I returned my Onkyo 604 receiver as I did not like the way it played stereo music. Maybe I had a setting wrong but is sure seemed to sound inferior to my HK AVR 240. The thing is with HD-DVD I want an HDMI receiver so I need something else.

With the Onkyo off my list and the HK models not accepting audio, I am looking at the Marantz SR4001 and Denon 2307.

I know zip about Marantz so I thought I would check with the folks here to see what you think. Any thoughts on HT vs. music?

Greg

I have Marantz SR7400 and I am generally happy with it. I have nothing to really compare it to though other than higher end Marantz amps such as older massive SR18 that I heard in store and it sounded really impressive - no flaws. 7400 is doing well what it can do and never gave me any trouble.

I have experience with a Marantz SR8500, I've set one up for a friend recently. Stereo music sounds exceptionally good, I was really impressed. It does not have HDMI but it does have DVI. The new models, namely the 8001 has HDMI 1.2 but he could not part with $2500 CA plus taxes, so we picked up the SR8500 for $1400. It is a very solid unit indeed. I don't know about any other models of recent years, just the really old ie: 1975 - 1980 Marantz of the gold old days
Cheers,
Steph

I've had a Marantz SR-5200 for about 5 years now, and am very happy with it. To my ears, musically it sounds very good. Granted, I might not be the most critical listener, but it sounds great to me. I've heard lots of people talk how Marantz builds some of the better musically sounding HT amps, so it should def be worth a look.

I'm reading the 7001/8001 manual right now. I'm very impressed with these suckers on print. The 8001 has a different type of, and pretty robust amp, plus two asignable HMDI outputs. Other than that, it is the same as the 7001. I know absolutely nothing more than that about them though. This is the first time I've ever considered Marantz and I don't really know why. I'm not sure, but I "think" they are under the same parent company as Denon.

Hi,

Marantz and Denon are owned by the same parent company, which should improve quality control.

Quite a few years ago, Marantz went through a rough patch with variable quality, but it's good to hear that the newer stuff performs well.

The early 1960s Marantz components have become collectibles, but that was when Saul Marantz designed them. He sold out to the Japanese by the 1970s, and the Marantz quality took kind of a nosedive.

Regards,

I have the Marantz SR4600 running M22ti, to my ears I like it more than the HK3480 and NAD C352 that I just sold. In comparison and to my ears...the HK3480 sounded dull, the NAD C352 lack punch and a bit too warm for my taste. This Marantz reminds me of the Odyssey Stratos that I had few years ago.