Marantz AV8801 Preamp/Processor Official Owner's thread - Page 132

I didn't try switching yet, I'm fighting an ear infection an can't turn up the volume too loud. Or maybe that's why it's infected others that have heard my setup think it sounded a little too bright, my thoughts are they were used to the treble from my PSB's and the Revels are a total different sound. Marriage? I didn't get any invitation I would love to gets listen to the Outlaw sound, it's just not possible. Unless I buy one.

There is a current and a voltage side for the front speakers on the Sunfire's or at least mine and others I've seen. The current side is supposed to sound a bit warmer like a tube amp. Like Rich I always brushed it off as a gimmick and since I've had it (7 years) never tried the current side.

Like a switch that chooses between the two? I would more than likely do the current side for that "tube amp" type sound, but if that is something I get to mess around with, sounds good to me!

I had several Sunfire amps over the years:

I tried the' current side' and did not like the results: always thought it was a gimmick as others have mentioned

No, on the back there is a set of current binding posts and a separate set of voltage binding posts. I don't know you that well, but well enough to know your going to mess around with them Let us know what you think of one vs the other.

I bought the Bel Canto REF1000s first preowned before upgrading them to M spec about 6 months later. Must have been in 2009?

I now use a Plinius Class A biased power amp for a second room and an Electrocompaniet Nemo for my main speakers but I still use the Class D for surround duties.

I checked out the Plinius amplifier, they look really well built and nice looking too. Did I read that right, they are built in New Zealand?

I received the MM8077 Marantz amp yesterday and have it running now. It's doing surround duty too. I am using 6 of the 7 channels and have a Parasound A-51 for the front 3 and front side 2. So far it sounds good and might be a keeper. Waiting on my Dali Mentor 2's to arrive today/break them in before calibrating the system.

Emotiva just added some more fun to the amp discussion.

Here is the new XPA-1L mono-block amp that is 250 into 8 ohms and 500 in 4 ohms.
However, there is a switch to run the first 35 watts pure class-A.

I am not sure if this matters, but you have to hand it to Emotiva for providing amps for everyone's bias

- Rich

You know I saw that Rich and I was thinking that they are getting pretty innovative with some of their products. I might go for the XPR-2. If it doesn't work out I can always anchor a boat with it. What a tank at 100 lbs. I feel bad for the UPS guy that brings it.

Just picked up the 7401...Day is going to be a bit slow from here on out...

We need pics. Have a good time.

No doubt, I will be taking a lunch break at my house and do a lil' unboxing

Yes. I use the SA-Reference which does 300W in AB. 100W in A. Runs very hot though. And yes, they are made in NZ.

Nice the specs are as nice as their looks.

I'm set up in 5.1 soon to be 5.2. And I kind of like the music in front of me. Would you recommend adding heights without rears or wides? Just a thought. I mainly use the multi channel stereo on the 8801 for music.

For those of you with iPhone/iPad, the deremote for $5 works really well from the App Store. It's layed out in landscape on the iPad so you can see all the settings. It controls Audyssey also and learns your configuration. Great support too, if needed.

My room is not very good acoustically. It is what it is for now. That's why I was thinking heights on the front wall over rears. Now to find some Revel's that will match up, for a good price. Thanks

Full control of the 8801? like speaker trim adjustments without having to go into the submenus?

Yes, it does a lot. I haven't gotten into all the settings yet, but the trims are there. I'm not promising full control, but it could be, I just haven't been into everything. I'll put some screen shots up.

[IMG][IMG][IMG]

This is from my iPad and there's many more screens of settings. The ones on the above post are from my iPhone.
Edited by comfynumb - 3/15/13 at 4:15pm

From my iPhone, I think only one pic posted up above.

From iPhone.
Edited by comfynumb - 3/15/13 at 4:06pm

That is cool!  Gotta have it.

I really like it, great on iPad. You can play all night streaming music or whatever and forget about turning the TV on to see your settings. It found my 8801 almost instantly but wouldn't control it. But a screen pops up telling you to unplug the Marantz for 15 seconds. When I turned it back on it controlled it perfectly. It will learn your configuration also, and send that info from iPhone to iPad or vice versa. The developers name is Hans, and he answers his emails promptly, which is unusual. But he definitely put a lot of time and effort into this app.

+1

As soon as I finish with the Emotiva, I'll be getting this app!

What Emotiva are you evaluating.

- Rich