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.

[red_5ive]

Can't wait to see it in your setup and read your impressions on it!

[Intamin]

Nice unit! I couldn't justify the price difference of it over the 40.1, but I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it!

[ManUtd]

Shockwave fantastic choice for a pre/pro! I want to know how it performs with your 803's.

[turboLAZER]

being a fellow Marantz owner i feel obligated to make sure everyone knows the unique design drawback of all Marantz receivers and pre/pros.

if you choose to use the onboard HD audio decoders, the Audyssey acoustic EQ and the manual EQ are automatically disabled. If you prefer a flat EQ, this is not an issue. If you use your BD players internal HD audio decoder, you can still use the EQ on a multi channel PCM(as long as the PCM isn't greater than 96kHz)

[red_5ive]

Originally Posted by turboLAZER

being a fellow Marantz owner i feel obligated to make sure everyone knows the unique design drawback of all Marantz receivers and pre/pros.

if you choose to use the onboard HD audio decoders, the Audyssey acoustic EQ and the manual EQ are automatically disabled. If you prefer a flat EQ, this is not an issue. If you use your BD players internal HD audio decoder, you can still use the EQ on a multi channel PCM(as long as the PCM isn't greater than 96kHz)

True, but if you consider Marantz' design philosophy that "audio comes first", it's understandable that minimal processing is their goal. I don't find this to be a drawback at all so long as you have a player that will decode the HD codecs and send them out multi-ch PCM. And for that matter blu-ray films should be identical bitstreamed or PCM w/o Audyssey engaged. The SR5004 I tried out last week performed impressively both as a pre-pro and solo with my Oppo BDP-80 decoding and the SR5004 running Audyssey.

[btf1980]

Good choice!

[ShockWave]

Finally got the Marantz today! Now getting everything set up and learning how to use it.

[SeanMF]

Originally Posted by ShockWave

Finally got the Marantz today! Now getting everything set up and learning how to use it.

Very nice. How much did you pay for it? I'm looking for a good deal on the 8003 pre/pro now since I sold my sc-05 receiver.

[ShockWave]

Yeah I got a good deal on it. But, I bought it from a friend that works at a HT store in Sanford. I get deals from him when he can, and I was able to land it on this piece. I got it for half of what you find on the web.

[Hammie]

Nice score, SW!

[red_5ive]

Originally Posted by ShockWave

Finally got the Marantz today! Now getting everything set up and learning how to use it.

Congrats! I was beginning to wonder when I'd see an update to this thread.

[ShockWave]

[red_5ive]

I gather from the silence that ShockWave must be having a blast with the 8003.

[ShockWave]

Originally Posted by red_5ive

I gather from the silence that ShockWave must be having a blast with the 8003.

haha! I am taking it all in. Learning each step till I own it. Will take me a bit but I will be sure to update my thoughts on it. So far I can't ask for more!

[Hammie]

It looks like a great box, but the lack of additional HDMI inputs over my current Denon, makes me want to consider something else.

[ShockWave]

Originally Posted by Hammie

It looks like a great box, but the lack of additional HDMI inputs over my current Denon, makes me want to consider something else.

Yeah that can be an issue with some. For me not at all. I have my bedroom where I do all my gaming. I have two free HDMI ports open right now. The only thing I may add is another ps3 down the road and I might move my Vudu to the main room instead of the bedroom.

My main concern was Movies and Music. And so far this thing shines. Just set up all the HD radio setting. I will do some serious movie watching and music listening this weekend.

[ShockWave]

My review is up. Hope it makes sense LOL!

[ShockWave]

My review is in the first post after all the specs. Didn't make it clear. Either no one saw it or nobody gives a hoot! Either way I tried to give a decent review hope others enjoy it.

[jdub]

I care Great review! I have a lower model Marantz that I love just wish it had a bit more power. I was thinking of going emotiva or find some Marantz monoblocks on audiogon. A lot of people say that Marantz has a warm sound. Did you not notice that at all? You said it was very neutral. Maybe in pure direct mode?? Awesome setup btw I am jealous