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Marantz SR7001 or Pioneer VSX-91TXH

post #1 of 10
8/21/07 at 8:27am
Thread Starter 
This unit will be for home theatre use 95% of the time...

I will be using larger speakers now then I stated in a previous post (2 - Athena AS-F2 in the front, 1 Athena Center and two Bose 161 rear surrounds)

I have a Toshiba HD-DVD player and PS3 for my 1080p sources, DirecTV HR20 and one Apple TV (all four have HDMI - pending on the AVR I select I'll need to use component for two of them)


Both units look great - I do think the simple design of the Marantz is better. But I do want it to play nice with my PS3 and other HD sources, along with driving those speakers with good sound!


pros and cons....

looks aside I do like that the Pioneer has some cool dsp sounds for movies (again for stero I'd never want them BUT for movies it seems cool?) not sure if the Marantz has any?

I do like the 4 HDMI connections on the Marantz (I don't care about 1.2 vs 1.3 other then it working with 1080p PS3 ) that being said the Pioneer does have newer ports...

Both are the same price from where I was looking (******* and my local best buy) I don't want gray market so I know I can save some $$$ but would rather not?

The Pioneer seems "heavyier"?



So... what thoughts do you folks have? I know a couple of you from the Marantz group have helped me in the past couple weeks - and I think you in advance again if you can shed any more light?


John
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post #2 of 10
8/21/07 at 11:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by johnner1999 View Post

This unit will be for home theatre use 95% of the time...

I will be using larger speakers now then I stated in a previous post (2 - Athena AS-F2 in the front, 1 Athena Center and two Bose 161 rear surrounds)

I have a Toshiba HD-DVD player and PS3 for my 1080p sources, DirecTV HR20 and one Apple TV (all four have HDMI - pending on the AVR I select I'll need to use component for two of them)


Both units look great - I do think the simple design of the Marantz is better. But I do want it to play nice with my PS3 and other HD sources, along with driving those speakers with good sound!


pros and cons....

looks aside I do like that the Pioneer has some cool dsp sounds for movies (again for stero I'd never want them BUT for movies it seems cool?) not sure if the Marantz has any?

I do like the 4 HDMI connections on the Marantz (I don't care about 1.2 vs 1.3 other then it working with 1080p PS3 ) that being said the Pioneer does have newer ports...

Both are the same price from where I was looking (******* and my local best buy) I don't want gray market so I know I can save some $$$ but would rather not?

The Pioneer seems "heavyier"?



So... what thoughts do you folks have? I know a couple of you from the Marantz group have helped me in the past couple weeks - and I think you in advance again if you can shed any more light?


John

you know, my self a marantz lover! but what kept me off, the problem they had for 7.1 overlay 5.1, even if I would liked to love with hdmi 1.2. Now seems they solved it, but you dont know, your reciever will be shipped out with or without new firmware!

You will have to pay at least $50 insured to send it back, to get it upgraded along with down time, and more so, I understand, coming cedia they will be announcing hdmi 1.3 recievers!!

I had been literally tying my hands on my back, not getting marantz!!

Elite and Denon are new recievers, 91 has only 2 HDMI though if it matters, Denon 2808 are two hdmi out too, so, only Denon 3808 or Elite 92 fit in 4 hdmi input category.

It also depends, how soon, would you like to upgrade to a 1080p 24 hz, hdmi 1.3 true color display, that would not be compatible with current marantz receivers, so, it all depends?

I love Marantz, please do try to talk me into it. Coming fall, when they change, I'll all for it.
Looks are dashing, warranty is unprecedented imho.

good luck. keep in touch!
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post #3 of 10
8/21/07 at 1:40pm
Thread Starter 
thanks for the info

I just bought a new A2000 SXRD 60" Sony early in the year and as the wife said it has to last a while - LOL

so I really don't need 1.3 (other then Ps3???)


I can live with just 2 HDMI as long as the component inputs will take 1080i source then direct it to HDMI with no down scalling


Is the new Pioneer 91 as "sonic" as the older Marantz?
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post #4 of 10
8/21/07 at 7:12pm
I am thinking about getting the 7001. Call AVS, and get a price from them. They had a good 8001 price, but I need to get their 7001 price, and they are authorzied (checked on Marantz's website). I am not sure if the 8001 is worth the extra money, as I plan to use an external amp for the front three speakers, and just use the marantz for the sides and rears.
I was also going to ask if they know which firmware is installed in the units. All new units should have the new firmware, which supports 7.1 PCM, and is supposed to fix some HDMI bugs also.

Randy
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post #5 of 10
8/21/07 at 10:17pm
guys read marantz thread where a poor marantz lover lost another $5o after he recieved his marantz reciever back, with same firmware!! he decided to ebay it! so look for it soon..lol
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post #6 of 10
8/22/07 at 5:51am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by zoro View Post

guys read marantz thread where a poor marantz lover lost another $5o after he recieved his marantz reciever back, with same firmware!! he decided to ebay it! so look for it soon..lol

is there an easy way to tell which firmware you have by looking at the box?

I ordered a sr7001 and will be here today. All last night I had 2nd thoughts about ordering it

And I'd refuse it if it was the older firmware. and buy the Pioneer at Best Buy...
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post #7 of 10
8/22/07 at 8:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by johnner1999 View Post

is there an easy way to tell which firmware you have by looking at the box?

I ordered a sr7001 and will be here today. All last night I had 2nd thoughts about ordering it

And I'd refuse it if it was the older firmware. and buy the Pioneer at Best Buy...

Is either the Date of Manufacture or Serial Number on the outside of the box?
If so, you should be able to call Marantz customer support, and ask them what it has. They might have to do a little research, but they should be able to figure it out. I remember reading (I think it was in the Marantz thread) that after a certain date, all units shipped had the updated firmware.

Randy
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post #8 of 10
8/23/07 at 11:32am
All units manufactured since April have the most up to date firmware. At least in The UK and Ireland. I presume it will be similar for the states.

the manufacture date is on the unit itself, not on the box.
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post #9 of 10
8/23/07 at 4:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by reaper12 View Post

All units manufactured since April have the most up to date firmware. At least in The UK and Ireland. I presume it will be similar for the states.

the manufacture date is on the unit itself, not on the box.

good luck to you all!
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post #10 of 10
8/23/07 at 6:23pm
lol....

Does the 91TXH pass 1080/24p, and can it do processing on LPCM (5.1 to 7.1)?
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