Marantz AV8801 Preamp/Processor Official Owner's thread - Page 123

suggest you run Speedtest Pro both on your wired PC and as an app on iPads: that way you can see exactly what is going on

I have some Panasonic IP cameras I tried to run wireless: it slowed the network down significantly: connected these wired and network speed jumped

edit: also suggest you install app called Fing that will show you detailed status of all your wireless devices

It's highly unlikely based on what you've described that any of the network devices you've detailed can't handle the bandwidth required, particularly for streaming audio. Something is either misconfigured or configured on conflict with another device/protocol on your network. The overarching issue is the expectation that no user knowledge is needed to get the best performance out of a wifi router. It "might" work perfectly in some situations, but configuring the firewall, DNS, etc. properly may be required for max performance.

The wifi router you upgraded to can operate at almost the same speed as a gigabit network provided the receiving device is capable of the protocol, so even 4K video should not be a problem.

Another tool worth downloading if you have an iDevice is Network MultiMeter. It will display your wifi connectivity and wifi speed within your network at whatever location you place the iPhone/iPad. Combine that data with the internet connection info from Speedtest and you should have a good picture of your network's internal and external performance.

I did cnets speed test I'm 24 Mbps. I just talked to Comcast, they are sending me the latest modem. The girl said it should help. But it looks like I need advice. Thanks.

Hmm, thanks for the info. Now you have me wondering. I did a quick install and didn't configure much. I thought most of it was automatic. I'm no wifi wiz for sure, maybe you could PM me pointers. I would appreciate the help. Thanks.

I'm more than happy to help, but unfortunately, there really aren't many "cookie cutter" recommendations. In most installations, the default settings work but there are a lot of components in play and sometimes conflicts arise.
Three things I would check off the top:
Confirm that DHCP is only turned on on one of the devices - it's usually on by default on both the cable company device and the wifi router you added and may be creating IP address conflicts
Make sure only one of the devices is configured as the DNS host and Default Gateway and that the 8801 has it's IP configuration pointing to the correct device on your network.
If you know how, run a continuous ping against the IP address of the 8801 and see if response times are consistent or have a lot of variability while you stream. Should see ping response times under 20ms on your internal network.

If you're comfortable working through the router and modem Admin screens, PM me the model numbers of the new modem and the router and I'll see if I can give you some suggestions on screenshots you can send me so that we can look at your network config.

If there are multiple wireless networks in your vicinity, you have to ensure that your network is not using the same channel as other strong wifi signals. Too often the wireless access points do not pick the least used channel.

^^^^

use an app by Amped Wireless on an Android device to check this

http://www.ampedwireless.com/press/article.html?id=11

My AV8801 should be here sometime next week. I'm getting a bit nervous about using it's network features after reading some posts here. My comcast TG862 seems to work fine with my PS3, Squeezbox Classic & Oppo BDP-83. being that these devices work well with the router, can I expect the same with the AV8801? I use ethernet connection for everything.

Thanks!

I would suggest getting a separate router and not use the Comcast built in router on its modem. You can keep the modem just turn off it's router (wireless) capability.

In addition, ensure there is security set up on the wireless so all your bandwidth isn't going to your neighbors watching porn and Netflix though your connection. I think some sort of security is almost default these days but should definitely be double-checked to ensure it's set up. Preferably WPA2.

I've been using a LinkSys/Cisco WRT310N Wireless-N Gigabit Router for about two years now, my main source for etherNET distribution. From there I have employed multiple (actually 4) NetGear Powerline AV200 Adapter's to pass etherNET throughout house-hold.

I have multiple systems residing in four different rooms- ie. Denon AVR-2112CI receiver/Oppo BDP-103 system, w/Samsung LED flat-screen in living-room; a PC w/Samsung LED flat-screen, w/BD player in bedroom-1; a PC, Pioneer Elite Kuro flat-screen, Epson 3020 projector, Marantz AV8801 (multiple component) system, WD "MyBookLive" (NAS) drive, in bedroom-2; a Samsung LED flat-screen TV, w/Oppo BDP-93 player, NAD C162/C272 2ch pre-amp/amp system in bedroom-3.

I have Linksys router in bedroom-2: Port-1 is going to (1) AV200 Powerline adapter module (connected to AC wall-plug) which act's as main "link" from router-to-house etherNET; Port-2 is connected to my main PC desktop machine; Port-3 is directly conected to Marantz AV8801 etherNET INP; Port-4 is going to WD "MyBookLive" external (NAS) drive.

From there each room uses (1) AV200 Powerline adapter module to "pass" etherNET to each respective system, where I also use a NetGear 5-port switch to distribute etherNET connections for each individual component.

Sounds messy, but it seems to work farily well for streaming WMA, InterNET (NetFlix, etc.,...) throughout household. I limit wireless to mobile devices- ie. iPad, iPhone, etc.,....or maybe a random PC lap-top. I'm surprised how well the AV200 Powerline adapters work. Although if multiple people are doing things simultaneuosly throughput gets attenuated. Moreover I do plan to upgrade my router soon, see if I can increase overall bandwidth.

I talked with Comcast and they are sending me the newest modem they have, it's not wifi so I'm good. The girl did say its very possible the old one can't handle the traffic. So I'm hoping for the best. I still might hard wire my boys ps3 right into the router.

I looked into things and it looks like I'm good on my end. Comcast is sending me a new modem. They said it very well could slow things down when multiple devices are in use. We shall see.

^^^
Hopefully the new device solves the problem, but I have to admit I don't agree with their view on multiple devices slowing down the modem. The modem is upstream from the router performing the Network Address Translation, so really isn't impacted by device count. At least not by a device count seen in home use scenarios.

Post back when it arrives and you've tried it out.

I think the point about the modem was that multiple devices are each potentially sucking up bandwidth not that they're a device conflict, per se.

That said, I do agree that if there is 24Mbps to be had there would have to be a few devices doing some pretty serious simultaneous streaming for the modem/ISP end of things to be a problem.

A newer modem that supports DOCSIS 3 could help some though if you're close on the bandwidth and using an older version of modem without channel bonding. With channel bonding the throughput should at least be more consistent.

I'll post back after it arrives next week. She also meantioned something about this modem being 4K friendly. Which to me sounds like a new service is in the works. I believe something was mentioned about this on another thread.
Edited by comfynumb - 3/7/13 at 4:02pm

After some advice and guidance today I ran some speed tests. It's definitely plenty fast. I'm going to replace the modem, but I'm thinking my sons online call of duty game and the 8801 are just taking up a lot of my service. I'm going to hard wire him into the router and see if it makes a difference.

How does the Marantz AV 8801 sound with Rotel RMB 1575 amp?

I believe there is someone on this thread using a Rotel with the 8801. I'm not sure which model. So far I've read posts about many of the well known brands with good results. I use a Sunfire which sounded very good to me. My older Parasound of equal wattage did not sound so great to me. But. That's after years of having the Sunfire hooked up and maybe I just didn't give it a chance.

Using RMB-1575 250WX5 amp for my FH/C/SB channels, sounds neutral, is the same sound quality as my RB-1092 used for side surrounds.
Both are steps up than AVR inner amps.

So a funny thing, but I ended up going back to pretty much all RCA connections last night. Part of the reason I really wanted the 8801 was for its convenient XLR outputs, and now due to the high voltage coming from them, I have learned that with the emotiva, and the dcx2496, it is giving it too much and can easily clip the inputs at high levels. Moving back to the RCA's has seemingly helped a shade, and hasn't introduced any additional hum. Front L/R and center are still XLR but all others are RCA now. Oh well...

Anyone know the status of Audyssey Pro for the AV8801? I haven't seen any posts lately. Thanks.

??? Been using it for a couple of weeks now.  

Does the AV8801 in fact have abnormally high voltage on the XLR inputs? It seems to be the same as the AV7005 & AV7701. Is this just a problem with amps with higher sensitivities?

I believe the AV8801 has the proper voltages.
It is normal for XLR to have 6 DB more gain which may or may not be attenuated by the amplifier.
The Sunfire had the same gain for RCA and XLR.

However, the Outlaw 7500 has 28 DB gain on RCA (approx. the THX standard) and 34 DB Gain on the XLR.
The XLR is not a problem with the Outlaw. There is no distortion.

The Emotiva's have start with a high gain of 32 DB.
I found this post on the Emotiva forum which seems to indicate that the XLR add 6 more for a total gain of 38 DB.
That is 10 DB higher than the THX standard.

I do not know much about attenuators but they may be in order.

- Rich

Another annoying HDMI handshake issue with the OPPO and Marantz last night. I tried to get it to work without turning everything off and unplugging by swapping to LPCM and back in the OPPO, changing inputs on the Maratz away from and back to Blu Ray, and just disconnecting and reconnecting all HDMI cables. Nothing worked until I turned off and unplugged / re plugged both the Oppo and Marantz. VERY annoying. Never happened once in almost two years of owning the Integra.

What OPPO do you have? I have a 93 connected and have never had a handshake problem to the Marantz which outputs to my LG TV. SJ

have a 93 as well and no issues yet, getting a 105 soon, and my fingers are crossed that i do not get any problems