Suggestions to replace a Marantz 5009?

[wolfereeno]

Any recommendations for an AV receiver/seperates to upgrade from a Marantz 5009?

What would be an emotiva mid/upper range config as well as a budget one?  

I really struggle trying to get a good surround experience.  The speakers are well placed and the room sounds good.  2.1 Music sounds great.   But with movies I constantly struggle to get a setting where I can hear dialog properly as well as the surround immersion.

The Audessey results get close but then it's hard or impossible to tweak.  And worst is there's no way to save preset configs so I can configure late night settings, sports settings, news settings...  Even a sh*t soundbar can do that.  

For music, generally I'm pretty happy with pure direct mode, which sounds much better than the processed music modes.  This is my main Music as well as HT rig. 

My setup is: Sierra 2 LRC, Rythmik F12, Orb surrounds and rears, Rega 2 TT, Cambridge pre, NAD CD, apple tv, time warner STB, pioneer plasma. 

[socketman]

Typically when new equipment is released the previous models are discounted. There is the XMC-2 soon to be released as well as upgrades for the XMC-1 which you may or may not want or need depending on whether you need 4k support or ATMOS. For outstanding quality and rock solid operation i suggest an XMC-1 which can be upgraded as required. The XMC-1 experience will blow your away compared to what you are using right now. The MC700 would be more of a side ways movement than an upgrade imho. Save your beans up until you can afford at least an XMC-1 and an external amp .

[wolfereeno]

Thanks! I figure I will eventually need 4K as new TV's will all handle it. But Atmos, I'm not so sure.

The XMC-1 is probably on top of my list. I could probably save a little money on an older amp.

[rbk123]

Feb 3, 2017 16:02:46 GMT -5 wolfereeno said:

I really struggle trying to get a good surround experience.  The speakers are well placed and the room sounds good.  2.1 Music sounds great.   But with movies I constantly struggle to get a setting where I can hear dialog properly as well as the surround immersion.

Try increasing the levels of the center and the surrounds to +5db; tweak from there.

[bolle]

Imho a MC-700 will also be a nice upgrade sonically. Combine with an A-700 or a XPA-7.

[crazycuz2k]

FYI, I recently replaced my Marantz SR6004 with a MC700. Similar setup - Ascend Sierra-1's with NRT. I was having a similar problem with the Marantz, dialog in movies was just lacking. Ran Audessey, didn't like the results so I just set the distance and levels manually. Still though, at low volumes, dialog wasn't easily discernible and at loud volumes, the mains overpowered the dialog. I'm running the MC700 uncalibrated right now and I've noticed an immediate difference. Sound stage is wider, more open. Better spacing/imaging. Dialog is clearer. It's like a veil has been lifted off the speakers and everything is more articulate. Not that the Marantz was poor sounding, the MC700 just has better audio quality. Speakers were driven by an Emotiva UPA-5 in both setups so it wasn't the amplification. I'd recommend an A700 to pair with the MC700 but if you have the funds, maybe an XPA-2 or XPA-3 to drive the LCR and an A500 to drive the surrounds. I'm adding a pair of used XPA-1L's to fronts just for 2 channel.

[wolfereeno]

Thanks Crazy for sharing your similar experience!

So you were only using your 6004 as a pre and using an external AMP already?

So just curious why the MC700 over the XMC-1, since you're recommending moderately elaborate amps?

I'm not really that clear on the diffs between the MC700 and the XMC-1 and need to research it more.  But it seems like the MC700 is the budget solution.  

[harlan]

I recently replaced my Pioneer Elite 92THX with an MCC700. I was using the PE as a pre pro in conjunction with an Emo LPA1. The biggest improvement was to dialog. Its much clearer now and the surrounds are more active without drawing attention to themselves.

[wolfereeno]

Thanks Harlan! So maybe the same question for you - why the MC700 and not the XMC-1? (other than costs!)

[harlan]

I went with the MC700 OVER THE XMC-1 as the MC700 does everything I need to (in theory). There are a few bugs that are being worked on but in the interim, I have been able to work around them.

[wolfereeno]

Are there any comparison charts on the site of the MC700 and the XMC-1? I guess for starters I need to figure out exactly what I need!

I need the HT receiver features of course, with all the room correction and decoding. But I also use it as my 2.1 audio system.

I listen to streaming radio on my marantz but I can also use the apple tv for that and rarely use the built in radio tuner.

Thx

[crazycuz2k]

wolfereeno,

I thought about getting the XMC-1, but I don't need the extra features. The only one that intrigued me is DIRAC but I've heard good things about EMO-Q as well. I have no plans on getting more speakers so my 5.1 setup is fine and therefore no need for Atmos. The single biggest reason for the upgrade was to be able to get HDMI 2/HDCP 2.2 switching from a prepro because I recently got a 4K TV/4K Player. The added audio benefits was a nice surprise.

[wolfereeno]

Thanks! What are some of the extra features besides DIRAC and Atmos? There's a big price jump between the two. Anyone from Emotiva care to comment with a comparison?