Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Marnantz needs a tune up. Looking for a backup avr

I’m having yet another receiver issue. As Tom has told me, “Are you sure it isn’t YOU?”…… So ya Tom, I’m beginning to think you’re on to something with that.

The SR8001 is shutting itself down for no reason at random. After several weeks of various tests, trouble shooting and blaming my speakers, Marantz agrees that this is a receiver problem and wants me to send it to Spokane for service. I pay for shipping of course….only around $100 one way.

So that means no HT time for at least four weeks. I’m feeling dejavu here. This is the third time in teh past year that I've had to do this (send a reciever out for repair).

Considering my luck with these damn receivers, I think I need a back up. I’m looking for something inexpensive (under $500) that will process HDMI audio and will carry a four ohm load at moderate volume. I’ll just have to rein it in for a few weeks while I wait for the SR to make its way back home.

I was all fired up and ready to buy a new Denon 4806CI and sell this thing, but with my luck, the Denon will eventually give me troubles and I’ll be in the same boat I'm in now. I think the “back up” plan is the best plan for me.

My kid needs a new surround receiver for his set up so this wont be a total loss ..I suppose.

OK John, what are those budget receivers you like to recommend again?? I'd like to get something in the mail to me today so I can get this stinkin Marantz on its way.

You and Randy use the same electrical contractor, by any chance?

Geez, Mike, I have always perceived you as the resident HDMI expert. I hope somebody can help you, but I fear you're screwed.

I think JohnK tends to like the Onkyo lineup, but Alan says they're suspect relative to low impedance loads.

The pioneer VSX 1016...cheap like borscht.

I'll echo Tom's comments, Mike, this really is unfortunate. You haven't had the best of luck, hopefully you can find a lasting solution!

My vote is for a 2nd receiver would be something from the Yamaha HTR line - 6060, 6080 or 6090. They all have HDMI 1.2a spec. I would think you could find any of them for well under a g-note US.

note - i'd have picked the Pioneer 1016 as well, but i believe it is only HDMI switching and won't process.

We’re all in trouble if I’m resident expert on anything.

I just wanted this thing to tide me over for a year, maybe two. I have a suspicion that Ian has a kick ass pre/pro to go along with the Axiom amp before too much longer.

I'll have a peak at those Yamaha's. I have to admit that I just haven't paid much attention to the budget units. This is new teritory for me.

Looks like Dakmart finally got their 4806's in and selling on eBay eBay Good price.

Ya I was looking at those last night and came very close to buying one. I just dumped $5000 on a bed last month, plus my drunken Amazon.com order. I'm just a wee bit strapped at the moment. Hense the $500 budget.

Timing....it's always bad.

One more qualifier for the back up receiver. It must pass 1080P video. The AVR will be downstream of my VP-50 before the projector.

I see that One Call has a Yamaha V661 for $500 and free Fed-X shipping. This one claims to pass 1080P. I don't know....looks too good to be true.

They also have an Onkyo 674B for $540. Don’t know much about that one either.

If you're not too worried about refurbs then Accessories for less has some good prices on Onkyo.

Onkyo

Thanks. Man those things are cheap! $300 for a 604B.

I think I'm going to give the Yamaha V661 a shot. I've found out the following from owner threads at AVS. Those threads are hard to follow and one has to weed out the BS, but there are usually a few folks who really know what they're talking about.

Onkyo 604B ($300+ shipping)

Will accept HDMI audio formats up to 5.1. It will not apply any post processing the matrix 7.1.
It has no pre-outs.
It will pass 1080P video no problem.
It's cheap.
No video up-conversion.

Onkyo 674B ($429+shipping)

Same as the 604 but have some video processing.
Has Pre=outs.
Not quite as cheap, but still cheap.

Yamaha V661 ($500 shipped)

Same as the 604 but has pre-outs.
No video processing.
Will accept up to 7.1 PCM audio from HDMI
Will matrix 5.1 PCM into 7.1.
Will pass 1080P


I think I'm going for the Yamaha.

Mike, you've gotten good suggestions already. I'd go with the Onkyo 604 refurb that Lorenzo mentioned. Although the Yamaha 661 should be fine, the 604 has the advantage(besides a simplified Odyssey)that it doesn't have pre-outs, so there's no temptation to blow dough on a separate amp.

Yamaha V661 is on order. I'm quite interested in how well this unit works and plays with my 4 ohm channels. If it works as well as some users have indicated to me via PM at AVS, it should be one heck of a bargain for folks wishing to get into HD/BR HDMI audio processing.

So what happened to the Marantz? Or did I just miss that...

Well I’m not really sure why, but it randomly shuts itself down. After doing a bunch of tests and troubleshooting for a couple tech guys at Marantz, I was told it is a problem internal to the receiver and I need to send it in for repair. The closest repair facility is in Spokane.

Weird thing is if I leave it on when it’s working, it continues to works fine….indefinitely. But when I shut it off, then power it back on the next day (or whenever), it will sometimes shut down.

So now it’s on and will stay on until the Yamaha gets here. I just didn’t want to be without my system for several weeks, so I’m buying this other receiver. I can’t live without my HT and not go into a state of withdrawal. Pathetic, I know.