Marantz releases AV8003 processor and MM8003 amplifier separates in the US

Good things come to those who wait, and Marantz has finally released its AV8003 processor and MM8003 amp combo to the US market. The good news is that any sort of pricing mix-up with the Canadian release has been resolved: the AV8003 and MM8003 list at $2,599 and $2,399, respectively. The bad news is that we still can't afford to get into this gear. But if you can, by all means let us know how the well-matched pair is doing in your setup. With the four-in/two-out HDMI 1.3 arrangement, 1080p upscaling, support for Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD MA and Audyssey tweaks pushing out eight channels of 140-Watt audio, we imagine you'll be smiling.

[danhawk911 Posted Jun 14th 2008 1:45AM]

why do these companies keep screwing with us. for this price we should have 6 or more hdmi inputs. oh well hopefully when i upgrade again this issue will be fixed.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 14th 2008 7:34AM]

Yes, exactly. 4 HDMI inputs rules this out for me, and I would have *loved* to have a separate head so I could set up all discrete amps.

My Sony has six HDMI inputs. Check it:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fyngyrz/2531688467/

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 14th 2008 10:07AM]

Well you may have gained 2 more HDMI with you receiver, it is a Sony so you sacrificed quality and performance.

The Denon, Onkyo, HK, Pioneer or Marantz in the price range and possibly Rotel, Arcam, B&K or Adcom

[davenport Posted Jun 16th 2008 2:40PM]

Sorry to be so blunt, but you are both idiots. You're not going to find better equipment for the money. Why would you need 6 HDMI inputs? You would be using a matrix if you actually needed that many inputs/outputs. If your budget is a litter smaller look at the Marantz SR700x series.

My only issue with the equipment is that the 2 HDMI outputs are only a mirror of each other; they should be independent for a multi-room situation.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 17th 2008 2:14PM]

Joseph, I'm using all six of my HDMI inputs right now:

1) PS/3 [gaming, Blueray]
2) DVR/Satellite receiver
3) OTA HD television receiver
4) XBox 360 [gaming, HD DVD - yes, I bought quite a few]
5) Mac mini [media librarian)
6) Upconverting DVD player

I'm also using several component inputs, and even SVHS for the house security system's aux output. Here's the system:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fyngyrz/2531688467/

...In the future, I expect to add a standalone Blueray player, for one, and I'd also like a front panel input for an HD camcorder on any system I upgrade to.

Zargon, I own plenty of Marantz gear:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fyngyrz/sets/72157600798126397/

...so I'm quite familiar with the fidelity; but frankly, if I have to go to fooling with switchers, I'm not interested. The job of audio gear is *both* to make the experience pleasant and provide good fidelity. And while Sony doesn't have the high-end cache' that Marantz does, the fidelity is nothing to sneer at.

By the way, I also own a Denon from the previous generation, it has 3 component inputs, and if you want to talk about frustrating, try dealing with not *one* component switcher, but two. It brings inconvenience to entirely new levels; no one in the house could run the system but me. That's no good. Fidelity or not, I chucked that into the family room where it handles 720p for the kids.

What the both of you need to understand is that your view of how audio gear is used is not definitive of how everyone uses it. When someone says four inputs is not enough, derision is a poor response; if you don't understand why they might want them, just ask.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 14th 2008 9:47AM]

I am glad to see more separates into the mix. This is my next step in my home theater evolution, but it seemed only high end gear did this. Which isn't a bad thing, but the prices was high and the features were lacking. Now with companies like Onkyo, Denon and Marantz bringing the competition, it should be good for me.

I really like to hear Marantz is in the game. I purchased a Marantz receiver a few years back, for its price range, nothing could touch it as far as quality and sound.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 14th 2008 5:27PM]

I just recently got away from Marantz seperates - well a Marantz preamp with Acurus amps. I replaced them with a Marantz receiver and am still happy. I've been a Marantz owner for over a decade now, they make good stuff.

[davenport Posted Jun 18th 2008 12:55AM]

okay, Ben you are not an idiot. I have some suggestions for the system. You could easily consolidate a lot of your equipment. If you did not want to consolidate your devices, I would suggest making use of that component switch. Everything that is actually 1080p you could still have on its own input. Add a control system (such as RTI) to easily switch and control the room. (lights, future curtains, switching, power on/off, etc.)