The Official Marantz AV8003 Thread

[ShockWave]

Figured I would start a thread so we can discuss this unit here!

Marantz Site
http://us.marantz.com/Products/2317.asp

Reviews
http://www.ultimateavmag.com/amplifiers/808mar/

http://hometheaterreview.com/marantz...fier-reviewed/

http://us.marantz.com/Products/2317.asp

Marantz AV8003 Processor
Inputs:
Video: HDMI 1.3a (4), component video (4), S-video (4), composite video (4)
Audio: Coaxial digital (3), optical digital (3), 7.1-channel analog (1), stereo analog (10), balanced XLR (1)
Outputs:
Video: HDMI (2), component video (3) S-video (3), composite video (3)
Audio: Coaxial digital (1), optical digital (1), stereo analog (6), preamp (8 each balanced XLR, single-ended RCA)
Additional: Ethernet (1) RS-232 (1), XM (1), Sirius (1), remote control (4), 12-volt trigger (2), IR jack (2)
Audio Decoding: Dolby: Dolby: TrueHD, Digital 5.1, EX, Pro Logic IIx; DTS: DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS, ES, 96/24, Neo: 6; Other: HDCD, 7.1-channel stereo
THX Certification: Ultra2
Dimensions (W x H x D, inches): 17.32 x 6.75 x 15.19
Weight (pounds): 25.5
Price: $2,600


Testing the Marazntz AV8003 with music was a blast. The first thing I did was set the source direct setting. Here is what source direct setting does.

Marantz provides Source Direct mode for the purest audio reproduction of 2-channel sources. Source Direct bypasses the tone controls, EQ, and bass management. I was using my Sony blu-ray player via hdmi to listen to music. Once I get the Oppo-83 I might update my review.

I am glad I choose the Marantz, I am a purist at heart now.. I really enjoy the source and the way the original material was meant to sound and look. I never knew this about myself until I bought the Marantz and heard the absolute natural sound coming from my speakers. I have always like EQing my system, but more on this later.

Music/CD.


I wanted to first hear a very clear voice singer so I can hear purity. Nothing like an old school recording. No synthesizer and the works.

1. Frank Sinatra Greatest Hits.


First thing I notice was how airy the sound was. Voice was right on. It was like Frank was right in my livingroom. Was quite amazing, this maybe more my speakers but the soundstage was huge, and the imaging was on point. I couldn’t tell what speakers were working at one point I had to go up to my center to make sure that sound wasn’t coming out of it. Seemed like all speakers were on but only the two. That was a treat, the sonic performance. Each instrument was very pure. My wife playing in the band in high school and college at UF. She is very musical and she was blown away of the reproduction of the accurate sound of each instrument. Absolutely no coloring of sound at all.

2.Dave Matthews Band Crash.

Again, everything played so natural. Instruments, voice, and bass sounded exactly how they should untouched.

3. I don’t want to keep saying the same thing over and over. But, I did play tons of music. The Sundays, Doors, Pink Floyd, Prince, George Michael’s, Beatles, Tina Turner, Cyndi Lauper, Tu Pac, Shia, and tons more. Female voices really shined. I can honestly say the Marantz AV8003 is very musical and natural and that is what I really like about it.


Movies.

I set up all my settings manual using a SPL meter. I set all speakers to small, bass out sub, and bass to 80hz. Blu-Ray player was set to bitstream audio. Now with the Marantz Incoming HDMI signals are passed without any video processing, regardless of their resolution. Which is exactly what I want, I do not want my pre/pro to have video processing at all. The reason I bought a Kuro is because of its legendary video quality. I don’t want my blu-ray player, pre/pro and my monitor doing processing all at the same time. That could have negative effects, so to me this is fine. When I finally get an Oppo-83 I will change my setting to see which one does better with upconversion, monitor or player.


1.Star Trek. https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Star-Trek-Blu-ray/6086/
2.Matrix https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-U...-Blu-ray/1089/
3.Terminator Salvation https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Termi...-Blu-ray/5166/
4. 2001: A Space Odyssey https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/2001-...y-Blu-ray/511/
5. The Blind Side https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-B...-Blu-ray/9317/

DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
LPCM 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Dolby TrueHD 5.1

Right from the start the sound blew me away. Every explosion, photon blast, and when music played was phenomenal. Everything was very detailed and the sounds were very accurate. I have never heard anything so clear before. I can only compare to Yamaha’s I have had in the past. I am far from an expert. But I can definitely tell a huge different over my AVR. The difference in clarity, detail, and accuracy was easily heard. Dialog was spot on as well., every voice that came out of my center was very clear and well defined. Every channel was clearly separate, gave a 3D sound field. I was floored, with how open everything sounded. From dialog, music and sound effects, everything was so natural and open. Music was a huge treat on the Marantz. When some think of movies they forget how much music is actually in a movie. The Marantz shined, with its purist approach.. Music comes to life like it’s no bodies business. I love it!!

I ran Audyssey at the end of my two-week auditioning. Took me about 15 minutes to set it all up. Right from the start Audyssey was not impressive to me. The sounds were not as natural and it didn’t come a live to me like it did when the EQing was off. I may have did something wrong not sure. But I know for me and my room I didn’t like it. I think Marantz has turned me into a purist, where everything must be to its rawest form. Did I ever think that would be me, NO! But it has happened, Marantz has changed me. I love pure sound no coloring at all. For instance a gunshot. Everyone has a idea what a gun shot should sound like. With EQing off, it sounded just like that a gunshot, simple enough. But with Audyssey, is sounded like a extreme gunshot. Like a gunshot on roids, not a natural sound. Hope that makes sense it does to me. =)


Marantz has tons of bells and whistles. I can’t go into all of it but you can check it out on their Webster or if you have a question I can try to answer it.

http://us.marantz.com/Products/2317.asp

Setting up was really not that hard for me. Pretty basic if you ask me. The remote takes a bit of a learning curve but once you get it it’s easy.

I will post pictures of the OSD settings so you can see them.
Things to note and my be problems for some.

The Marantz cannot decode HD audio and use the Audyssey coding at the same time. To use this you must send PCM from your player to the Marantz. This will cause the display to show PCM/Multi channel instead of HD.

Only four HDMI inputs

The video processor is not the best when upscaling DVD to HD. May want to bypass this and let your player do the upconverting.

Marantz’s Network Player doesn’t stream data from the Internet.

The AV8003 is getting old. But that doesn’t change the greatness of sound quality. If you plan on bypassing the video and not going 3D anytime soon. This is an amazing piece. Get a deal on one and have a smile on your face for years to come.


Well this is my first review. Not sure if it will help anyone decide on it but I tried to convey my point of view.