Sound is Outstanding (HT and Stereo), Remote, Build Quality. Best Value for the Money by a Long Shot.

Manual

Since I largely depended on reviews from this site when considering my next receiver, I feel that I owe a debt to write a comprehensive review on the SR7000. I tend to keep equipment for a long time (my previous receiver was a HK AVR15 [their first entry into the HT field], which I kept for 8 years) so I consider these purchases very carefully. It took me a little over a year of looking to settle on the SR7000.

First, allow me to say that some of the criticisms on this site are accurate. The manual is so poor that it could have been written by a blind monkey that only speaks french (to this day, I still do not know what the”copy” light means). The remote is not backlit. The binding posts could be better. The 5 channel stereo (Note: I hate all 5 channel stereo modes, regardless of the amp) is poor on most sources.

That being said, those “problems” are the only ones that I have encountered after through testing. The positive features of this amp are many and, more importantly, the features which really matter. They are:

Both the DTS and 5.1 HT modes are excellent. They
provide a wonderful sound field without any
harshness.

The Dolby Pro-Logic mode very good.

The 2 channel stereo for music is nothing short of
outstanding. The sound is rich and lively and has me
enjoying music more than ever before.

The remote (despite not being backlit) is excellent
and convenient.

The receiver is both solidly built and attractive
(very nice thick brushed aluminum face)

Lots of digital inputs, S-Video switching, etc, etc

3 year parts/labor warranty (hey, you never know)

Final review : all around excellent receiver, great value and does what’s important. People can grouse about ”problems” in every receiver. You need to figure out what is important to you and select your receiver based on that. For me, the SR7000 is the best choice out there by far. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions.

Matt

Similar Products Used:

Denon 3801 & 3300, Onkyo 575, 676 & 777, HK AVR 65, 500, 510, & 7000

Sound and build quality

Manual

First off, Let me start with the common related gripes.

* The instructions are hard to decipher at first. But I managed to figure out 90% of the manual after a couple of weeks and glad I read into it more. Also, Once you get used to the remote and the reciever is configured, you will enjoy it immensely.

* The Peak indicator light goes off and does not like the signal input of analog CDs when using my old but reliable JVC CD player. I cured this by upgrading to the Marantz CC-4000 CD player with coax digital hook up and that's when the fun began.

Now on to the Good stuff. When using this CD player selected in auto mode (PCM), the sound was excellent with great Highs and lows with lots of depth and clarity. I heard no hissing or any distortion no matter where the volume was at. 5 Channel stereo mode is also an excellent feature and very enjoyable rediscovering my CD collection. Surrounds modes are plentyful sounding great and there is also a Source direct mode if you do not wish to use the surround modes.

When using DVD's, DTS and HT 5.1 modes are very clear and precise with great power and warmth in all 5 channels, I'm hearing sounds that I never heard before with this reciever. These modes at full throttle definitely sound like the rated 100 watts. There are also plenty of Digital and Analog inputs, along with S Video. Tuner is also a joy to use with excellent reception.
This is reciever is definitely in a class of it's own for the price with excellent looking and user friendly front panel.
Despite the minor shortcommings I listed above, this reciever difinitely kicks with a warm yet powerful sound showcasing all details in music and movies along with lots of features I still have not mentioned. This reciever is very well built and DEFINITELY worth buying which deserves my highest rating.

The rest of my system is complied of:

CD Changer: Marantz CC-4000
27" Sony Trinitron
Front Speakers: Bose 301's
Surround Speakers: Bose 301's
Center Channel: Bose VCS10
Subwoofer: Boston Acoustics PV600
VCR: Mitsubishi HiFi 4 head HS-U575
Monster Cable tieing everything together

Similar Products Used:

JVC RX-882VBK

Obviously, consistent power and poise

Its gold finish

What can be said had already been mentioned here. What a beauty in terms of sound.

Similar Products Used:

Many Marantz products

An absoutely fabulous product. Is able to go both ways.

Insensitive. Could be a bit more delicate

To Cam:
How could you be so insensitive. You have a very mean temper and I suggest you get counseling. Where do you live in our great country? Perhaps we could get together and I could teach you a thing or two (and maybe more?)You might be surprised to find some of your best friends are gays, as we are everywhere. Hope to see you in the near future....
Ronnie

Similar Products Used:

All types of toys and gadgets

100 watts per channel
2 and 5 channel stereo
Great tuner

none

Great receiver it sounds good and looks good actually better in person than in the picture. I tried the SR19 out before the 7000 and found the 7000 to sound just as good. I really couldnt tell any loss in volume even though there is a differance of 20 watts per channel. The SR 19 also doesnt have 5 channel stereo and this was the major reason for me choosing the 7000. I cant believe they only charge $800.00 for this. The SR8000 is even better with a nicer remote controll I talked my dad into getting one. He traded in a Denon 3200 on it. He says it is much easier to use and the remote control is much better on the Marantz.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha 793 that I traded in on the SR7000
H/K AVR40

Great build, clean design, sound dynamics, remote, good value ($800 list) for such high quality

No record out selector, remote not backlit, basic on-screen menu and mode adjustments (some may consider this a benefit), hard to find discounted

I am an Electrical Engineer and have designed electronic equipment and integrated circuits for over 20 years. In my opinion, Marantz makes some of the best mainstream A/V equipment I have seen. Before I made a purchase decision I thoroughly delved into every aspect of each of the above receivers (I wore out the sales people) before I selected the Marantz. Even though found each of the receivers all to be very good, the Marantz struck me as having a best balance of features and build quality with a no compromise sound. This receiver held it's own against the others which list for at least $200 more (although they are easier to find discounted). The receiver sounds great on DVD movies and CD audio with my Definitive Technology speaker system (which I also highly recommend). I also tested the video switching performance using my AVIA DVD and found no degradation. Do yourself a favor and find a dealer who carries Marantz for an audition, you won't be disappointed.

Similar Products Used:

Denon AVR-3300, HK AVR-500, Onkyo TX-DS777, Pioneer VSX-26TX

Looks nice.

Manual is horible. None of the pre-out amplifier section worked when I went to set it up (oh well, back in the box and back to the store), peak indicator was flashing while my denon cd player was hooked up to it, manual said to hit 'ATT' button, no such button found on either unit or remote (or indicated in manual). Very dissapointed so far.

I can't wait to get this thing back, I have never heard of such trouble with a higher end unit. I really could not believe how poorly the manual was written. I could not believe the button the manual mentioned was nowhere to be seen. Unbelievable.

Similar Products Used:

Dennon AVR 2500

Great Sound Reproduction of Music Tracks, HT performance,
The little things (explain below)Plenty of Power, Looks, No DSP BS

User Manual, Location of Rear/Front speaker plugs (bassackwards)Some Remote Control functions

For the money this is an exceptionally great A/V Reciever. I could not believe the sound this thing produced when I was audtioning it for my main piece. I have only had it a couple of weeks, but I have been very, very impressed. We hooked up every speaker on this thing from $179 a pair tp $1300 and it made Paradigm Atoms sound as good as the Paradigm Reference speakers at 10x more price. The bass it sends to the sub is very melow and direct. The Sony ES reciever I had previously had all sorts of bass, but it was very uncrontrolled. This is one of the best recievers I have listened to. From the moment I pulled the coax adapter for the FM antenna I loved this thing, its little things like this that make Marantz the best. And thanks to the guys at Hawkeye Audio who reccomended I take a listen. I had gone in there to buy a Integra 7.1

(If you audition it please make them play Eagles "Seven Bridges Road" in DTS)

Similar Products Used:

Sony, Sony ES, Onkyo Integra, Yamaha

Excellent, warm, smooth sound in both music and HT.

Awkward volume scale, but not a big deal. Not too many dealers carry Marantz, therefore, not easy to get a good bargain.

Auditioned several AV Receivers and did A/B comparisons as well as research on the 'Net. Opted for the Marantz SR-7000, and I'm glad I did. My den now sings and rocks!!!

I'm known at the office to be very picky and a tough grader, but I must give this jewel 5 stars!

Similar Products Used:

Integra, Denon, Yamaha, Denon, Harmon Kardon

Easily the warmest, clearest and most pleasing sound in its price range.

None.

I auditioned both the Denon AVR-3300 and the Marantz SR-7000, and for me (a person who listens to music several hours a day) there was no comparison. The Marantz produced music the way I want to hear it, especially after a month of listening to a Kenwood VR-407, which although a good receiver, proves that you get what you pay for.

I actually just purchased the Marantz SR-7000 today, and it should be obvious how much I love it by the fact that I felt compelled to write about it so soon. I've been listening to music along with DTS and Dolby Digital DVDs, and have consistently been awed from the start (about 7 hours straight of use!).

But if you've read any of the reviews here, you already know how great the Marantz is. For anything within $500 of its price there's no doubt in my mind you can't find a better receiver. On top of that, setup was perfectly intuitive and any confusion I had was quickly dispelled by the manual. What shocked me the most though was the remote... this thing is truly a work of art. I've had universal remotes in the past that were nice, but I've never had one like this--every key is individually programmable! No more switching between 5 remotes for me because I can make this one do everything I want.

I was a bit disappointed with the 5-channel stereo--don't get me wrong, it sounds great, but I just don't like the way it sounds compared to simple 2-channel stereo. I guess I'm just a purist when it comes to that stuff... and I have to add that the Marantz produces a wide, beautiful sound-stage in 2-channel mode.

To conclude my review I'd like to say that if you listen to music often and are in the market for a receiver anywhere below $1500 then you owe it to yourself to audition the Marantz, even if you have to go out of your way to do so. $800 is a small price to pay for pristine accuracy especially with music and for home theater as well.

Similar Products Used:

Denon AVR-3300, Kenwood VR-407.