2. amps-preamps
  3. 184193-84411

Streaming through Marantz Pre/Pro

My current music system is as follows:

Pioneer N70ae Streamer

Pioneer LX800SE BDP

Marantz 8805/8077 pre/pro

PMC MB2SE speakers

All Cables by TimePortal

All equipment upgraded to limit vibrations and EMI RFI interference.

My issue is this is a revealing system, so that streaming often sounds hissy, and lacking in space between instruments or airiness.

Yes I know it’s limited in so many ways, the pre/pro amps are HT items. They sound ok and seem to power the PMC’s well enough.

So some benchmarks… when I play cd on the Pioneer LX800SE the system does sound significantly better but … but everything still sounds rather like MP3 V2.0. Am I being too picky? Or just not relating to what I’m hearing.

Then there’s the handshake issues. Suddenly the music stops. There’s an LG TV connected to the Marantz, HDMI eARC, using an 8GB Cable. The Pioneer audio track is showing on the screen. Good but stable for how long? I pulled the hdmi cable out and reinserted to the tv fixed that issue.

Do I want show the neighbors - the sound bar crew? Mmm not really yet. Nothing great here yet. Hang on the hdmi handshake issue stopped the music again 😵‍💫

128x128johnread57

Showing 2 responses by kota1

kota1
2,706 posts
 

Great system, I am using a Marantz 7702 in a 9.2.8 setup with active speakers. You aren’t being too picky, re: the hiss and SQ. I find HDMI fine for HT and atmos music. To get the best music performance I added an outboard DAC and have it connected via RCA. With the 8805 you could connect a separate DAC via the balanced inputs.

I know I lowered my noise floor when I addressed power. As for the handshake issue I would call marantz support, they are usually pretty helpful. It may be related to the 8K board and if it is a known issue they will tell you.

I would highly recommend getting the paid Audyssey upgrade and a calibrated mic. Night and day difference to the freeware version.

https://www.soundandvision.com/content/audyssey-multeq-x-room-eq-software-review

kota1
2,706 posts
 

@spenav 

+1 on room acoustics and multiple subs. The OP's equipment is all top notch.

OP, our setup is very similar. The steps I took to take it up a notch were to add room treatment following the acoustic recipe of anthony grimani following a video he posted on youtube which I can link to if you like. The next thing was upgrading to the paid version of audyssey with a calibrated mic. You already have the separate streamer and DAC. 

A power conditioner really helped me lower the noise floor.

As for the handshake/hdmi issue try reaching out to marantz tech support, they likely have had other customers with similar issues.

Check at the :49 minute mark in the video for the acoustic recipe:

https://www.youtube.com/live/G0ekssXX7rE?feature=share

More to discover