Any existing / ex Marantz SR7000 owners would like to upgrade / already upgraded ???!

[AVJ]

Hi all existing / ex Marantz SR7000 owners !

I owed a Marantz SR7000 Surround Receiver, and is still happy with its performance.

However, the Marantz has been used for some years, and I am considering of whether any possible upgrade is "worth" the money ?

My current setup :-
Surround Receiver : Marantz SR7000
Front-Speaker : KEF Q50
Center-Speaker : KEF Reference Model 90
Rear-Speaker : Goodman Arena
Sub-woofer : KEF Model 20B
DVD Player : Philips 963SA
CD Player : Arcam Alpha One
Power filter / surge protector : Furutech 168

Any suggestion / recommendation ? or in fact I can still kept my SR7000 and enjoy it for some more times ?

My prime requirement is "Sound quality" (both Movie & Music), and other "functionalities/features" will be less important.

[dwette]

Do you like your Arcam CD player? Because the Arcam AV receivers (AVR200 5.1 and AVR300 7.1) are awesome. I've had the 200, and now have the 300 and they both are great devices, especially if you want excellent analog audio for music in addition to digital audio for movies. When I bought the AVR200 I also considered a Marantz, but the Arcam blew it away for sound quality.

[ChrisDixon]

I upgraded from an SR7000 to SR8200 about a year and a half ago. I was actually very surprised at just how much better the 8200 is. I will preface this by saying that my primary concern is 2 channel music. HT is important too, but in my experience, if a receiver is musical, it does well in HT as well.

The 7000 is a classic of the Marantz line, and given the price, it has amazing performance in analog source direct. The problem is that the digital stereo mode (ie. its own DACs) is not all that great. Since I always used SD, the lack of subwoofer support became quite annoying and I ended up experimenting with work-arounds. My only other beefs that pushed me to upgrade were lack of Dolby PLII, 100Hz cross-over, and I thought that it was a bit underpowered for hungry speakers.

The SR8200 added the extra power, THX select (80Hz cross-over), and PLII. What suprised me the most, however, was the significant improvement of the built-in DACs. They (and the ADDC technology that helps them) perform so well that I don't even use Source Direct anymore. That is really saying something if you know me.

The 8200 was replaced by the 8300 which very similar (and the 8200 can be upgraded to make it virtually identical). Unfortunately, the 8300 has already been replaced as well, and while the 8400 has some nice features, it's really the next release of the 7300ose, not the 8x00 series. I would really miss the ADDC processing, for example. If I were in your place, I'd look for a good deal on an 8300 (or even 8200) or move into separates if you want to go higher budget.

Chris

[AVJ]

Hi dwette & ChrisDixon !

Thanks both for your advice !!! :)

However, for the Arcam, I am afraid it is quite expensive !? :rolleyes:

On the other hand, while Marantz is good in the past, I don't see too much people using later 8x00 series.

What about the Denon 3805 or 2805 ?

What about the Cambridge Audio 540R ?

Looking for further advice & many thanks !!! :p

[dwette]

Originally posted by AVJ
Hi dwette & ChrisDixon !

Thanks both for your advice !!! :)

However, for the Arcam, I am afraid it is quite expensive !? :rolleyes:

On the other hand, while Marantz is good in the past, I don't see too much people using later 8x00 series.

What about the Denon 3805 or 2805 ?

What about the Cambridge Audio 540R ?

Looking for further advice & many thanks !!! :p

Yes, sorry, should have warned you the Arcam units start at $1200. But they are terrific sounding. I don't have personal experience with the Denon's, but they are well respected around these forums. You can find plenty of discussion on them in existing threads. I think there's even a dedicated 3805 thread.

Dean

[Babs]

I'm expecting a 540R today. The AVR200 was my first choice but given posts on the 540R, and 1/2 the price of the 200 without ANY bells and whistles, it was too intriguing to pass up. Unfortunately I can't compare it to the Arcam but other posts have. I will post what I think of it with Paradigm Ref 20's and 470 center. Looks like the 540R has quite a nice but maybe not a huge amp section. Toroidial transformer confirmed. Look like a good unit. I don't know about the DACs. There are NO bells or whistles, No amp trigger, no OSD, etc. Less features than the AVR200, but others have said comparable sound quality as well as with some mid-level NADs receivers. I'm hoping it will do until I go separates later.

[rocky1]

i've got the same receiver with def techs pro 100's.i've also been debating ref an upgrade to sr7300ose or better.The sr7000 has been a great receiver that i also dont know if its worth the money. so i am also interested in seeing what everyone else thinks.should I or should'nt I.

[video321]

I've gone from a Marantz 6200 to a 6400 and am pleased. If you're looking into the 8x00 series, definitely have a listen.

[Jam Man flimflam]

I own/owned the Marantz SR8000 which has and maybe will continue to serve its duty quite well. About 3 or 4 months ago, I got bit by the bug pretty hard and upgraded to an NAD T773. Wow what a difference. It was definitely more like what I wanted my theater to sound like. I still think that at times the SR8000 is a more "musical" receiver, 2 channel I think may actually have been more satisfying with it even. However, i've also gotten into the habit of listening to almost all of my music in 4 channel stereo. So although I previously thought I may sell it I may just keep it - adding to the collection of usable options.

[porksoda]

[QUOTE=AVJ]Hi all existing / ex Marantz SR7000 owners !

I owed a Marantz SR7000 Surround Receiver, and is still happy with its performance.

However, the Marantz has been used for some years, and I am considering of whether any possible upgrade is "worth" the money ?

My current setup :-
Surround Receiver : Marantz SR7000
Front-Speaker : KEF Q50
Center-Speaker : KEF Reference Model 90
Rear-Speaker : Goodman Arena
Sub-woofer : KEF Model 20B
DVD Player : Philips 963SA
CD Player : Arcam Alpha One
Power filter / surge protector : Furutech 168

Any suggestion / recommendation ? or in fact I can still kept my SR7000 and enjoy it for some more times ?

My prime requirement is "Sound quality" (both Movie & Music), and other "functionalities/features" will be less important.[/QUOTE]

As someone mentioned they went to the nad773 they noticed a huge difference. Look into the nad 773 and/or arcam avr300.

i went up with avr300 soon maybe considering my other home theatre recievers...

[rocky1]

I realize this is an old post but i'll chime anyways.I upgraded my marantz sr7000 to the rotel rsx1056 and have never looked back.Even though i wish i had kept the marantz for another room.I since have also upgraded my speakers to B&W.