Marantz AV-8805 Preamp Processor $4500
Every top flight surround system is “bottle necked” by the preamp/processor you choose. The task of a pre/pro is enormously complex. The truth is, you need a large Asian manufacturer that has the technology DOWN COLD to make a piece you want- both in terms of current features and high end sound quality.
All of the N American specialty audio companies struggle mightily to create a pre/pro that’s remotely up to date. Further, they are glitchy. Fact is, for 3-4 times the money, they’re still a day late and a dollar short compared to AV-8805.
There are a number of boxes your pre/pro needs to check. Let’s start with 4K video and cutting edge features like Dolby Vision, HDR & Dolby Atmos. OK, who’s left standing? And we’ve barely begun.
As you’re reading this, you might be wondering… are you really saying this $4500 pre/pro is
as good or better than a N American pre/pro for $15k? YES.
I have to tell you, there are many companies who are over their heads trying to make all this work- much less with the audio quality we hi-fi guys demand. Marantz does it better than anybody.
Marantz has made fine pre/pros for years. They had much of this nailed with the AV-8802, and later AV-8802A- YEARS ago. Today Marantz’s top dog is AV-8805 and it takes a back seat to NOBODY and lands at a less than a stratospheric price range.
AV-8805 is made in Marantz’s top factory in Japan. I won’t recite its features because they’re easily available on the Marantz site. But it has what you want. Of course this is very tough to do because technology changes quickly. What I want to brag up here is that AV-8805’s sonic prowess is indeed right up there with the $15k pre/pros that come from specialty vendors- which are short a myriad of important features.
AV-8805 even includes BALANCED ins/outs for those of us who insist running on at that level.
You CAN buy some very fine, affordable power amps from Emotiva. You can get a fanny kicking
5×260 amp for only $1700 with balanced inputs. I will happily tell you AV-8805 won’t bottle neck your audio performance, while it further provides all the video interfacing you need!
AV-8805 will provide the best AV preamp experience you can buy today. It will rival all but the top stereo only preamps- for music only.
Marantz AV-7705 Preamp Processor $2200
AV-7705 can’t provide the TOP ECHELON audio quality of AV-8805. However, AV-7705 is about half the price and a very good value. It offers the “stuff” we need including 4K, Dolby Vision, HDR & Atmos. It even has balanced outs- not ins.
When you consider it runs under $4000 with the Emo XPA5G3 power amp ($1700, 260×5) – it’s a killer combo in a price range where most companies are making big fat RECEIVERS.
Above about $2500 we recommend going to AV separates as opposed to a receiver. We all know technology is going to change. Some day you’ll want to update your pre/pro. The power amp is a brontosaurus and will run “forever.” Technology won’t replace it soon. You can always buy more channels of power. The pre/pro is the moving target and NOBODY does it better than Marantz. We have two terrific, affordable options.
Even The Greatest Have Nerves
Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849) was unmatched as a composer for the piano. He was also a magnificent performing pianist.
Sir Charles Halle, a professional pianist and teacher, commented on first hearing Chopin. “The marvelous charm, the poetry and originality, the perfect freedom and absolute lucidity of Chopin’s playing cannot be described. I could have dropped on my knees to worship him!”
Chopin told the ever confident Franz Liszt, “I am not fitted to give concerts, the public frightens me. I feel suffocated by its panting breath, paralyzed by its curious glance, mute before those unknown faces.”
The next time your kid expresses fear about giving a recital…let them know they’re in good company.