You might remember my post re. a new Yamaha RX-V765 vs. my older RX-V800, here: http://www.avforums.co.za/index.php/topic,3807.0.html
Latest addition to the "in-home testing facility" is a Marantz SR5004. Pretty much the same functionality as the Yamaha, rated at 100W though and with a bigger PSU (650W vs 400W). As before, main L+R amplification is courtesy of my trusty Rotel RB-1080.
First impressions: In stereo mode, it sounds good. Bass is tight, fast and not boomy, whether in "Source direct" (processing and EQ bypassed) or "Pure direct" (ditto, but display also off)
In HT, the auto-setup (Audyssey) takes quite a long time and makes provision for measuring multiple listening positions. HT is somehow not nearly as dynamic as the Yamaha. Man, how I wish there was a simple way of doing an A/B test. Impossible IMHO given the vast number of cables that need to be connected, the time taken between swops defeating the purpose, really.
One observation: The Yamaha specs state 4 Ohm loads are OK. Marantz says 6 Ohms min. Even given its much larger PSU, this baby runs rather hot, much more so than the Yamaha (keeping in mind the Rotel is doing a lot of the hard work).
Which one do I prefer? :-\ Still a difficult choice. RRP on the Yamaha is R 8300 and R 10900 on the Marantz.
Latest addition to the "in-home testing facility" is a Marantz SR5004. Pretty much the same functionality as the Yamaha, rated at 100W though and with a bigger PSU (650W vs 400W). As before, main L+R amplification is courtesy of my trusty Rotel RB-1080.
First impressions: In stereo mode, it sounds good. Bass is tight, fast and not boomy, whether in "Source direct" (processing and EQ bypassed) or "Pure direct" (ditto, but display also off)
In HT, the auto-setup (Audyssey) takes quite a long time and makes provision for measuring multiple listening positions. HT is somehow not nearly as dynamic as the Yamaha. Man, how I wish there was a simple way of doing an A/B test. Impossible IMHO given the vast number of cables that need to be connected, the time taken between swops defeating the purpose, really.
One observation: The Yamaha specs state 4 Ohm loads are OK. Marantz says 6 Ohms min. Even given its much larger PSU, this baby runs rather hot, much more so than the Yamaha (keeping in mind the Rotel is doing a lot of the hard work).
Which one do I prefer? :-\ Still a difficult choice. RRP on the Yamaha is R 8300 and R 10900 on the Marantz.
