Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater New preamp-processsors

I figured I'd start a thread to discuss new pre-pros as they come out, since I'll be in the market as more options materialize. I'm still wanting to see what Anthem puts out, but I saw Marantz has released a new one with most of the features I want.

Marantz AV7706

They don't specifically mention HDMI 2.1 unless I'm missing it, but elsewhere I read that only one HDMI input is full 2.1. That seems fairly short-sighted for future-proofing, but the price is right. It should still support all of the features of this upcoming generation of gaming consoles on the other inputs, and it's not like I'm even entertaining the idea of 8K right now.

Are there other pre-pros you're considering, or do you have comments on this one? The main things I want are the balanced XLR connections, full support for object-based audio formats, and all of the video features for the new gaming consoles. I know Dirac Live is supposed to be amazing, but I don't even use Audyssey beyond setting speaker distances and levels. Once those are set, I turn it off. So Dirac Live hasn't been a real consideration. I just assume that any of the room correction software, no matter how advanced, is going to have issues with the LFRs. Is it wrong to think that?

It's wrong to think that. If you have XT32, try it. You may be amazed.

My current receiver just has XT, not XT32.

Charles, I urge you to give it a shot. It may focus the imaging even further.

I wonder how Anthem is going to change?
Probably 16.1 like the rest have gone. {9.1.6} like the top processors have gone to.

Another one to look at is either Emotiva's XMC or the Monolith Pre. They both do so many channels as well. XLR/RCA With Dirac.
We're all gonna need much bigger rooms for the amount of speakers capable.

My plan last year was to also go with something 16 channel. The Emotive RMC 1 was on the top of the list. That said, I also wanted something that actually worked as advertised and the RMC 1 did not qualify. The early owners seemed to be dealing with an untested half working product. The only prepro that seemed 100% at the time was the Marantz 8805. Not as many channels but good enough to hold me for a while as things evolved. Things have improved since then but I’ll wait a bit since the 8805 is meeting my current needs. In the mean time I’m prewiring for the anticipated future.

I sure hope the new ones have at least 4 sub outs.

I can't see trying for 16-channel in my space, but I'll be curious to see how others implement it.

Do you like your Marantz? I currently have a mid-range Marantz receiver, but it was always a stopgap measure when my previous Onkyo gave up the ghost. After two (or was it three?) Onkyo receivers in a row developed the HDMI board issue, it was time to try another brand. So far so good, with just the occasional quirkiness like the setup menu not coming up until I power it off and then back on, stuff like that.

Like you, I don't have 100% brand confidence with Emotiva. The prices aren't low enough to tempt me in their direction. I had an XPA-3 amp at one point (back when they were $699), but I wasn't noticing any wow factor from the extra power at the time. I actually just placed my second order from them after all of these years, for their CMX-2 Precision Common Mode AC Line Filter With DC Offset Eliminator, to hopefully reduce the hum I'm getting with the Actives. It's supposed to be here Monday. Even if it works great, they're not going to be on my shortlist for pre-pros, but every good experience adds up.

Likewise for the Monolith, I'm not sure I'm there in trusting the Monoprice name for this kind of product. I'll of course read a lot when it feels like I'm going to pull the trigger. It's just hard having faith in newcomers versus established brands, even if Onkyo proves the years don't necessarily translate to a smooth experience.

What number of subs would be your maximum? It seems like 4 is the magic number for rectangular rooms, so is there some oddness to one of your rooms that would make you try more?

The room is very assymetrical. It's shaped like an L with the leg of the L being used for A/V. Then there's the long stairs on one side. And there's a fireplace in one corner so the wall there is not really a corner. Low ceiling with a duct running down the length - which is not symmetrical about the width of the room. It's a nightmare.

If you listen in my room today, you'd say the sound including the bass is awesome. No more subs needed. And truly it is awesome. It was awesome with just the 800v4 but adding the twin 500v4 made it more awesome. But I will never know how much more awesomer it can be until I try more.

It's a wad of cash though.