Marantz AV8801 Preamp/Processor Official Owner's thread - Page 93

I do not bi amp - so no help there I'm afraid.

According to the Audyssey thread you want to keep the mic in between the main speakers or sound field and not outside of them or it. Take great care on the mlp mic placement and get a tripod if you haven't got one, if you guys haven't visited the "Audyssey thread" for the vast setup and calibration tips, save yourself sometime and do so! its priceless info on a proper calibration result. after almost 10 runs of Audyssey I got it where I want it and one tip I can now share from my experience is position the mic 1/2 to 1" above ear level for what in my opinion gives the smoothest mid bass response and transient attack !

Have fun!

Question for the AV8801, Oppo 105 and Squeezebox Touch owners???

I have a SB Touch and use its DAC to play FLAC files. Not sure if I need to spend the money on external DAC's vs. using AV8801 DAC.

Has anyone compared 2-channel stereo sound quality difference between the following configurations?

1. SB Touch internal DAC => AV8801 XLR input
2. SB Touch internal DAC => AV8801 7.1 input
3. SB Touch SPDIF digital output => Various third party DAC's => AV8801 XLR or 7.1 input
4. SB Touch SPDIF digital output => Oppo 105 DAC => AV8801 XLR or 7.1 input
5. SB Touch SPDIF digital output => AV8801 SPDIF input

I hope to capture their differences in terms of sonic "flavor" signature:

Ability to throw a large and deep soundstage in terms of layering in the acoustic space with air around individual vocals and instruments on the stage.

Resolve music with pristine clarity, fine sharp details, speed, top to bottom frequency extension.

Upfront or laid back presentation.

Harmonically rich or thin sterile boring sound like there's no meet on the bone type of sound.

Just curious:

How many of you guys are using your 8801 with more than a 5.1 speaker arrangement?

I only have 5.1, and, will not be able to upgrade until I change houses :-(

I'm 7.1

I am only using 5.1 because I only have a 5 channel amp at this time.

I use 7.1.

King Crimson Islands (mlp lossless 5.1 surround) with NEO:x DVD-A is the best I've ever heard. Play loud at 0.0db or above. Amazing! This is what surround music is supposed to be. HDMI bitstream and let it rip. oh have 9.2 w/heights. But 7.1 will do great. Sax and other in rears blow hard.
Edited by dahlgren - 2/12/13 at 1:40pm

7.2 (surround backs), for now.

Before buying more speakers I am now looking into switching to an AT (audio transparent) screen so I can place my center vertically, like my fronts. All 3 are identical.

I hope I am able to experience the same level of enthusiasm (when my unit arrives) as the other 8801 owners with my meager 5.1 system. You guys are giving me a severe case of "upgrade-itis."

I may need to do some serious remodeling.

I could probably work in some from height speakers. I already have four non-used channels in my surround amp; just need some speakers.

11.2 and loving it!!

I had been waiting several years for an AVR or Preamp to come along that was designed to handle 11.2 from the get go and am very pleased that Marantz finally did it. I could not be happier!!!

Rear surrounds are nice but not at all necessary for a great theater experience. I do not think you should feel shorted in any way if you did not have beyond 5.1 (well if I didn't have multiple subs I wouldn't be happy, but I would not be upset about not having more than a standard 5 speaker setup). Unless your room is very large, you will be fine. Larger rectangular rooms tend to benefit more from extra rear surrounds vs only having the standard side surrounds.

Just because they make the channels in the processor doesn't mean they add that much to the experience.
Edited by hifiaudio2 - 2/12/13 at 2:03pm

7.1 system here with 2 rear speakers.

5.1 here.
Salon's in Front, Voice center, Studio's in the rear.

I have a very modern room with opening and a vaulted ceiling that goes from 8 to 12 feet.

There is no possibility of any more channels and that is just fine be me

- Rich

I'll be ordering my 8801 soon to use in my 5.1 system - PSB Synchrony Towers (4 of them) and Synchrony One Center, with B&K Ref. 200.7 amp. Will order new sub, too (probably a Powersound Audio XS30) Would love to expand as I have 2 unused amp channels, but can't accomodate rear surrounds. Maybe front heights?

The anticipation builds.....

My 8801 is due to arrive by the end of the day tomorrow. I am even more curious how it will compare to my Lex MC-12bv5EQ with just my 5.1 system.

Slightly off-topic, but, this will be helping me in my assessment of the Marantz......

I just today received my DTS BluRay demo disc. I called DTS in California and they were nice enough to FedEx express ship me three (I only need one). These are the 2013 versions; I asked for a copy of #16 that I demo'd at BB Magnolia. The #16 disc had a cut from an awesome Peter Gabriel concert.

7.1 and loving it.

In most instances, the owner is the primary listener the vast majority of the time with the additional outside seating (ie. other than couch like side seats or second row seating) used much less often, so just depends on whether you want to focus more on the main listening position (which most do) or on the area. Audyssey will generally do a much better job when all data points are focused with a 2'-3' radius of the #1 position.

10.3 (plus 8 Aura Pro Shakers in the seats)...

Oh and loving it!

Somethings not right. I set my directv to output neox for all....and it remembers it everytime i turn it on, regardless of the input.

Im using my 8801 for 12 speakers now and will add 6 more speakers ( 3 sets of two out door speakers) in the spring when the weather is warmer.
I have a 5.1 system set-up in the main room powered by a 7 x 150 Sherbourn amp. This is zone 1 or Main
I have two in ceiling speakers in my office and two of the same in ceiling speakers in my dressing room / ensuite. These speakers are tied into a speaker selector box by speaker craft. I plan to tie the outdoor speakers into this box as well. This is powered by a 2 x 160 Sherbourn amp. This is zone 2
Lastly I have two bookshelf speakers in my sitting room that use the last two channels from the Sherbourn 7 x 150. This is zone 3

I am definitely appreciating being able to listen to different sources in different zones.

Can anyone recommend a good outdoor speaker?

11.2

Whats the perfered DSP mode for Heights?

Some people think DTS Neo:X sounds better than Audyssey's DSX.
You'll need to compare them yourself to see which you prefer.