Looking to upgrade my Processor (Marantz AV8801)

[Audiophilehi]

Hi all,

This is my 1st post so please be gentle.

Looking to upgrade my Processor (Marantz AV8801)

I listen to a lot on concert videos so sound quality is important as well as XLR outputs. The amp I’m using is a McIntosh MC207. My budget is $3000-$3500. New or lightly used is ok.

Thanks,
Paul

 

[Golfx]

Hi all,

This is my 1st post so please be gentle.

Looking to upgrade my Processor (Marantz AV8801)

I listen to a lot on concert videos so sound quality is important as well as XLR outputs. The amp I’m using is a McIntosh MC207. My budget is $3000-$3500. New or lightly used is ok.

Thanks,
Paul

Here are current choices.

https://www.crutchfield.com/g_357450/Surround-Sound-Preamp-Processors.html?tp=48909&o=p

Marantz 7706 fits your budget.

 

[Oddball]

Difficult to recommend with such vague parameters. In the used market perhaps you could get something in your price range.

Some of the parameters would be channel count, number of sub outputs, room correction system, etc.

XLR outputs can be useful for long runs but if runs are short not sure if it makes a lots of difference.

 

[LTig]

Hi all,

This is my 1st post so please be gentle.

Looking to upgrade my Processor (Marantz AV8801)

I listen to a lot on concert videos so sound quality is important as well as XLR outputs. The amp I’m using is a McIntosh MC207. My budget is $3000-$3500. New or lightly used is ok.

Thanks,
Paul

I don't think an AVP with better measurements will be audibly better.

 

[Audiophilehi]

Here are current choices.

https://www.crutchfield.com/g_357450/Surround-Sound-Preamp-Processors.html?tp=48909&o=p

Marantz 7706 fits your budget.

Would the Marantz 7706 improve on the sound quality of the Marantz 8801?

 

[Luvchampagne]

I have the same Marantz processor and eventually I will upgrade. Used AV10 might be in your budget. Saw one on ebay go for $2500. Great review by asr.

 

[Audiophilehi]

Difficult to recommend with such vague parameters. In the used market perhaps you could get something in your price range.

Some of the parameters would be channel count, number of sub outputs, room correction system, etc.

XLR outputs can be useful for long runs but if runs are short not sure if it makes a lots of difference.

I only need 5 channels. It’s only slightly possible I would go to 7 channels. 2 subwoofers as well.

 

[Golfx]

Would the Marantz 7706 improve on the sound quality of the Marantz 8801?

Do you have a choice of keeping yours?

You could find measurable improvements which would not result in an audible difference. Meaning the human ear will not be a sensitive as bench measurements.

At your price range, the 7706 is the best you can get unless you find a good used AVP, and then you have to deal with possible defects not covered by a warranty.

 

[Audiophilehi]

Do you have a choice of keeping yours?

Yes, my av8801 is still in great condition. Sounds really good as well. It’s about 12 years old so I would think that something current would sound better and I would be able to take advantage of the additional features.

 

[Boarder1995]

My understanding of reading around here and other places is the 8801 and that era were some pretty well built pieces by Marantz. The newer units may do some things better (higher resolution video, more channels, newer formats), but not necessarily actually measure better… in fact may measure worse. But this may all be below most human hearing thresholds too. Unless you go AV10 like suggested above.

I’ve got a 7702 (not mk2) and it’s starting to exhibit some quirks which I’m able to work around pretty well. But it may be giving me a heads up to start looking myself.

 

[Audio Science Pal]

Would the Marantz 7706 improve on the sound quality of the Marantz 8801?

I have a Marantz 7705 and a Marantz 8801 controlling 2 different sets of speakers in the same room. I bet that if someone secretly swapped them I would NOT hear any change.

 

[Oddball]

I only need 5 channels. It’s only slightly possible I would go to 7 channels. 2 subwoofers as well.

I might be wrong but recall that 8801 doesn’t support D&M $20 app or Audy MultiEQ X $200 app so that would be features that newer Marantz AVPs like 7706 8805A and AV 10 would support. There are obviously other features that these models have but might not be relevant to you. While it all depends on room and system, chances are that well calibrated MultiEQ X will sound better than AVR calibration for same Audy XT32. AV 10 would also support Dirac which many like.

There is also Anthem AV 70 that could work for you, or used bigger brother AV 90. Both have ARC room correction that is also pretty effective. Difficult to recommend Audy vs Dirac vs ARC as that would depend on room and system and your expertise to tune them in. Some members do complain about fan noise for these units but some don’t.

Beyond this if you drop XLR requirements, you could use AVRs as processors only (via pre-outs) and then would have much more to choose from.

As AV10 owner can definitely recommend the unit and $2.5K seems like pretty good price. One thing to have in mind that a number of units from early September 2023 production exhibited some issues with random cracking noise so probably best to avoid that batch. Serial number will have date of production.

Re SINAD all of modern AVPs and AVRs are considered by most sufficiency transparent, but there is a measurable difference and range generally from 90-107dB with AV 10 and AV 90 leading the pack.

 

[LTig]

Yes, my av8801 is still in great condition. Sounds really good as well. It’s about 12 years old so I would think that something current would sound better and I would be able to take advantage of the additional features.

If you need new features (Atmos, Dirac, ...) not available on the AV8801 then go for a new one, otherwise keep it as it will not sound audibly better than newer and/or better measuring AVPs. Wait with an update until you really need new features or the AV8801 breaks down beyond repair.

 

[Audiophilehi]

I might be wrong but recall that 8801 doesn’t support D&M $20 app or Audy MultiEQ X $200 app so that would be features that newer Marantz AVPs like 7706 8805A and AV 10 would support. There are obviously other features that these models have but might not be relevant to you. While it all depends on room and system, chances are that well calibrated MultiEQ X will sound better than AVR calibration for same Audy XT32. AV 10 would also support Dirac which many like.

There is also Anthem AV 70 that could work for you, or used bigger brother AV 90. Both have ARC room correction that is also pretty effective. Difficult to recommend Audy vs Dirac vs ARC as that would depend on room and system and your expertise to tune them in. Some members do complain about fan noise for these units but some don’t.

Beyond this if you drop XLR requirements, you could use AVRs as processors only (via pre-outs) and then would have much more to choose from.

As AV10 owner can definitely recommend the unit and $2.5K seems like pretty good price. One thing to have in mind that a number of units from early September 2023 production exhibited some issues with random cracking noise so probably best to avoid that batch. Serial number will have date of production.

Re SINAD all of modern AVPs and AVRs are considered by most sufficiency transparent, but there is a measurable difference and range generally from 90-107dB with AV 10 and AV 90 leading the pack.

I do have my sights on the Anthem AV 70 hoping to get a lightly used one or a new one on sale.

I think $2500 for a used AV10 was a colossal deal but I haven’t seen anything close to that currently up for sale.

 

[linger63]

Hi all,

This is my 1st post so please be gentle.

Looking to upgrade my Processor (Marantz AV8801)

I listen to a lot on concert videos so sound quality is important as well as XLR outputs. The amp I’m using is a McIntosh MC207. My budget is $3000-$3500. New or lightly used is ok.

Thanks,
Paul

FWIW

The 77** series Marantz models are made in Vietnam.
I believe the 88** series Marantz models have higher quality DAC's and are made in Japan.

That being said I have an older AV7703 and am still quite happy with it.
I think a used AV10 which Amir reviewed favorably would suit your budget best.....if you can find one!!!!!!

 

[Oddball]

I do have my sights on the Anthem AV 70 hoping to get a lightly used one or a new one on sale.

I think $2500 for a used AV10 was a colossal deal but I haven’t seen anything close to that currently up for sale.

Just to round up the list, there is also Monoprice HTP-1 processor with Dirac that might work price wise. There were some issues initially with that unit but from what I heard, they are for the most part (if not all) ironed out. You should check the forums to see what is the current state of reliability etc.

There are some cheaper processors as well, but don't know enough about them to either recommend them or not.

BTW, at least in EU, new AV-10 units can often be found for EUR 5K after discounts. Otherwise, don't see much of them used as probably the only reason to part with AV-10 would be going to much more expensive Storm or Trinnov processors - and not many do.

 

[Madhuski]

I have a Marantz 7705 and a Marantz 8801 controlling 2 different sets of speakers in the same room. I bet that if someone secretly swapped them I would NOT hear any change.

I swapped my trinnov our for an av10 and didn’t notice much difference, so I bet you are right

 

[peng]

I have a Marantz 7705 and a Marantz 8801 controlling 2 different sets of speakers in the same room. I bet that if someone secretly swapped them I would NOT hear any change.

I had the AV8801 for quite a few years so I would say with confidence that that would be the case (ie vs the 7705) if direct/pure direct modes are used, though the AV8801 would be noisier so one might hear hiss in a quiet room from several to 10 feet away depending on how one's sensitivity is to hiss.

 

[LTig]

FWIW

The 77** series Marantz models are made in Vietnam.
I believe the 88** series Marantz models have higher quality DAC's and are made in Japan.

The specs regarding SINAD published by Marantz are identical for the 77 and 88 series AVPs. AFAIK it's 0.008% THD.

 

[Vacceo]

I swapped my trinnov our for an av10 and didn’t notice much difference, so I bet you are right

Yours is an interesting case because on paper, it sounds like a downgrade. What was your logic for the change?