Marantz?

bobman1235

Anyone out there have any experience with Marantz receivers?

Aside from some quality issues that I've read about, I like their sound a lot. I'm curious how they are power-wise especially, because although I plan on getting an amp in the future, that's a ways out (monetary concerns), and I want something that will sound reasonably good with my RTi70s in the meantime. (I'm about 50/50 music vs H/T).

So right now I'm kind of between an H/K AVR 525 and the Marantz SR7200. Like the sound on both, but again, I know H/K puts out very high-amp clean power to the speakers, and I don't know if the same can be said about newer Marantz lines, and I don't see much mention of them in these forums, which makes me wary.

And yes, I'd love a Denon (cuz I know 90% of the people around here are Denon fans), but they're a little out of my price range right now, even used. Too many college loans that I gotta start paying off.

So, any opinions on the Marantz vs H/K?

Thanks!

AsSiMiLaTeD

Personally, between the two I'd pick H/K. But if you like Denon then you should go for Denon.

I have a Denon 3801 and absolutely love it, and it can be had for about the same price as the HK 525 - both around $400...

Here's a comparison I did a while back...

http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18857

I'd go for the Denon if you can find it...there's not a 3801 on Ebay right now, but they're on there all the time, just give it a few days...

danger boy

i use a Marantz SR5000. it goes back a good 5 yrs or so.. it's 70wpc only. that's why i use external Marantz amps at 125wpc. which helps alot.

The only problem with Marantzs like mine and the one you mentioned.. they seem to be behind the other brands when it comes to features.

The current line of Marantz receivers are up there with the other brands in terms of features.. and they seem just fine. I"d like to own the 7400 myself. I think Marantz receivers (esp new ones) seem to be slightly overpriced comparted to Onkyo or Denon and the others in terms of what you get.

Power wise.. they may seem low.. but it's high current power. and that does make a difference.

howie777

I have the Marantz 8200 with the upgrades. I love my receiver, and I have no complaints about the sound quality. It powers my RTi8 easily but normally I run my M&K 851 which are 4 ohm speakers (6 ohm if you keep them 80 Hz and up though which I do). Not only that, but I think the newer line have improved amp sections. I know the 8400 has a toroidal transformer now instead of the EL that I have plus they put in a copper chassie. I'd seriousely consider the Marants, but I have no experience with HK stuff. I have had only two issues with my reciever. One, the RC3200 remote sucks (nothing a MX-800 remote can't fix!) and the other was a 3-4 second audio delay after changing sources (not off, but no audio for 3-4 seconds until it locks on to the signal) this was fixed with an upgrade package I bought.

Hope that helps,

Howie

danger boy

Howie, is your 8200 the special edition which i think is 8200OSE ? if so. i think that's the only one with the copper chassie

bobman1235

Here's a comparison I did a while back...

I had read that thread a while back, I actually forgot all about it. I think this weekend I'm going to try and re-audition all three (Denon, Marantz, H/K) and see how I feel then. Unfortunately there's no stores by me that sell even TWO of those three, let alone all three, so I have to visit Tweeter, Circuit City, and the Cambridge Soundworks stores. Does'nt make for the best comparison environment Not to mention that due to cost I'm buying older models but can only audition the newest stuff. That's why I try to rely on the Polk communities opinions in addition to what I hear in a store environment.

Based on the opinions around here I'm certainly leaning towards Denon or H/K though.

Thanks to everyone for the input and expertise

howie777

To my knowledge there never was a 8200 SE. Its the new 8400 that has a copper chassie (which I do not have). I just have the 8200 + the upgrade they offer.

Howie

audiobliss

I personally never like the Harmon Kardon stuff. They don't seem to have a lot of power, though it is clean. Also, I don't really like their looks; a little too flashy, I guess. The Denon stuff seems to be really nice, though I'm (for some reason) not that interested in Denon. I ended up with a Yamaha receiver, which I'm extremely happy with, though I sometimes wish I had gone with a Marantz receiver. I really like their sound, power/THD, looks, and reputation. I know they don't have a lot of features, but who needs the at least 50 different DSP settings I can have on my Yamaha? That's ridiculous.

Whichever way you go, I'm sure you'll be happy. All good stuff here.

(Marantz )

debussyj

Hi,

I've had a Marantz SR-9200 for a couple of years now and absolutely love it. I'm driving LSI-15's with it, and the complete LSI surround set-up. The sound is very sweet to me. I've found the receiver to be very feature packed and never lacking for a way to hook up something new. I especially love listening to SACD's on my Denon DVD 5900 in analog 7.1 with this thing. I've got Sirius Satellite radio hooked up to the Marantz, very nice, and am streaming a great portion of my music library with the new Apple computer air tunes gizmo. That works great too. I also have the unit set up (multiroom) for outside music using two Marantz monoblock amps and Rockustics speakers. Guess my point is that I've found the unit to be extremely versatile and just a pleasure to use. Lastly, the techs at Marantz are really great guys. They always take the time to help me do what I want to do with the unit. In fact, when I had problems with my Denon 5900, the boys at Marantz solved them for me.

Good luck with your future purchase, whatever it is.
Happy Listening!
DebussyJ:)