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Post by saru on Nov 2, 2015 1:56:37 GMT -5
While researching my HT upgrade options this afternoon, I stumbled upon a scratch-n-dent Marantz AV8802A at Amazon for about 40% off list... and after confirming that I'd be able to return for full refund within 30 days on a warehouse-deals item, I went ahead and ordered it! Should get here Friday... I wasn't expecting to move up to a pre/pro so soon, but didn't want to let a great deal pass me by if I could swing it. Looks like I'll have to order my amps tomorrow and hope they get to me in time to test the 8802A before my weekend trip to visit family -- I know, talk about poor timing!
So I understand that picking the 8802A over the XMC-1 (which I had also been seriously considering) means that I probably sacrificed a bit of SQ in exchange for the extra channels and other bells-and-whistles, particularly as it pertains to 2ch listening. Granted, my system is intended to be used mostly for movies and gaming with occasional music use, but I'd still like to have good 2ch performance if I can. Understanding that audio is subjective and dependent upon many variables, would the 8802A be somewhat comparable to XMC-1 for 2ch, or does the XMC-1 exceed it by leaps and bounds? Should I still be considering adding a XSP-1, as had been recommended to me when I was still planning to use my Denon x3100w in my main system (that's going to be moving to the secondary setup in the living room, btw)?
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hemster
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...still listening... still watching
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Post by hemster on Nov 2, 2015 5:39:13 GMT -5
Congrats on your new processor. As for the question about the XSP-1, why not wait until you've setup the Marantz and listened for a few days? Then see if you still need to improve on it. Although you cannot answer whether the XSP-1 will improve on it, you can compare the Marantz with the Denon and see which you prefer. If it's not as good as the Denon (extremely unlikely IMHO) then send it back.
At the end of the day, as your system will be used mostly for movies, you may find the Marantz very pleasing for music too. Just my 2 cents...
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Post by subdusted on Nov 2, 2015 9:33:20 GMT -5
I recently made a direct comparison of this Marantz with XMC-1. Although, Marantz had been fully broken in and Emotiva just came out of the box, that XMC-1 mopped the floor with Marantz in both stereo ( as a preamp ) and HT. The difference was not subtle , especially in stereo. XMC-1 is just in a different league.
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Post by subdusted on Nov 2, 2015 9:35:56 GMT -5
After the listening test , the owner of Marantz took it out of his rack and gave it to his wife... then went ahead and ordered XMC-1.
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Post by saru on Nov 2, 2015 9:39:32 GMT -5
Yeah, I plan on ordering just the XPA-5 right away -- enough to drive my current speakers and to test all the pre-outs on the Marantz. I think I'd only really consider picking up the XPS-1 if it was a large improvement in 2ch SQ, but as you say, it's primarily a movie system so the extra expense may not be worth it to me, especially if the improvement over the 8802A was only marginal.
My understanding is that the processor's box had been damaged either in Amazon's warehouse or in transit to an original buyer who returned it. Apparently there was a bit of cosmetic damage to the unit itself, so I really need to test out the unit's functionality to make sure there wasn't any operational damage. If it's just scuffs or scratches to the outer casing (as the item description states), then it's no trouble to me since it's just going into my media cabinet anyway.
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Post by saru on Nov 2, 2015 10:04:32 GMT -5
I recently made a direct comparison of this Marantz with XMC-1. Although, Marantz had been fully broken in and Emotiva just came out of the box, that XMC-1 mopped the floor with Marantz in both stereo ( as a preamp ) and HT. The difference was not subtle , especially in stereo. XMC-1 is just in a different league. Now you've got me thinking that maybe I should order an XMC-1 as well and do a side-by-side comparison while I have a 30-day return window on both products. It'd be a pain knowing that I'd definitely be returning one, but that might be worth the added hassle... [EDIT] Sooo, I got cold feet and cancelled the Amazon order just now. Funny, I wanted it right up until the moment that I didn't... guess the steep discount temporarily took over my impulse-purchase filter, lol. My only real regret is that I let slide an XMC-1 eBay buy-it-now listing for $1500 I had been watching that sold overnight. Ahh well, nothing wrong with status quo for a little while longer  |
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Nov 2, 2015 11:00:27 GMT -5
The 8802 looks great on paper (and Marantz is probably the best sounding of the mainstream commercial brands.) It would be very interesting to know how it sounds compared to the XMC-1.
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Post by subdusted on Nov 2, 2015 13:55:27 GMT -5
It is quite decent... untill you hook up an XMC-1.
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Post by etc6849 on Nov 13, 2015 19:19:06 GMT -5
I will never buy another Marantz/Denon product, coming from an AV8801 to a used XMC-1 I just picked up! Any reviewer touting those crappy brands as great, doesn't know how good things can sound. I just wish the Secrets review would have come out before I bought my AV8801; they took a lot of measurements and basically said that the preamp stage is crap... At least their review is honest!
And no way will Atmos on the AV8802 ever make up for the lesser quality on the 7.2 channels that have the most material anyways. I mean the sound wasn't totally bad on the AV8801, but I could never go back after hearing the XMC-1. I even bought Audyssey Pro kit, an Audyssey Pro license for it, etc... What a waste of money for an inferior product with useless bells and whistles.
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