Marantz SR7005 A/V Receiver Page 2

Marantz has not neglected other Audyssey features, also including Dynamic EQ and Dynamic Volume for adaptation to low-volume listening, and MultEQ XT for automatic setup and room correction. Please note that MultEQ XT was the best of Audyssey’s three auto setup modes until the recent introduction of a fourth called MultEQ XT32, which is not featured here. While the newest version has higher-resolution filtering than its predecessors, the one that this AVR uses was the best available at the time of design, and it provided superb results in practice.

Surround historians may wish to note that SRS Circle Surround, which was present in the SR6004 I reviewed a year ago and many models in previous years, isn’t present on the SR7005.

Any A/V receiver that sells for more than $1,000 should have network audio features in one form or another. Marantz has wisely licensed DLNA 1.5 to pull media off your home network-connected PC. Supported subscription music services are Rhapsody, Napster, and Pandora, with the latter available in paid or free-with-ads versions. Radio options include Internet radio organized by vTuner, Sirius satellite radio, terrestrial digital HD Radio, regular FM, and AM. Portable devices, as already mentioned, include dock-free iPod/iPhone USB and the Bluetooth adapter. Marantz seems to have covered all the bases, and one expects no less at this price.

Apple AirPlay compatibility is a notable feature for the SR7005 as well as Marantz’s AV7005 surround processor, NA7004 network audio player, and M-CR603 stereo CD receiver. A firmware update will activate it, allowing the SR7005 to commune wirelessly with Apple devices such as the various iThings, Apple TV, or a computer running iTunes. To complement it, Marantz offers a free Wizz App (I don’t name ’em, I just type the names), which allows the iPhone and iPod touch to control the AVR, even extending to its second zone.

Associated equipment included five Paradigm Reference Studio 20 v.4 speakers, Paradigm Seismic 110 sub (using the Marantz’s EQ, not the sub’s), OPPO BDP-83SE universal disc player, Rega Planar 25 turntable, Shure M97xE cartridge, and Bellari VP530 phono preamp. I chose the tube phono preamp especially for the demo of Who’s Next. I wanted Roger Daltrey’s legendary “Won’t Get Fooled Again” scream to be bathed in the golden retro beauty of tubes. All movie demos were Blu-ray Discs with DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks.

Prince of Mixers
My demo of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time was remarkable for what didn’t happen: I evoked neither Audyssey Dynamic EQ nor Dynamic Volume. At the time, I was beginning to question my usual practice of starting movies without any low-volume listening compensation and slowly stepping it up as needed. In this case, I was glad I gave myself a chance to hear the movie au naturel—the mixer and I had the same instinct for how much dynamic range is necessary to make a Jake Gyllenhaal swashbuckler thrilling and how much would just be excruciating. The Marantz porthole showed a master volume setting of –20 (in a range from –80 to +18) throughout the movie, and I never suffered from itchy-trigger-finger syndrome. Typically clean and dynamically hip Marantz amplification surely helped. Audyssey MultEQ XT did a fine job of dialing in the sub, as I was reminded during the ostrich race, not to mention the opening Disney logo with its popping fireworks.

Saw VI may be the most politically attuned installment of the sadistic horror franchise, singling out both crooked mortgage brokers and callous health insurance executives as victims of bodily invasive, blood-drenched torture. With victims screaming and various pieces of machinery sounding all the way up and down the frequency spectrum, Audyssey Dynamic EQ (on) and Dynamic Volume (at the medium setting out of three) were the right choices. One of the benefits—in addition to a fairly painless overall presentation—was that surround levels didn’t fade away at low volumes. True, some of the soundtrack’s visceral impact was softpedaled. It went from being a symphony of terror to a chamber work of unease. But that’s how I preferred this movie. My nerves can only take so much.

COMPANY INFO
Marantz
(201) 762-6500
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COMMENTS
Christina Marlowe's picture

I recently purchased the Marantz SR 7002 A/V Receiver. Excellent in most every way but one huge, glaring and irritating oversight by both myself and Marantz. I use a Mac computer and my new Marantz Remote controllers are NOT compatible; therefore, much to my dismay, I cannot use many of the features of the receiver. I found it appalling that Marantz does not include a Mac-compatible program, thus rendering my remotes utterly and completely useless. I contacted Marantz and told them that manyalso of their would-be customers would, by virtue, use a Mac computer, but to no avail. If I had done my homework thoroughly, I never would have purchased this incompatible receiver. GREAT sound, though...

soldier38's picture

I recently purchased this receiver as a replacement for an somewhat worn Onkyo sr803.I upgraded from this receiver (which was not bad when it was new) because I wanted dual sub outputs, more hdmi inputs, Pandora radio and of course good sound quality. After extensive research and comparing different brands and pricing, I thought the sr7005 and Denon 4311 would give me what I was looking for in quality and also set me up for future upgrades. I decided on the sr7005 because of the history of the company and the fact that I found it for a great price. I have to say I got more than I bargained for. Sound quality is the best i've heard and it offers all the features I wanted and more. I was hoping you guys would do this review. It gives me a professional opinion and lets me know that I made the right choice. Thanks HT mag.

swimND's picture

Mark: Having reviewed both the Marantz SR7005 and the Yamaha rx-a2000, was there one you found to SOUND better? I assume that most of your setup was the same when you listened to both. Can you offer some thoughts on the differences between the two?

Jose D gamez's picture

I have bought this new receiver as an upgrade to my old SR8200. I auditioned this receiver vs the Arcam600 side by side, and let me tell you: there is little difference if any as sound quality goes, this new receiver stands up to the best. Not being THX certified and less weight was a concern,but... according to Marantz, they did not do THX certification because it costs money, they wanted to keep it affordable.I am planning to use an additional three channel amp with this receiver. Really high end.

mike1's picture

my friend has this avr and last saturday when i went to his house we watch movie n i had a headache for 2 days.i wish i can buy this avr, sound from that is big WOW.

suterp34's picture

Is this reciever .2 ready? I would like to be running two subs without having to spit 'Y' the LFE cable.

PACoug's picture

Bought mine for $800 from a guy who lost his job before he was able to equip his HT. It was new unopened in the box, but I don't get the warranty. For half price I'll take the risk.

This is my fifth Marantz HT receiver and the best yet. Has great midrange and the high end is smooth.

But what sets this thing apart is its advanced bass management. This receiver replaced a 7001 that finally went into shutdown after years of good service. That 7001 had stunning bass. I have twin RBH passive subs driven by matching RBH amplification; that's 4 high-quality aluminum woofers moving a mountain of air. When Russell Crowe shouts "Let fly!" in Master and Commander and the cannons commence, the old 7001 produced bass control that was inspiring, and a depth I couldn't find anywhere else in a standalone component for less than $2k.

Well, its replacement has gone one better. Perceived depth in soundtracks I've listened to many times over the years is far better with the 7005. Precise control of the woofers even puts the 7001 to shame. When you're operating this much woofer, you tend to get paranoid about boominess and johnny-one-note woofer performance. I put an old Holly Crowe CD in my Marantz CD player coming through my Number Cruncher, because the string bass on that recording can truly separate the refined men from the boomy boys in the subwoofer department. Never have I heard those bass lines that clean except on a pair of well-driven Sennheiser 650s. Wish I still owned those.

All the rest of it, the extra HDMI inputs, 3d support, ARC, robo-modes for every mood, all of it is just gingerbread. The sound quality here makes the movie and music experience so engrossing that I'll never regret this purchase.

LIFE_IS2's picture

I recently bought the SR7005 receiver and could not be happier. Thanks for the recommendations. I have always been a H.K. fan but didn't have good luck with my AVR2600. I went to try out their newer models but felt the were so light in weight comared to my older HK receivers. Do ya'll feel that HK has lost some quality and how does the newer models by HK perform to the newer models of Marantz in the same category as far as price goes? Thanks and GREAT ARTICLES

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