Onkyo PR-SC5508 or Marantz AV7005

[LCSeminole]

Theresa, I'm guessing that what you are referring to as an 8808 is really the Onkyo PR-SC5508? If that is the case and you're serious about getting one with free shipping try Accessories4less, they are a certified Onkyo internet retailer and have them for what you are willing to pay with free ground shipping. Give us a review after you've had some time with it.

www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKPRSC5508/Onkyo-PR-SC5508-THX-Ultra2-Network-9.2ch-A/V-Processor/1.html?gclid=CODXhfnk7KsCFYPu7QodWxNgKQ

[hemster]

Oct 16, 2011 3:35:36 GMT -5 LCSeminole said:

Theresa, I'm guessing that what you are referring to as an 8808 is really the Onkyo PR-SC5508? If that is the case and you're serious about getting one with free shipping try Accessories4less, they are a certified Onkyo internet retailer and have them for what you are willing to pay with free ground shipping. Give us a review after you've had some time with it.

www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKPRSC5508/Onkyo-PR-SC5508-THX-Ultra2-Network-9.2ch-A/V-Processor/1.html?gclid=CODXhfnk7KsCFYPu7QodWxNgKQ

That's a great price, even though it's for a "factory reconditioned" unit. They still warranty it for 1 year.

[Deleted]

yes, 8808 was a typo. I went back and corrected it. Yes it looks like a great deal. It even has an Android application for remote control while the Marantz only has one for the iphone.
It also requires a new rack as the 5808 won't fit in the one I have. Then there's the problem of lifting all my equipment to put it in the new rack. The rack I have is a piece of junk anyway.
I was sold on the Marantz but further research convinced me that the 5508 is preferable for me although it is quite ugly.

[LCSeminole]

Some credit cards have warranty extensions as part of their benefits. I know my AMEX doubles a warranty for me up to 3 years. If Theresa has a credit card with that benefit she could take advantage and get 2 years like an A-Stock. Most of the members on the Lounge that have bought from them say they look like A-Stock anyway.

[NorthStar]

Oct 16, 2011 3:44:17 GMT -5 @theresa said:

yes, 8808 was a typo. I went back and corrected it. Yes it looks like a great deal. It even has an Android application for remote control while the Marantz only has one for the iphone.
It also requires a new rack as the 5808 won't fit in the one I have. Then there's the problem of lifting all my equipment to put it in the new rack. The rack I have is a piece of junk anyway.
I was sold on the Marantz but further research convinced me that the 5508 is preferable for me although it is quite ugly.

I agree, it won't win any beauty pageant contests! ;D
And it is also big (height).

[Deleted]

I don't know how to even find out if my credit card has an extended warranty policy. I really thank you for the support. I ordered it. There's a restocking fee if I change my mind so I hope it works out for me.
After all is disconnected and installed I can send my UMC-1 in to have the display fixed (it has a bad element, part of some letters are missing). I'll probably keep it for 2.1 use in the bedroom. I will have to see what the XMC-1 is like before I weigh whether it is worth the additional investment. I don't expect to see the XMC-1 on the market until next summer and could not live with the UMC-1 until then.

[hemster]

Congrats on your purchase Theresa. Look forward to your review. Call your credit card company to find out about the extended warranty policy.

[NorthStar]

You ordered the 5508? Wow! ...You're in for a real treat my dear!

Theresa, after you set it up and before running Audyssey, check for the latest firmware to make sure you install it.

And in the future, if you want to obtain a higher audio level, get the Audyssey Pro kit, because your PR-SC5508 pre/pro is Audyssey MultEQ Pro Ready, on top of the built-in Audyssey MultEQ XT32.

* FIRMWARE UPDATE: First, connect the wired or wireless network for downloads. Simply navigate to the Firmware Update screen of the setup menus, select Network Update, and sit back. The device connects to the mother ship, determines if a newer firmware or utility update is available, and if there is, downloads and installs it. If not, you're returned to your regularly scheduled programming. That's it.

[Deleted]

So what are you doing up so early, Bob? I hope your right about it. Its a big purchase for me, I have to give up something important to pay for it. It needs to satisfy me longer than the UMC-1 did.

[NorthStar]

Theresa, check my above post; I edited it with good info.

* Normally I should be reading or sleeping, but I just watched 'The Tree Of Life' on Blu-ray, not too long ago, and it did brake my usual habit! ...In a very good way.

And Theresa, you can be sure that you'll get the very best support on your excellent purchase.
Because as you already know, that new baby of yours, is my Illumination!
Meaning that I am a strong advocate, believer, read all about it, and owner of its second predecessor. I consecrated an enormous amount of time, of my life, in knowing all the ins and outs about it. ...Since the very beginning with the PR-SC885P Pro, back in 2007, and non-stop since then up to even now with the not yet released Onkyo PR-SC5509 pre/pro! ...And all the Integra equivalents.

I will be backing you ALL THE WAY! ...And I have a great team behind and with me.

[Bruce]

I have the Onyko 3008 and the 5508 is a step above the 3008.I have had not a single problem with my 3008 for music or movies.I have never had any dropouts of sound or ANY HDMI problems.Using a cable box is never a problem as the signal is fast and I am using COMCAST which manny are having a problem with the UMC-1.Please set it up not to use LAST VALID in the audio section and you never hear the clicks many people are talking about as I do not here any clicks except for powering the unit on.I use the 3008 with my OPPO-95 in Analog mode 2,5 and 7 channel using Multichannel Direct for movies and music and the sound using the OPPO dacs is amazing.The sound for SACD and DVD AUDIO and The BLURAY HD DD or DTS is fantastic.Theresa you will LOVE the 5508 as it is a BEAST for all it does and BOB is correct and do an upgrade before you set it up using it direct to web or using a USB stick as it is so simple.Best of luck as you have made the correct move as I did the after all my problems with my UMC-1 as the 5008 will make it more enjoyable to use and you will also not downgrade in sound as some on this site have proclaimed as the sound is very good after you set it up.You will LOVE the Audyssey 32 as it sets up all your subs correctly and all timing and mes. are correct.Please make sure you follow the Audyssey directions and do a 8 location setup and you will be in Movie sound greatness.I do not use Audyssey for Music as I use my 95 to control the sound in music as it does a fantastic job. Best of luck Bruce

[NorthStar]

Thanks Bruce for the backing!

[Deleted]

Thanks for the tips and encouragement. I sure hope there is not a problem with clicks and HDMI handshaking. I don't know if I'll use eight locations as 99% of the time I'll be using it alone. I've got two subs so I'll certainly give it a try for at least one listening location. Maybe I'll be proud of my pre/pro again, something I've lost for the UMC-1.

[Bruce]

You will be VERY proud for your new PRE/PRO as it is one of the best.I have 4 seating positions and always sit in the middle right in front of the center channel 9 ft away and I do the 8 positions for Audyssey you will hear that one position in front of the center channel.I am sure BOB can send you the Audyssey set up guide as it is a great tool in setting up Audyssey.Remember BOB does know Onykyo or Integra as he and BILL MC guided me to buy the 3008 and it has not let me down in any way Music or Movies.Please take it slow in setting up as you have a lot of new material to sift through but you will be amazed in the end of how good this Pre/Pro is for many new audio and video hearing and viewing.You will not get any clicking as long as you set it up correctly.

[Deleted]

Yes, Bob is quite an evangelist for Onkyo, sometimes seemingly unreasonably. I was in the market for a replacement for my UMC-1 as I didn't want to just complain rather than doing something about it. My choices were the Marantz 7005 or the Onkyo 5508. It worries me that there are more positive mentions of sound quality for the Marantz than the Onkyo. About 90% of my use is for home theater though so that needed to be weighed against the supposed (unsupported by measurement) superiority of the Marantz in direct mode.
I want to remain a fan of Emotiva for their amps and surround speakers.

[NorthStar]

1. No Clicks Theresa; as Bruce just said above, you go into the Main Menu, and hit the Listening Mode Preset submenu, and for each and all your Input Selector, you enter an audio mode preset for all the Audio Formats; by making sure that none remains at Last Valid. That is all.

2. There are no HDMI handshake issues Theresa.

3. << IMPORTANT >> It is imperative that you use ALL EIGHT microphone positions when running Audyssey!
Because Audyssey needs a Global Averaging of your own Room's Acoustics, so it can balance and EQ each speaker in your surround setup. Even if only you will be the one and only listener.
Don't mess this one up Theresa, and take all the eight microphone location measurements.
* There are some graphs in the manual in helping you out. ...But I can help you even further because I know so much about this. We'll get there in time, when you're ready to run Audyssey. I will give you all there is to do for the perfect settings.

[NorthStar]

You know, I did write a post on all of what I just said above about 30 minutes ago, and just when I was almost done, I hit a key on my keyboard by accident, and bang! that post was gone lol.
But it don't matter as I know my audio bible without opening it! ...And not just about Onkyo.

* Here's part of that bible: Audyssey Setup Guide

[Deleted]

Oct 16, 2011 6:30:11 GMT -5 @theresa said:

Yes, Bob is quite an evangelist for Onkyo, sometimes seemingly unreasonably. I was in the market for a replacement for my UMC-1 as I didn't want to just complain rather than doing something about it. My choices were the Marantz 7005 or the Onkyo 5508. It worries me that there are more positive mentions of sound quality for the Marantz than the Onkyo. About 90% of my use is for home theater though so that needed to be weighed against the supposed (unsupported by measurement) superiority of the Marantz in direct mode.
I want to remain a fan of Emotiva for their amps and surround speakers.

great post +1


I am in a similar position. I had my heart set on the Marantz 7005 for some time now...then I saw the XMC at Emofest and that caused me to second guess my choice (I have the 40% card if I choose the XMC route). Then I've been reading about the upcoming Onkyo 5509, and this Village Idiot is confused (that's what I sued to be called before I achieved Emeritus Status... )

So, now I wait... wait for inertia to move me in the right direction. I'm about 50/50 music and prefer the pre/pro route instead of a receiver but I'm open.

[NorthStar]

Hey, the Marantz sounds great for Music, when in Pure Direct audio mode.
But the Onkyo is simply a superior pre/pro, and that's all there is to it. ...Unless you want to debate! ;D

Ask Neil (another member here), Bruce above, Carlos (you guys do remember Carlos right?), Kalman Rubinson (Stereophile), Chris Heinonen (from Secrets), Kris Deering (from Home Theater), David Vaughn (same place), and I don't know how many people I know who are totally satisfied with Onkyo/Integra pre/pros... Many many many of them, and I just happened to be among them, among that elite.

[Deleted]

I'll probably never use "direct mode" anyway, my system requires subs including for music. The L/C/Rs all roll off below 80Hz, I designed them that way.
I really appreciate that Burr Brown DACs are used.
And yes, Bob, I've been reading various reviews for several days and you are among a large number of people that think highly of this model. That and the price sold me.