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Marantz SR8002 7.1 A/V Receiver A Secrets Receiver Review |
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| Written by Lee Hower | ||||
| Sunday, 09 March 2008 | ||||
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The SR8002 comes with a backlit, multifunction learning remote. One of my favorite aspects of this remote (and others like it) is that the first key press of an input button changes the “mode” of the remote, without actually switching sources on the receiver. I find this a handy “nice to have” when you want to turn off or otherwise manipulate other components, without changing the current input mode of the receiver. The second key press goes ahead and switches sources.
Performance As the command center of a home theater or multi-channel music setup, a receiver like the SR8002 has to cover a great deal of ground. Once inputs are configured and speaker setup complete, operation of this receiver is pretty straightforward. This review did not include bench testing of video and audio response of the SR8002, but I subjectively evaluated the receiver with a mixture of movies, music, TV programming, and video gaming. I have fewer HD radio broadcasts available within range of my home, so I did not have the opportunity to explore this facet of the SR8002’s capability. But during the review period, I sampled everything from the Blu-ray version of 3:10 to Yuma to Beck’s Sea Change multi-channel SACD to Fox’s HD broadcast of the Super Bowl to various HD games on an Xbox 360 and quite a bit in between. Whether viewed over HDMI or component video connections, images appeared clean and crisp from a variety of mostly HD and the occasional SD sources. I never experienced issues with HDMI synch across various sources, the SR8002, and my Panasonic projector. Like many receivers today, the SR8002 provides adjustable delay to ensure audio and video signals are properly time synchronized, though in my setup I found only small adjustments were required. Part way through my evaluation of the SR8002, I obtained an HDMI 1.3 capable Blu-ray player which let me try out on-board decoding of advanced audio codecs like Dolby True HD and DTS Master HD. It’s great that most mid to high end A/V receivers these days provide on-board decoding and I have to admit it was kind of cool to see “DOLBY TRUE HD” emblazoned across the front panel. But my ear was hard pressed to discern a meaningful difference between decoding on the receiver versus the player, sending uncompressed multi-channel PCM signals across the HDMI cable. However, having to use only one cable (HDMI) is certainly a benefit compared to having six RCA cables. All in all, I had few quibbles with either the sound or visual performance of the SR8002. On the audio side, the amplification was more than adequate for my average-sized home theater (approx. 14 x 20’), and the unit provides RCA-type pre-outs should one wish to employ separate amplification. The sound is impressively refined for a receiver that must handle quite a bit on both sides of the A/V equation. On the video side, the receiver handled switching and processing of video signals with aplomb. More sophisticated upconversion and de-interlacing of video inputs is available in higher-end separates or dedicated video processors, but certainly not in receivers in this price range. Conclusions At an MSRP of $1999, one would be hard pressed to find many receivers that provide the features and refined sound of the Marantz SR8002. Starting with a plethora of inputs and ending with on-board decoding of high definition multi-channel audio and amp channel assignment, the receiver shines in its flexibility in particular. Though ultimately an incremental rather than a revolutionary model upgrade from the SR8001, the SR8002 adds some useful and welcomed improvements like HDMI 1.3 support and HD radio. If you’re looking for a receiver that can do it all, from both the video and audio side, the SR8002 is certainly worth an audition.
Associated Equipment: Comments (38)
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written by enthusiast , March 11, 2008 This review was really neat. I really liked it. It made me feel warm and fuzzy inside for a marketed Audiophile and Videophile receiver. In all seriousness, how about comparisons to Denon, Onkyo/Integra, Pioneer Elite, or Yamaha HDMI featured offerings? ...
written by nobirth , March 11, 2008 Agreed. How is this better than an Onkyo 805, which costs half as much and weighs a good deal more? ...
written by c21mark , March 11, 2008 I agree, I have the Onkyo 805 and I can't see paying two grand for the Marantz. The 805 really blew me away when hooked up to my Panasonic DMP-BD30 Blu-ray player and run through my Reference Paradigms. What does the Marantz offer for the extra dough? ...
written by The Zolly Becker show , March 11, 2008 The 805 has Thx ULTRA 2, while the marantz is select. ...
written by The Zolly Becker show , March 11, 2008 when you think about it Onkyo broke the receiver market, THX ultra 2 trumps 4/5 Denons, 2/3 Yamahas, every marantz, the closest competition to the 805 is 4 grand a way from it and still weighs the same. ...
written by Stephen , March 12, 2008 Interesting to do a totally subjective review on something costing twice as much with less power than the 805, less video processing capabilities than the Onkyo 875 and no better than the 805. Audio DACs that are no better than the PCM-1796 that are in the Onkyo 805 and up/Integra DTC-9.8. Where is the objectivity? ...
written by Tyler , March 12, 2008 The Marantz also doesn't have excessive heat, lip sync problems, HDMI connectivity/handshake issues, etc, etc. The Onkyo isn't some miracle product, they cut corners to make a THX Ultra receiver at that price point. There is far more to sound quality than what model DAC is used. The Marantz is also much nicer/more expensive looking and comes with a MUCH better and expensive remote. All of these things add up to a more expensive product. ...
written by The Zolly Becker show , March 12, 2008 The Onkyo is a miracle product. ...
written by c21mark , March 12, 2008 I own the Onkyo 805 and I have not encountered any of those issues with my setup. Runs no warmer than my Onkyo TX-DS797 did. Besides most people with a half decent setup will buy a high end remote anyway, you'll be able to afford it if you buy the 805 over the Marantz so that point is moot. So go ahead and throw a grand away I'll sit here and smile while I listen to my 805! ...
written by The Zolly Becker show , March 12, 2008 also all those issues are spin by Denon lovers who think THX ultra 2 should cost 4 grand. My 805 gets as warm as any receiver that weighs more than 33 pounds, thats because amplification that is powerful and clean, generates heat. ...
written by mattburk , March 12, 2008 You can buy the marantz online for about the same price as the DTC-9.8. I do like the look of the marantz and have always preferred their sound to the onkyo's when compared in the analog domain. I would like to see an a/b test betweent the 8002 and the dtc-9.8 $1,9999?
written by 1,9999 , March 13, 2008 The MSRP on page 1 is a little off. ...
written by c21mark , March 14, 2008 As far as prices go I bought my Onkyo 805 online delivered to Canada for $740.00 including duty and taxes. What a steal. The cheapest I could find it in a store in Canada was $1397.00 taxes included. You guys in the US are spoiled with your cheap prices on electronic equipment. ...
written by mario , March 15, 2008 i got the marantz sr7001 and it sounds great ...
written by Norm , March 15, 2008 Where did you get an Onkyo 805 for $740.00 Please share. Pre Out Voltage level
written by Gilles Cyr , March 16, 2008 Why do reviewers never mention the voltage levels at Preamp out? Some amplifier need 1.2 to 1.5 volts to achieve full output. So, a mean 1.0 volt could not take full advantage of these amps. Could the reviewer mention this. Thanks ...
written by JEJ , March 16, 2008 We do give the pre-out voltage when the product is in the hands of someone who has test equipment. Not all the staff has this equipment. It is very expensive. And, sending the review product to several places so that it can be bench tested as well as reviewed is also expensive. Let's be fair..
written by XJ Bandit , March 17, 2008 Hey, why are you guys comparing a pre/pro to a full receiver?? If you wanted to be fair, shouldn't you compare the integra DTR-8.8 to the SR8002?? ...
written by pierce x , March 17, 2008 i own the 875 and it is my 1st onkyo, it replaced my yamaha 2600 and it is no question the 875 has more power and a cleaner sound. Also i have never had any of the problems you metioned Agree - that wasn't a good review
written by Simon T , March 21, 2008 This site used to have the best technical reviews on the planet. It's really gone down hill! That Marantz review could have been written without even opening the receiver's packing box... ...
written by JEJ , March 21, 2008 We welcome the critcisms as well as the accolades. That is the only way our writers can learn to improve their craft. ...
written by Paul D , March 21, 2008 Why woudn't you have the units sent to your test facility for stanardized,consistant, relavent lab tests?So that receivers can be compared objectively by techno geeks like me. Without measurements these type of reviews are nothing more than someones opinion. ...
written by JEJ , March 21, 2008 We have limited resources, and it is very expensive to ship all the review products back and forth. Secondly, I have a limited amount of time, and we review a lot of products. If I bench tested every one, I would not have time to do any reviews of my own or to edit the reviews of the staff. Some of the senior editors have review equipment, but it is taking a while for them to learn the software, which is extremely complicated. I wish every product could have bench tests, but it is just not possible for us to do that. ...
written by 2-channel , March 21, 2008 The Marantz is not mass marketed like the Onkyo and it uses hand selected parts. The Marantz is marketed to mid to highend markets where the Onkyo is marketed to those who mostly frequent big box store. Marantz builds a better product showing quality where as the Onkyo is out for gain in money first with quality second. The Onkyo has issues with build quality and heat. This is only a reflection of the mass market, numbers in sales and a cheaper part selection. The Marantz is a better product in every way. 2-Channel music lover. More of the same
written by ds , March 23, 2008 Getting a review that helps with deciding to make a purchase has been hard. Every source has some bias but too bad they could not be more informative but the price eleminates me on this one so probably not my concern. Ned
written by Ned , March 23, 2008 this review was a powder puff piece to promote Marantz. Its sad when you can get a more informative review these days from a print magazine. ...
written by JEJ , March 24, 2008 Secrets readers know we are not into powder puff reporting. The Marantz review is simply one step in a writer's learning to do his best. Each one has to earn his reputation with all the hard knocks that are involved. Unlike some magazines out there, I don't offer jobs to proven writers working for the competition. I prefer for a writer to begin here from the ground up. My senior staff are constantly getting offers from other publications. Most of them prefer to stay right here at Secrets, and to me, loyalty is one of the cornerstones of good character. Thanks
written by Justin , March 25, 2008 I'd agree with the other readers that this piece wasn't extremely helpful to me (I am currently looking for separates or a receiver of this ilk). At the same time, though, I understand a writer's (or any worker's) development process. Furthermore, I appreciate the honesty that goes into all reviews here. Keep up the good work. ...
written by The Zolly Becker show , March 25, 2008 the review was fine, you cant hold bench tests against em, bench tests really only halp subwoofer reviews. I just assume the 805 is better cause THX gave it Ultra2. They may sound Identicle. Hmm, reminds me of real life
written by Stephen , March 28, 2008 Let's see, over priced, under qualified and a pretty face. What's in a label?
written by Michae'l , March 29, 2008 Gee, THX, Ultra2? Do some of you even know what that means? That doesn’t mean it sounds great. It only tells you it will go this fast, stop in this distance, and weigh this much. It tells nothing of how it feels when you actually drive it. Every car has four wheels and an engine. But there is a HUGE difference between a Pinto and a Porche. I suspect the same for Receivers. Just because it has a label means nothing of how it sounds. There is a certain major, member only, on-line retailer that has $49. THX speakers. They surely must sound just as good as the $799. THX speaker’s right?? They both have that label.. ...
written by Norm , April 06, 2008 I don't know why you guys are comparing the Onkyo 805 to the Marantz 8002. The Marantz has a Toroidal Power Transformer whereas the 805 does not. You guys should be comparing the Onkyo 905 to the SR8002. Does anyone know why the Onkyo 805 weighs 18 pounds more than the Marantz 8002 though? Where does all that weight come from? Apples to Apples
written by DJ , April 14, 2008 As these things go, everyone usually falls in love with the gear they plop their hard earned cash for. They always have their own personal reasons....features, ease of set up, "glitchless" out of the box experience, manufacturer repurtation, etc. Truth is, everybody's set up is different. How the electronics interface with each other is different. Regarding this particular review, the reported states what he experienced. Nothing wrong with that. Setting the AVR up on test equipment would have told one story. Some of you have identified some key differences that the reviewer missed (toroidal power supply, high grade capacitors, copper shielding, etc). To me, all of those "key features" are important to an AVR's performance. For example, rarely are all of those 125W needed. But, when you find a piece of music or video source that has dynamic peaks, a toroidal transformer and high grade capacitors will be able to reproduce those faithfully. A copper shielded chassis isolates interference (this lowering the noise floor). I'm a big Marantz SR 8002 fan. I've been a fan of this model's lineage since the SR8200 came out (circa 1999-2000). Tough to compare the Onkyo 805/875 (which I feel was built to a price point while being able to plaster all the available "buzz" terms on it's face plate (this comes from a direct comparison between the Marantz SR 8002 to an Onkyo 805 to a Denon 4806). But, I know of no one who has my exact same set up. E QUANTO AO SOM?
written by ROMANOWSKI L.C. , April 16, 2008 Gosto muitodalinha Marantz,ouço só música. O 8002 em matéria de som é melhor que o Denon 4308? Abraços. Constructive Discussion
written by Richard Thompson , May 17, 2008 Hi guys, I have been following this thread to learn more about the various Receivers out there and the Marantz SR8002 in particular. First of all, I don't have a receiver at the moment. I have a decent stereo system but I am considering a home theater system purchase. My last system purchase happened in 1992 and was in its day worth over $20 (1992 dollars) Here is what I have: Sugden A48 Mk III Amp, Sugden 28P power Amp, Aragon 4T2 Tuner, Nakamichi Dragon Tape Deck, Nakamichi CDP3A CD player, Oracle Premier Turntable, Harmon Kardon Pro Digital/Analog transcription Tape Deck, Harmon Kardon Bitstream CD player, Spica TC 50 Speakers on Target Stands, plus Spica Angelius Speakers (bowties) floor standing monsters, and I have PSB speakers throughout my house. I also have acquired an LG Blue-Ray DVD player, and LG DVD /- RW DVD recorder and I have a Sharp Aquios LCD37D64U flat screen, which is the biggest I could get into my cabinet otherwise I would have gone larger. Now back to your comments, as I see it your all correct from your own perspectives and that is great. I liked it when someone pointed out the Marantz was minimalist or simpler with less bells and whistles. That means where Marantz did expend resources, they went into quality components. Thompson Torroidal Power Supplies are by far the most pure form of power conversion from AC to DC there is in terms of the current state of technology. (I am a Computer Engineer), the spacing of discrete components is refreshing. The discussion on weight is also vaild as it means the Amp will be less influenced from vibration and harmonics (this is good news for Onkyo owners but heat is a bigger threat). An audiophile usually places a heavy object or weight on top of their electronics to weight them down. We also usually upgrade the feet on our components to provide better isolation. By the way, when it comes to electronics, heat is bad news, heat causes power errosion and introduces component fatigue and failure. Now no two of us has exactly the same sensory perception. This means no two of us hear or feel the exact same thing (sonically)as another person. As a consequence, we each have slightly different things we focus on. Also, no two of us have exactly the same room and other factors so what we have in home theater or audio systems in all likelihood is what some people characterize as "good enough". First, we buy what we can find, at a price we believe is acceptable and none of us have heard all possible combinations. Secondly, manufactures fall into many categories, some are innivation leaders, some, quality leaders, others are price leaders. All I am saying is thank you for sharing your individual perspectives, now I will go out and buy something middle of the road, like the Marantz SR8002 because it is not bad, it is generally middle of the pack and there are few issues. But, I won't consider it as worthy of replacing my existing stereo and will now consider updating it as a separate project and I will give-up on the idea of having an all-in-one solution. As for the original article. I also thank the editor and his/her staff because the took some initiative and gave me something to consider. Finally, what-ever I do buy, I will enjoy it and I will stop trying to draw comparrisons afterall that would mean that what I bought was not good enough. Recensione
written by LELE , June 25, 2008 Mediocre... HT vs Hifi
written by db597 , July 22, 2008 The Marantz has it's roots in Hifi - where people would rather spend 5x more money on a high quality 2 channel 50W amplifier than get a 150W all bells and whistles AV amp with the kitchen sink thrown in. If you're even comparing this to Onkyo by looking at the missing features on the spec sheet, then you've already misunderstood the Marantz. Marantz is a Marantz
written by CosminB , July 27, 2008 This is one of the best 7.1 receiver I ever test. Only the Yamaha DSp-Z11 was so good like Marantz SR8002 on audio. The sound is fantastic, very analog like... If you aren't an extremely maniac audiophile, then you will certainly not need an separate stereo amplifier for your speakers. Write comment
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