Yamaha rxv1065 vs marantz sr5004

AeR0 · January 2010

so ive narrowed my recievers down to these two..the marantz is 100.00 cheaper than the yamaha..

any suggestions and reasons why?

EDUBAG · February 2010

First of all hello,

i am in your same boat, i am currently looking into the marantz sr5004, or the sr6003 and/or the pioneer elite vsx-21txh.

I beleive that i will eventually buy either of the marantz since from what i have read they sound very nice and clean. I thought of the pioneer as well because it brings a lot of features (can control the ipod, more hdmi inputs, etc).

As for the yamaha it seems from what a've read here that people do not like them.

So i would stick to either the marantz or the pioneer elite.

Good luck and let me know how it goes

nooshinjohn · February 2010

I for one like Yamaha as a general rule. I would not however buy the 1065. When I first got into Yammy, they were solid high end pieces in the home theater realm, but today they do not come close to where they were in the mid to late 90's for build quality. I ran an RX-v2090 for the better part of a decade, but the RX-v861 I replaced it with was not even close. I would consider thr RX-v 2600/4600 or the RX-z07/11, but the "Z" series is much more expensive. The build quality of these units seems to be far better than the 1065, which shares most of it's dna with Yammy HTiB setups....

LuSh · February 2010

Noosh,

If I'm not mistaken you replaced a solid great sounding piece with one that was half it's price not including inflation. What did you honestly expect? You should have stepped up and purchased what you originally had...RXV1900/3900.

WilliamM2 · February 2010

I've tried a few HDMI AVR's and pre/pro's in the last couple of years. The only brand that has worked flawlessly has been Yamaha. Currently using the RX-V1800, and it blows away the Onkyo PR-SC885 that it replaced. So obviously I recommend Yamaha, but like Lush says, I would step up to at least the RX-V1900, or 3900.

bopicasso · February 2010

I've had a few experience's with onkyo, a 805 and 806. The 805 was a great performer and I never had a problem with it for the year I owned it. My dad has the 806 and had alot of problems with hdmi pass through. I just bought a pioneer elite vsx21txh. I will get it tommorow. I hope it meets all the reviews I have read.

nooshinjohn · February 2010

LuSh wrote: »

Noosh,

If I'm not mistaken you replaced a solid great sounding piece with one that was half it's price not including inflation. What did you honestly expect? You should have stepped up and purchased what you originally had...RXV1900/3900.

That is pretty much what I said in my post. Anything less than the RX-v1900 and up is not worthy of consideration....

LuSh · February 2010

Noosh,

You mentioned build quality and used two entirely different priced examples. One was the old one in the 90's that was twice the price of the new one you replaced it with. I'm not sure if build quality has dropped off or your expectations have become unrealistic. You get what you pay for.

nooshinjohn · February 2010

I expect an 800 plus dollar receiver to be build to a higher standard than a 200.00 unit. I also expect that an 800.00 uint that is 12 years newer than the one it replaced to have superior performance because of the improvements made in technology during that time.

I could have gone after a better Yammy but decided to go a completely different direction instead. My advice to the OP to go after a higher end Yamaha is sound and based in the same logic you are using, as I experienced this first-hand. I question why you seem to be coming after me in your responses.

LuSh · February 2010

Not 'coming after you' simply curious on your expectations. Technology is only half the battle. Build quality doesn't come any cheaper. I use an RXV3900 with great results.

Kingface · February 2010

I too would go for the Yamaha but as mentioned....step up to the 1900 or higher. Much better units with better power supply, DAC's etc.

Marantz are very nice too. I have always liked their nice smooth sound but for the last 15 years they have been so up in down in the build quality category that I have just tended to avoid them. Onkyo is decent now too. Never liked their sound but they have a big following now because of the 'bang for the buck' factor.

byrdman7 · February 2010

I have used Harman/Kardon and Citation gear since the 60's because of the warm sound. H/K quality control has taken a nose-dive the past 5 years, so when I decided to replace my receiver I was back to square one searching for a worthy replacement. After 6 months of research and listening I chose the Marantz SR-5003 (same major specs as the SR-5004). I have run the unit over a year and could not be happier with its sound/performance. My brother uses a Yamaha with the same speakers I run, less the center channel sub, he and I will tell you my receiver sounds much better than his. I am by no means bashing Yamaha, but The Marantz does sound better. I use HDMI from my HD DirecTV tuner to displays only and 6 channel analog input for everything else on the Marantz. I am not a big fan of HDMI for Hi-Res audio. The Marantz does run warm to hot when driven to concert levels as I do. I have a enclosed cabinet for my gear cooled by 2 filtered fans, I hate dust, which has worked for many years. The Marantz ran too hot, so I added a fan by placing it on top of the receiver to move more air which solved the problem. I feed power to the fans from the switched outlet on the back of the receiver. Note, 12VDC fans are much quieter than the 120VAC. If you have plenty of area on the sides and top with good air flow, heat is not a factor. The new PLIIX-Music is really great for playing Red Book CD's in Surround.

cnh · February 2010

I'm generally not a fan of Yamahas...but the higher models do have good power.

I just heard a Marantz 5004 in Hong Kong with the 8000 series Cdp driving some mid-fi speakers (can't remember--maybe some model KEF tower). And I had to walk up to the Marantz AVR and make sure it wasn't a 'higher' model because it sounded a bit too good for a 5004...IMO. BUT that's why we actually have to hear equipment and not just go by opinion.

If 'budget' is a problem definitely go with the Marantz--they have a 3 year warranty!

cnh

Yamaha rxv1065 vs marantz sr5004

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