Marantz Separate Receiver vs Pioneer Elite?

dpowell

Has anyone here had the chance to get their ears on both a Pioneer Elite AVR and Marantz separate pre/pro such as the AV 8000 series? I'm curious to know if it is worth the additional cost to make the switch to a Marantz. My speakers are in the signature below. Currently driving them with a Pioneer Elite and Sunfire Signature Grande 400.

txcoastal1

I'm thinking the move would be lateral at best

dpowell

Thanks. It's probably a shot in the dark to find someone who has heard both but I am curious to hear from someone if they have. While $$ doesn't mean everything there is a $2k approximate difference in cost between the two.

Nightfall

For that much money you could switch a pair of your in walls with LSiM 703's or get the LSiM center channel.

dpowell

True although I'm not using a center channel with the SDA's in front. I find I don't need one and my room doesn't allow for anything but in-walls in the rear . My Pioneer does a great job with room correction. Primarily I'm interested in whether or not the audio circuits will provide a noticeable improvement in SQ, especially for music playback. I know that in the last year or two, Pioneer has stepped up their game even more in the SQ dept. I've been tempted by the recent SC series. There's a Marantz AV-8003 for $600 on the gone right now which is also tempting and a price point at which I'm wondering if it makes sense or if I opt for a nearly new SC series AVR.

Nightfall

Pioneer SC is on my "one day in the near future" list too. If you purchase it new from a place like Best Buy, I've been told you can return it for any reason. Take it home and if it's not what you thought it was going to be or not worth the coin, take it back.

tonyb

DSkip wrote: »

Do you run separate amps?

The OP notes a Sunfire in his post. I would say a lateral move to his original question. You may get a slight difference in sound, but worth the switch, I dunno man. I would aim higher in the pre/pro dept.