Marantz AV8003 vs 7005 processors sound quality

I cannot help much. The Cary has wonderful analog bypass but it doesn't compete in most other aspects. The Marantz/Integra units are excellent in many ways but you might find the analog bypass unacceptable. I never use it and not because I find it inadequate but because I find the other routes preferable.

In my big system, the Meridian has no analog bypass at all but I do not miss it. I do have a Parasound JC-2 for that but it is used more for comparisons than for actual music listening.

Sprag, I was concerned about those same issues. And like you I am not going to spend more than a few $K on a pre/pro...things change too much albeit at a seemingly slower pace today than just a few years ago. Anyhow...my original plan was to continue using my two channel passive for music and the 7005 for HT duties. Then I popped in one of those hybrid SACD's and thought oh geez...now what (30 SACD's later). I have the Oppo 93 and considered pushing to the 95 via analog but cable cost alone would add another grand for multi channel (compared with one good HDMI). And frankly I'm plenty pleased with the dynamics the Marantz offers.

Still, I can't say I don't wonder sometimes what I'm missing but then I start thinking speaker upgrades, or a really good tube preamp...etc. So when I bought the 7005 I got it using AA's 30-day return offer. Honestly, I thought this thing was going to sound awful and dreaded the whole process. Plenty of FUD running through my mind.

As much as I value kal's opinion and appreciate him posting here, I find myself stuck bypassing all the Audessey stuff for music...it does feel like something is missing with it engaged. And I don't dismiss potential bias on my part.

I should have those last five fuses this week...the power supply fuses made a subtle change if that. I'm hoping for a little bit of magic from these. Good luck in your quest.

For 1500 for the AV7005 I am not disappointed, this processor has a purer sound and has more features than Processors that cost three and four times its price, additionally its HDMI 1.4a meaning you can route 3D video through it and its upgradeable via firmware with a wired or wireless internet connection. It Rocks

And just to complete my prior post, the remaining fuse updates I installed (Hi-fi Tuning gold classic) didn't yield any notable contribution with regards to micro dynamics as they did in my amp. If anything, the sound has a bit more air up top and maybe some smoother mids and highs. (The four fuses I replaced on the power supply boards were Hi-fi Tuning Silverstars.) This is an upgrade I'd call minor (at best) and would say money is better spent on a high(er) grade HDMI cable or power cord. But to me the fuse upgrades were worth it just to eliminate the what-if questions and I got them for half to one-third off...so not a big outlay.

The unit sounds so good to begin with, it is amazing. I have not had the opportunity to compare it with higher-end models...mainly because I'm content.