Lab results from the Marantz SR7002 were generally very good, and excellent in several areas. Power was impressive: The receiver handily exceeded its specs in every challenge, usually by a comfortable margin; even in the stressful 5-channels-driven test, it fell just 0.7 dB short, which is quite good. It's also worth noting that the SR7002 produced unusually high subwoofer output and low distortion, so even very low-gain powered subs should have no problem reaching their full capability.

While the Marantz did quite well in PCM and Dolby Digital S/N tests, it fell slightly short in 96/24 PCM noise and analog-domain (multichannel input) noise, as well as in low-level dynamic-range tests such as our "excess noise," noise modulation, and linearity labs. The latter suggest an LSB or similar error of small magnitude; the former suggest a bit more noise from the SR7002's audio output stages (analog) than some other receivers have managed. But note that despite my best efforts listening over headphones and using super-low-level digitally recorded test signals, I could hear no overt evidence of the linearity/noise-mod issues. And the few-dB noise penalty for 96/24 or high-rez audio sources would be absolutely swamped by the dynamic-range limits of a real-world room when listening via loudspeakers.

DOLBY DIGITAL PERFORMANCE

All data were obtained from various test DVDs using 16-bit dithered test signals, which set limits on measured distortion and noise performance. Reference input level is -20 dBFS, and reference output is 1 watt into 8 ohms. Volume setting for reference level was -8. All level trims at zero, except for subwoofer-related tests; all speakers were set to "large," subwoofer on. All are worst-case figures where applicable.

Output at clipping (1 kHz into 8/4 ohms) 1 channel driven: 150/236 watts (21.8/23.7 dBW) 5 channels driven (8 ohms): 93 watts (19.7 dBW) 7 channels driven (8 ohms): 83 watts (19.2 dBW)

Distortion at 1 watt (THD+N, 1 kHz) 8/4 ohms: 0.04/0.05% Noise level (A-weighted): -75.3 dB Excess noise (with sine tone) 16-bit (EN16): 2 dB Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz +0, -0.7 dB

MULTICHANNEL PERFORMANCE, ANALOG INPUT

Reference input and output level is 200 mV; volume setting for reference output level was -4 dB.

Distortion (THD+N, 1 kHz, 8 ohms): 0.03% Noise level (A-weighted): -80.7 Frequency response: <10 Hz to 125 kHz +0, -3 dB

STEREO PERFORMANCE, DIGITAL INPUT

Reference level is -20 dBFS; all level trims at zero. Volume setting for reference level was -4 dB.

Output at clipping (1 kHz, 8/4 ohms, both channels driven): 133/181 watts (21.2/22.6 dBW) Distortion at reference level: 0.04% Linearity error (at -90 dBFS): 5.6 dB Noise level (A-weighted): -74.5 dB with 96-kHz/24-bit signals: -77.5 dB Excess noise (with/without sine tone) 16-bit (EN16): 2.7/0.5 dB quasi-20-bit (EN20): 15.7/16.8 dB Noise modulation: 2.4 dB Frequency response: <10 Hz to 20 kHz +0, -0.2 dB with 96-kHz/24-bit signals: <10 Hz to 43 kHz +0, -0.6 dB

BASS-MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE

Measured results obtained with Dolby Digital test signals.

Subwoofer-output frequency response (crossover set to 80 Hz): 24 dB/octave (approx.) above -6-dB rolloff point of 80 Hz High-pass-filter frequency response (crossover set to 80 Hz): 12 dB/octave below -3-dB rolloff point of 80 Hz Maximum unclipped subwoofer output (trim at 0): 9.3 volts Subwoofer distortion (from 6-channel, 30-Hz, 0-dBFS signal; subwoofer trim set to 0): 0.02% Crossover consistency: bass crossover frequency and slope were consistent for all sources and formats Signal-format consistency: consistent for all applicable formats Speaker-size selection: all channels can be set to "small" Speaker-distance compensation: available for all main channels

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