Multiple A/V inputs (5 rear, 1 front) all with S-Video; Clean, clear sound; Learning Remote; Excellent tuner; Good looks; Ability to turn off front display panel

Remote (as good as it is) needs to be backlit (more later); Manual is very sketchy; No ability to change values on display (more later); MAJOR FLAW - no ability to switch from composite video to S-Video (more later); Multi-Room A/V mode not clear (more later), also suffers from S-Video/RCA switch inability.

First, let me apologize for the length (and possibly tone) of this review. I'm happy with the SR7000, but I want to make sure that anyone else considering this receiver is aware of its limitations.

I read all of the reviews here, and also spoke at length with a couple of "seasoned veterans" before purchasing this unit. Any disappointment that I may have with it could be due to unrealistic expectations based on all of the glowing praise that I read and heard.

I consider myself to be a technically astute A/V enthusiast. My home theater set-up, while not audiophile/videophile quality, meets the needs of me and my family. I say family because they're all users of it, and it can't be so complicated that I'm the only one who can use it! As noted above, my previous receiver was a six-year old Sony Pro-Logic unit. I've been looking to upgrade to DTS/Dolby Digital for over a year, and have been looking at receivers in that time.

My "rules" for purchase were:

1. As many as possible A/V with S-Video inputs
2. Easy to use remote (family considerations)
3. Sound quality
4. Under $1000

My home theater components include:

1. RCA 480 DirecTV receiver with optical digital audio output and Composite/S-Video output
2. Toshiba DirecTV receiver with Composite/S-Video output
3. RCA 5 Disc DVD changer with optical/coax digital audio output and Composite/S-Video output (also component, but not used)
4. Sony VHS VCR - composite outputs only
5. Philips VHS VCR - composite outputs only
6. RCA 36" TV with two sets of composite/S-Video inputs, with two-tuner PIP
7. Full complement of speakers - Front L/R, Center, Powered Sub, Rear R/L

All source units live in my entertainment center and their output is distributed throughout the rest of the house to the bedrooms, basement, den, etc. Each remote TV can watch any of the above video sources without affecting any of the other TVs. I decided not to IR enable the remote TVs because I didn't want my kids accidentally changing channels on the Sat receivers/VCRs.

With all of that out of the way, let's get to the real purpose of this, the very good Marantz SR7000.

I really like the sound of this receiver. Its bass is clear and very powerful with the ability to adjust levels easily from the remote. The treble is clean up to all levels, yet doesn't sound too "bright". Listening to DTS, DTS audio, and Dolby Digital makes me wonder why it took so long to upgrade from Pro-Logic. The stereo sound is also simply incredible. I have nothing but praise for the sound that this unit puts out.

The tuner is also fantastic. I went from being able to easily receive 10-20 FM stations to receiving 30-40 stations clearly when using the automatic preset function (also pretty neat). The audio sound using 5 channel stereo seems to be an acquired taste, but I like it. To each their own.

The remote is a nice piece of equipment, and would probably retail on its own for about $50. It uses a combination of an LCD screen along with a jog dial to switch between functions. It's fully programmable and I've yet to run into a remote code that it can't learn. I do wish that it were preprogrammed with other remote codes however, It's been a bit tedious teaching it how to channel up/down for different pieces of equipment. It does need to be backlit though. While the keys glow in the dark (and the definition of "glow" is subject to interpretation), the LCD panel doesn't and that's the only way to tell what state the jog dial is in. In other words...almost impossible to use in a darkened room. I understand that there is a version of the remote that does have the backlighting...I'd suggest pushing your dealer to let you trade-up to it.

Another major strength of this receiver is the six, count 'em...six, sets of A/V jacks with S-Video inputs (5 rear, 1 front). With five different input sources (2 VCRs, 2 Sats, 1 DVD) this allows me to hook them all up without resorting to a kludgy A/V switch device. Rhapsody, Joy! Also, the front set of inputs is left open for the occasional video game console (Playstation, Nintendo 64, Dreamcast)...when I can tear them away from the kids. Nicely complementing the RCA and S-Video jacks are five (5) digital inputs, three coax and two optical; all of which are configurable for the various input sources. On the output side, two of the RCA/S-Video sets of input also have outputs jacks, both RCA and S-Video. There are also two digital output jacks, one coax and one optical. So the jack panel is EXCELLENT.

However, the completeness of the jack panel also highlights what I consider to be a major flaw of this receiver. It doesn't do RCA Composite to S-Video conversions automatically. What does this mean to the user? It means that if you have any piece of input equipment that doesn't have S-Video (like most VHS VCRs), then you can't output an S-Video signal to your monitor/TV. So you're forced to use an inferior RCA Composite video cable to your monitor, thus negating any advantage of having all those S-Video jacks all over this unit. Or you can work around this by using an RCA Composite to S-Video adapter plug (available from Radio Shack, cat. # 15-238, $19.99) that lets you use the S-Video input for all sources, and thus the S-Video output to your monitor.

A side effect of this seems to be the same problem exists with the multi-room A/V output. The only output video jack present is an RCA Composite jack...thus you can only output to the second room a signal that came into the receiver via RCA composite cable. A way around this is to hook up both RCA and S-Video cables from all input sources. However, you shouldn't have to do this. A receiver this advanced should do the switching/conversion automatically.

Another issue I have with the SR7000 is the inability to rename the input sources. The input sources available (via rear panel) are called LD (Laserdisc), TV, VCR1, DSS/VCR2, and DVD. So to use my two VCRs, 2 Sats, and DVD...I have to do the following:

Input Label Actual Input
LD VCR2
TV DSS2
DSS/VCR2 DSS1
VCR1 VCR1
DVD DVD

I'll have to keep reminding myself (not to mention the family members) that LD=VCR2 and TV=DSS2. My old Sony receiver had the capability to rename the input sources. Even though the Marantz has the buttons labeled, if you could rename the sources, you'd have confirmation via the front display panel and on-screen display that you were in fact choosing the desired input for viewing.

To summarize, this receiver is definitely worth the investment in money and time spent hooking it up. Just be aware (as I wasn't) that it doesn't have all the bells and whistles that Sony and some of the more commerical units may have. What the SR7000 does, it does well. If you're looking for a relatively inexpensive (and that's a matter of perspective) receiver for your home entertainment system, then you won't go wrong choosing the Marantz SR7000.

Similar Products Used:

Sony STR-D1011S (about 6 years old); Also considered Sony STR-V333EX for this purchase

The receiver sounds excellent for both home theater and Audio. One bit of caution is that if your sources (CD Player,DVD Player, Cd's, DVD's) sound bad, the receiver will amplify the bad source. This is what high quality receivers do. Lower quality receivers will tend to distort the incoming signals which has a tendency to hide hiss. If you have a good quality source, this receiver will sound much cleaner than anything else in its price range. If you don't have good components to match, you may be better off buying a sony, pioneer, or jvc. 5 channel stereo sounds great if you have a 5.1 speaker setup.

Similar Products Used:

Technics

Excellent price, very "musical" sound, full learning remote w/LCD display.

All of the (positive) reviews of this receiver were correct. It's a fantastic receiver at a fantastic price. The Denon has more features, but the Marantz sounds better. The Nak AV-10 sounds excellent (as does the SR7000), but has less features, and costs a lot more.

Let your ears (and ultimately, wallet) be the judge. I think it'd be hard to find anything that will compete directly with the Marantz in sound quality for this money!

Similar Products Used:

Denon AVR-3300, Nak AV-10, Yamaha RXV-995

Sound, build quality, digital i/o's

Remote volume only works in amp mode, cheap speaker jacks

I initially bought a Yamaha 995 and listened to it for 10 minutes. Way too bright sounding so I returned it for the Marantz 7000. I am not disappointed. Its a good thing that I read the review in May 2000 issue of Home Theatre Mag the same day I returned the Yamaha. Haven't played with reprogramming the remote yet. Default level on the Subwoofer channel is probably 5db high. Lots of bass punch. DVD has no DTS output so I haven't played DTS. Sound is well balanced and smooth. Great wide soundstage. Got a great deal at A&B Sound $930CDN or about $625USD. Considered buying Denon but lack of digital outputs to my MD and computer squelched that idea. Not many, if any receivers in this or any price range have digital outputs so far. Would like to have had 7.1, component video switching and EX but que sera sera. I am pleased as punch with the 7000.

Associated gear:

Paradigm Reference
Studio 20
Studio CC
Cambridge Soundworks Dipoles
Mirage BPS400 Sub
Sony DVD7000

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha 995, Denon 3300

ease of setup and use, great remote, sound, runs cool, price, tuner.

speaker posts, analog inputs, manual

my system for the record:
marantz sr7000
fronts: b&w 603s2
center: b&w cc6
surround: old pioneers
no subwoofer yet

I am by no means an audiophile. this is my first purchase of mid/hi-fi equipment.
After comparing the marantz sr7000 to numerous other models, i found it to be the best purchase for the price.
Music sounds great. the 5.1 stereo is really cool.
I do not have a dvd player yet, but dolby surround mode is fantastic with my vcr and digital cable. Matrix and Saving Private Ryan were a blast.. literally.
Since i am inexperienced, a better manual would have been helpful, it assumes you know what you are doing. But after a month of playing with the receiver, the manual started to make since, and now i understand how to operate everything.
the remote is great. I have my tv, vcr, digital cable, cd all programmed.. and it was a very simple process.
the receiver cost me $725 at HI-FI house in Broomall, PA.
A really good buy when you compare it to similar products.
The tuner is great. the first day i plugged it in, i could not tune anything in... but the second day i tried i got every area station. Maybe it just had to warm up, i don't know.
The speaker terminals are flimsy, if not down right cheap.
the analog inputs are hyper sensitive. I do not have a digital out on my cd player. it's analog only. it causes the peak indicator to go off. there are three ways to compensate:
1. turn on attenuator.
2. listen to music with source direct on -- the manual says this is the truest reproduction of music anyway.
3. buy a cd player with a digital out.
Overall i would have to say i am very satisfied with my purchase and i would recommend it to others.

Similar Products Used:

compared to h/k avr 500, nak av10, denon avr 3300 & 2800, yamaha 795, rotel, sony es

Ease of use, nice remote,tight bass.

To Much COMPRESSION.

I have been torn, depressed, anxiety, and anxious about picking the right sounding reciever.I had it in my mind i was going to buy a Yamaha 2095, i always liked the tight bass and punch they gave you. well after reading audio review articles in various magazines and talking to different audio retailers, i was told that yamaha is a very bright sounding reciever ( it just is not warm sounding), Well what the hell does that mean!
So after reading this excellent article in Home Theater about the SR7000 i thought the writer was going to have an orgasm. So i said to myself this must be a great reciever, my mind was made up i an going 6to buy a yamaha 2095 and Marantz SR7000 and see which one sounds better and i will return the other, So i did. Thanks to a fantastic audio specialist in Binghamton NY, named "JSG Audio" The owner jed lent me a SR7000 to take home. Well after listining to both the Marantz had much better sound then the yamaha, it didn't yell at you or blair at you, the sound was compressed and clear but if you want to have an orgasm yourself you will need to crank the volume up 3/4 of the way thats about a 0 to +5 on the dial to drive the speakers.

Similar Products Used:

YAMAHA, SANSUI 9090 (REMEMBER THAT ONE),MITSUBSHI MVA1

Clear and accurate sound

Bass response without a subwoofer isn't very good even with efficient speakers

The Marantz SR7000 is a very good av receiver overall. I am just disappointed in is bass response it has without using a subwoofer. With a sub its great. I have used three different speaker systems with it. DCM TF600s, Klipsch KG 4.5s and now demoing Klipsch RF3s. The SR7000 just doesn't put out enough bass as other receiver like the Yamaha RX-V995 ( which has a bass boost). If Marantz had put a loudness or bass boost switch on the unit that would have solved the problem. When setup as a home theater system you can't ask for a better receiver. The sound is powerful and clean. I thought of hooking up a equilizer to SR7000 to try and improve the bass response but I don't know if that's a good idea or not.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer VSX-D902s & HK AVR20mkII

Crisp, full, powerful sound. Lots of connections. Confusing, but full-featured remote.

None found so far (have only had it for 5 hours!)

I just got this monster and I'm really impressed. Although I'm far from an audiophile, even I know extreme quality when I hear it. I've put it through a few movies and one of my favorite CDs and have been simply blown away by the quality of sound.

Granted, I'm moving up from a low-end receiver (the Sherwood 6095, not bad until the DD went south), so there was a good deal of room for improvement.

Quality is evident, from the fit and finish to the sheer weight of it--the power transformer must be pretty solid.
Didn't demo the Denon 3300, which I hear is comparable, but I can't imagine it being any better than this.

Whatever the extreme opposite of buyer's remorse is, I'm feeling that right about about now. I'm sure you'll feel the same way.

My system:
Marantz SR-7000
Sony DVD-7700 (awesome)
BIC DV62 speakers/surrounds (much better than you'd think)
BIC DV62CLR center channel (best price/performance ever!)
AudioSource sub

P.S. Bought it at "House Of Sound" in San Francisco. VERY impressed with their knowledge/selection/service/prices.

Similar Products Used:

None. (Upgrading from Sherwood 6095 that crapped out after two months.)

Wide arrange of Digital Inputs (3 coax, 2 optical) 1 coax and 1 optical out. Nice universal remote. S-VHS Switching. Easy On Screen Display. Auto Speaker Delay Calibration (just input the distance from the central point). Very good look. Front A/V/SVHS inputs (AUX). Built in DTS and Dolby Digital. Custom System Remote connections DC and DBUS. and the list goes on...

To be honest here there are no weaknesses. If you really want a few but trust me it works WELL without these...
No Phono Input. (Since when do you decide to buy a DIGITAL amp based on a PHONO in!?!??!)
Bass Boost. Nope don't really need that...
People mentioned manual? i havnt really picked the manual up just yet... its very self explanitory in terms of functions...

My history with audio has been since i was born... by dad being a music enthusiast and in his time (70's) stereo mode was the big thing with those big clunky headphones.
I caused him enough grief twidling with his reciever(s) and recording over his tapes by using scotch tape... My ears have been listening to music since i was born most likely ...

I myself started listening to music actively i guess when i was 10-12... where i devoloped my own opinion about the kind of music and the kind of tones that pleasured my soul.

Years and years after that.. from punk to jazz .. from rock to electronica... i have had the chance to absorb all kinds of sounds... hi's and low's...

And let me tell you without my music i would be nothing.

Equipment like everything can create these experiences very dramatic and also very dissapointing. From RCA to Nad, they all produce sounds, some are cheap and some are costy...

Why spend 1400 dollars when you can get a reciever with the same power for 200?!?!?! Well i am sure you all know... the ins and outs... THD, S-N raio, RMS Power, and many more features.

Shortening my equipment history ... i had finally sunk my teeth into a nice piece of Yamaha rxv-592. Not a digital reciever but "digital ready" (requires external digital decoder).

Just this month my ears started to itch for a newer more smoother sound experience and i began my search for my next "baby" yes i love my sound and i love my recievers... if people didnt already do it... id name my recivers girls names.

Being in Toronto, I went down to Bay Bloor Radio where i have made myself somewhat of a moderate buyer and i went up to my salesman and he asked what i was looking for (price offcourse) and he offered me a Denon Series 2800 rec.

I did not listen to the amp and did some research and came across www.audioreview.com... saw the reviews about denon and did not like them... plus i required more digital inputs for my dvd/minidisc/dss.

I went to Great Metropolitan Sound where the Salesmen were helpful and (Martin) offered the Marantz sr-7000 the price was almost 600 dollars more but i knew that that was it. I looked at the reviews here for the marantz and i was a go ahead for the amp!

To my surprise i found the digital inputs were more than enough. Asthetics are very nice and professional looking!
front panel is very well distrubuted (if i had to pick either a woman designed the front or a gay man).

So many inputs that you cant go wrong... though if you have a phono player and it does not send out a normal low voltage out... then you would almost not want to buy this reciver... but belive me... when it came to the sound .... this amp beats the new theatres here.

i have a 34" Toshiba hdtv which i recently required... toshiba dvd sd-3108 (old school) dvd player.
Speakers are OEM. Somewhat custom built... they have 2 woofers 8" and a tweeter 4" with a bass reflex hole. these speakers drive 20-20khz and are circuit breaker protected and use fibreglass cones.
I am loyal to these speakers they are huge about 5 feet high about 1.8feet deep and about a foot wide.
A Infinity subwoofer and a jbl 150 watt centre channel.

Now my experience for speakers
stereo -> surround -> 5.1

I have found you have to match the tones for all the speakers. Then again centre channel is the most important channel in your system and if you buy a prebundled speaker system you wont get good enough sound... it will be missing the bass... doesnt matter if you have a subwoofer or not... if you live in toronto ... its the difference between uptown -1 theatre and any other theatre... the bass is just not there.... so i recommend you buy 4 speakers that carry good bass and treble and then get a good centre channel and do subwoofer compensation for that chanel wiht all speaker modes set to large.
Cable that i am using is Ultralink Audiophile Reference cable 512 strands. Trust me cable really makes a difference i used to used crappy wire... its just not worth it... a small stat...

8OHM Speaker crappy 18Guage wire 100feet 38% power loss

I have had many dvds like star trek(s), matrix, dolby digital demo disc with all the trailers etc etc...
on my yamaha they were good... really solid sound... used to be crisp yet punchy...

after i plugged my marantz in.. and about a day of calibration... i put in matrix and went to the hallway seen chapter 27?!!?

WOW

i heard stuff that i never heard before or in the theatres... the sound was crisp yet the bass was present and was a constant punchout.

Tried my dolby digital trailer disc and my favourite city trailer ... all i could think was i have the bass and acoustics of uptown in my living room.

Overall this amp is worth worshipping... i am gonna call this reciver Emma .. named after my firecracker of an ex.... who always used to put life into me... and yet used to outperform her image.

This reciever is nothing like i have ever experienced... i would go as far as to share that an errection was in order after a few listenings.

Would i recommend it? HELL YEAH... in canada MSRP is about 1299 i think... you can cut a deal and get it for about 1200 plus tax or maybe better...

Marantz is owned by phillips now... and are for some reason not really big in north america but are in uk....

this reciver is certainly a porche 911 turbo of its kind... hi level? yeah... not very hi end... but hi end enough to shake your inner organs and really make you part of the movie...

IS it worth the cash? YES. if you like music and movies and if you got goosebumps when you heard your favourite tape on cd.... yer an enthusiastic... go buy this amp.

If you are in toronto go to great metro.. tell them you read ali's review and wanted to check it out... they have it on display.

I give this amp 6 out of five in every way...

Drawbacks? none yet... few things.. but hey..nothing is perfect... just like the porche doesnt come with a fire extinguisher and the ferrari does.

i am going to run back and hear something revealin on this clear crisp punchy reciver...

Ali Aleem
ali@flow.cx

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha RXV-995, Denon AVR-3300

This is only my 2nd Marantz receiver, but I liked the last one enough to buy this one.

I don't know

To answer the question below, I believe that when you listen to music, you should set the surround mode to "STEREO" instead of "AUTO". I've noticed then that the bass signal is passed to the subwoofer out. This is an excellent receiver! I couldn't find anything that could compare to this for the price I paid for it.

Similar Products Used:

Denon AVR2800, HK AVR500