[jtwrace]

Just as the tittle says what are your thoughts on the Marantz AV 7005?

http://us.marantz.com/us/Products/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?CatId=AVSeparates&SubCatId=0&ProductId=AV7005

[skunark]

12V Trigger, RS-232, AM/FM/HD Radio, IR Flasher, Ethernet, ARC on HDMI Out 1....   Hitting a lot of buttons for me in one package.

I don't like the fact that it has analog video inputs, which I haven't used a composite connector in over ten years nor a component connector in over five years.   (I don't have VHS, BETA, LD or a WII )  I also don't like the fact that it doesn't have at least one balanced input to go with the balanced outputs.         

I haven't seen it at any dealer so not sure how easy it is to use or performs for that price point.

[jd3]

I don't have one but have also been looking at the functionality it offers.  There's a thread over at the Outlaw forum about the 7005 (Outlaw is an authorized dealer). 

http://ubb.outlawaudio.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=62&page=1

[TomS]

I'm sort of in the same hunt.  I don't have the 7005 but one you might also want to consider the new Yamaha RX-A2000 or RX-A3000 in this same class.  I've never owned a Yamaha piece but the recent reviews are very good and the construction quality of the one I saw in person seems top notch.

[Phil A]

I've also heard it doesn't have DSD decoding and if you used balanced outputs, the polarity is reversed.  I've heard rumors of a AV8005 sometime this summer.

[mca]

I've been looking at this pre/pro and also the Onkyo PR-SC5508. The Onkyo adds Sub EQ HT and I believe it does DSD decoding also. Not much info out there on the Onkyo though 

[Phil A]

I've been looking at this pre/pro and also the Onkyo PR-SC5508. The Onkyo adds Sub EQ HT and I believe it does DSD decoding also. Not much info out there on the Onkyo though 

I recently re-did the main system (separate preamp with HT Bypass) and picked up a great deal on a used Integra DTC-9.8.  Was impressed with it and bought a refurb. Onkyo 1000 for the secondary basement system (and both have DSD decoding).  I have a Marantz SR6003 in the bedroom system.  I use a Bryston 3BST for the left and right channel in the bedroom system.  I also have an old Marantz receiver laying around that I used in the basement system not that long ago - SR7300 OSE.  I'd say the Marantz is likely to be better as a preamp for music but the Onkyo will probably eat it alive for everything else.  I decided that the preamp with HT Bypass is the best way for me to go in the main system.  For the $600 I invested in the Integra DTC-9.8, I could get my money back tomorrow.  I probably won't every do 3D in the main system.  My projector (BenQ W5000) is HDMI 1.2 and I'm perfectly content with my modded BDP-83 and HDMI audio de-embedder (for use with my DAC) for music.  If I did 3D, it would be the basement system and I have a PS3 and the Onkyo 1000 so the only thing lacking is the projector.  I didn't go super high end on the projector 3 years back (Sony VPL-AW15) as the system gets used mostly for stuff like daytime football or broadcast TV viewing vs. anything else.  If you don't need HDMI 1.4 (or have a player like the Oppo BDP-93 or an HDMI splitter), acccessories4less.com was selling new AV8003s for the same price as the AV7005 list and it has DSD decoding and more features.

[ctviggen]

I've been looking at this pre/pro and also the Onkyo PR-SC5508. The Onkyo adds Sub EQ HT and I believe it does DSD decoding also. Not much info out there on the Onkyo though 

I believe the 7005 allows you to set up two subs; not sure whether the Onkyo does this or not.  I can't remember whether the 7005 applies two different sets of EQ to the subs, though, or if that's the new version that does this. 

[golfugh]

The AV7005 has 2 sub outs but EQs as one, you need Aud XT32 which has Aud sub EQ to eq 2 subs separately.  The Yammy A2000 and 3000 will eq 2 subs separately.

[davidrs]

and both have DSD decoding....

Are you using 'DSD' in a generic sense?

If not, any perspective on why the conversion is via DSD (vs. PCM in this case)?

Thanks,

David.

[Phil A]

Are you using 'DSD' in a generic sense?

If not, any perspective on why the conversion is via DSD (vs. PCM in this case)?

Thanks,

David.

You can take the DSD output of the player directly into the receiver without converting it to PCM in the player.  I did a few comparisons with the old Oppo DV980H I had in the bedroom system going into the Marantz SR6003 in the bedroom system when I first got the receiver a couple of years back.  I didn't do extensive listening (no point at that time) and the system does not see tons of use for critical listening but also there was no a difference that stuck out in an obvious manner.  I may revisit the situation in the future when I get a chance with the Oppo BDP-93 in the bedroom system and a modded Oppo BDP-83 in the main system and the main and bedroom systems are interconnected with the HDMI outs of each going into the other.  Up until a month ago, I did not have that capability as I had no HDMI pre/pro.  I can tell you that in the main system I use an HDMI audio de-embedder (under $44 at Monoprice) and I take PCM from SACD and it converts it to a coax out and sounds great in my outboard DAC upsampled to 176.4kHz.  In many cases I prefer it over the SACD analog output of the modded player.  I did get a good power supply for the audio de-embedder (which costs several times what the unit costs)

[davidrs]

Hi Phil,

Thanks for the detail and explanation.

I generally prefer and choose to go with PCM, but have to say, I have not done any truly 'critical' comparisons between the two.

This is becoming more important as I'm becoming more familiar with the various options available to us and it's probably time to lend a critical ear to both approaches. Especially interested about compatibility with the handshake (and synergy of formats) between the components in the link.

If other members have thoughts on the topic, would love to hear them, however do not want to take the OP in a different direction. If a knowledgeable member feels there might be some traction on this particular issue, I'll start a new thread.

- David.