Marantz AV20 13.4 Channel AVP Discussion

[Jorginho]

Any owners here moved from an Anthem to the Marantz? I am considering a sidestep from my Anthem Avm 70 (4k) to the AV20/10. wondering if you noticed much difference in sound quality? I like the Anthem but its test tones during calibration are ridiculously loud so much i fear that it might eventually damage my speakers, plus the whacky reference level setting that drives me nuts.

As a happy owner of an AV20, I would still not recommend switching. You probably will not notice any difference bar those minor issues you mention.
Both the Anthem AVM 70/90 and Marantz AV10/20 were the ones I really wanted, each with their own strength (not many weaknesses in any of them), at the end it came down to pricing and size, so ultimately it was : AVM 70 vs AV20.
If you really want to "sidestep", consider waiting for the next generation in a few years; and even then you probably would just get the new features, not hear differences.
Use the money saved to condition the room and upgrade speakers instead, you will get really differences there.

 

[peng]

Too many options to upgrade! It seems do nothing is the easiest choice for now, the Anthem is mot bad, the calibration loud tone is terrifying but I don’t do that often enough to risk my hearing or speakers.

 

[peng]

As a happy owner of an AV20, I would still not recommend switching. You probably will not notice any difference bar those minor issues you mention.
Both the Anthem AVM 70/90 and Marantz AV10/20 were the ones I really wanted, each with their own strength (not many weaknesses in any of them), at the end it came down to pricing and size, so ultimately it was : AVM 70 vs AV20.
If you really want to "sidestep", consider waiting for the next generation in a few years; and even then you probably would just get the new features, not hear differences.
Use the money saved to condition the room and upgrade speakers instead, you will get really differences there.

Agreed, except the AV10/20’s DLBC and ART is clearly an worthy upgrade imo, objectively anyway, but I do realize whether that feature alone is worth $800-1000 for the licenses is a subjective matter.

 

[Electric_Haggis]

Considering a an AV20 vs the cheaper 8802A
Any real appreciatble difference in processor / DAC quality???

 

[dlaloum]

Considering a an AV20 vs the cheaper 8802A
Any real appreciatble difference in processor / DAC quality???

The DAC differences are likely to be well below the threshold of audibility, but having Dirac ART makes an obvious and substantive difference - so I would definitely opt of the AV20 due to ART

 

[Ssmokeyy]

Av20 is amazing. At first I was worried about the dac chips they used. Now I have no worries. I had a the integra drx 8.4 and sounded like trash compared to the av20.

 

[peng]

Av20 is amazing. At first I was worried about the dac chips they used. Now I have no worries. I had a the integra drx 8.4 and sounded like trash compared to the av20.

Wonder why you were worried in the first place, you do know the AV20 and AV10 use the same DAC IC, that is the reference class ES9018K2M right? The implementation scheme will mostly likely be (>99% chance I would guess) identical in terms of parts and circuitry as the AV10, but with 2 fewer channels.

 

[Ssmokeyy]

In my eyes it seemed like a lower quality dac ic than the integra model had.

 

[peng]

In my eyes it seemed like a lower quality dac ic than the integra model had.

The Integra's ES9026Pro is very good too, better than those used in the non flagship D+M AVRs, but not considered "reference" by ESS.

It is more comparable to the ES9017S used in the AV30, Cinema 30, AVR-X6800H, about 10 dB lower SINAD than the AV20's ES9018K2M.

The following ESS site has links to the data sheets of their DAC ICs if you are interested:

SABRE Audiophile DACs – ESS Technology, Inc.

www.esstech.com

 

[Electric_Haggis]

As I'm on the market - Is the AV8805 audibly inferior to the new AV20 ???

 

[Sal1950]

As I'm on the market - Is the AV8805 audibly inferior to the new AV20 ???

Most likely not, but as we all know sighted listening bias can effect our experiences.
It's the ole adage of "once you know, you know" and with the measurements telling you it's definitely inferior, you're experience could be affected..
If the price of a AV20 doesn't totally cripple your finances, go for it.
A year from now you'll forget about how much you spent and be very comfortable with the knowledge that you have a SOTA AV.
JMHO

 

[Electric_Haggis]

Most likely not, but as we all know sighted listening bias can effect our experiences.
It's the ole adage of "once you know, you know" and with the measurements telling you it's definitely inferior, you're experience could be affected..
If the price of a AV20 doesn't totally cripple your finances, go for it.
A year from now you'll forget about how much you spent and be very comfortable with the knowledge that you have a SOTA AV.
JMHO

Thanks for thT advice.
As I don't see much extra benefit in our heavily treated room, I reckon a 2nd 8805 will do just fine.
(Also prefer the chassis design

Just need to confirm DACs & HDMI switching speed...

 

[Sal1950]

Just need to confirm DACs & HDMI switching speed...

??? DAC is the biggest difference between them measurement wise, audible sound quality we've already covered. HDMI switching? I never noticed any real difference between my older Marantz and newer.