Marantz Av8003

mantis

Marty913 wrote: »

Wow Dan, you need to take one of those little 81mg aspirin jobbies. I agree with you 100%, just don't wanna see you blow a gasket over a processor.

You would think with Intel (and similar) processing power doubling every year for about $50 a chip would get you an adequate audio processor in a $2000 piece of equipment. On the bright side, the Marantz isn't running Vista, is it???

I'm pissed off at the Industry. For the last year and a half I have been searching for a new preamp. I have come across a few that I really thought would be a cool piece. Then I watch all the receivers get it right and upgrade. So I wait and think one will come along and it will be a cool upgrade, but no, this has not happened. At the time my needs where different then today. I give up on preamps and I'm getting a receiver. I'll use it until the Industry comes up with a preamp thats worth buying.

Until then I will enjoy my Sc07.

Dan

comfortablycurt

bigred7078 wrote: »

but i should also add there is a "work around" for this...

If your Blu-Ray player can internally decode the new formats and you set it to output the audio via PCM these units will apply audyssey to that. Just not the bitstream signal.

So if your a PS3 owner like myself, then rejoice haha

Well that's a plus. I was wondering if it made a difference if the player decoded the formats internally.

WilliamM2 wrote: »

Actually, my old PR-SC885 had no trouble applying Audyssey to HD codecs. It has to do with processing power. The Onkyo 885 and Integra 9.8 have have three DSP's, the Marantz only has two. Not enough power to do both.

That's good to know. Do you know if the PR-SC886 has the same problems as the Marantz? It was mentioned a few posts back that it has the same problems running Audyssey with HD codecs, can you verify that? I'd imagine that the 886 doesn't have the problems if the 885 doesn't.

The two pre-pro's I've been looking at most are the OnkyoPro and the Marantz...I haven't really seen anything else that would work for me in that price range. Oh well...I've got plenty of time to decide on one.

WilliamM2

comfortablycurt wrote: »

Well that's a plus. I was wondering if it made a difference if the player decoded the formats internally.



That's good to know. Do you know if the PR-SC886 has the same problems as the Marantz? It was mentioned a few posts back that it has the same problems running Audyssey with HD codecs, can you verify that? I'd imagine that the 886 doesn't have the problems if the 885 doesn't.

The two pre-pro's I've been looking at most are the OnkyoPro and the Marantz...I haven't really seen anything else that would work for me in that price range. Oh well...I've got plenty of time to decide on one.

As far as I have read, the 885 and 886 are identical hardware wise, just different firmware, so it shouldn't have the same issue as the Marantz.

I'd still take the Marantz over the Onkyo though. The fact that the Onky'os use 3 DSP's causes a 97ms audio delay (measured by users at AVS). That puts the Video ahead of the audio, and the lip sync issues drove me nuts.

bigred7078

WilliamM2 wrote: »

I'd still take the Marantz over the Onkyo though. The fact that the Onky'os use 3 DSP's causes a 97ms audio delay (measured by users at AVS). That puts the Video ahead of the audio, and the lip sync issues drove me nuts.

agreed. I love onkyo's intentions, but they just always seem to have the same issues year after year.

Point is, every manufacturer has some stupid issue. If there was one umcompromised design processor on the market...well then we would all be buying it an not even speculating what other options there may be.

MikeC78

mantis wrote: »

I give up on preamps and I'm getting a receiver. I'll use it until the Industry comes up with a preamp thats worth buying.

Until then I will enjoy my Sc07.

Dan

That's exactly what I did. I'm sure you'll enjoy the SC-07 for quit some time, I know I will.

comfortablycurt

WilliamM2 wrote: »

As far as I have read, the 885 and 886 are identical hardware wise, just different firmware, so it shouldn't have the same issue as the Marantz.

I'd still take the Marantz over the Onkyo though. The fact that the Onky'os use 3 DSP's causes a 97ms audio delay (measured by users at AVS). That puts the Video ahead of the audio, and the lip sync issues drove me nuts.

I've heard about the lip sync issues with the Onkyo's before, and that would drive me crazy. That's one of the things that's kind of steering me away from the Onkyo. The Marantz has Auto lip sync correction.

At this point, I'm gonna have to say the Marantz is looking a lot more appealing to me. I won't be looking to buy a pre-pro for a couple years yet though, so I'm not to worried about it yet. Just looking to the future. It's possible that Marantz will have a new unit out by then, that doesn't have these couple of issues anymore.

The issue with Audyssey shutting off during HD sountracks is a huge drawback to me though. I still don't see why it would be doing that...as far as I knew, Audyssey just calibrated the receiver/pre-pro and that was it. What processing is it actually doing during use? Suppose you were to take the Audyssey settings, and manually enter them? Would the settings revert back to normal, stock settings during HD soundtracks, or would the manually entered settings still come into affect?

Like Bigred mentioned though, if the Blu-ray player decodes those codecs internally, I suppose it's not that big of an issue. For that kind of money though, I'd expect it to be able to decode them internally.

The point of only having 4 video inputs is a bit of a drawback too. I don't picture myself having more than 4 video sources hooked up to it anytime soon. All I'd have hooked up at first would be DVD/Blu-ray, VCR, cable and probably an Xbox 360 sometime down the line if I ever decide to buy one. So I wouldn't really need more than 4 I suppose, but it's still nice to have the option of expanding sometime down the line. That's a minor drawback for me though, and wouldn't really be a deal breaker.

bigred7078

comfortablycurt wrote: »

I still don't see why it would be doing that...as far as I knew, Audyssey just calibrated the receiver/pre-pro and that was it. What processing is it actually doing during use?

It's actually alot more complex than that. Audyssey provides its own "processing" on the sound and basically adds its own flavor to the mix. Its not just a auto-room calibration.

The downfall to Audyssey is that it essentially overtakes the actual SQ of the receiver/processor you are using, and uses what the Audyssey engineers think the source should be sounding like in your enviroment. It doesn't apeal to everyone, but you can turn off audyssey processing if you dont like it. Those who dont prefer it tend to be more of the "naturalists" in the audio industry.

But like WilliamM2 said, audyssey applying it abilities to the bitsreamed signal is based on the chipset capabilities of the processor itself. If the chipset can't handle all the processing going on, it will not allow for it. Now this doesn't mean that the chipset that can't do it is inferior to one that can, its just it was poorly implemented in that regard.

janmike

Bigred, it sounds like the "bad configuration" may actually appeal to some people. I talked to a colleague the other day and he said that he would not want any additional processing when playing HD tracks. But I agree, you should have the option. This Pre is still on my short list.

polkatese

This Pre/Pro looks like a winner in the current lineup.

mantis

polkatese wrote: »

This Pre/Pro looks like a winner in the current lineup.

It looks nice but I don't approve. It's not mantis approved man.

I'd rather see you get the Integra or Anthem. Forget the B&K it's a piece of crap. It sounds good and all I'll give it that but it doesn't do any processing. I know it's not necessary as most Blu ray players can decode the audio there selves but a processor is suppose to process. Not to mention no room correction other then notch filters.

The Marantz shuts off Audyssey with DD and DTS HD audio , what the hell good is that? I would skip it completely.

Processors are beat right now , you might be a lot better off with a receiver and using your amps. I'm no fan of that solution but the market right now is all over the place. Actually just get the Integra and call it a day. It's fantastic.

WilliamM2

The AV8003 is well over two years old now, and it was a bit outdated when released. Is Marantz ever going to release a new pre?

polkatese

I hear you Dan. I've strike an arrangement with my dealer: to have this Marantz until the Parasound Halo C3 comes out, and at that point he will swap me and pay only the difference. We looked into Integra DHC-80.1. While it has the best bell and whistle that I like, it sounds not as good as the Marantz in two channels. Believe me, I like to like the Integra since it has Phono, HDMI port in the front (for HD Camcorder). Almost an overkill, if you add 9.2 speakers setup and zone 2 and 3. I am not planning of running my video through it since I like to go point to point. Perhaps in the future if I run out HDMI port on my TV, but right now the TV can handle three, which is enough for me.

You are right though, none of the today's pre/pro are problem free, unless you go Anthem. I am not ready to spend that kind of coins for a Pre/Pro, knowing that it loses value and become obsolete so fast (case in point: REF50). I can't go Receiver/Power amp route, since it would generate a lot more heat in my system shelves.

It has been almost a year waiting and pondering for the right pre/pro. I am just glad that I narrowed it down to this one.

polkatese

WilliamM2 wrote: »

The AV8003 is well over two years old now, and it was a bit outdated when released. Is Marantz ever going to release a new pre?

At the rate that these pre/pros are being released (well, with the exceptions of Denon, which has been consistently spit out new lineups every year), I doubt they can move any faster than 3-5 years to update their lineups. Or at least to make them stable. It took Marantz 9 years before AV9000 was replaced by 8003.

hockeyboy

SbPolk has sold several of these through this forum. You can follow his thread and solicit feedback from those who purchased. I'm planning on snagging one myself after I make sure taxes are okay.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72928&highlight=av8003

Bernal

It is made in China!
I prefer the Japanese versions.

mantis

polkatese wrote: »

I hear you Dan. I've strike an arrangement with my dealer: to have this Marantz until the Parasound Halo C3 comes out, and at that point he will swap me and pay only the difference. We looked into Integra DHC-80.1. While it has the best bell and whistle that I like, it sounds not as good as the Marantz in two channels. Believe me, I like to like the Integra since it has Phono, HDMI port in the front (for HD Camcorder). Almost an overkill, if you add 9.2 speakers setup and zone 2 and 3. I am not planning of running my video through it since I like to go point to point. Perhaps in the future if I run out HDMI port on my TV, but right now the TV can handle three, which is enough for me.

You are right though, none of the today's pre/pro are problem free, unless you go Anthem. I am not ready to spend that kind of coins for a Pre/Pro, knowing that it loses value and become obsolete so fast (case in point: REF50). I can't go Receiver/Power amp route, since it would generate a lot more heat in my system shelves.

It has been almost a year waiting and pondering for the right pre/pro. I am just glad that I narrowed it down to this one.

Don't wire point to point. Use the preamp as a switcher. It will pull the audio out for yeah and there is absolutely no gain at all to bypass it. It's not analog anymore. Good luck with the Marantz , I hope it works out for yeah. On a side note did you check out Rotel? There new processor sounds good , lacking all kinds of bells but sounds good at least.

polkatese

I cleaned up the cablings yesterday. Removed XBOX360 component cables, optical, and component from REF50S2 to the RPTV. Man, the problem with gears inside a wall unit is there are leftover coax cables from back when DTV requires their boxes to stay attached on the phone line. I'll check out the HDMI on the Marantz when I get it, I might route my XBOX360 through the Marantz, same thing with BD/HD-DVD player (Samsung BD-UP5000).

I haven't check out the Rotel. Tired of reading and studying Pre/Pro specs. Called off the search after a year. Now that Halo C3 release date is moved to May/June, I am (finally) settled. If by next December C3 turned out to be THE PRE/PRO to own, I can still take advantage of my dealer offer to trade-up. Until then...

Bernal

timlitton wrote: »

It seems Marantz has confirmed audessy shuts down during HD sountracks. According to a recent Secrets of Home Theater and Hi Fi review of the 6003:

"I do have a significant issue revolving around high bit-rate playback that I feel I must share. The Marantz cannot apply Audyssey processing to lossless audio sources. I did question Marantz about this, and here is their response: “Less is more. In all Marantz products, the underlying philosophy is that the less processing the better, which means the better the sound. This is even more relevant when you get into the higher resolution formats.” While I do believe that minimal manipulation of the source is a good thing, the advantages of Audyssey seem to far outweigh the cons unless you have an acoustically perfect room. Being that many of the SR6003’s competitors have this capability, I feel that this is a very big oversight on Marantz’s part."

I've read the Onkyo receivers turn off room equalization during HD audio playback as well.

And you're right 100% right, Mantis, it seems pretty illogical to me.

Denon 4308CI: Audyssey used and works perfectly with DD and DTS HD audio.