[gkinberg]

I read a really good review of the Marantz AV8003. The reviewer equated the sound in 2-channel stereo to a ridiculously expensive and well respected 2-channel preamp. Sorry I’m not providing specifics but I don’t remember off hand. Has anyone heard the Marantz 8003 and do you feel that it is near the top of the class of surround sound processors that can also hold its own in a purely music setup?

I as because I’m slowly retooling my home theater system and I want it to do double duty as a two channel listening system too. I don’t have the green or space to have two dedicated systems.

Ultimately, I’m looking for a really good sounding home theater receiver or processor that can do networking, play the latest hi-rez audio formats (dolby HD, etc), has HDMI as well as video upscalling. Comments on the 8003 or other processors that will equal or better it are welcome and encouraged.

Thanks, Garth

[Nuance]

Garth,

Any chance you can audition the AV8003 yourself?  No one's opinion is better than your own when it comes to what you think sounds good (or bad).

[gkinberg]

Garth,

Any chance you can audition the AV8003 yourself?  No one's opinion is better than your own when it comes to what you think sounds good (or bad).

Hi Nuance, Thanks for the reply. I plan to but surprisingly, Marantz dealers are few and inconveniently located here in San Diego, so it will take me a bit to work an audition into my schedule.

Garth

[hometheaterdoc]

at the price, it's the most musical sounding I've heard.  It is a pretty good analog preamp.  I'm not sure I would agree with the review that it is a top shelf 2 channel preamp.... but it is very good compared to other processors and betters numerous more expensive ones I've tried at doing music.

The menu interface is god awful.  The audyssey in it isn't the latest version.  It has issues at times with overscanning/underscanning video images and no way to alter that.  The scaling isn't world class at all.  As good as it sounds for the money, it does have a character to its sonics.  Its errors are of ommission not commission for the most part.  I personally hate the remote it comes with.  Definitely get a listen to it before pulling the trigger if possible.... in your system as well since it's really tough to tell what it is and isn't doing in a store demo.  You are likely finding it hard to demo because it is sold through distribution as well as via marantz dealers... so it's not going to be displayed as much and rather is more in the custom installer market...

It combined with a Butler TDB-5150 is a killer, musical combo for nowhere near the coin of competitors if you're doing 5.1.  Definitely worth a listen.  The Onkyos, including the new one, aren't as good sounding, but have more features...

[gkinberg]

Hometheaterdoc, Thanks a lot for your post. I appreciate your comments. The terrible menu interface doesn't trouble me too much. I don't use a GUI currently so I assume something is better than nothing. The same with audyssey, I don't have it so some room correction, even though not the latest, will be better than none. The issuses regarding video image processing is unfortunate however. If not the marantz, then I would probably consider one of the integras as it appears to have a lot of bang for the buck, or the Denon 3310 perhaps. I will almost certainly purchase used so that I can afford a higher quality rig. Looking to spend $1000. Maybe more if the unit is good enough so that I won't have to purchase additional seperates.

Any additional comments or suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks, Garth

[hometheaterdoc]

no offense intended, but your comments have me confused... you're looking to spend $1000.00 for pre/pro and amplifier, maybe a bit more?  Why are you looking at the marantz, then?  It's $2700.00 new.  Even used they are $1500-$1800 on audiogon and then you still need amplification.  It's going to be a while, if ever, that they go for enough below $1K to also afford a comparable quality separate amplifier... and then you still need decent enough cables to go along with it...  Denon is stable stuff.  I sell it.  But a 3310 isn't even remotely in the same class as the marantz and good amp as far as sound quality goes.  The Denon is more forward and lean sounding and it does not meet it's stated power specs.  The interface and feature set is very very nice though.   The Marantz is better sounding than the Integras and they are not without their own set of issues.

The video processing is good on the Marantz, just not without issue compared to something like a Lumagen external scalar.  If the entire prepro is $2700, I would expect that compared to >$3K just for the Lumagen.  The other prepro units all have quirks as well.  The Reon chip so prevalent in the other units is not world class at all.  As for the Marantz, I had issues with it doing 1:1 pixel mapping over HDMI with 2 of the 8 desktop PCs I have here.  It works perfectly with the other 6.  I played with timings and it had no affect.  No idea what was causing it, but I wanted to point it out.  I've had the same sort of issue with components on every other receiver and prepro unit I've ever tested at this price class and below.  I never had the issue with the Anthem piece.  But you pay for that....

[gkinberg]

Hometheaterdoc, How dare you!... just kidding
Your confusion is totally understandable. I’ll start at the beginning. I am retooling my setup; completely replacing all of my components except my surround sound speakers. I am trying to limit myself to $1000/component. I am starting with my front three speakers (Left, Center and Right) allocating $3000. I am almost sold on the salk songtowers for these but have a few more models that I want to hear before I pull the trigger. I should also mention that I intend this to be a 3 – 5 year project. After my front three speakers, I will move to the surround sound processor or receiver.

I have seen the marantz 8003 on audiogon for as low as $1400 but your right, probably closer to $1500 - $1800. If I go with the Marantz, I will use my Yamaha receiver for amplification until I upgrade to separate amplification. Also, I figure if the processor is of high enough sound quality, I can use it for home theater as well as 2-channel listening. Therefore, a separate DAC and 2-channel preamp can be forgone. If that scenario is plausible, then in theory, I could allocate $3000 for the surround sound processor. If I can get it used for $1700, so much the better.

I wasn’t aware until recently that the marantz turns off room correction when playing true HD signals which is disappointing. Is this inherent in the unit or can it be “fixed” with a firmware update?