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Marantz AV8003 Processor

I've just received my new processor for 4 days now. After reading previous reviews, the Michael Fremer one really scared me away from the processor because of the perceived difficulties in switching inputs and a difficult remote.
I can assure everyone that inputs are easy to switch. every input is linked directly to a number. The remote's backlight can be set up to a minute. Setting personal input names and links to hdmi, coax etc can b e a little confounding but I figured everything out under an hour and half. Sound quality is good but I have yet to set the EQ with the mic. Sound is not quite as transparent as my Simaudio Attraction 7.1 but blue ray playback with the new sound formats are fantastic. Hope this will help.
anwill

Showing 4 responses by dbphd

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dbphd
1,624 posts
 
I wouldn't be as prescriptive as Darryl. HDMI is the most practical way to enjoy DSD discs. My XA5400ES outputs both analog via XLR and digital via HDMI to my Cary Cinema 11a, so I can select either input. I prefer HDMI, especially when playing DSD discs. Multi-channel DSD can be glorious; try the Arts recording of Corelli violin sonatas.

The Cinema 11a is said to have excellent DACs, and my listening suggests that's true, so whether you should follow Darry's prescription depends on the relative merits of the DACs in your disc player and your processor. But I doubt DSD will be available via analog XLR.

db
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dbphd
1,624 posts
 
Absent DSD or multi-channel considerations, my point remains that the decision whether to use analog or digital output depends on which is better, the DACs in the disc player or the DACs in the processor. I think the point is the same whether the processor is a Marantz AV8003 or a Cary Cinema 11a.

db
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dbphd
1,624 posts
 
I'd guess, but don't know, that it's possible to connect both the analog XLR and HDMI outputs of a disc player to the AV 8003, so one can compare the sounds just by selecting the input. I just leave both XLR and HDMI inputs in place.

db
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dbphd
1,624 posts
 
After writing the 1/3 post, I tried switching the input at the Cinema 11a from HDMI to XLR, but could not obtain a signal with XLR. IIRC, when I first set the 11a up, I was able to make such a switch. But I've made a lot of changes since then, so I may have set up the Cinema 11a in some way that doesn't permit analog from that input, although another input takes analog output from the phono stage without a problem. I'm going to be changing the racks around, so I'll check it out then -- I may have switched something on the Sony XA5400ES. I was too glib about my ease of switching between HDMI and XLR.

db
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