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Marantz AV8801 Surround Processor
Analog frequency response in Direct mode:
–0.19 dB at 10 Hz
–0.05 dB at 20 Hz
–0.01 dB at 20 kHz
–0.04 dB at 50 kHz
Analog frequency response with signal processing:
–1.23 dB at 10 Hz
–0.39 dB at 20 Hz
–0.21 dB at 20 kHz
–15.78 dB at 50 kHz
The chart below shows the frequency response of the left (aqua), center (green), LFE (purple), and left surround (red) channels at the preamp outputs of the Dolby Digital decoder. The left channel measures –0.04 decibels at 20 hertz and –0.33 dB at 20 kilohertz. The center channel measures –0.05 dB at 20 Hz and –0.25 dB at 20 kHz, and the left surround channel measures –0.04 dB at 20 Hz and –0.25 dB at 20 kHz. The LFE channel, normalized to the level at 40 Hz, is –0.00 dB at 20 Hz, reaches the upper –3-dB point at 118 Hz and reaches the upper –6-dB point at 121 Hz.
Response from the multichannel input to the main output measures –0.17 dB at 10 Hz, –0.04 dB at 20 Hz, –0.01 dB at 20 kHz, and –0.05 dB at 50 kHz. The analog THD+N was less than 0.017 percent at 1 kHz with a 100-millivolt input and the volume control set to 83.0. Crosstalk with a 100-mV input was –81.35 dB left to right and –83.60 dB right to left. The signal-to-noise ratio with “A” weighting was –124.15 dBrA.—MJP
Video Test Bench
The Marantz initially sailed through our HDMI benchmark tests when processing an HDMI signal with the exception of the Chroma Resolution test. The lower right box on the Spears & Munsil Benchmark disc showed some rolloff of the chroma signal culminating in a borderline Fail, but this deficiency didn’t rear its head in normal viewing material and only occurred when the Video Convert feature was in its default On position; taking the video processor out of the loop resulted in a Pass. As we finalized our review, Marantz investigated and sent a firmware update that fully resolved this issue, resulting in perfect video test bench scores across the board. The change is expected to be integrated wtith the AV8801's next firmware push. —DV
Marantz MM8077 Amplifier
Two channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads:
0.1% distortion at 128.4 watts
1% distortion at 150.3 watts
Five channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads:
0.1% distortion at 113.9 watts
1% distortion at 125.4 watts
Seven channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads:
0.1% distortion at 108.9 watts
1% distortion at 116.8 watts
Frequency response RCA input:
–0.16 dB at 10 Hz
–0.04 dB at 20 Hz
+0.03 dB at 20 kHz
–2.64 dB at 50 kHz
Frequency response XLR input:
–0.19 dB at 10 Hz
–0.05 dB at 20 Hz
–0.08 dB at 20 kHz
–2.95 dB at 50 kHz
This graph shows that the MM8077’s left amplifier channel, with two channels driving 8-ohm loads, reaches 0.1 percent distortion at 128.4 watts and 1 percent distortion at 150.3 watts. Into 4 ohms, the amplifier reaches 0.1 percent distortion at 220.2 watts and 1 percent distortion at 241.8 watts. An input level of 100.8 millivolts was required to produce an output of 2.83 volts into an 8-ohm load, indicating an overall gain of +28.99 decibels using the RCA input. When using the XLR input, a level of 195.0 mv was required to produce an output of 2.83 volts into an 8-ohm load, indicating an overall gain of +23.28 dB.
THD+N from the amplifier was less than 0.007 percent at 1 kilohertz when driving 2.83 volts into an 8-ohm load using the RCA input. When using the XLR input under the same conditions, THD+N was less than 0.011 percent. Crosstalk at 1 kHz driving 2.83 volts into an 8-ohm load was –70.84 dB left to right and –70.72 dB right to left using the RCA inputs and –71.31 dB left to right and –71.46 dB right to left using the XLR inputs. The signal-to-noise ratio with an 8-ohm load from 10 hertz to 24 kHz with “A” weighting was –114.83 dBrA using the RCA input and –104.31 using the XLR input.—MJP
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COMMENTS
Here I am sitting with a great Integra 80.2 that is just over 2 years old and along comes a better sound processor. Then the reviewer admits it's better than his Integra 80.2. Man you are going to cost me money...retirement money no less.
Thanks for the review.
Hi David. Thanks for the review. The AV8801 does seem like one of the best pre/pros in the current market. I was, however, wondering if you noticed/found a great deal of sonic difference between AV8001 and AV7005. Thanks.
Hello David,
How are you?
I need to ask for your kind support on my A/V SYSTEM UPGRADE, with your renown knowledge i hope you can help me out with this.
Thank you in advance for your kind attention to this:
I have the following system that i have been building over two years, i began with the Anthem MRX 700 but as the time were passing i started understanding a lot of which i did not know about the "audiophile world" and as it has been growing in CABLES, SPEAKERS, DAC, computer for audio etc etc. i began to get more involved with audio rather than home theater, as i feel that home theater is more easy to achieve than two channel audio.
1.- Anthem MRX 700 receiver as a preamp
2.- Crown XLS 2000 / 2 channel amp (using it in combo with the Anthem MRX 700 for my front speakers)
3.- Front speakers Golden ear Triton Two Towers (internally powered) (2 Power chords)
4.- Golden ear SuperSat 50c center
5.- Two Paradigm studio's 7 for surrounds
6.- Definitive Technology Super cube II Subwoofer
7.- Calyx 24/192 DAC (need to lower the noise)
8.- Oppo BDP 93 Universal player: for movies, SACD and DVD audio.
9.- MACMini for two channel music
10.- Transparent Music Link Super I/C's RCA
11.- Anti cables Speakers cables
12.- Transparent HDMI cables
13.- Transparent Power chord cable for Anthem receiver
14.- Ridge audio Street USB Poiema
15.- Panamax Power Conditioner
Note: My main goal to achieve: THE BEST "AFFORDABLE" TWO CHANNEL FOR MUSIC and a nice and good Home theater.
Choice #1
Sell the Anthem and get an audio preamp "The STP-SE from Wyred4Sound and two mono blocks from D-Sonic M2-600M 1 x 600 watts" and will work next to the Calyx DAC and my NEW Mac mini (SSD, 8Gb ram USB out put to Calyx DAC) with the rest of my system. And later get a good receiver or keep the Anthem.
Choice #2
Sell the Anthem and get a PRE PRO "The AV8801 from Marantz and two mono blocks from D-Sonic M2-600M 1 x 600 watts" and discard the Calyx DAC. and my NEW Mac mini (connected directly to the AV8801) with the rest of my system.
"MAYBE THE NEW KRELL FOUNDATION"
Note: "stock" Marantz AV8801 or "THE COMPANY UPGRADE" Marantz AV8801-SE??…From the David Schultz Upgrade it supposed to be in a superior level!
Best Regards
Miguel Casellas
I was hoping to get your help. I currently have a hodgepodge system and am looking to get into a high end system for home theater. I currently have Kef Q7 floor speakers and Kef wall rears with a Def Tech Center and Sub. I am running a Pioneer Elite VSX-84TXSI receiver and B&W wall surround backs. (I know... Hodgepodge) I am looking at getting the following but need to buy it in pieces. What order should I purchase and do you have any recommendations?
1. Marantz AV8801 and MM8077 Pre-amp and Amp
2. Sonus Faber Venere 3.0 Floor speakers (front left and right) and Venere Center Channel
3. Rel R-528
4. Sonus Faber rears and surround backs (4 total)
Should I get the front left/right and center speakers first or the amp and pre-amp?
Your help would be most appreciated. I love this magazine!
I enjoyed the review, however I really would love to hear how it sounds with all eleven channels. I'm curious if it is an insane over the top waste of money or not. Maybe your better half would let you borrow some speaakers...
I enjoyed the review, however I really would love to hear how it sounds with all eleven channels. I'm curious if it is an insane over the top waste of money or not. Maybe your better half would let you borrow some speakers...
David, I have a 5.2 system with 5 Gallo Nucleus Reference Strada speakers and 2 Paradigm Seismic 110 subwoofers. The subwoofers have been set up with Paradigm's PBK-1 Perfect Bass Kit.
I am trying to decide whether to replace my Anthem AVM-20 with either the Marantz 7701 or the Marantz 8801 and I have a few questions that I am hoping you can advise on:
1. I don't plan to move beyond a 7.2 system, so the extra channels that the 8801 offers aren't of any value to me.
2. I understand that the addition of Audyssey Sub EQ HT will allow me to equalize and set the delay independently for each subwoofer. Since I am using PBK-1 and my subs are roughly equidistant from the listening position, I assume this is not something that adds value for me. Please correct me if I am wrong.
3. I understand that the upgrade from Audyssey MultEQ XT to Audyssey MultEQ XT32 is significant but that most of the significance is in the lower end. Since I am already using PBK-1, is this really worth more than doubling the price to go to the 8801?
4. Putting aside the difference between Audyssey MultEQ XT and Audyssey MultEQ XT32, is there a noticeable difference in the basic sound quality between the 7701 and the 8801? The price difference is pretty big, but I have been very pleased with the sound quality from my AVM-20 and would hate to be disappointed with whatever I replace it with.
Thank you very much for sharing your insights.
Good afternoon David, I´m looking for this monsters to buy in a near future. I have a big room with tall cealing, so I think that the 11.2 would be impressive. I liked a lot your review (yes, will cost money) but I would like to understand in what kind of speakers do you made the test. I have infinity primus from my older 7.2 system, and I would like to know if is a good idea to start buying the new 4 speakers in another brand. Step by step, I plan to move the 7.2 to a smaller room, so would be nice to have a good idea of what speakers would soung good for this system.
Also, which amplifier did you use to power up those 4 channels. Marantz aldo don´t offer a 4 channel amplifier, so an aditional 5 channel amp would be needed of 2 amps of 2 channels each.
When you have lets say a movie (and of course, no movie right now have the 11.2 channles), how the system transfer sounds to the upper level of speakers? or this is only used to hear music? I think that must sound amazing, but not sure where the systema takes the sounds for the 4 upper channels.
Thank you in advance, great review.
The digital board went out on my AVP so Directv(Asurion) is replacing it with an AV8801. Will I be happy with this? I'm still 5.1 and my set up is:
Denon AVP-A1HDCI(a) now defunct
Denon POA-A1HDCI
Oppo BDP83SE
B&W Nautilus 802D
B&W Nautilus HTM2D
B&W DS8
JL Audio Fathom F113
Panasonic TCP-65VT30
Directv Genie
Thank you in advance for your help.
Kevin
Looking at the measurements, RCA inputs result in better performance across the board, but specifically better THD+N, and I assume better sound quality than XLR inputs. I'm not sure if the reviewer got the results mixed up or XLR isn't such an upgrade as audiophiles seem to think it is.
Here's a question, the power measurements of this amp are almost identical to the Integra 50.2 which Sound&Vision reviewed and measured.If my only interest is the power section, would I be better off using the amp section in the Integra rather than getting this amp?
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