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your Thoughts on AV8801?

Hi all,

I am very excited as my wife said i could finally update my old Pre/Pro my Yamaha Rx-z7 Receiver i was using as a pre/pro with my parasound A52 and 2125 amps along with my Def Tech 7002, CLR 2500 and Infinity rears and rear center along with Def TEch Trinity Sub..Sounded great..and i liked some of the DSP modes but not all of them.. But i always felt i could increase the sound quality with a true peamp processor and get better sound on music especially while still getting the same or better sound with movies.. i have read alot of reviews on both the marantz av8801 and the new Yamha CX-a5000 pre/pro.. and i had always owned Yamaha in the past including some of their older flagship receievrs..(the Marantz is actually made in Japan, impressive for newer stuff nowadays! its a rarity) I strongly considered the cx-a5000 against the 8801.. i decided to buy the 8801 and i got a smokin deal on it brand new from auth dealer with full warranty for 2399.00... it will be here by UPS on tuesday..as i figured i would try something different.... i have no need for atmos at this time so those were the only two i was considering.. The marantz actually reminded me more of the old Yamaha flagship recivers i have bought in the past in regards to its build qulaity etc HDAM's.. it looks like the newer Yammie's are stripped down.. even the new pre-amp looks like it is somewhat stripped down inside the chassis... anyway.. looking forward to other Marantz 8801 owners on how much they like their Marantz 8801... I am sure the new Yammie cx-a5000 is great as well...hopefully i won't miss the DSP's very much as i feel the Marantz's more musical sound will obviate the need for it ... what a fun hobby we have comparing all of this stuff....
audiomike1

Showing 6 responses by avgoround

avgoround
287 posts
 
lol..who knew that the entire 25000 thread amp/preamp discussion forum section, consising of dialogue on world class pre's and such were missing a key element, in the Marantz 8801!
That does it..Imma start a new thread over there. I am...no I am, yes really
avgoround
287 posts
 
Personally, id get some used anthem n forget about it, likely! i see ZERO need to spend high dollars for any pre/pro these days, when you can get many hd Dolby /DTS Master equipped pre or receivers as pres for pennies, used! And most all of em can't compete with bypassing the processor fer 2 channel purity, direct to a dedicated 2 ch pre for music, anyway! But that's just me.-plus these things drop in value faster than grass grows!! So id consider...cause you will not see a big av sound difference in brand new pres vs 5 year old used units, i say
unless you need 4k pass-through, theres simply a hundred options for high performance movie sound and video switching on the cheap! but dont let me rain on ur parade. i just dont see it, personally
avgoround
287 posts
 
you know what you should do? ...you should AB movies from your Yammie into some amps, vs new $2229 used car investment, and see if anyone on your block would actually hear a difference to justify your purchase!?! My guess is..yyyeeaaah. FUN THOUGH!
OUCH! $2200 for mid-fi!!! WEeeeeeeeeeee!...
avgoround
287 posts
 
OH! I stand corrected!!
FOUND IT!!!!...Apparently, a recently introduced Marantz AV surroundy sound processor (manufactured in which country again??) = HI-FIDELITY AUDIO EQUIPMENT!! WHAT IN SAN HAINES WAS I THINKING?!!!
...sooooo, um, ok, if you run it in two channel mode, it clearly competes with the likes of Ayre, CAT, Pass Labs, MBL, Audio Research Ref and so forth?! Well scoop me sidesaddle, there Magic Michael! Cause apparently this mythical AV beast is what audiophiles all these years have been missing, as the solution to high fidelity signal preamplification and refinement!! YYYEEESSSS!!!
Well I guess I have a lot to learn here then, cause I've missed it, it seems.
That's it!..Im selling off my expensive exotica and getting a Chinese Digital surround maker! DOH!
avgoround
287 posts
 
Ok ok..that's probably a bit cynical on my part. I condeed.
However, apparently, in a pinch, I can substitute the Marantz for my Pass Labs pre, no problem. Who knew!?!!
So, thanks for that...
avgoround
287 posts
 
I am sure that the Marantz is Midfi... He stated otherwise
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