Marantz AV8801 Preamp/Processor Official Owner's thread - Page 116

Originally Posted by wyliec2 

We're mostly saying the same thing - and obviously those that have been doing this for decades do it please ourselves irrespective of others' opinions.

But to clarify #3, there are some things, particularly in the bass region, which are impossible to correct through EQ.

Originally Posted by RichB 


There is nothing Audyssey cannot correct.

- Rich

Originally Posted by beastaudio 

Hmm, Not sure if, serious or not. It can't correct a lot of poster's poor grammar and prose skills.

Originally Posted by StanFL 

I am stuck between the Marantz 8801 and the Integra 88.3 preamps. In the process of upgrading my av system. Bought the Sammy 75" 2013 HDTV and am watching this beautiful picture as I type!
I need advice on getting a new pre amp that can replace my current Integra 9.8 preamp (HDMI is 1.3).
I am looking for a high quality 4k video preamp processor.

Purpose for equip: 60% FIOS HDTV, Blu-Ray, 30%, 10% Streaming video

Current important equip:
Sherbourne 7 channels @ 200 watts per channel
speakers - front LRC are NHT 3
speakers - rear 2 and side 2 are Paradigm Millenia
Sub: NHT Model 10
preamp: Integra 9.8 (now for sale and works great!
HDTV SAMMY 75" (new and 2013 Series 9

If I go with Marantz 8801 I can get back my Carver stereo amp and and 2 B&W satellite speakers for front wide/high
If I go Integra 80.3 I just need to swap out my current preamp for Integra 9.8.

I can wait if suggested. Also, I need to get a new blu-ray 3D DVD player (suggestions welcome) I was told that my perfectly running 1st generation PS3 does not meet my needs

Preamp suggestions can be posted here.
Where to purchase, which DVD,, and other suggestions can be sent to this Florida resident by PM
Difficult for me to travel in my electric wheelchair (since 1971 when I owned EPI speakers, Dual cassette player, and Technique receiver)

Originally Posted by cglin222 

Hi, Guys

How would I connect av8801 to a MC8207 using mini plugs?
On av8801 it says use mini mono jacks on DC out, and on MC8207, it uses stereo mini to control power, meter and ground

Would I buy a mini mono cables and a mini to stereo adapter? or would I use a stereo mini cable with a stere to mono adapter?

I think a stereo can be converted to mono, so it would be wise to user stereo mini cables, and connect to the av8801 using mini stereo to mini mono adapter?

Thanks

Originally Posted by comfynumb 

H, I totally agree, and I think the writing is on the wall for these so called high end products that lack features, are 7.1, no updates, and half the features of the 8801. Many picked apart the 7005, and they will dissect the 8801. But at the end of the day we'll have a pre/pro that will be updated consistently and a list of features as long as my arm, and run with the big boys, for 1/3 or 1/4 of the price.

Originally Posted by exm 

Did you change any network settings in the Marantz, like DHCP?

Originally Posted by audiofan1 

Run with them! you mean set the pace as the leader of the pack does

Originally Posted by comfynumb 

H, I totally agree, and I think the writing is on the wall for these so called high end products that lack features, are 7.1, no updates, and half the features of the 8801. Many picked apart the 7005, and they will dissect the 8801. But at the end of the day we'll have a pre/pro that will be updated consistently and a list of features as long as my arm, and run with the big boys, for 1/3 or 1/4 of the price.

Originally Posted by exm 

I owned the Integra 9.8 (Onkyo 885) and I really disliked it. Afterwards I upgraded to the Marantz AV8003, 7005 and now 8801. The Marantz has a much warmer sound, so I wouldn't strongly urge the Marantz

Originally Posted by dahlgren 

Krell added a 3D upgrade to their $31,000 AVR which the customer has to pay for. And even though it has 2 center channels an 4 sub channels no height or wides.

Originally Posted by mookie b 

Use stereo. This was brought up earlier.

Originally Posted by cglin222 

Ok, thanks, I know I also brought it up earlier, but even the Marantz rep is telling me an answer I don't get it, hence asking again.
Guess they don't get it either or never tried it


"Hi, On av8801 it says "use mono mini-plug cable for connecting DC out"
But on MC8207, it uses stereo mini plug for power control, meter light and ground
Is it safe to connect using stereo mini-plug from av8801 to mc8207?
Or do I still need to use mono mini-plug from av8801 to mc8207?


Hi,
You will use a Mini Mono cable to the 8801 (Tip +, Sleeve -).
You will use a Stereo mini cable into the MC-8207 (Tip +, Sleeve -, Ring No Connection).
Thank you,
Technical Support/Custom Install
D+M Group


I know each of the 8801 and mc8207 accept min and stereo respectively. Maybe you didn't get my question or I am not getting the answer correctly.
Is there such a thing as a cable where one end is mini mono cable and one end is stereo mini cable connection???
I am trying to connect av8801 to MC8207 together, not separately
Where can I find mini mono cable to stereo mini cable??
Thanks


Hi,
You would have to do a Google search to see who would carry an aftermarket cable like this. Just make sure that the one you purchase follows the specs that we provided you.
Thank you,
Technical Support/Custom Install
D+M Group "

Originally Posted by mookie b 

Wow, that's a cluster.

I used a stereo mini from the "out" of the Marantz into the "in" of my MC205. PM me if you want more info.

Originally Posted by StanFL 

I am stuck between the Marantz 8801 and the Integra 88.3 preamps.

Originally Posted by StanFL 

I need to get a new blu-ray 3D DVD player (suggestions welcome) I was told that my perfectly running 1st generation PS3 does not meet my needs

Originally Posted by WestCoastD 

you mean, has anyone used these two components together? I'd like to know myself. I'd also love to hear differences between the (somewhat popular) Sony SCD-XA5400ES & Marantz PM11S3 dedicated CD/SACD players using 2ch XLR.

Originally Posted by Mark Seaton 


I personally tend to set the low pass on the LFE channel at 80Hz in most systems by preference. I think many forget that the difference between a 120Hz low pass and an 80Hz low pass is nothing more than a shelving filter. If the low pass is 4th order, the 80Hz filter is about 7dB lower at 100Hz and about 4dB at 80Hz. A 100Hz low pass setting would have about 1/2 that difference. The adjustment has more effect on shaping the LFE track's response than it does on cutting off content. If you're running the subs with a rising response on the low end which blends with the main speakers, experimenting with 80, 100 vs. 120Hz is basically a means to taper the top end of the LFE channel. Setting this lower than 120Hz is not hacking off content any more than setting your sub a few dB hot would destroy a soundtrack.

Originally Posted by Bill222 

Umm - What's wrong with the 1st generation PS3?

I'm still running three 1st generation PS3's (one for each TV in my house). I find it absolutely amazing that years after being released, Sony just keeps releasing firmware updates to add new features - such as 3D. It didn't do 3D when first released. Heck - it didn't do 24 frames-per-second when first released. But it does all that and more now - thanks to the PS3 really being a small computer and Sony's easy ability to simply reprogram it as needed with new firmware updates.

There are 2 drawbacks with the old, "fat" PS3s. The first problem is noise. The fans are noisy (and the PS3 is a power-hog/mini-space-heater). But if you have been using one for years, I'm guessing the fan noise/heat-production isn't a problem for you. The second problem is that the old PS3s can not "bitstream" the lossless audio data. But that's OK. Just have the PS3 perform the decoding of the lossless soundtracks so the PS3 is sending PCM data to the pre-amp. It will sound just the same as if the pre-amp did the decoding. Decoding can roughly be thought of as "unzipping" a file. It doesn't matter who performs the "unzipping" task, the Blu-ray player or the pre-amp. In the end, the file is expanded back to its original size, every bit intact (it's lossless). The pre-amp doesn't need to do the "unzipping" (the decoding). The value of the pre-amp is what it does to the signal after it's been decoded...

Those two drawbacks are fixed by buying a new, slim PS3. They run quietly (no fan noise? Heck, the newest ones might not even have fans). And they *can* bit-stream to the pre-amp if you really want to see your pre-amp do the decoding instead of the PS3. (But be warned. The old, "fat" PS3's play SACD's, but the new skinny PS3s don't. Sony dropped SACD support from the PS3s long ago...)

The main difference between Blu-ray players today is the streaming capabilities - and the PS3 is one of the best, Yes - everyone has a Netflix client - but the PS3 was one of the first to have 5.1 sound available in its Netflix client. Vudu HDX, Hulu Plus, etc - it's available - in high quality - on the PS3.

You should always have a PS3 in your system to be able to play Blu-rays. Always. If you only have one Blu-ray player, it should be a PS3. If you have two or more Blu-ray players, one of them should be a PS3. Currently I have three Blu-ray players in my main system. An Oppo BDP-83SE, an Oppo BDP-105, and, of course, an old, original 60GB "fat" PS3.

Why is a PS3 a requirement for Blu-ray playback? Because Blu-ray menus are complicated. They're Java programs. The players are basically running Java programs to provide Blu-ray menus. And many times when movie companies (especially Fox) release a new Blu-ray disc - the movie doesn't work on lots of players. The movie company did something new in Java menu that the players weren't expecting, or something else happened - but the bottom line is you just bought a new movie, you brought it home and put it in your player, and your player said "Sorry - but I can't play it. Maybe you need a firmware upgrade?". And then you have to wait a few months for if/when your Blu-ray player manufacturer releases an upgrade to play that disc.

I love Oppo players. But they (and all players) have that exact problem I described. If a new "problem" disc comes out, you might not be able to watch it. I've had that problem a few times. My solution? Just pop the disc out of the Oppo, drop it into the PS3, and watch the disc. The PS3 has never failed me. Why? Because more people have PS3s than any other Blu-ray player. And the movie companies know this. So they actually test their movies on a PS3. And maybe a few other players. But definitely on a PS3 (if they have any sense). This makes the PS3 the "safest" player based on its ability to play any movie or TV show freshly released on Blu-ray.

For your second player - if you have room for two? I love Oppo. They play SACDs, DVD-Audios, etc. They have analog outs in addition to HDMI. If you get the high-end (105 version), they have balanced-outputs (XLR connections) for high-quality 2-channel listening. Their build quality is a thing of beauty (in my opinion). And they have lots of streaming clients.

That's my 2-cents. (Yup - I type a lot for just 2 cents...)