ch8 .....is that you Chris?

javygonx, where did you get your information that the 6003 uses components not available in the 5003? I'm curious, because the specs. on Marantz's Canadian and American websites look entirely too similar.

For example:

6003: The seven channel in-line amplifier array keep high voltages isolated from low-level circuitry for cleaner sound. ... A finned continuous aluminum heat sink ...
5003: The amplifier section, for example, features seven voltage feedback modules mounted in-line on an extended array of aluminum fins for maximum heat dissipation.

6003: Befitting Marantz’s engineering heritage, the SR6003’s circuits derive operating current from a high capacity linear power supply built around an oversize EI-core transformer and Marantz-custom storage capacitors.
5003: Beginning with a meticulously engineered linear power supply based on a high capacity EI core transformer and specially chosen capacitors ...

6003: The balance of the SR603’s [sic] audio circuitry sits on a separate circuit board to prevent contamination by video or control signals.
5003: ... all audio circuits [are mounted] on a separate circuit board for maximum isolation from possible contamination from video and control signals.
http://www.mennegat.nl/files/marantz/hifi/av-receivers/SR6003_overview.pdf

Here's confirmation of everything that javygonx stated in his post. It also states a guaranteed 70% of max power while running 5 or more channels, but with recent testing on the 5003 being well above the 70% statement (test in Home Theatre Mag), I would think the 6003 would be capable of it as well.

Here's confirmation of everything that javygonx stated in his post.That's a great spec. sheet - much appreciated! Unfortunately, it doesn't answer my question.

That's a great spec. sheet. Unfortunately, it doesn't answer my question.
True, but even the wording from the Marantz quotes you used for the similarities between the 5003 and 6003 states that there are differences.

6003: Befitting Marantz’s engineering heritage, the SR6003’s circuits derive operating current from a high capacity linear power supply built around an oversize EI-core transformer and Marantz-custom storage capacitors.
5003: Beginning with a meticulously engineered linear power supply based on a high capacity EI core transformer and specially chosen capacitors ...

While only being subtley different in choice of words, they are stating differences. I am looking for a spec sheet for the 5003 like the one for the 6003, but I have not found it yet...

True, but even the wording from the Marantz quotes you used for the similarities between the 5003 and 6003 states that there are differences.I agree that the wording is slightly different, but it is also very similar, which is why I was asking javygonx for something to back up his claims.

While only being subtley different in choice of words, they are stating differences.Agreed, although to my eyes the different wording favours the 5003 as much as it does the 6003. (I'd rather have a "high capacity" EI core transformer than an "oversize" one... :))

I agree that the wording is slightly different, but it is also very similar, which is why I was asking javygonx for something to back up his claims.

Agreed, although to my eyes the different wording favours the 5003 as much as it does the 6003. (I'd rather have a "high capacity" EI core transformer than an "oversize" one... :))

Yeah, it would be nice if they just gave us full disclosure for all the products like in the spec sheet for the 6003.

Well, I just fired off my fourth e-mail in the past two weeks to Marantz Canada asking for confirmation of whether or not the SR5003 and SR6003 are "engineered" the same way and w/ the same components (aside from the obvious differences of the SR6003's USB port, extra HDMI input and higher power rating).

It would be nice if they actually bother to reply to this one...

"Extra power, extra hdmi out, usb port for other inputs, cleaner look, got a killer deal that was not much more than the 5003."

I'd be interested to know what the 'killer deal' was. No Marantz dealer in my area, I'd have to drive about 100km to get to one...

I'd drive 100km. for a killer deal! There are Marantz dealers in Ottawa, but no one seems to be budging very much from the $1,299 MSRP price on the 6003 (or the $899 MSRP on the 5003).

If I were in St. Catharine's, I'd head over to gibbysaudiovideo.com...

Well, as it turns out, I didn't have to drive anywhere for a good deal. My buddy in Grimsby was at gibbysaudiovideo.com in St. Catharine's today to do some browsing and, while he was there, he managed to get for me the price I was willing to pay on a Marantz SR6003. :D

I won't likely see the receiver or my recently-purchased ADP-370s until next month, but I can wait.

Next up is a 2009 Grandview LF-PU 100" (http://www.grandviewscreen.ca/Product/permfixFrame.htm) 16:9 high-contrast white screen...

I have had the SR6003 just over a month, enjoy the quality, yet struggle with Audio/Video dropouts I now see (via the internet) have plagued this brand. My latest attempt at resolution is to use the same brand/quality HDMI cable connecting Sony Bravia TV to Marantz AV receiver to DirectTV receiver. Does anyone know if Marantz has published more recent firmware upgrades in the last few months?

This is the first I've heard of this from the x003 series on the several forums I am on. I've read the x002's had a "DTS bomb" every once and a while ang got fixed, but no issues with audio for the x003's. What exactly is happening? Is it just with the tv receiver or is it with everything else as well (dvd's, gaming, etc.).

I have had the SR6003 just over a month, enjoy the quality, yet struggle with Audio/Video dropouts I now see (via the internet) have plagued this brand. My latest attempt at resolution is to use the same brand/quality HDMI cable connecting Sony Bravia TV to Marantz AV receiver to DirectTV receiver. Does anyone know if Marantz has published more recent firmware upgrades in the last few months?
Have had the 6003 for over a month and half and never encounter the drop outs you are referring. Are you sure it is not your source.

This past weekend, I picked up the new SR6003 and the used Paradigm ADP-370s which my buddy in Grimsby had purchased on my behalf.

Earlier today, I hooked up the ADPs, set up the Marantz, ran Audyssey, tweaked it a bit and then tested things out using "Master & Commander", "Cloverfield", "Iron Man", "LOTR-TFOTR" and, for music, "Supertramp's Greatest Hits".

First impressions: 7.1 audio is pretty sweet. Significantly more immersive than 5.1 audio. Aside from that, and without having run an actual back-to-back test, I can't say I noticed any performance difference between the Marantz and my old Yamaha. One thing I *do* notice about the Marantz is the small "tick" sound it makes when switching inputs. (The Yamaha was always completely silent.)

Anyway, there'll be more playing in the days ahead. So far, though, it's all good. :)

eljay, did you try it without audyssey? I felt it took away from the whole "Marantz experience". Audyssey left me very unimpressed and it really hindered the natural warm sound of the receiver.

I didn't try it without Audyssey, but my tweaks essentially "undid" a number of Audyssey's settings. Once I've got my ADPs mounted, I'll re-set the Marantz to factory settings, try it out, run Audyssey again, try it out, and then (most likely) re-tweak the settings.

Re-do the Audessy with all your room furnishings in place as per normal viewing setup. I think they want to avoid anything blocking the mic. The software will balance the sound using the acoustics of the room as you actually experience it.

Also, keep kids, cats, dogs etc out of the room and everything silent as it does it's job.

Also, can you average several trials? I think some Audessy systems can do this.

Have fun with the new gear.

I ran Audyssey as described in the manual, in the room furnished "as per normal viewing setup", with the microphone mounted to my camera tripod and placed in three different positions.

Although the results weren't bad, they definitely needed tweaking. For example, the sub was set too far back and to too low a level. The center channel speaker - whose level I've had to raise for the occasional movie - was inexplicably set to ~2dB below the level of the mains. Und so weiter.

I expect I'll have to perform similar tweaking the next time I run Audyssey.

Although the results weren't bad, they definitely needed tweaking. For example, the sub was set too far back and to too low a level.

That is something I noticed too on the Marantz.
I had for 2 weeks (then returned) a 6003 along with a Denon 889 (which I then kept): on the Denon the Audyssey was extremely precise (a matter of 1 in or 2 of an error) to compute the speaker distances, but on the Marantz it was not. Also, the setting for each speaker were quite different. For example, the front speakers were at -6 on the Denon and 0 on the Marantz. The sub turned out more boomy with the Denon when the Dynamic EQ is on.

All in all, I found the effect of Audyssey far more dramatic (in a positive way) on the Denon, whose sound otherwise I thought was mediocre.
Out of the box the Marantz sounded much better, after Audyssey on both I ended up liking more the Denon. Note that I am no "purist", I like an artificially improved sound signature (something I always thought Harman Kardon does).

i ordered marantz sr-6003 with a pair of monitor audio rs6 and rslcr. it will be delivered on tuesday. once i set it up i'd give my 2 cents in regards to the audyssey calibration. i intend to compare the automatic calibration using the mic and the manual calibration. another point of comparison is with the use of DVE (digital video essential).