Trying to still use outdated Marantz (1 Viewer)

[TOTS]

First of all, its good to be back. I've been on HTF since 2004 or so as RickTop but have been out of the AV game for a while. For some reason, the site will not allow me to log on with my old user profile and I created a new account. Getting the bug again! I so appreciate all the help you have provided in the past.

For todays question, I'm pretty sure it wont work, but I thought i'd run my situation by you guys:

I have a Marantz SR 7300 that I would like to continue to use in a new setup. This is being driven by a forced upgrade to a new TV. Since purchasing the Marantz in 04, WOW, has technology changed; everything has gone HDMI. I have a Harman Kardon AVR1700 that has an HDMI out that I am using as a switch for HDMI ins from an Apple TV, Blu-ray player, and Firestick. The SR7300 has absolutely zero HDMI support. But I love it for audio compared to the HK.

So....is there a way I am missing to use the Marantz for Audio and the HK for video? I originally was thinking some sort of pre/pro relationship, but as I was typing this, it hit me to maybe use the optical outputs from each source ran to the Marantz with the HDMI cables ran to the HK.

Am I over thinking this or on the right track? Purchasing more gear is not a viable solution. As always, I appreciate your time, attention, and expertise.

 

[Dave Moritz]

If you have a blu-ray player you can always run the video straight to your display and just run a rca digital or fiber optic to your SR 7300 and the same thing with a 4K tv. Right now for example I am running a Pioneer Elite SC-05 that can not deal with 4K and I run my main HDMI straight to the tv and the seconday audio HDMI straight to the receiver. Minus the HDMI on your 7300 you should be able to do the same thing even with a 4K blu-ray player. Run video straight to your display and a digital output to your 7300. And as long as your tv has multiple HDMI you can do the same for your cable box as well. If not then you can get a HDMI switch to run everything to then out to the tv and run digital to your tv. I guess if money is that tight you could get away with using your HK as a video switcher. Or just use your HK for everything. The firestick can be plugged into the tv and you can run a digital cable back from the tv. My neighbor has a couple of HDMI sources and they get plugged into the tv and one digital cable back to his Sony receiver which doesn't have HDMI so he still gets 5.1 surround sound. This may be the better option for you as you can just run the 7300 by itself and still use the Apple TV, Blu-ray and Firestick.

 

[Todd Erwin]

Keep in mind that running separate coax or optical digital audio to the Marantz will only get you lossy DTS and Dolby Digital.

The firestick can be plugged into the tv and you can run a digital cable back from the tv.

This configuration will only give you stereo audio.

 

[TOTS]

Keep in mind that running separate coax or optical digital audio to the Marantz will only get you lossy DTS and Dolby Digital.
This configuration will only give you stereo audio.

I was planning on using the optical out. From your comment, it makes me think you are advocating using the sound processing of the HK vice that of the Marantz. I apologize if my questions seem to lack basic knowledge. I appreciate all the comments and advice so far.

 

[JohnRice]

Some of these things have already been said. I'm just trying to boil them down.

Any audio that runs through your TV will most likely result in 2 channel audio. That's just what TVs do to audio that's routed through them. In other words, the digital audio output on the TV will only give 2 channel audio from any source that didn't originate IN the TV, like the tuner and smart apps. You can get a UHD player with a digital audio output, connect the hdmi directly to the TV and the digital audio output to your Marantz, but you won't get HD audio, which can't be carried through the connections you have available on the Marantz. Finally, you can get a UHD player with dual hdmi outputs, connect the audio/video one directly to the TV and the audio only one to the HK and you will get 4K video as well as HD Audio. I don't see any reason you'd use both the Marantz and the HK. Pick which option you like the best and go with it.

 

[Mike Frezon]

Hey, "Tots!" ....erm, Rick?

Welcome home.

I've got access to a RickTop UserID that was created in 2006. If you want to return to that UserID (if you think you're going to be hanging around the forum a bit) we'd be able to make that happen.

If you're interested, send me a PM by clicking on my UserID (just to the left of this post) and then "Start a Conversation."

Mike

 

[DaveF]

It appears the Marantz has 7.1 pre-inputs. If the HDMI-capable AVR has pre-out, that might be your best and easiest and cheapest solution.

 

[TOTS]

It appears the Marantz has 7.1 pre-inputs. If the HDMI-capable AVR has pre-out, that might be your best and easiest and cheapest solution.

It doesn’t. Great solution though. That was my first thought. I’ll go back and check but I was understanding the Marantz to only have pre-outs.

I guess my new question is I was assuming the Marantz was a better sound processer and amplifier due to just being a higher quality piece. Is my assumption wrong? I’m just using a Samsung Blu-Ray player and Apple TV with a cable digital and fiber optical out respectively. No dual hdmis. Again, I appreciate everyone’s input and time.

 

[DaveF]

It doesn’t. Great solution though. That was my first thought. I’ll go back and check but I was understanding the Marantz to only have pre-outs.

Google searches show pre-in on the Marantz.

 

[DaveF]

I guess my new question is I was assuming the Marantz was a better sound processer and amplifier due to just being a higher quality piece. Is my assumption wrong? I’m just using a Samsung Blu-Ray player and Apple TV with a cable digital and fiber optical out respectively. No dual hdmis. Again, I appreciate everyone’s input and time.

So...if you’ve been using these receivers for a decade or so, and don’t have your own strong opinion about which one sounds better, then I’d suggest that for you they’re equally good.

If that’s so, don’t sweat it, use your HK for surround sound, and get back to enjoying your movies and TV

 

[JohnRice]

I guess my new question is I was assuming the Marantz was a better sound processer and amplifier due to just being a higher quality piece.

It probably is, but as Dave alluded to, you also might not be able to hear the difference. The problem is, you can't run the audio through the HK, have it process the surround and run it through its preamp, and NOT have it affect the sound. What you're wanting to do, is then ALSO run it through the Marantz's preamp, which can't possibly make it sound better. It just doesn't work that way. You actually end up with the worst of both worlds. Like I tried to explain before, choose the single option that you're most willing to deal with, and just go with that, or get a new(er) receiver. There are pretty good deals on refurb Marantz at Accessories4Less. Their selection seems to be a bit low right now.

 

[TOTS]

So...if you’ve been using these receivers for a decade or so, and don’t have your own strong opinion about which one sounds better, then I’d suggest that for you they’re equally good.

If that’s so, don’t sweat it, use your HK for surround sound, and get back to enjoying your movies and TV

I just inherited the HK; I’ve been using the Marantz for a decade and love it. Just never needed to change until I was forced to move to a new TV. I guess my original intention didn’t come through. I was wondering if the Marantz had enough of an increase in sound quality to warrant using it for sound via the optical/ digital ins and using the HK for HDMI switching over just using the HK for everything. I agree it doesn’t make sense to double process the sound. Again, thanks for the discussion.

 

[JohnRice]

Coming from that angle, does the TV have enough hdmi inputs to have it do the video switching, if you want to continue using the Marantz?

You would want to connect your audio directly to the Marantz.

 

[DaveF]

I just inherited the HK; I’ve been using the Marantz for a decade and love it. Just never needed to change until I was forced to move to a new TV. I guess my original intention didn’t come through. I was wondering if the Marantz had enough of an increase in sound quality to warrant using it for sound via the optical/ digital ins and using the HK for HDMI switching over just using the HK for everything. I agree it doesn’t make sense to double process the sound. Again, thanks for the discussion.

Here’s a review for the HK.
https://www.soundandvision.com/content/harman-kardon-avr-1700-av-receiver