HDMI Selector
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Sunday, July 26, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Marantz Mount20BL Ceiling Mount Bracket for VP-11 / VP-15 Review
Mount Kit for VP-11/15 series
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Friday, July 24, 2009
Dedicated Second Zone Remote Review
For simple Main-zone remote For Multi-zone A, B and C (for future use) remote Discrete Input Select Preset IR code library (TV, CD, DVD and DSS) Cloning function Backlighting
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Thursday, July 23, 2009
Marantz VP-15S1 Ultra High Definition 1080p DLP Projector Review
DLP Video Projector
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Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Marantz VP-11S2 Ultra High Definition 1080p DLP Projector Review
World's First DC4 Ultra High Definition DLP Projector
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Monday, July 20, 2009
Marantz Programmable/Learning Remote Review
Easy-to-Read LCD Display with Adjustable Contrast Backlighting Feature for LCD and Buttons Simplified Programming, Naming & Control Functions Separate Channel and Volume Up/Down Keys Located for Easy, Comfortable Access Large Memory Capacity Non-volatile Memory Assures Programmed Commands will not be Erased from Memory Macro Capability Programmable Timer function Built-in Commands for Marantz A/V Components and Other Major Manufacturers Products
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Sunday, July 19, 2009
Marantz ST7001 XM Ready and AM/FM Stereo Tuner Review
I'm not a radio guy. Talk radio strikes me as little more than commercialized high-school agit-prop. The ads are ridiculous. The playlists are overly homogenous. And because I actually tend to listen to music rather than simply use it as a distraction, or as background, radio is clearly not a medium aimed at me. But still, there's NPR, there's Air America, there's the occasional demand to address the common need for something pleasant in the background while guests are present. And so in middle age I have at long last succumbed and bought my first-ever stand alone tuner. I installed the Marantz to supplant the unsatisfactory performance of the tuner section of the Linn Klassik we use as a preamp for the general household system, and the improvement is remarkable. Great functionality, near CD quality sound and -- so far -- rock solid reliability. Who would have thought that a Marantz would so easily outperform a Linn in so many ways?
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Saturday, July 18, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Onkyo A-9555 Integrated Digital Stereo Amplifier (Black) Review
This was to possible replace either my Pioneer Elite A91D or my Pioneer Reference A717 integrated amp in some casual listening systems I have. I kind of bought it on a whim without doing any research on it.
First blush casual listening I thought the Onkyo A-9555 had some potential, seemed warm and inviting sounding, but that all changed with more listening time. After doing some critical listening with widely varied sources over time I have to do an about face. First impressions are not what they seem with this amp.
Quick summary: Joni Mitchell, Court and Spark for vocals. Vocals sound nice, but things seem a bit soft. Time to get more demanding on the amp.
Holst The Planets for classical. Again sounds smooth at times, but when there's powerful passages, things go limp, the power of the orchestra actually seems to collapse in on itself. An odd thing to say the least and VERY unacceptable for any listening situation.
Some bass demanding pop stuff, Chumbawamba Tubthumping, NOW we really find the pig with lipstick on showing up. The guts just are not there. This tune can easily make the whole house shake with either Pioneer amp, it isn't happening with this thing. The speakers are willing but the amp is seriously straining.
Some pretty demanding jazz fusion, Love Devotion Surrender W/ John McLaughlin & Santana, the tune Love Supreme, where's the beef? Just does not pin me in my seat like it should. John's guitar loses that immediate in your face quality that I love about this recording.
Rock, Robin Trower, remastered Bridge Of Sighs. Same story, the amp just doesn't have any beef when pushed above casual listening levels, everything seems to collapse in on itself and gets compressed.
The final nail in the coffin, some of my own tapes, these were loose off the cuff jams that actually sound pretty good, there's a lot of quiet passages as well as full tilt rock blues....a Fender Twin with a wailing Gibson Explorer, a Fender bass guitar through a Peavy 2X15" amp, and a small drum kit, very raw, simple, clean uncompressed recordings. Here's where the amp really fell on its face. The Pioneer Elite amps play my stuff and never run out of steam. I always get a bit of a grin listening to my own brand of sonic noise. But with this amp it sounded like someone did too much compression on the recordings and they actually sounded harsher than normal. I literally had to turn the tapes off, I couldn't stand what I was hearing.
To verify I drug out another similar power rated integrated amp I had laying around, a Sansui AUX 911DG, which I always felt was a bit smoother sounding than the Pioneers, but didn't quite have the same amount of beef. It got moth balled due to an occasionally noisy volume pot.
The Sansui sounded easily just as smooth as the Onkyo on the same passages when the Onkyo was actually managing to sound smooth, but the Sansui didn't fall flat on its face when things got demanding like the Onkyo does.
My opinion, I now think the high end is rolled off on this amp giving a first impression of tube like warmth and smoothness. Fact is though the air and extreme top end is sorely lacking on this amp, the edge of breath on vocals, the tail of reverb, cymbals, all lose that top end making them sound more lifeless.
First impression may be one of "oh this amp sounds musical, smooth" BUT....When asked to deliver the goods it's true colors show. Mind you all of these amps I'm comparing it to are "rated" at around 85 -100 watts per channel, close enough to being the same power for all intents. But this class D amp just can't run with a class A/B of similar rating when pushed. It might be fine for quite, low demanding music and background listening, but for any attempt at serious listening it falls far too short.
For $399 it's a nice little amp, list $799, forget it. I'll hang on to my old Pioneers until they smoke out. This one goes into the garage system or on E bay.
UPDATE 06/29/09.
Well after a few months of living with this I stand even FIRMER by my original review. Time has not changed anything and I have now pulled the amp from the system it was in and relegated it to my garage system, which is where it belongs. A FAR CRY from a great amp for sure.
Buy it here now!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
MARANTZ RC9001 PC Programmable/Learning Touchscreen Remote Review
PC programmable/learning touchscreen remote with a large, flush surface TFT color touch screen.
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Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Marantz ZS5300 Multi-Zone Control Power Amplifier Review
This product retails at $799.99 ($800) from Marantz. I don't know why it costs so much here.
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Monday, July 13, 2009
Onkyo TX-SR806 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver (Black) Review
The Onkyo TX-SR806S is an upgrade from a 5 year old Panasonic SA-HE200. HDMI connectivity was the number one priority for me. And it is silver - matches some of the equipment in my rack. I was also very happy to pay under $600 for this item! I am running all audio through the 806, and all video with the exception of the PC. I have a very difficult room - hardwood floors, with pocket doors behind me and on the left side of the living room. The speaker calibration worked wonders in smoothing out the sound in the room. I am hearing more from my speakers now - it's very subtle and the improvement is noticeable.
Connected devices:
JBL E20's - Front
JBL EC25 - Center
Velodyne DPS-12 - Sub
JBL E10's - Surrounds
Paradigm Atoms - Surround Backs
Toshiba HD XA2 HD DVD
Sony DHG-HDD 250 HD DVR
Sony RDR-GX300 DVD Recorder
Dish Network 501 DVR
HP Digital Entertainment Center de100c
Sony VCR
Terk HDTV I antenna
Home Theater PC with LG combo Blu-Ray/HD DVD Drive
Technics SL 1500 Mk2 Turntable
Mitsubishi WD-Y65 65" DLP RPTV
Pros:
Build quality - it's built like a tank
Ability to assign inputs and rename them, extremely flexible.
5 HDMI inputs
Ease of speaker calibration with Audyssey MultEQ
Decoding of Dolby True HD and DTS HD Master Audio
Audio quality - The sound is very clear, detailed and clean - even at low listening levels thanks to THX Loudness Plus
Phono Input - vinyl sounds fantastic through the Onkyo.
FM Tuner - Very sensitive, picks up weaker stations much better than my previous receiver
Cons:
It is big. Sticks out of the back of my a/v rack.
No switched outlet on the rear of the receiver.
TV has to be on to listen to a cd in the HD DVD player. HDMI authentication issue. I use the Sony DVD player instead.
Runs a little warm, but not too hot. Placed a modified pc case fan on top of the hottest part of the case. Also placed some Audio-Technica audio insulators (AT 605) under the feet of the 806 to allow air to pass through. Temps dropped from 56C to 41C. Cool to the touch now.
HDMI switching lag - some delay when changing inputs. Audio lag of about 5 seconds when in FF, Skip, RW modes with the DVR.
Occasional clicking when changing audio formats - drives my dog nuts.
Although you probably won't use it, the volume knob feels really cheap.
No backlit remote. Not a deal breaker. Using a Harmony 880 remote.
Overall, I am quite pleased with the performance of the Onkyo TX-SR806.
Buy it here now!
Sunday, July 12, 2009
12-DEVICE Universal Learning Remote Review
The RC1400 is a programmable remote with easy-to-read LCD display and adjustable contrast.PRODUCT FEATURES:Backlighting feature for LCD and buttons;Simplified Programming, Naming & control functions;Separate channel and volume up/down keys located for easy, comfortable access;Large Memory Capacity;Non-volatile memory assures programed commands will not be erased from memory;Macro capability;Programmable timer function;Built-in commands for Marantz a/v components and other major manufacturers products.
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Saturday, July 11, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
Onkyo DX7555 Audiophile Single Disc CD Player Review
Finally being able to afford a high grade stereo (Krell S-300i amplifier with Sonus Faber Cremona M speakers) my budget was extingushed before buying a CD-player (my dealer was pushing either the Bryston BCD-1 or the Rega Apollo) I tried the Onkyo against them in the store and could barely tell any difference at 25% of the price. Does not have balanced outputs and the remote does not match the otherwise expensive looks of the machine but for the price is the absolutely smart purchase.
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Thursday, July 9, 2009
Harman Kardon HK 3490 2 x 120W Stereo Receiver Review
I would give this a 7+/10. The design on this unit is clean, solid, and pleasing to the eye. Power is plentyful, and it is stylish and pumps out plent of crisp sound with the twist of the illuminated gain control out front. Amazon has a great value here, and better's the price of Vanns, and others. On the "con" side, the front controls are poorly marked, hard to read (you'll need reading glasses), and you are stuck with the design engineer's decision to call all three inputs (including the optical input) Digital 1, 2, 3. No relabling feature is built into that - so your MP3 player is now Video2. My Sony of 15 years vintage allowed the relabling function. Another negative is that there is really only Treble and Base control, and no Mid-Range. My 25 year old Marantz had midrange. The net net is, this is a solid low end receiver with good sound. If you are looking for customization and 3 layers of equalization, look elsewhere. If you are looking for something you setup and forget, and gets daily usage and a low relative price - this baby is perfect. Would I buy another one? Yes. Go Amazon! Go JBL / HK!
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Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Zoom H2 Handy Portable Stereo Recorder Review
I own an Edirol but purchased 5 of these for a music department for the sole purpose of recording piano lessons and practice performances in a small concert hall. My purpose is not to use this as a professional recording but to have it suitable as a recording tool for auditions etc. for the students, and also for study purposes. After 30 minutes or so of looking at the manual or so of setting it up, I used it in both situations (studio as well as hall) and found the results to be excellent, after a little experimentation with the recording levels. It is extremely portable and presents a variety of formats for recording. I also find the functions to be fairly intuitive.The item does not feel quite as sturdy as the Edirol, but at the price, I believe it is outstanding value and good quality, with some features that the Edirol does not have. Fidelity of sound is good and not at all tinny. The little stand that it comes with is handy indeed. It also came with a 1GB card, which was a pleasant surprise.
Buy it here now!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Monday, July 6, 2009
Marantz SR7002 Surround Receiver Review
I've just bought this receiver and it's quality is excellent !!! It has a lot of inputs and outputs, many digital (both optical and coaxial audio inputs), a bunch of component, composite, s-vide inputas.
It also has the upscaling feature through HDMI output.
The sound quality is impressive. The user can also program which digital or analog inputs / outputs will be used for each device connected to the system.
Cons.: Only one: It generates a lot of heat (power consumption of 750W)
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Sunday, July 5, 2009
Marantz AV8003 Networking Preamplifier Review
g8 two piece pre/power amp first I'm using onkyo 989 I want to upgrade the system for today hd formet first I chose denon avcai hd and select for the demo nice but the sonic performance is not so good my ears and mind still have question after denon I chose yamha z11nice sound but not what I'm looking for yamha don't have basic. For today recever auddsey setup also hd format not impress my ears .I'm bit confuse which system I chose then one of my friend confirm me about new marantz two piece system I search the dealer and fix the time for demo my first reaction after first look of av8003&mm8003 wow killing look and when we on the system with DTs 7.1master audio blue ray the performance and the sonic of the marantz twin system blown me the sound is so smooth just like some one put hot burning knife on the butter..after spending 2hrs in demo I decide to purchase the system .now I'm using marantz pre/power av8003 in my home theater with jamo d6thx
speakers & results you are in a heaven after this setup
my speakers have new life if ur are serious movie lover this system is right choice the sonic performance of the system is far far far far better then denon and any other receiver of this class really GR8....
one thing first propely auddsey mic setup and used best brand 1.3hdmi cable and use blue ray player who forward all hd formet in bit stream to marantz twin system u realy amazed and I'm sure you will spend most of time in your home theater
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Saturday, July 4, 2009
Marantz SR8002 Surround Receiver Review
After 9 years, it was time to upgrade my former top-of-the-line Sony ES receiver (STR-DA 777ES) to take advantage of improved audio and high-definition video switching. After reading all the professional reviews, I settled on the Marantz SR8002. Three weeks after an extensive configuration and testing, I must say that I am pleased overall with my choice. However, several surprising configuration limitations keep me from giving it a full-on 5-star review.
Let me preface my review by stating that my home theater / audio configuration is on the higher-end of the scale: 3 KEF Reference speakers for the front 3 channels, Boston Acoustics rear surrounds and subwoofer, Sony ES SACD player (and yes, I have an SACD collection!), Bang & Olfusen turntable, Sony reference DVD player, AppleTV, Roku music server, JVC SVHS VCR, Mitsubishi HDTV monitor.
My first priority was in upgrading the audio quality, and I must say that in this respect, the Marantz SR8002 far exceeded my expectations. As a 7.1 channel amplifier, there are 7 x 125watt channels available, native decoding of the latest lossless HD digital audio on BluRay (DTS-HD and Dolby TrueHD), Audyssey microphone and room equilazation, and THX Select 2 certification. For the ultimate audio experience, the Marantz SR8002 offers two "Pure Direct" modes - the first one bypasses the equalization and surround circuits, the second mode completely disables all video and display logic for even shorter audio output path. The SR8002 also provides a toroidal power transformer for extra headroom when needed, and in my setup the audio performance is dramatic.
I chose not to expand my current 5.1 speaker configuration to 7.1 channel. In this setup, the SR8002 gives you the option of taking the two unused channels and configuring them for a second amplified room/zone, or bi-amplification of your front speakers. I chose the latter, as my KEF Reference speakers support bi-amplified wiring, providing 250 watts per channel into Left and Right channels. Let me tell you - the pure stereo performance in this configuration will blow your socks off! Friends could not believe the sound in our fairly large family room was from 2-speakers only. And, the multi-channel modes (especially NEO6: Music) are quite outstanding even with a 2-channel source. Quite simply, the audio performance of the SR8002 is "7-star" on a 5-star scale.
My second priority was in upgrading to a receiver capable of decoding the high-resolution audio of BluRay, while providing high definition video switching (via HDMI and component). In this respect the receiver delivers, but with some surprising limitations. On paper, the Marantz SR8002 offers more connectors and options than you would ever need. You have 4 HDMI 1.3 connections + 2 HDMI 1.3 outputs (good!), 4 component HD connections + 2 component HD outputs (good!), 4 TOSlink digital audio (including front), 3 coax digital audio, and a plethora of S-video, composite video, and analog audio inputs.
But in reality, there are serious limitations...
First of all, it is inexcusable for a receiver of this cost to be missing a phonograph input. Yes, for $50 you can buy a phono preamp that gives you good performance and doesn't have the A/C hum of your $25 Radio Shack unit. But, come on.
Secondly, and more discouraging, despite the plethora of connections you only have 8 discrete settings that can be assigned. (The AM/FM tuner is another, nonassignable input, as is the optional XM radio input). This means that even if you could connect to all of the analog + digital inputs available you can only use 8 of them! This is quite a surprising and serious limitation. Even my Sony ES from 1999 had 12 discrete inputs!
The on-screen receiver setup lets you assign specific HDMI, component, and digital audio for your 8 choices. Each input can also be renamed. But you cannot use a single digital input for more than one setting. And you cannot reassign the analog video (S-Video/Composite) or analog audio inputs.
An example of this strange limitation is the analog input of the "AUX2" input also happens to be used as the Left and Right input channels for the 7.1 input. I had to reconfigure my setup to reassign the "AUX2" input to the digital CD input, which I also connected to the 5.1 (SACD) output from my CD player. Because there are only 8 input settings, I had to assign the "AUX1" (front) input to the digital audio and video inputs from my AppleTV. This means that the front AUX1 inputs are completely unusable, since all 8 inputs were assigned from rear input sources.
Another big surprise was the subwoofer speaker setting. By default, it is set to "mix"...all bass output is diverted to the subwoofer at an assignable crossover frequency. This works well for (and is recommended for) THX and multi-channel video sources. But strangely in "mix" setting, the SR8002 does NOT output the bass to the subwoofer for two-channel analog inputs AND it does not output the low frequencies to the front speakers. I spent about 3 hours trying to figure out why my new (required) phonograph preamp sounded so terrible before I discovered this problem. Setting the subwoofer to "BOTH" properly sends full-range audio to the front speakers. AND, it enables the subwoofer for the simulated modes such as NEO6. Not only does this not make sense, it is not documented anywhere in the manual.
There are other annoyances:
- FM / AM radio reception is below average. I was looking forward to trying the "HD radio" capability, but the tuner reception is so bad that it can never get a strong enough signal to use any of the HD radio broadcasts in my area. Compared with my 1999 Sony ES receiver using the same antenna configuration I can only tune half of the stations. My CLOCK RADIO gets much better radio reception than this $2000 receiver!
- the front of the receiver has two large controls for Source and Volume - each one has a bright blue LED indicator that does NOT move with the control. So, while you might think that the volume indicator would indicate the volume level it doesn't. The bright blue indicators are always at 12-o clock position. And the front input control does not have a positive feedback to let you know you have switched inputs.
- the remote control button/display backlight is ONLY activated when you press one of the two buttons on the bottom of the remote
- the remote does not offer discrete settings for all surround modes or settings (although thankfully there are discrete power on/off codes)
- the onscreen display is very primitive (think 1982 Apple ][+ 40x24 characters)
In summary, despite the outstanding audio performance of the Marantz SR8002 (once you figure out the subwoofer and other settings!), I cannot give this a full 5-star rating because of the serious limitations and limited inputs.
Buy it here now!
Friday, July 3, 2009
Marantz SR4003 Surround Receiver Review
This is the first receiver I've owned, and I like it. I got it because of good reviews of the SR4002, the new face design, price ($450 in Dec 2008), and some forum comment somewhere about how it sounds great with Klipsch speakers, which I like. I haven't used an SR4002 but I didn't spot any differences in the specs.
I have the SR4003 driving Klipsch KG 2.5 mains, Quintet II center and surrounds, and an Orb Super 8 sub. I don't really know how much the receiver is responsible for, but I am seriously enjoying the sound of it all. It has a very detailed sound, spaciousness and good continuous placement of sound between speakers. It's very dynamic and can get way louder than I can stand in my 12x20' TV room.
There's a short selection of surround modes, and no 'genre' settings like some other receivers (it has a few "music" and "movie" choices but not "jazz", "rock" etc). For stereo sources I use the mode called Neo:6 Music, which puts echo-ey sounds behind you like Pro Logic does but in a fuller and more pleasing way. For movies I leave it on Auto which just maps the 5.1 or 7.1 source onto my setup.
The remote is just fine. It's a long rectangle that is easy to hold. There's a side-button activated 2-second backlight. It learned all the TV commands I use, so I don't need the TV remote anymore.
It's true, you can't access the setup menu over HDMI, but I didn't mind using the composite input, and I haven't used the setup screen since I changed my main speakers.
I have my TV and PS3 each hooked up to optical. Ideally I would want the PS3 audio going into the receiver over HDMI, and the picture passed through to the TV so I wouldn't have to have 2 cables out of the PS3. However, the picture won't pass through the receiver. The receiver will play LPCM over HDMI, but it won't repeat the picture from the PS3 to the TV.
To be clear:
PS3 -> HDMI -> TV: works fine, picture and (low quality) audio on TV
PS3 -> HDMI -> SR4003: good LPCM audio
PS3 -> HDMI -> SR4003 -> HDMI -> TV: good LPCM audio, no picture on TV
There's a line in the manual saying some DVD players aren't compatible with the SR4003 repeater. I guess that's the explanation. It's not a big problem though... I have good picture and great audio and I'm still giving it 5 stars.
If you want the full HDMI compatibility, I think you can pay for it by getting the SR5003. As for me, I'll be fine with this one for a long time.
Buy it here now!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Marantz SR5003 Audio Video Receiver Review
I bought this Marantz receiver on sale from OneCall, which I've purchased from before and had very good experiences. It's in a secondary system with a universal DVD/SACD player (connected via HDMI) and a recent addition of a Logitech Squeezebox, and also an external amp driving a biamped set of speakers. It replaced an analog 2 channel preamp because I decided to add a display and needed HDMI switching. I also needed something with the 12 volt DC trigger output to turn on the external amp, which not many receivers have. This is not a very common feature in this price range, and it took me quite a while to find a receiver under $1K which met that along with having a few other must have features. The fact that Marantz has a reputation for giving attention to refining the sound quality of their products helped.
I've been very happy with it from a feature standpoint as well as performance. The looks are pretty nice, too. The one operational nitpick I've had is that the menu interface could be a little better, and the setting of the 12v trigger to turn on the external amp is off by default - and the option to change that is buried fairly deep in the menus.
The remote is not a favorite of mine. I especially dislike that switching inputs on the receiver also switches what component the remote controls - you have to press the "Amp" button to control the receiver again. (I.e. if you are listening to a CD and then switch to Aux1, the remote also sets itself to control Aux1 instead of the receiver, even if you don't have anything actually set to be controlled as Aux1.) I use a Logitech Harmony 670 universal so it's not a big deal.
Overall, despite a few minor ergonomic nitpicks, the Marantz SR5003 is a very nicely made and specced AVR.
Buy it here now!
Marantz SR6003 Audio Video Receiver Review
I purchased this receiver in order to upgrade to HDMI.
The pros of this receiver are it's relative moderate price, high build quality (although built in China - most are, it seems above average quality), many choices in inputs/outputs and one of the best upconversion systems to 1080i and 1080p.
Sound quality as well as video quality were prime concerns. I cannot say the SR6003 sounds quite as nice as the NAD T762 it is replacing in my rack, but it sounds terrific and with the newest sound codecs it certainly can handle the newest blu-ray disc soundtracks.
The remote control is well thought out and better than most I have seen. I do wish that the silver cabinet for the SR6003 was more widely available.
The con to me are it is not THX ceritfied. I'm well aware that some audiophile reviewers think this is not a big deal, but others, and I'm in this category, believe that THX certification does guarantee sound quality. At this price point, considering the competition, THX certification should have been a priority.
All in all I'm very happy with this receiver and I would certainly recommend it over the more common brands readily available in the US.
Buy it here now!
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