great amp, takes all that i throw at it. absolutely everything.

only the speaker binding posts, look a bit naff

over all i would seriously reccomend this receiver. It is not only for the serious AV man. I as yet have only got front speakers and a CD player. Although i plan to seriously add to this with full speaker setup and DVD player, i am happry at this moment.

Although it is a lot of money for just an amp, u need to be looking to make full use of the Ac3 and DTS that it offers.

My system:

Marantz SR 7000 receiver
Marantz Cd 63 mk II cd player
Sony MDS JE530 Minidisc
Mission 773E's (front speakers)

What i plan to get:
Marantz CD6000 KI
Mission 77DS
Mission 77C1
Sony MDS JB940
Sony dvd player
large digital TV, maybe phillips

Similar Products Used:

denon AVR-3300, Sony STR DB 940, Yamaha DSP A5, and others

2-Channel audio quality, build quality

Users Manual poorly written

This receiver does double duty in my system for both home theater and 2 channel audio.

Audio: I am very impressed with the 2 channel audio quality of this receiver. Precise imaging, expansive soundstage, very quiet (no backround noise), grain free treble and good base response. As noted in another review here I also noticed that all of the positive sonic attributes of this receiver remain intact as you increase the volume level. In amplifiers of lesser quality all the instruments tend to gel together(loss of imaging)as volume increases. This was not the case witht he SR-7000. Dolby digital and DTS sound great as expected. Surround channel information in action films sounded great, very well placed. I listened to some DTS encoded music discs and they have a very wide soundstage and great imaging with some interesting use of the surround channels.

Even though the manual is very poorly written (in that it is unclear in many instances), setup was relatively easy. Delay times are set by simply measuring the distance of the speakers to listening position and then entering the numbers into the setup screen. Delay times are then automatically calculated.

The SR-7000 also looks very good. Nice alluminum front panel and well placed controls. It has all the inputs/outputs to accommodate most systems and the remote is relatively easy to program. I have both a new Philips DVD player and my 12 year old Sony CD player connected digitally using Monster Cable M series M1000D cables. The DAC's in the SR-7000 produce a very clean and satisfying sound. I would bet they produce a better sound than the internal DAC's in most DVD players. So far I really like the sound quality of this receiver and for the price it is a great upgrade for those of you who are looking to move up to Dolby Digital/DTS. The 2 channel audio quality is a great added bonus! Buy this reciever.

Similar Products Used:

None.

Clearness is unbelievable in any mode. I think it is one of the best receiver for the money.

In DTS mode you can't crank it up. One thing I think makes me think again why did I buy it if it didn't have what I want in DTS mode. I say if I want something you can never get it, but you can get close. So I say this is the closest receiver I can get with my money.

I got say for $700 bucks it sounds like you buying a receiver that cost like double as much. This reciever got everything I was expecting. Except for lack of power when it is in DTS mode, but as the sales person put it that it is better taht way. Because you won't hear as much Hiss and the lower the volume the clearer the sound. He says that high end recievers isn't based on how high you can crank it, but how clear the sound is. I'm type of guy who second thinks about stuff after I buy it. Like usually i will buy it then if i don't like it return it. This time i'm just going to keep it. Cause after owning it for few days i've really enjoy the clearness. Even though i wish i can how more power in DTS mode. I can always buy in extra amp, but I set up it in small room so i don't think that is necessary yet. So people if you got $700 bucks and thinking about getting a receiver. Go for this one. It will amazed you!!! i promise you.

Similar Products Used:

Sony 444es

Great power and clean sound
5 channel stereo option (I use it more than I thought I would)
Good remote (light years ahead of the Yamaha RX-V995's)
Incredible heat dissapation
Quality construction at this price point

poorly written manual

After many auditions between the Yamaha 995 and Sony 555ES I could not make a clear decision. Sure, the Yamaha sounded good, but it's design is just plain ugly (personal preference, I know), and the remote was terrible. While the Sony has a cleaner design, way cool remote, but sounded horrible next to the Yamaha. Then the dealer, to which I will always be grateful, suggested the Marantz SR-7000. After my first listen, I fell in love with it, and after doing some online research my [unfounded] fears subsided. I am incredibly pleased with this receiver, and it has not stopped surprising me yet - be it playing DVD's or just cranking some good tunes for a party.

*****NOTE TO Allan from Rohnert Park, CA *****
The SR-7000 DOES accept banana plugs, the receiver ships with small plastic protectors in the speaker terminals. Just use a small screwdriver to get them out!

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha RX-V995, Sony 555ES

Options and commitment to audio reproduction. This is not just a home theatre receiver. You could well be thrilled with this unit simply for your two channel "audiofile" stereo needs.

The manual is ridiculously "bare bones". It makes the unit a little nightmarish for the first few days for non-HT aficionados. If you have an HT enthusiast for a friend, buy him a beer and invite him over to help you "learn" the system.

I agree with all the raves, so I won't be redundant. I'll primarily comment on this receiver in regards to audio. I very reluctantly retired my Cyrus II and additional psx so I could upgrade to a home theatre surround system AND audio sytem combined (space was an issue). I tried everything to figure out a way to incorporate the Cyrus, but after different attempts, I simply found that my hope was no more than a stubborn attempt to keep an old friend around. The Marantz actually drove my Mission 780 Argonauts (more than fifteen years old) better than the Cyrus II. I was very surprised considering the Cyrus was specifically built for these old warhorses.

In addition to the 780's I have two Mission 700 LE's in the back, a Mission 700AS sub and a PhaseTech 6.5 Teatro in the center. Everything I tested was run through a Marantz DV-4000 DVD player. The sr-7000 is really pretty darned impressive. The sound in 2 channel stereo is super dimensional, warm but not dominating bass (unless that's what you want), very delicate uppers. I'm still shocked that anything could out perform the Cyrus II in regards to depth of sound. The Marantz has made me box up the Cyrus :-(.

The remote is cool, a couple of button compatibility problems arose, but shoot, compared to most universal remotes, it's awfully nice to FINALLY have one that I can include EVERY SINGLE command on all remotes. It's very easy to use and pretty darned cool. It's also fun to learn how to set it up. Great new technology this "learning" remote!

Choosing various settings (Dolby digital, dts, 5 channel stereo, etc.) and understanding what type of input settings (direct, not direct, dts, etc.) took this novice FOREVER to figure out and to really understand when it's best to use what. There is a ton of stuff that I still have no idea what "they" mean. I hope to eventually figure out if I can "memorize" different set-ups to switch at the push of a button so that I don't have to make a million adjustments for every different film. It's kinda like using Windows for the first time, no manual's really going to help you (though Marantz could definitely put a LITTLE more effort in the manual, it is a little ridiculous... but I'm not reviewing the manual am I? :-) ). In other words, I'm pretty new at this and I have had to really educate myself on the intricacies of home theatre. Don't count on Marantz to teach you anything in that regard. But, they're selling electronics, not info.

This receiver is a heck of a buy and I highly recommend it. The price is very reasonable, it's a sharp looking unit and I'd be surprised if anybody will find a need to replace it anytime soon. It's a great piece of equipment.

Similar Products Used:

Only basing this review on the amp I replaced... which was used for 2 channel audio only.

Excellent music and home theatre reproduction; learning
remote; lots of inputs

Manual is lacking; LCD screen not backlit

First, let me say that this is the first home theatre receiver I've used. It replaces my trusty Yamaha. Now, the review. It's great. DVDs never sounded better. Excellent base and soundtrack reproduction. For music, both the 5-channel and 2-channel stereo modes sound very good. I wasn't sure how the 5-channel stereo would sound, but the Marantz didn't disappoint. Good through the entire range (the sub helps pick up the bass, and I haven't tried listening to the system without it).

The on-screen display is relatively easy to navigate. Being able to set each channel independently during calibration is a great help. There are lots of inputs (no phono, but that doesn't concern me), both analog and digital.

On the down side, the manual is quite skimpy. Fortunately, the set-up is quite simple, so it wasn't hard to figure out. The binding posts seem also to be a bit on the cheap side, but are fine otherwise. The remote took a few days to figure out. It would be better if the screen were backlit, but at least the buttons glow.

Overall, I love it. I've listened to a variety of sources from rock to opera to classical to DVD and VHS, and it performs well in all spheres.

Remote.... it is not backlit but this baby can truly operate just about anything. It just sounds great.... enough said.

none found

I researched receivers for a couple of months and for the money you simply cannot buy a better receiver. This thing rocks for HT and music. It doesn't have all those unnecessary bells and whistles that nobody uses anyway. Marantz kept it plan and simple. If anybody could give this receiver 3 stars on the basis that it is hard to set up...... you have to be pretty lame. But seriously John if you couldn't figure out how to set this thing up I could probably send my 9 yr old son over to give you a hand.

Similar Products Used:

hk500, yamaha 795

simplicity, very powerful remote

remote not backlit

after reading the review by mr. ray pettersen of norway, i felt it necessary to post a review
for the record i used the sony db930 for a month
dont get me wrong the sony db930 i s a very nice and infinitely tweakable machine.
i recommended it to a friend who now owns one and loves it.
i got frustrated with it simply because it is not a very musical receiver the music always felt processed
the marantz on the other hand has a very clean sound right out of the box - in fact i have not had to touch the bass or treble controls in the two weeks that i have had it. the marantz is a pure joy to turn on and use .
the manual can be offputting at first but if you stick with it for about a week and simply understand that english is not the first language of the people writing these manuals it all makes perfect sense. in fact it is no worse than the sony manual.
in closing i would like to say that there is a reason the marantz7000 costs more than the sony db930-
it is a better product
dont take my word for it mr. pettersen, the sr7000 is currently sold out in the united states.
gee! i wonder why?

my only problem with it is the fact that the remote is not backlit
for a company known for their remotes,this is truly inexcusable

Similar Products Used:

sony db 930

Wonderful Sound, Great remote, 5 Channel Stereo, Ability to blank out the front panel, lots of clean smooth power.

None

I was all set on buying the Sony STR-DE-945 when I stumbled upon this piece almost by accident. I bought it on on impulse and have not regretted it at all. I thought I'd add my bit too even though I seem to be preaching to the choir here.

I listen to mostly music, and have discovered that 5 channel stereo, using this receiver is a revelation. Even though the source-direct option is great, I prefer the added spaciousness of the 5-channel sound. Maybe its because my rear speakers match the fronts so well -- also, part of it is that the subwoofer also chimes in using the 5-channel option (it is not used in source direct!!)

I am using NHT 2.5i's as main speakers, and at first I had some concerns about the Marantz being able to drive them adequately, but after hooking them up, all such fears were laid to rest. They do a wonderful job both in music --- from hard reggae (yeah, Mon) to Dylan, Grateful Dead, Paul Simon and Emmylou Harris (Check out the bass on Spyboy and Wrecking Ball) -- Whew!! I am rediscovering all my music all over again!!

This is the best $800 I have spent in a long time.

Highly recommended, if you hadn't guessed that already!

My setup:
Marantz SR-7000
NHT 2.5i as main
NHT 1.5 as rear
NHT AudioCenter 1 (Center Channel)
Acoustic Research ARS-500 - 500 Watt 15" Subwoofer

- Pure reproduction of original sound.
- Good power, well designed remote, features etc.
- Well designed
-

Very less dealers

This is exceptionally well-crafted piece of art. The sound quality, single most important thing is excellent. I've JBL's S620 (surround speakers) and JBL S310 (Front towers) and JBL's CC without SW (never felt the need). I first bought HK AVR500 but was not as impressed as by Marantz. Fortunately I got the chance to compare these two and I could easily make the difference. The sound from Marantz 7000 was more open (well spread image) on same speakers, room, music. Then I read these reviews and was more confident in buying it. These reviews really helped me in making a right decision and so I'm doing my part by writing this review.

Similar Products Used:

HK : AVR500