FreddieB Posted February 27 Posted February 27 @mfforever I get the simplicity and ease/comfort of a newer, cheaper receiver, and to be clear I am not pushing the prepro in anyway, as I think it is overkill, in your situation. Unless thinking on it now, maybe even an older flagship one, while upgrading your video source separately. Solely in my opinion, I would think for what you are looking for, very few of the modern ht enhancements will help you get what you are looking for in your system, while making the best use of your money. Video quality enhancements are easy within your budget looking at video sources like zidoo if your tv supports it. I would look into whether any of the newer ht room corrections actually do a better/noticeable job for 3.1? Whether any of the new object based processing i.e. Atmos DTS:X actually have better 3 channel performance. I don't know the answers to those. Also, whether you play any sources with high enough quality to really make use of the possible higher bit rates that are creeping into lower-end receivers, but have been in 2ch and prepros for ages. Whether your TV supports the video enhancements... and onwards. These are the "new" things that make them look good on paper. As an aside. The 8805a is an "end game" prepro for many people who are running major 7.2.4 HT systems, now still, not only 7 years ago. TBH you would be using a very small amount of the capabilities of that prepro even though it is 7 years old. It was my upgrade path frombthe 7704, but went a different direction. FWIW, in HT (excluding amps/speakers) I usually try for closer to the top end, 3-7 years old. I find that is the sweet spot for value, features, performance and reliability as well. 1
betty boop Posted February 27 Posted February 27 ive owned marantz av8802 and then had the A upgrade to av8802A.. same with 8805 and then had it upgraded to 8805a can perhaps provide some perspective as someone who very mcc values 2ch and appreciates ht goodness... 99.99999% of folk will be most happy with an av8802A and this is a very good av processor... marantz does a wonderfull job with these... 99.999999% of folks wont need any of newer features.. it will do 4k uhd atmos DTS-X etc etc... THE only reason to upgrade to a av8805A is for 2 more speakers ie going to wides or 2 more height speakers... 99.9999% wont need this .. neither will most folks not need the 4k120 for gaming or 8k ? i would suggest an av8802A easily over a bottom feeder AVr.. just no need to get an avr if dont need one... https://hometheaterhifi.com/reviews/receiver-processor/processors/marantz-av8802av8802a-processor-dtsx-upgrade-review/ an av8802A will cover the needs of most folks for a long long while .. the fact an av8802A can cover most folks needs in itself is pretty telling ... if you do want to get a av8805A it is still very much current and the A upgrade only came 3+ years ago..for price would need to pay for one though it would make the av8802A look a bargain.. as a heads up i do know folks using av processor generation or two older than av8802A as well and also 7 series processors..at end as long as does what you want nothing at all wrong with going with something else 3
Guest Posted February 27 Posted February 27 2 hours ago, mfforever said: For AV, I suppose I was looking for a " one product quick fix " solution On 19/02/2025 at 3:28 PM, mfforever said: I'm a music fan/fanatic so I am hoping to bring some of this to my revised TV system. You started with aiming for the HT to bring it closer to your music gear but now retreating to a one product quick fix ??? They are somewhat contradictory aims. As I mentioned earlier, good room correction software is particularly useful in a shared room. Hence suggest getting the best Audyssey version. The used 8805 will easily sound the best. But if you want new, then Cinema 60. There is also this
FreddieB Posted February 27 Posted February 27 Wow @betty boop you took every step on the upgrade path! AV 10 next? I was going off the 7yr old comment, the 8805 came out 20/21? Even the 7704 which was under the 8802(a) was 2017/2018 to around 2020 I think. To your point above, the only reason I upgraded from the 7704, was for an extra 2 speakers. However, I run an integrated with HT bypass for my fronts, so I use that for my most critical listening and didn't need the 880x upgrades for that. However, 80% of the time I was happy with the Marantz even for 2ch. 1
mfforever Posted February 27 Author Posted February 27 (edited) AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH .......... just deleted my last post about the Marantz Cinema 70 ........ it's as dead as a black duck in an Alaskan white-out. Thank you to the many generous responders who have discussed me out of a cheap and "quick fix " solution with the Marantz Cinema 70 ...... finally realised ( sorry, it takes time when money is involved ) that I should impose the same SQ criteria for Streaming TV that I do for my stereo listening . Will be looking for the Marantz pre ..... the 8802 or 8805. .... Will post some final comments when this is all sorted ....... will involve me buying the Marantz Preprocessor and finishing my Goodmans ......... and then evaluating how my existing speakers work in the room with the newish preprocessor . ...... Love this Audio Community ......... good people who know good stuff . Edited February 27 by mfforever 2
betty boop Posted February 27 Posted February 27 (edited) 1 hour ago, FreddieB said: Wow @betty boop you took every step on the upgrade path! AV 10 next? hi Freddie.. already have had the AV10/Amp10 combo since first released in the country.. infact mine was first of two in the country they are a magnificent thing... and yes before these mentioned i had the mighty denon a series processor in the avp-a1hda... something i owned for nearly a decade .. all the ways through kept upto date by denon with hardware and firmware updates... denon 4308 AVR prior to that used as processor... this was one step down from flagship top dog 5308/avc-a1 avr 1 hour ago, FreddieB said: I was going off the 7yr old comment, the 8805 came out 20/21? release year was 2018.. however in 20/21 it had the release of the A upgrade... bringing rightupto spec and still is to latest spec.. goes to show... 1 hour ago, FreddieB said: Even the 7704 which was under the 8802(a) was 2017/2018 to around 2020 I think the 7 series dont usually get hardware updates like the 8 series did.. so needed new gen complete new releases... 8 series instead had the A hardware/firmware instead to bring upto latest spec.. its a good thing for 8 series owners.. dont have to keep updating to a new model... it was same with my denon avp-a1 flagship processor that over 9 years received multiple firmware and hardware updates to keep updated over that duration .. saved me buying and selling units over that time.. 1 hour ago, FreddieB said: was for an extra 2 speakers. yep same reason i went 2 to 5 models in the 8 series .. seems extreme to update though doesnt it .. but hey was worth it for me ..it took me to a 9.2.6 setup that wouldn't have been possible with the av8802a.. and i realise very few would ever do this ... 1 hour ago, FreddieB said: However, I run an integrated with HT bypass for my fronts, so I use that for my most critical listening and didn't need the 880x upgrades for that. However, 80% of the time I was happy with the Marantz even for 2ch. i still run a dedicated 2ch pre amp and power amp.. its 10 + years old a combo.. 2ch gear can literally go forever and no need to churn through..however i have still seen the benefits of processor for the av side... with various models as have stepped through the ranks over the many years its worth it .. but understand if not everyone sees or appreciates this Edited February 27 by betty boop
STROP Posted February 28 Posted February 28 17 hours ago, betty boop said: denon 4308 AVR Bought this new at the time, beast of an amp and still in use in 7.1 HT set up. 4k source going to LG Oled tv through Oppo player and no need for latest sound formats, saved a lot $$$. YMMV. 1
betty boop Posted February 28 Posted February 28 35 minutes ago, STROP said: Bought this new at the time, beast of an amp and still in use in 7.1 HT set up. 4k source going to LG Oled tv through Oppo player and no need for latest sound formats, saved a lot $$$. YMMV. It’s still a beast … was some $5.5k in 2008 ! Had something like 7 power supplies made in Japan …now days one step down from a1 line like this was is some $8.5k ! and yep plenty of ways to work around the 4k and especially if don’t need latest …which won’t if doing 7.1 1
mfforever Posted March 11 Author Posted March 11 (edited) Hi all ....... taking all your excellent advice on board and thinking again of my very modest requirements for the latest developments, I have jumped in and bought a Marantz AV 7702 Mk2 ........ in the end, the 8802A or 8805A were really overkill for my situation ( and if money grey on trees I would have loved either of these ) Thank you Stereonet Community for your collective wisdom .... will give some feedback when all installed ( maybe a month as I am still working on my 1965 Goodmans which will be my mains if all works out ......... ( I suppose if you want to see the very opposite of current HT development you may want to visit " DIY Projects - Rebuilding Goodmans 1965 Magnum K speakers " - and I'm hoping my love of great sound can meld with my love of vintage audio ....... worth a shot I feel ) Edited March 11 by mfforever 2
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