2. amps-preamps
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Marantz or Emotiva as processor?

I'm plotting my home theater and audio makeover and could really use some advice.

First, room is 15x20.
Second, planning to get some quad 22L2 for the fronts.
Second, I care about 2 channel fidelity above all, but getting a solid ht processor is important too.

Remaining speakers will be junk onkyo htib until later.

The question is, do I go with the marantz sr6004 refurbished for $600 or the marantz sr7002 refurbished for $600 or the emotiva umc-1 for $700.

I've heard marantz and like the sound over denon and pioneer.

I'm not sure what will power my speakers yet. Assume emotiva amps, but I'm open to suggestions. My total budget for pre/pro/amp is $2000.
odamone
7 responses Add your response
sthomas12321
408 posts
 
Buy the Emotiva IMO.

Specially if you want more speaker options down the road. Emotiva makes some killer budget priced amps. The XPA-5 is a great amp. I powered some Magnepan 1.6's with it by ease. Sounded first class.

I once had a pair of gallo 3.1's, a Bryston sp-1.7, and a 9bst. I liked the Emotiva/Magnepan combo better.

I'm sure it was mostly just the Magnepan's I was loving, but the point is the Emotivas left little to be desired with the 1.6's.

Hope this was helpful info.
sthomas12321
408 posts
 
Buy the Emotiva IMO.

Specially if you want more speaker options down the road. Emotiva makes some killer budget priced amps. The XPA-5 is a great amp. I powered some Magnepan 1.6's with it by ease. Sounded first class.

I once had a pair of gallo 3.1's, a Bryston sp-1.7, and a 9bst. I liked the Emotiva/Magnepan combo better.

I'm sure it was mostly just the Magnepan's I was loving, but the point is the Emotivas left little to be desired with the 1.6's.

Hope this was helpful info.
odamone OP
2 posts
 
I'm now considering the soon to be released Marantz SR7005. It seems to be a healthy upgrade in terms of bells and whistles over the previous generation.

It's roughly the same cost as an emotiva separates 7.1.

Any one think I'm crazy to go integrated over separates? I figure I can always add amps later if needed and the reliability of marantz should give me fewer headaches than the emotive pre/pro. That said, contrarians, speak up!

odamone OP
2 posts
 
I'm only beginning to understand the pre/pro landscape and came across the Onkyo Pro PR-SC5507P pre/pro. Any opinion on whether or not it is worth more than double the cost of either the Marantz or Emotiva?
entrope
482 posts
 
Disappointed in the UMC I purchased and returned it. Clunky interface and buggy software in my opinion. Sound quality was average.
energizer
113 posts
 
Emotiva over Marantz.
rleff
1,065 posts
 
I had a emotiva dmc-1 processor and was very happy with it;only moved to the intrega dhc 9.9 when a blue ray player
was added into the mix.
On 2 channel sound it was a good performer but the intrega is much better;given your budget the emotiva may be a good solution for you but you still owe it to yourself to hear the emotiva unit as emotiva has a 30 day home trial policy so there is no risk there and they also offer the 40% off the next generation product if you where to by the existing product;a nice option I feel.
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