Marantz AV Owners Thread

[betty boop]

16 minutes ago, Grant Slack said:

Also processing for 13.4

yes c30 is 13.4 AV10 is 15.4

 

2 minutes ago, Snoopy8 said:

why the HDAM SA-2 is mentioned in the Cinema 30, not in 40 nor AV10?

HDAM SA2 i am pretty sure refers to the amp stage eg on the AMP10 and amp stage on the cinema 30 will find the HDAM Implementations will go up in sophistication as go up in the tree... its like everything else ...

 

the cinema 30 is in the reference range as opposed to the cinema 40.. and so will get a step up in what ever cinema 40 has ...which is a step up from the 50  and so on ...

 

yes the av10 does get HDAM... am pretty sure its the bank of them in the middle of the amp  

 

 

[betty boop]

an under hood shot of the cinema 30, courtesy of evanesco on AVS,

 

 

this is the hdam SA2 board, 

 

 

quite different implementation to on the Amp 10 where its on each input...

 

 

combined input board on the cinema 30 again courtesy of evaanesco on avs,

Edited January 31, 2024 by betty boop

[Snoopy8]

It will be interesting to see how close the Cinema 30 can get to the AV10 when the reviews come out...

[betty boop]

According to broncogr avs, next 

 

“HEOS update, will bring Roon Ready certification as well as Tidal Hi-Res (at the Hi-Fi plus tier). “

[betty boop]

The very passionate about Av joerod has posted his review of the av10. He also compare with anthem av90 and mcintosh mx180 if either are of interest

 

https://hstrial-jrodriguez996.homestead.com/MARANTZ-AV10-REFERENCE-15-4-Preamp.html?_=1708835540224
 And concludes …

“My final conclusion for now... So to put everything into perspective the Marantz AV10 is a "10" when it comes to price versus performance. It really brings it when it comes to both Sports and Movie Nights. You just need to add the popcorn! “

[CCRider]

On 03/03/2024 at 6:28 PM, betty boop said:

The very passionate about Av joerod has posted his review of the av10. He also compare with anthem av90 and mcintosh mx180 if either are of interest

 

https://hstrial-jrodriguez996.homestead.com/MARANTZ-AV10-REFERENCE-15-4-Preamp.html?_=1708835540224
 And concludes …

“My final conclusion for now... So to put everything into perspective the Marantz AV10 is a "10" when it comes to price versus performance. It really brings it when it comes to both Sports and Movie Nights. You just need to add the popcorn! “

Thanks Al. I used to read JoeRod's Projector reviews in the 90's and early 00's. I wondered what happened to him.  This guy is hard core and his reviewing style with pics etc has always been of a high standard,.

This sum's it all up 

 "The Anthem AVM90 which I am a big fan of is very close but in my room with my Amps (Datasat 7300s) and Speakers (Martin Logans) the Marantz AV10 outdoes it. I can say the build quality is definitely better as well as the remote. As for sound quality the clarity is sharper with the center stage and the ability to have Auro-3D as an option is a plus. Not to mention the major ability to use Dirac Live. The AV10 and Anthem were very close until I did the Dirac calibration. Whatever is in their secret sauce just works! Voices are amazingly clear and distinct with the exact amount of oomph"

 

and  "Back to comparisons I now know of 3 people who have left Trinnov and one Storm and are completely happy with their AV10s. That is saying something for sure."

Edited March 9, 2024 by CCRider

[Ray H]

@betty boop, Hi Al, question, do you know if the AV10 supports atmos encoded music via tidal direct ?

[betty boop]

4 minutes ago, Ray H said:

@betty boop, Hi Al, question, do you know if the AV10 supports atmos encoded music via tidal direct ?

don't know re atmos and tidal as i cancelled my tidal, but anything with atmos fed to it , it does playback eg apple music and quite a bit of stuff is atmos encoded there... 

[Ray H]

Thanks Al, yes I have Apple Music via Apple TV and enjoy it. I was just wondering if there was a way to get better atmos music playback (ie potentially lossless) via the AV10. But I think I might be barking up the wrong tree as after doing a bit of reading I don’t think Tidal atmos music is lossless either. Probably need a disk player to achieve lossless atmos music playback I assume (with very few music discs available unfortunately).

 

Suffice to say, really interested in the AV10, to replace my current Anthem AVM60.

[betty boop]

55 minutes ago, Ray H said:

Thanks Al, yes I have Apple Music via Apple TV and enjoy it. I was just wondering if there was a way to get better atmos music playback (ie potentially lossless) via the AV10. But I think I might be barking up the wrong tree as after doing a bit of reading I don’t think Tidal atmos music is lossless either. Probably need a disk player to achieve lossless atmos music playback I assume (with very few music discs available unfortunately).

 

unfortunately what have found there seems to be atmos and atmos... atmos streaming is a step down from atmos on disc... and even on disc... where its a purely in the mastering / mixing where can end up a bit manufactured and fake and such. I tend to not try and be too over analytical to the surrounds mixes in music and enjoy for what it is   eg if a music video its a combined audio visual experience and just take it as is.

 

55 minutes ago, Ray H said:

uffice to say, really interested in the AV10, to replace my current Anthem AVM60.

the interesting thing will find is availability of auro3D with the av10 for post processing of music mixes where might find as i have done, it often renders a more convincing presentation   any ways this is something can check out for self,

[Snoopy8]

2 hours ago, Ray H said:

Thanks Al, yes I have Apple Music via Apple TV and enjoy it. I was just wondering if there was a way to get better atmos music playback (ie potentially lossless) via the AV10. 

Unfortunately, Atmos via streaming uses Dolby Digital Plus and will not match the SQ of Atmos from disks which are encoded as Dolby TrueHD.

 

@powerav listens regularly to Atmos  music on Apple Music and can elaborate further on the differences.

 

[powerav]

2 hours ago, Snoopy8 said:

 

@powerav listens regularly to Atmos  music on Apple Music and can elaborate further on the differences.

 

Yeah we all agree that  Dolby Atmos on Apple Music is definitely not as good as a physical disc but it’s pretty close and if because it’s not true lossless is holding you back from listening to it you are missing out on some pretty cool stuff as in everything in the audio world no matter what format mastering is the master and if mastered well it will sound great, streaming as well, take any Steven Wilson mastered albums for example.

Convenience is also another major factor for me with Apple Music, I can just pick up my phone and stream Dolby Atmos music straight to avr without any screens on, menus to fumble through or discs to play with.

Artist young and old are really starting to come to terms with Atmos mixing now and it’s pretty cool that the first time listening to a new release album it is in Atmos.

See this comment from Bruce Dickinson when after mixing new album in Atmos he is going back and mixing all of his releases in Atmos.

“In a new interview with Paul Anthony of Planet Rock, Bruce Dickinson stated (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET):
"We are in the middle of doing Dolby Atmos mixes for all of my back catalog, and that requires quite a lot of stuff, 'cause we're not just remixing; we are also — what's the expression? — reimagining some of the albums. So some of the albums that should have been, frankly, a bit heavier, like 'Balls To Picasso', we can stick some new stuff on, and there's some stuff that didn't get mixed on to the album that was recorded that we can take a view on as well. ... I'd just done an Atmos mix of 'Skunkworks' with the blessing of [the LP's original producer] Jack Endino, and it sounds brilliant."

[blybo]

22 hours ago, powerav said:

Yeah we all agree that  Dolby Atmos on Apple Music is definitely not as good as a physical disc but it’s pretty close and if because it’s not true lossless is holding you back from listening to it you are missing out on some pretty cool stuff as in everything in the audio world no matter what format mastering is the master and if mastered well it will sound great, streaming as well, take any Steven Wilson mastered albums for example.

It's almost impossible to A/B test Atmos music via streaming compared to a disc as there are virtually no discs available. However, when comparing a movie on UHD disc in Atmos compared to the same Atmos movie soundtrack streamed via a 4K Apple TV, the difference is chalk and cheese.

 

I'm not poo poo'ing your findings or enjoyment of Apple Spatial Audio, just stating I suspect it would be well short of what could be found on a physical disc, if there was more than a handful of them available.

[blybo]

On 09/02/2024 at 7:12 AM, betty boop said:

According to broncogr avs, next 

 

“HEOS update, will bring Roon Ready certification as well as Tidal Hi-Res (at the Hi-Fi plus tier). “

Still waiting for this update

[powerav]

1 hour ago, blybo said:

It's almost impossible to A/B test Atmos music via streaming compared to a disc as there are virtually no discs available. However, when comparing a movie on UHD disc in Atmos compared to the same Atmos movie soundtrack streamed via a 4K Apple TV, the difference is chalk and cheese.

 

I'm not poo poo'ing your findings or enjoyment of Apple Spatial Audio, just stating I suspect it would be well short of what could be found on a physical disc, if there was more than a handful of them available.

I agree with streaming movies in Atmos, I’m often disappointed by them compared to the disc version. Streaming Atmos music is a different beast especially with the well known well mastered stuff, just need to compare the stereonet reference Atmos album Yellow - Point, I’d reckon most would struggle doing a blind ab test with the Apple Music Atmos version vs disc.

 

[blybo]

12 hours ago, powerav said:

I agree with streaming movies in Atmos, I’m often disappointed by them compared to the disc version. Streaming Atmos music is a different beast especially with the well known well mastered stuff, just need to compare the stereonet reference Atmos album Yellow - Point, I’d reckon most would struggle doing a blind ab test with the Apple Music Atmos version vs disc.

 

Do you have the disc? Unless we can A/B compare there's probably no point in continuing this off topic line of discussion. I'll give the Yellow album a listen today if I get time.

On 10/03/2024 at 1:15 PM, Ray H said:

@betty boop, Hi Al, question, do you know if the AV10 supports atmos encoded music via tidal direct ?

I'll also check this today... if I've got time. Is there a particular album I should look for on the tidal app?

[blybo]

On 10/03/2024 at 1:15 PM, Ray H said:

@betty boop, Hi Al, question, do you know if the AV10 supports atmos encoded music via tidal direct ?

So I've tried playing several tracks via a Heos account from the Atmos top 50 playlist on my Tidal service and my Cinema 50 does not enable an Atmos option, only what is described as Dolby Audio- Dolby Surround. I'm sure the AV10 would be the same. If there is another way to force Atmos encoded music via the tidal app let me know, this is my first time trying to access it in Tidal. When I Spatial Audio mixed music in Apple Music the Atmos sound mode is enabled

 

My Tidal desktop app does not see the Cinema 50 via Tidal direct, only by Airplay or via Heos, which I assume is the best available method for now, until Roon is certified.

Edited March 12, 2024 by blybo

[Ray H]

Thanks @blybo

 

i forgot it would go through Bluos, I assumed it worked differently, I am 95% certain that bluos doesnt support atmos surround. I had the Nad 778 and that was a limitation of the bluos architecture 12 months ago.

 

i assumed (probably incorrectly) when i saw tidal direct it would be seperate to bluos…

 

[powerav]

7 hours ago, blybo said:

Do you have the disc?

Yes 

[Hi-Fi Whipped]

9 hours ago, blybo said:

So I've tried playing several tracks via a Heos account from the Atmos top 50 playlist on my Tidal service and my Cinema 50 does not enable an Atmos option, only what is described as Dolby Audio- Dolby Surround. I'm sure the AV10 would be the same. If there is another way to force Atmos encoded music via the tidal app let me know, this is my first time trying to access it in Tidal. When I Spatial Audio mixed music in Apple Music the Atmos sound mode is enabled

 

My Tidal desktop app does not see the Cinema 50 via Tidal direct, only by Airplay or via Heos, which I assume is the best available method for now, until Roon is certified.

Use your Apple TV Tidal and Apple Music apps to stream Atmos to the Marantz, I think onboard streaming via processors, receivers and stereo streamers is typically limited to 2ch.

Edited March 12, 2024 by Hi-Fi Whipped

[betty boop]

1 hour ago, Hi-Fi Whipped said:

Use your Apple TV Tidal and Apple Music apps to stream Atmos to the Marantz, I think onboard streaming via processors, receivers and stereo streamers is typically limited to 2ch.

another limit of appleTV is the limitation of 24bit/48KHz audio output no matter what feed it... when atmos can be encoded at 24/192 lossless...

 

just limitations of what we have.... i still just take it for what it is ... 

[Hi-Fi Whipped]

16 minutes ago, betty boop said:

another limit of appleTV is the limitation of 24bit/48KHz audio output no matter what feed it... when atmos can be encoded at 24/192 lossless...

 

just limitations of what we have.... i still just take it for what it is ... 

exactly Al, take Atmos music via ATV for what it is and decide whether you enjoy it or not on its own merits and don’t dismiss it just because the specs say it shouldn’t sound as good as a shiny disc.

 

If you already own a 4K Apple TV it’s well worth taking the time to take out a 30 day free trial of Apple Music or Tidal to give it a go to find out for yourself.

[betty boop]

7 minutes ago, Hi-Fi Whipped said:

If you already own a 4K Apple TV it’s well worth taking the time to take out a 30 day free trial of Apple Music or Tidal to give it a go to find out for yourself.

 

we often cycle through music videos .....like the old Rage days  now via apple music  

[blybo]

On 12/03/2024 at 11:00 PM, Hi-Fi Whipped said:

exactly Al, take Atmos music via ATV for what it is and decide whether you enjoy it or not on its own merits and don’t dismiss it just because the specs say it shouldn’t sound as good as a shiny disc.

 

If you already own a 4K Apple TV it’s well worth taking the time to take out a 30 day free trial of Apple Music or Tidal to give it a go to find out for yourself.

I have done a bit of Spatial audio listening via Spple Music via ATV. I found most of it to be poorly mixed but the good stuff did sound good. Unfortunately the acoustics of my room don't provide a great stereo image, so I have dirac polish the turd as you say. So i don't listen to much music on that system as a result. Surround is excellent though, especially via UHD .

[Hi-Fi Whipped]

On 14/3/2024 at 2:27 PM, blybo said:

I have done a bit of Spatial audio listening via Spple Music via ATV. I found most of it to be poorly mixed but the good stuff did sound good. Unfortunately the acoustics of my room don't provide a great stereo image, so I have dirac polish the turd as you say. So i don't listen to much music on that system as a result. Surround is excellent though, especially via UHD .

Hate to keep going OT but the good Atmos mixes on Apple Music on ATV won’t be focused on stereo imaging, quite the opposite. The good mixes like Yello - Point have an overall surround sound immersive synergy that fills the room, imagine you would have felt that in your room with the gear you have.