Marantz 7500 receiver questions (1 Viewer)

[AjayRAV]

Hello,

I have a Marantz 6200 receiver that I would like to upgrade to the 7500 and have a few questions....

1) Is there a difference in sound quality between the 2 receivers in source direct mode. I primarily listen to music in this mode (85% music, 15%HT) and use DD or DTS for movies (no PL2 or CS).

2) With the 6200, turning off Source Direct affected the sound negatively. Does this also occur with the 7500.

3) Does the 7500 have an auto-eq function? If so how many bands does it look at? Would it also equalize the sub out?

4) How would the 2 channel performance compare with an integrated amp such as the new Marantz 7200 or an older higher quality receiver such as the Sr8200/8300?

My other components are Marantz VC5200 DVD player, Sony - 222ES CD/SACD changer, Ascend speakers and a RAVA sub.

Thanks in advance,
Ajay

 

[Doug Otte]

Ajay, I have the 7400 and can't answer your questions because I haven't compared the models you mention, but there's at least one lengthy thread (and probably others) over at the AVS Forum (avsforum.com). There seem to be a lot of Marantz users there, so take a look.

Cheers,
Doug

 

[John Garcia]

I had a 6200, now have an 8300, also with a 222ES. 2ch performance was much improved, and while I used to use SD a lot of the time, with the 8300 I don't use it at all in either analog or digital, though the 8300 has something called ADDC that cascades multiple DACs for 2ch listening. I don't think the 7500 has this, but otherwise I would expect it to sound very similar and definitely better than the 6200.

I also have a PM7000, which easily sounded better than the 6200, and is very close to the 8300 as well. The PM7200 will sound even better, especially when run in ClassA mode.

 

[AjayRAV]

Hi John,

I know you have a 222ES. I actually bought mine based on your recommendation and love it. How was the sound different as you went from the 6200 to 7000? What are the differences between the 7000 and 8300 for 2-ch listening? Are you satisfied with your 8300 when comparing it to the X500 series?

Thanks much!
Ajay

 

[John Garcia]

I haven't listened to the 7500 or 8500 yet. When I dropped into my dealer, they had the 7500, but it wasn't hooked up to anything and the 8500 wasn't on display yet. I am very happy with the 8300 though.

The 7000 has a lot more power than the 6200 does, and it also has HDAM like the PM7200, though it does not have the option of Class A operation. It's not quite a dual monoblock arrangement either, because I believe the two channels share the power supply. The 7000 is able to extract subtle details and even seems to yeild better bass response than the 6200. I'm using the 7000 with a CA70ES, and redbook is similar to the 222, and Mordaunt Short 902s. I have also tried the 7000 with my GR A/V-1s and Paradigm Studio 20s. I was surprised when I hooked up the 20s to it, because they sounded really nice even at very elevated levels. It's clear when you crank the 7000 up that it has a huge reserve of power, where with the 6200 I could hear when I reached it's limit.

 

[AjayRAV]

Hmmm,

I mostly listen at lower listening levels (-25 to -30 dB), does the PM7000 exhibit more detail and/or warmth than the 6200 when not being pushed very hard?

Thanks,
Ajay

 

[John Garcia]

I usually listen to it at low levels in my bedroom. It doesn't have a display, so I couldn't exactly tell you what it is compared to the 6200, but we're talking like less than 25% volume for normal listening and often as low as the first point on the knob that I can hear something - around 10% or so, about -50 or -60 on the 6200. Still has plenty of detail at lower levels. With the 6200 in my main room, -20 to -25 was about "normal" (farily big room). At about 30% volume, the 7000 will exceed that level (my bedroom is much smaller though) and at 50% with most material, it will be far too loud to listen to comfortably, though still without noticable distortion. I don't think I've ever turned it above 50% except when listening to the 20s because they are a little more power hungry than my 902s.