thinking about, only units I can find in that price range are both receivers so I guess it's back to the Marantz but which one???

Anyone here have any thoughts AV7701 vs SR7007?

Other than features such as three HDMI outs and an insignificant amount of extra power, sans Audyssey, XT32, I don't see a need to pay the extra carriage for a SR7007. And that folks is what's called a personal opinion.

We're running a SR5007 and think nothing but the best for it with no trouble reaching THX reference levels. With the SR5007's full set of pre-outs, later, if I decide I want (not need) more power, the addition of an outboard Amp such as an Emotiva, XPA-5 will be both a cheap and easy thing to do.

Those are my thoughts.

..............

Really? AFAIK, here in the states, it's scheduled to be $100 "more" than the AV unit (just as was the SR/AV7005 difference). Other than the amps, both units should be near identical.

A quick google shows SR7007 in the UK for £1299 and the AV7701 for £1499
My local dealer says the AV users better components and is better layed out so it will sound better than the SR and it's worth the extra £££
My feeling is same as yours, they should sound very similar and the SR comes with spare power amps I could use for wides

I suspect the UK/US price differences are more likely to be due simply to market size. My guess is that they're expecting to have a larger market for the AV in the US.

I seriously doubt that there'll be any audible difference between the AV and the SR models (assuming an equivalent external amp is used). Improved layout and component quality speak more to long term reliability and emotional responses in the buyer.

^^^

You think the UK price is expensive. Here in Australia Marantz pricing is the most expensive in the world. The SR6007 retails for around the same price as the SR7007 does in the USA. The Sr7007 is amost au$1k.more than the sr6007. As Marantz are distributed through a middle man in Australia where each has to add there markup. The sr7007 is au$750 more than UK price and almost au$1k more than the US price. The SR6007/7007 don't get released here till sometime towards the end of October 2012. So still got a while to wait before retailrs start posting and negotiating prices. No word on the AV7701 price or release date but it couldn't be more expensive than the SR7007.

You Aussies always complain about this, but making imported stuff expensive is better for your economy than what Belgium does: taxing labour so heavy that production is relocated at rapid rate. All you folks have to do is keep your mining properties in Australian hands and let your government tax the profits of it. How much is your GST? 10%! Half as much asVAT in EU on average. Paying more for imports is the other side of that medal, but I could live with it...

so are we saying the new Marantz AV-7701 will retail approx at $2420.00USD?

I don't believe so. Thought I read $1700 - $1800 range for our market. The AV8801 will likely be closer to $2500 but I don't think there is a firm rollout date yet...likley sometime early next year.

Given the SR7007 is $1799, best guess would be ....

AV7701 - $1699
AV8801 - $2999

that seems more like it.

I was basing my numbers on the earlier post: "A quick google shows SR7007 in the UK for £1299 and the AV7701 for £1499". Therefore, £1499 = $2420.00USD

According to this interview on youtube availability will be this month, but I assume that may change depending on country.
First bit describes the unit, availability is talked about in the last few seconds.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQfDZ_YqpDg&feature=player_embedded

Does anyone provide specs for the AV-8801?

The little that is known has been discussed in the "anticipation" thread below, although likely a "pre-pro" version of the Denon 4520CI.

http://www.avsforum.com/t/1400399/2012-marantz-receiver-anticipation-thread/0_100

Marantz doesn't, but as JDS.. said: denon 4520 sans amps + XLR outputs + Copper casing for +/- 3,000. Be patient please!

AV7701 is now on the Marantz website so it should be on sale soon.
http://www.marantz.co.uk/uk/Products/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?CatId=HomeTheatre&SubCatId=AVControlAmplifier&ProductId=AV7701

Apart from balanced outputs (which I don't use) I still can't see any reason to buy it over the SR7007

The law of diminishing returns is strong ofcourse. But providing the pre-amp section it's own dedicated power supply is a plus for SQ. And depending on the room size, SPL preference/restrictions and speaker efficiency, it may be beneficial to give real power to the speakers. Afterall, THX Ultra is rated for rooms up to 3,000 cu ft (mine will be 5,000) to give one example. You know you should devide the power claims in half as far as popular AVR's go?

I had read on a German site if I recall correctly that the AV7701 would stream Apple Lossless via ethernet. The spec sheet doesn't support that claim. Ofcourse, it will via Airplay, but only to 16/48 I reccon.