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!