Summary: The 7300 OSE has great value there is no doubt about that. I purchase it to replace my Technics SA-DX930 wich I have high regards for. I found upgrading from the Marantz from my Technics receiver to be a significant jump but not leaping if you know what I mean. The sound stage is great for theater I found that I need to change my speaker positioning as I found the sound very directional. The receiver has many a lot of setup work involved and its kind and changing one setting is kind of like someone adjusting your seat in your car, once you adjust it its virtually impossible to get back to the original seating position. :). I found the sound to be not has bright although this seemed at first to be a draw back I found that there was much more clarity to things that mattered such as voice, explosions etc. I found the sound to be very natural as opposed to processed. I found the sound very detailed this was great but I ended noticing actual flaws in the production of some DVDs and CDs so there is something to be said about overly detailed but Ill let you be the judge.
Strengths: - Excellent Build quality on the OSE.
- Components on the back are nicely organized
- Sound quality is fantastic.
- I really liked the remote, very practical and easy to program I found.
- Price you defiantly get more than you pay for.
- Loved being able to assign digital outputs on the back to any source. Trivial, but very nice.
- Very, very musical.
Weaknesses: - HDCD only works in stereo it would have been nice to be able to use circle surround.
- Connectors on the back for speaker cables were not rugged. I recommend using banana plugs.
- Sound took some getting used to. Its not a Yamaha in terms of overly processed and bright sounding.
- Channel separation very directional, for me anyways when comparing to my old Technics receiver. Speaker adjustments compensated for this.
- Setup is complicated at first. Guy’s manual reading is a definite requirement on this one :)
Similar Products Used: Technics SA-DX930
Would you like to Comment? Join AudioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Summary: This is the first time I buy a Marantz product and all I can say is that they are of top quality and finish. SR7300 is no exception to that. I wanted to buy a HT receiver which would not compromise the quality of stereo sound. SR7300 is the way to go.
The stereo sound is exceptional for a HT receiver of this price range. Sound is very warm, dynamic and quick. Trebles are warm and clear and bass is well-placed and fast. Midrange is also beautiful, crisp and clear. It tends to prevail weaknesseses of other sources and speakers, as well as extra details from recordings, you had never noticed.
As fas as HT is concerned, it does very efficient signal processing and parts that are used in the construction level are of top quality. There are not so many different sound and stage presets to play with (such as in a Yamaha) but I think that all this is unnecessary and it's more like a toy that you'll only use it once and throw it away.
Finish is top-notch (mine is gold) and gives the impression that it's going to last for many many years. The feel of buttons is excellent (i.e. nothing like Sony). The receiver do gets warm but not hot, so not a problem there. I have been using it for a year now, and it has worked flawlessly.
The only complaint I have is that it cannot drive difficult, low-impedance speakers in very high volumes. So try using 8-ohm speakers with this receiver.
Other than that, I have no complaint, I am happy with my purchase and even more happy with the sound I am getting out of it both in stereo and HT modes.
Strengths: Excellent sound both in stereo and HT.
Superb bass (do invest in high quality cables -it'll pay off)
Very well built with top-notch finish.
Detachable power cord.
RS-232 port for future software upgrades.
Pre-main outlets (very important to me).
Weaknesses: Basic remote, no back-lit.
Not recommended for very difficult and low-impedance speakers.
Similar Products Used: Yamaha RXV1200,
Sony ST1080,
Denon 2803, 3803
Would you like to Comment? Join AudioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Summary: This av receiver has an excellent sound.
The sound processor chip used is verry good.
I can hear a very high en soft sound comming out of the tweeters B&W 604 s3 only when iam playing not with source direct.
Strengths: Lotts of Power
Weaknesses: Clumsy remote.
Similar Products Used: sr 6200
sr 4200
Would you like to Comment? Join AudioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Summary: The built of the amp is awesome. Marantz is using Elna capacitors for the amp with two 22K Elna audio grade capacitors for power reserve. With the powerful CS49400 processor and Crystal DACs for all channels, this amp truely stands out in 5.1 channels. If anyone is thinking of the 5300/6300, I would STRONGLY recommend them to spend more to get the 7300.
For DTS tracks, the difference is very clear cut compared to 43/53/6300. The cirrus logic CS49400 is far more powerful than the CS49326 used by those 3 lower models and more capable in decoding DTS tracks. Subtle details in movies/concerts that were never heard b4 are now noticeable. When serveral instruments are playing at once, the sound never got cluttered unlike the lower models. Dobly tracks are equally impressive.
As for stereo, detail is again astonishing. Imaging is great and with more 100W per channel, there is adequate power for most bookshelf speakers. The sound is more dynamic too.
Compared this to the NAD, the SR7300 is better than the T742/752 but wasn't as good as the T762. Stereo is just as good (NAD sounds warmer) but NAD is more dynamic in 5.1. I believe the reason for this is power. T762 uses a torroid transformer which delivers more power than the 7300.
To improve things, I gave the 7300 Pro gold treatment. I clean all internal connections with pro gold spray and I also reinforce the power lines with 12AWG solid core copper shielded cable.
This little mod with pro gold further improves the sound. The detail is better. High frequencies sounds more realistic. The symbol clashes sounds more realistic with the viration of the brass more visible. The focus and imaging also improved.
The version I have came with an IEC socket and not fixed cord. However, the socket connection pins sucks. Its more a solid metal but made of folded tin plated brass plate.
Strengths: Very musical
High quality components
Awesome detail and imaging
Powerful CS49400 processor
Weaknesses: Clumsy remote.
Crap IEC socket
Similar Products Used: SR 4300
Would you like to Comment? Join AudioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Rating Reviewed by: ben baumgartner(Unregistered User)
(Audio Enthusiast)
Review Date September 19, 2003
Overall Rating 4 of 5
Value Rating 5 of 5
Used product for Less than 1 month
Visitors rate this review 2.60 of 5,
5.00 votes
Review 5 of 10
Price Paid:
$0.00
from smart home theatre
Summary: first let me say i have a friend that owns a upscale hifi shop so when things come in he asks me to try it out, great for me because i don't have to buy much stuff. ok i was using a b&k 507 for some time when he picked up the marantz line he needed the 507 for a custom install so i took home the 7300 i have had most of the integras the upscale kenwoods the yamahas and more, the first thing that i noticed was the musical sound of this receiver it is fantastic on par with the b&k for 3000.00 less i will still try all of the new receivers that he carries but this one shure sounds great i did't notice much difference fron the ose version if you are in the market for a excellent unit check it out
Strengths: excellent power all processing modes upgradable super musical
Weaknesses: ugly remote that and no removeable power cord
Similar Products Used: most other brands
Would you like to Comment? Join AudioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
4 of 5
5 of 5
3 of 5
