Denon X4700H or Marantz Cinema 50?

[PHD]

Hi

I'm considering upgrading my X4400H. I currently have 2 SVS SB200 pro subs calibrated using MiniDSP and MSO and introduced to the AVR as a single sub.

I'm planing on adding 2 more subs and using OCA's A1 Evo script either alone or combined with MiniDSP and MSO.

If I want to use only the A1 Evo script with 4 subs then I must upgrade to the Cinema 50 (~$1600). If I'm gonna keep using MiniDSP and MSO, then I could just upgrade to the Denon X4700H (~$1200).


Which would be the better choice in my case? I do have 3 external power amps (Hypex NC400) for the front and center, so the AVR amps will only need to power the surrounds and 4 heights speakers).

Cinema 50 measurements:

Marantz Cinema 50 AVR Review

My Friends C50 and I don't know the price of this item. You can see what I saw. This is what it looks like. 4ohm, optical in, front LR, 20k 4ohm, optical in, front LR, 22.4k 4ohm, optical in, front LR, 40k 4ohm, rca in, front LR, 20k 4ohm, rca in, front LR, 22.4k 4ohm, rca...

www.audiosciencereview.com

X4700H measurements:

Denon AVR-X4700 AVR Review (Updated)

This is a second review of the Denon AVR-X4700 AVR. It was kindly purchased by a member and drop shipped to me. It costs US $1,700 from Amazon including free shipping. I will explain the reason for the revision in a bit. For now, I will cut and paste some of the information from the first...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Is it ok to conclude that the Cinema 50 measures better overall? If I get the Cinema 50 I could sell my MiniDSP because I could connect all 4 subs directly to the AVR. I wonder which setup would sound better?

Thanks

 

[Golfx]

Hi

I'm considering upgrading my X4400H. I currently have 2 SVS SB200 pro subs calibrated using MiniDSP and MSO and introduced to the AVR as a single sub.

I'm planing on adding 2 more subs and using OCA's A1 Evo script either alone or combined with MiniDSP and MSO.

If I want to use only the A1 Evo script with 4 subs then I must upgrade to the Cinema 50 (~$1600). If I'm gonna keep using MiniDSP and MSO, then I could just upgrade to the Denon X4700H (~$1200).


Which would be the better choice in my case? I do have 3 external power amps (Hypex NC400) for the front and center, so the AVR amps will only need to power the surrounds and 4 heights speakers).

Cinema 50 measurements:

Marantz Cinema 50 AVR Review

My Friends C50 and I don't know the price of this item. You can see what I saw. This is what it looks like. 4ohm, optical in, front LR, 20k 4ohm, optical in, front LR, 22.4k 4ohm, optical in, front LR, 40k 4ohm, rca in, front LR, 20k 4ohm, rca in, front LR, 22.4k 4ohm, rca...

www.audiosciencereview.com

X4700H measurements:

Denon AVR-X4700 AVR Review (Updated)

This is a second review of the Denon AVR-X4700 AVR. It was kindly purchased by a member and drop shipped to me. It costs US $1,700 from Amazon including free shipping. I will explain the reason for the revision in a bit. For now, I will cut and paste some of the information from the first...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Is it ok to conclude that the Cinema 50 measures better overall? If I get the Cinema 50 I could sell my MiniDSP because I could connect all 4 subs directly to the AVR. I wonder which setup would sound better?

Thanks

For many too confusing issues regarding bass room modes I will simplify by saying the miniDSP (2x4 HD) will allow you to set/balance your 4 subs and then most importantly combine their output to treat all four as if they were one sub for EQ purposes. The ”one sub combined for EQ” is why you would use the miniDSP 2x4 HD.

Just because the Marantz has 4 individual sub outputs is not as desirable as being able to combine them before EQ. Marantz individual EQ will not deliver solid even bass like a MiniDSP 2x4 HD can. I am not familiar with what DIRAC ARC will do in the future so maybe the Marantz will allow DIRAC to sum the bass during EQ.

But there is no reason, other than money, not to buy the Marantz and use an appropriate miniDSP.

 

[PHD]

For many too confusing issues regarding bass room modes I will simplify by saying the miniDSP (2x4 HD) will allow you to set/balance your 4 subs and then most importantly combine their output to treat all four as if they were one sub for EQ purposes. The ”one sub combined for EQ” is why you would use the miniDSP 2x4 HD.

Just because the Marantz has 4 individual sub outputs is not as desirable as being able to combine them before EQ. Marantz individual EQ will not deliver solid even bass like a MiniDSP 2x4 HD can. I am not familiar with what DIRAC ARC will do in the future so maybe the Marantz will allow DIRAC to sum the bass during EQ.

But there is no reason, other than money, not to buy the Marantz and use an appropriate miniDSP.

So, keeping the MiniDSP and using the ”one sub combined for EQ” approach (MSO then A1 Evo script with "one super sub") and going with the Cinema 50 is my best option performance-wise?

Thanks

 

[Golfx]

So, keeping the MiniDSP and using the ”one sub combined for EQ” approach (MSO then A1 Evo script with "one super sub") and going with the Cinema 50 is my best option performance-wise?

Thanks

Yes. The Marantz will be future proof be adding DIRAC options if desired. Does your MiniDSP allow for four subs?

 

[Oddball]

If you are looking at having option for Dirac, and potentially ART, at lower (half?) cost you could get Denon 3800H. Not sure if Marantz 50 is really adding much except the cost, or as some people believe, better looks. Looks like you already have plans for more subs so this could fund part of it.

 

[Palmspar]

The cinema 40 is on the same tier as the denon 4800, cinema 50 is more like the denon 3800.
Ubgrading from 4400 to 4700 looks not realy an upgrade to me and the cinema 50 is a lower tier.

 

[PHD]

Yes. The Marantz will be future proof be adding DIRAC options if desired. Does your MiniDSP allow for four subs?

Yes. The 2X4 HD has two inputs and 4 independent outputs. BTW, does the Cinema 50 have the Alpha processing whatever that does? It says jitter correction and HDAM, is that the equivalent of alpha proc on Denon? Should I even care?

Thanks

 

[Golfx]

Most people choose Marantz because of prior loyalty and marketing claims. I have always owned Denon (A110) equivalents in my past. Denon equivalents will be cheaper and likely just as well built.

 

[Oddball]

Yes. The 2X4 HD has two inputs and 4 independent outputs. BTW, does the Cinema 50 have the Alpha processing whatever that does? It says jitter correction and HDAM, is that the equivalent of alpha proc on Denon? Should I even care?

Thanks

Just look at the measurements and that will tell you the story. You should really not care about Alpha processing, jitter correction and HDAM. Just the plain sight features that are comparable. I own Marantz, but that is because Denon does not do AVPs.

 

[Miker 1102]

Hi

I'm considering upgrading my X4400H. I currently have 2 SVS SB200 pro subs calibrated using MiniDSP and MSO and introduced to the AVR as a single sub.

I'm planing on adding 2 more subs and using OCA's A1 Evo script either alone or combined with MiniDSP and MSO.

If I want to use only the A1 Evo script with 4 subs then I must upgrade to the Cinema 50 (~$1600). If I'm gonna keep using MiniDSP and MSO, then I could just upgrade to the Denon X4700H (~$1200).


Which would be the better choice in my case? I do have 3 external power amps (Hypex NC400) for the front and center, so the AVR amps will only need to power the surrounds and 4 heights speakers).

Cinema 50 measurements:

Marantz Cinema 50 AVR Review

My Friends C50 and I don't know the price of this item. You can see what I saw. This is what it looks like. 4ohm, optical in, front LR, 20k 4ohm, optical in, front LR, 22.4k 4ohm, optical in, front LR, 40k 4ohm, rca in, front LR, 20k 4ohm, rca in, front LR, 22.4k 4ohm, rca...

www.audiosciencereview.com

X4700H measurements:

Denon AVR-X4700 AVR Review (Updated)

This is a second review of the Denon AVR-X4700 AVR. It was kindly purchased by a member and drop shipped to me. It costs US $1,700 from Amazon including free shipping. I will explain the reason for the revision in a bit. For now, I will cut and paste some of the information from the first...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Is it ok to conclude that the Cinema 50 measures better overall? If I get the Cinema 50 I could sell my MiniDSP because I could connect all 4 subs directly to the AVR. I wonder which setup would sound better?

Thanks

I hope you get the boost you want. When I switched from the 4400 to the 3800 I thought it was neat for movies but not much for music. I didn't use the Dirac features but used Dirac on other systems. I am going to wait for ART confirmation. I am actually using a 4500 right now and the 3800 is in the closet. I am happy with the sound