Pio_fan2 Posted May 27, 2021 Posted May 27, 2021 I'm researching a new AV amp. I've had recommended Denon/Marantz. However, I'm confused why there's such a large price difference between the two D/M cousins, e.g. Denon AVR-X4700H ($3.5K) vs Marantz 7015 ($5.2K), a price difference of $1700! They look almost identical under the skin and in functions https://www.zkelectronics.com/compare/denon-avr-x4700h(avc-x4700h)/usa/marantz-sr7015/usa/ I also notice that the UK price differential is much smaller, generally around 150 Pounds ($300). What gives? Is the Marantz really that much better? TBH, i prefer the looks of the Marantz....is that what I'm paying for? I've actually found i can get the previous models for about $2.75K for a Marantz 7013 and $2.5K for a Denon 4500H....with the much smaller differential on these models i'll probably get the Marantz. Still the whole thing has me intrigued....anybody got any answers?
rocky500 Posted May 27, 2021 Posted May 27, 2021 I would go the denon myself if looking at these 2 as much prefer the bigger display than Marantz's port hole display. A lot easier to see from a distance. I think we are lucky the price difference isn't the other way around.
betty boop Posted May 27, 2021 Posted May 27, 2021 the marantz tend to have more music focus "music matters" and all that.... usually power supply ... the HDAM units so more on the analog side... overall weight its a half a kilo in difference ... if price is a bother ... just buy on discounting cycles likely find one or other discounted at times... am not sure that much in it price wise.. 1 minute ago, rocky500 said: prefer the bigger display than Marantz's port hole display. A lot easier to see from a distance. usually if drop the flap and there is a full display behind ... if want... i usually use the info button for onscreen info... if want to see. just a styling difference though and yep go with which prefer ... 1
muon* Posted May 27, 2021 Posted May 27, 2021 (edited) Yes interesting, they are almost identical inside. Edited May 27, 2021 by muon* 2
Guest Posted May 28, 2021 Posted May 28, 2021 If price is the concern, why not get a previous model or a used one? AVRs tend to depreciate faster than most products...
roachy Posted May 28, 2021 Posted May 28, 2021 (edited) The Denon X8500 can be had for around $4600 Edited May 28, 2021 by roachy
betty boop Posted May 28, 2021 Posted May 28, 2021 30 minutes ago, roachy said: The Denon X8500 can be had for around $4600 its a good bargain and its eligible for the paid hdmi 2.1 update service and even then still below new RRP another good bargain if still around is marantz 8012, not hdmi 2.1 but has earc so good options for folk looking marantz or denon... good you have that choice between brands pick your flavour ....
Pio_fan2 Posted May 29, 2021 Author Posted May 29, 2021 On 28/05/2021 at 11:59 AM, Snoopy8 said: If price is the concern, why not get a previous model or a used one? AVRs tend to depreciate faster than most products... Yeah. That's exactly what i intend to do. As said I can get the 7013 for $2750 and the 4500H for $2500. But i'm still wondering why the large price difference for new Aussie stock when they are pretty close to identical. Especially when the price diff in other markets is so much smaller. Is the Marantz really worth a shed load more than Denon for a few extra features when the insides are near damn identical and almost definitely made in the same factory? I think we Aussies are getting taken for a ride.
betty boop Posted May 29, 2021 Posted May 29, 2021 (edited) 7 minutes ago, Pio_fan2 said: Yeah. That's exactly what i intend to do. As said I can get the 7013 for $2750 and the 4500H for $2500. But i'm still wondering why the large price difference for new Aussie stock when they are pretty close to identical. Especially when the price diff in other markets is so much smaller. Is the Marantz really worth a shed load more than Denon for a few extra features when the insides are near damn identical and almost definitely made in the same factory? I think we Aussies are getting taken for a ride. looks like sound united has taken over locally (middle man removed) so with price revisions theres all sorts going on. right now. if anything pricing on denon marantz haste been better in last 6 months ? that can think off ? was certainly encouragement for me to buy into their av pre pro late last year for that reason Edited May 29, 2021 by betty boop 1
stuj Posted May 30, 2021 Posted May 30, 2021 Between the two amps, I’d personally go for the Denon, I believe that model measures well (3700) and also has a preamp mode for 2 or all channels that is more than competent even comparing to a dedicated preprocessor. You could spend the difference on some hypex multichannel amps. I see that Denon are starting to release ”A” model with the fix for theHDMI 2.1 issues, so i wonder if the 4700/3700 A models are far off as well ? Here a link to the 3700 review if you are interested in that sort of analysis https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/denon-avr-x3700h-avr-review.15031/ 1
betty boop Posted May 30, 2021 Posted May 30, 2021 (edited) 22 minutes ago, stuj said: Between the two amps, I’d personally go for the Denon, I believe that model measures well (3700) and also has a preamp mode for 2 or all channels that is more than competent even comparing to a dedicated preprocessor. You could spend the difference on some hypex multichannel amps. I see that Denon are starting to release ”A” model with the fix for theHDMI 2.1 issues, so i wonder if the 4700/3700 A models are far off as well ? Here a link to the 3700 review if you are interested in that sort of analysis https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/denon-avr-x3700h-avr-review.15031/ the denon and marantz AVRs have always done well as processors... but the processor mode according to sound united is for folks that can as upgrade add amp instead if using whats on board ...improving on the power side which is always a bit compromised in AVRs... and then can upgrade again down track with dedicated processor on comparing to dedicated processor... the problem with ASR is he doesn't actually listen to anything in doing reviews listening is also important in comparing ... here's one to balance the ledger. Marantz SR8015 flagship AVR vs marantz AV7706 processor .... Edited May 30, 2021 by betty boop 2
oztheatre Posted May 30, 2021 Posted May 30, 2021 1 hour ago, muon* said: So same amps but different software and features? Looks like the case. I was told denon use the better imaging chipset for movies and marantz a little more finesse for audio.
muon* Posted May 30, 2021 Posted May 30, 2021 1 minute ago, oztheatre said: Looks like the case. I was told denon use the better imaging chipset for movies and marantz a little more finesse for audio. Good point, the pics are not good enough to ID the chip sets well.
betty boop Posted May 30, 2021 Posted May 30, 2021 1 hour ago, muon* said: So same amps but different software and features? not quite in this specific case. as i pointed out there is a 0.5kg difference in mass even. 0.5kg of electronics is a bit and beyond just software and features... and the case either comes with the marinate is a bit taller and deeper. each brand has more their own focus... as indicated marantz tends to put a music focus with "music matters" brand mantra, so usually find HDAM, and additional work on analog side, dac, pre stage. power supplies etc... you'l notice things like even fine detail to sort of level of copper plating and even copper screws used in places and such... at ends it leaves you choice between the two brand. they are not usually just a direct clone of each other ...
betty boop Posted May 30, 2021 Posted May 30, 2021 6 minutes ago, muon* said: But is the half a kg in electronics or case work? go have a look at 0.5kg of anything and see what that looks like to you 0.5kg of metal is still quite a bit ! its not like the denon is made of paper mache !
muon* Posted May 30, 2021 Posted May 30, 2021 (edited) I'd be interested in seeing these extra electronics inside the amp. Looks like I'll be hunting down the SM's for each amp. Edit: Looks like I won't find them, oh well, maybe I can find pics of the guts of them and find this extra stuff. Yeah, I'm curious. Edited May 30, 2021 by muon* 1
betty boop Posted May 30, 2021 Posted May 30, 2021 (edited) 6 minutes ago, muon* said: I'd be interested in seeing these extra electronics inside the amp. Looks like I'll be hunting down the SM's for each amp. I think, I'll leave you to it... Edited May 30, 2021 by betty boop
Hi-Fi Whipped Posted May 30, 2021 Posted May 30, 2021 6 hours ago, betty boop said: the denon and marantz AVRs have always done well as processors... but the processor mode according to sound united is for folks that can as upgrade add amp instead if using whats on board ...improving on the power side which is always a bit compromised in AVRs... and then can upgrade again down track with dedicated processor on comparing to dedicated processor... the problem with ASR is he doesn't actually listen to anything in doing reviews listening is also important in comparing ... here's one to balance the ledger. Marantz SR8015 flagship AVR vs marantz AV7706 processor .... Great video link Al 1
muon* Posted May 31, 2021 Posted May 31, 2021 17 hours ago, betty boop said: I think, I'll leave you to it... There is a lot packed into these AVR's that is not visible, so you could well be correct and I could be wrong.
betty boop Posted May 31, 2021 Posted May 31, 2021 53 minutes ago, muon* said: There is a lot packed into these AVR's that is not visible, so you could well be correct and I could be wrong. I definitely know that marantz has HDAM modules which wont see from a top view ... and know the denon dont fit these ...in external visible appearances there are little things like the copper screws on the marantz that are visible... wont add up to 0.5kg ! but just some of little things and is what marantz do differently too denon... 3
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