If you’re looking for a warmer sound the 8805 is probably a good choice, but if you prefer more transparency and detail the AMV70 would likely be better. Not sure what room correction the Marantz uses, but Anthen’s ARC system is very highly regarded. Is this primarily for HT or is 2-channel important too?
How Important Are SOA Home Theater Processors?
The processor is the heart of a home theater. Every source goes in, is processed, flavored with DSP, and sent to the various channels. I wonder how much difference there is between an entry level processor (NOT a receiver, a separate) and a flagship? Is squeezing more and more features into the same box a positive? Are you paying for features like Imax Enhanced or DTS-X with very little content on discs and even less content being streamed? Do you really need more than a 7.2.4 setup? Do you really need SOA room correction or simply good room correction in a well treated room? Does it make sense to have the $$$ DAC in your processor when you know it will get stale in 5 years or better to put the money saved from an upgrade into a separate DAC? I see prices going up but question a lot of these additional channels/features as an upgrade, maybe just different rather than better.
Anyone do a processor upgrade and feel underwhelmed by their investment? Anyone do a processor upgrade and was blown away?