Practically perfect, Marantz offers reasonable prices for those on the brink of audiophile insanity
Written: Jul 31 '02 (Updated Jul 31 '02)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
| Sound: |
 |
|
| Ease of Use: |
 |
|
| Durability: |
|
|
|
Pros: Clear, pure watts, fantastic features and built to last a lifetime
Cons: very expensive, but you get what you pay for
The Bottom Line: The epitome of what a real A/V receiver should be, with tons of power. The Marantz blows 95% of everything else clear out of the water
|
|
|
| nick1326's Full Review: Marantz SR-8200 6.1 Channels Receiver |
Marantz' SR8200 is a shining and perfect example of what more "top of the line" audio video (A/V) receivers should be. Ironically it is not even Marantz' top-of-the-line receiver!... however it is certainly in the upper spectrum and CERTAINLY will blow the doors off of anything even close to this price range. Multi source and multi room capable, the stunning SR8200 is the epitome of a do-it-all top-notch receiver AND the nicest part is for those that are trying to drive a quality set of speakers, the marantz' internal amp supplies dominating clean, pure and unadulterated watts to whatever speakers you are driving.
The list if featurse is absolutely tremendous, but I'll start with the greatest hits first: 1) this receiver handles both 5.1 AND 7.1 including inputs and outputs. The in/out panel can be extremely puzzling just because of all the flexibility marantz has built in: Both 5.1 and 7.1 inputs/outputs, a digital coax in and out, optical input, COmposite video in/outs, component video in/outs, preamp output, 5 way binding posts, front mounted a/v terminals and a pair of s-video in/outs plus subwoofer output which is splittable without losing the high-current properties...PHEW. With this obvious overload of in/outs the unit is quite capable of controlling multiple rooms and therefore has a ton of preset-memory options and flexiblity. It comes with a 2 way learning remote control which is probably more advanced than some hand-held PDAs...not to mention (again) the really outstanding quality of power and sound. High current signal means no worry of inteference or noise pickup and a super-clean signal for super-stunning transients and details. The difference between a major-manufacturers flagship receiver and Marantz bottom end is absolutely incomparable - the Marantz lower-line receiver (SR4200) will literally blow away most comparable receivers in the 1500-2000 range from other brands -- so don't even think about trying to compare a Sony or a Pioneer or somethig in the range. Marantz is very much ahead of this league by light years, and the 8200 lies at the upper-end of their line of receivers, surpassed only by the 9200 (which is nearly double the price due to higher wattage and a few more bells and whistles).
Sound quality is remarkable...Many times I've seen systems set up with excellent speakers, excellent components BUT with a standard nothing-special receiver which literally makes a great pair of speakers sound terrible. The marants is the other way around - it will make a mediocre pair of speakers comes to life compared to an ordinary receiver BUT at the risk of pushing the speakers to their limits and demonstrating their flaws! (I do not mean blowing speakers, I mean only demonstrating their weakness in the chain of componentry in a system). Ironically, usually I've seen it the other way around - where a good set of speakers tests the output quality limits of the receiver.. Any set of "Energy" speakers wil really put consumer grade componentry to shame becuase they tend to be very unforgiving -- In other words, if driven on cheap watts, you'll get a very cheap sound. A set of Paradigm speakers on the other hand, tends to be quite contrarily warmer (compared to the unforgiving cold sound of the energys) and you can compensate for weakness in your signal quality accordingly. In any event, the Marantz is solid-gold because it will make ok-speakers sound better AND will make great speakers sound the way they were meant to sound and meant to be heard by your ears. Spec-wise the receiver boasts 105 pure watts per channel w/ a low low .05% distortion...by the way, it weighs a whopping 32 POUNDS because of the amp and all the circuitry!
Video wise, there is just so much flexibility here it isn't funny. Nearly every input has a correspoding output, meaning you can easily daisy chain, invert, flip etc etc to your liking with any signal you desire. You can control multiple rooms just on the receiver itself BUT you can easily daisy chain in new "links" to your system with no worry of losing quality for doing so - thanks to the clean signal and high current properties inherent in the Marantz design. Ideally, I like this receiver because I can utilize the 5.1 properties for my home theatre usage AND easily daisy chain in an external amp and use it to drive a sepearate pair of audio-monitor speakers in a seperate room without any confusion and with relative simplicity. The unit comes with a standard 3 year warranty too BTW...obviously much better than the 90 day/ 1 year standard warranty that comes on the consumer grade stuff...Bear in mind however, chances are the consumer grade stuff WILL break at some point, probably not too long after the warranty runs out (murphy's law effect) however the marantz is built like a tank and will last a lifetime...Obviously you pay for it, since this receiver is well beyond the 1200 dollar mark, usually 1350-1600...
To give you a general idea of the brief features/specs list, see the following:
FEATURES 5.1 Channel Input
Co-Axial Digital Input
Co-Axial Digital Output
Component Video Input
Composite Video Output
Digital Signal Processing
Dolby Digital AC3
Five-Way Binding Posts
Front Mounted AV Terminals
Headphone Jack
High Current Output
Multi Room Capability
Multi Source Capability
On-Screen Display
Optical Input
Pre-Amp Output
Preset Station Memory
Programmable Or Learning Remote
S-Video Input
S-Video Output
Sleep Timer
Subwoofer Out
SPECS
AM Sensitivity:
Audio Signal to Noise Ratio:
Dimensions (in.), (cm): 7.31 W x 6.5 H x 15.68 D
Dynamic Headroom:
FM Sensitivity (min. usable):
Frequency Response:
Power Output, Center: 105 Watts/channel Hz, = 0.05 % Distortion
Power Output, Main: 105 Watts/channel Hz, = 0.05 % Distortion
Power Output, Surround: 105 Watts/channel Hz, = 0.05 % Distortion
Weight: 32 lbs.
WARRANTY
Labor: 36 months
Parts: 36 months
For more information I strongly encourage you to research the Marantz web page and I absolutely encourage you to visit your dealer and hear and see and EXPERIENCE the difference for yourself. Marantz fits into the audiophile category without a ridiculously steep audiophile price (nonetheless, some Marantz receivers DO stretch into the 5000+ mark)... These are the true long ball hitters and audio and video - however if you are looking to step up to the big leagues without tipping the 5000 - 10,000 dollar scales or MORE (easily more if you want receiver + amplifier) the Marantz is a wonderful key which allows the enthusiast to access upper-crust performance at a relatively modest price. You can also look further down the spectrum (like the SR6200) if you don't need the 7.1 capability and can deal with 95 watts a channel (you'll spend approximately 60% less FYI) However the 8200 is an absolute gem in the Marantz line and for under 1500 it will give many multi-thousand dollar receivers and very good run for their money and probably best more than half of them in the process...see for yourself -Marantz is incredible stuff "because music matter"
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 1275
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
nick1326
|
 - Top 100 |
|
Location: Long Island, NY
Reviews written: 232
Trusted by: 93 members
About Me:
Music, Motorcycles, Drumming, Surfing, the finest cigars and living life to its fullest...
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.