AV Receiver Reviews

Marantz SR7005 A/V Receiver Video Test Bench

Video Test Bench

This Marantz boasts an Anchor Bay video-processing solution, which is the technology employed in OPPO’s highly regarded Blu-ray players, among other components. This processing solution can convert analog component and lower-resolution HDMI signals to 1080p HDMI, and it’s an excellent performer with standard- and high-def sources, input over analog component or HDMI. All of our HDMI digital tests, at 480i and 1080i/p, were passed with flying colors except the highest-resolution chroma burst at 1080p, which was just slightly down in level. It’s a common but surprising failing given that other Anchor Bay–powered products we’ve seen pass full chroma resolution, including the OPPO BDP-83 and BDP-83SE. Deinterlacing with all sources was excellent, and analog up/cross-conversion to 1080p HDMI was very solid too, although here the highest chroma frequencies were absent. The highest chroma frequencies aren’t as critical to our perception of image detail with program material as luma. However, over analog component, scaling from 480i to 1080p showed the highest luma frequencies a bit rolled off. The SR7005 also offers the ability to convert 480i and 1080i movie material to 1080p/24. You must select the 1080p/24 output manually in the Input Setup Menu, which is tedious, and it forces that cadence once selected. If you leave this feature on and the next thing you play is not a movie encoded with 3:2 pulldown, there is no auto-detect that will select the appropriate deinterlacing mode. Aside from typical quibbles, this is the kind of excellent performance one expects and deserves at this price range.—SCB

COMPANY INFO
Marantz
(201) 762-6500
marantz.com
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
Christina Marlowe's picture
Submitted by Christina Marlowe on December 29, 2010 - 4:42pm

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
Submitted by soldier38 on December 30, 2010 - 3:30pm

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
Submitted by swimND on January 24, 2011 - 9:49am

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
Submitted by Jose D gamez on January 25, 2011 - 10:01pm

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
Submitted by mike1 on September 28, 2011 - 1:45pm

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
Submitted by suterp34 on October 19, 2011 - 10:59am

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

PACoug's picture
Submitted by PACoug on May 30, 2012 - 5:44pm

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
Submitted by LIFE_IS2 on March 21, 2013 - 6:51am

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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