Marantz 8802a > looking for better two channel


Curious on people’s opinions and experience. I started out more into home theater but recently have been getting more into two channel. I’m running the marantz biamped into lexicon RX-7 into revel studio 2s with a pair of JL Audio fathom f212v2s.   There are basically no places to demo equipment where I live but I’m curious what level of two channel preamp it would take to be a significant improvement over what the marantz is doing. I’m running an oppo 105 with balanced connections as the main source.  While this may still be awhile out I’ve considered McIntosh mx150, lyngdorf Tdai-3400, or shoot for the moon one of the Current levinson preamps.  Also wondering if switching to any of those would then require a new amp to fully take advantage.  I plan to keep the home theater setup and do a pass through while keeping the subs in for two channel.  I like a pretty varied mix of music so not looking something thats great with classical but terrible for rock for example.  
esthlos13

Showing 4 responses by mzkmxcv

The Lyndorph is not even distortion free for 16Bit. 
 
I doubt you will hear any benefit in “upgrading”. The target Audyssey curve isn’t that great, if you use it and don’t use Dynamic EQ, activate it, but change the Reference Offset from 0dB ro 5dB or 10dB.
@auxinput 
 
However, being Marantz, they are voiced very warm,
 
Good thing EQ exists. However:
https://www.stereophile.com/content/marantz-pm5003-integrated-amplifier-measurements
https://www.audioholics.com/av-receiver-reviews/marantz-sr8012-receiver/marantz-sr8012-bench-tests 
 
Unless you consider changes within 1/2 a decibel to be easily audible, Marantz are dead neutral.
@auxinput

What?!! I am showing unrefutable evidence that it is neutral, it’s not sane to claim otherwise.

‘Warm’ means boosted bass or rolled-off treble, it is 95% related to frequency response and 5% related to distortion.
@auxinput 
 
Subjective sighted evaluations =/= proof. I could listen to the same thing and say the Marantz is brighter than the Krell, a totally opposite opinion. However, we both would be wrong, as it’s neutral, proveably so.