Marantz SR6004 versus other receivers

[tmccrank]

Hi everyone,

I am looking to buy a new receiver and have come down to two models.

Marantz SR6004 vs Onkyo SR876

I don't much care about the upconverting difference between the two, but I've read some reviews on the Onkyo overheating and having support issues, but the specs on the Marantz aren't up to par with the Onkyo.

Thoughts?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[eimaj]

Marantz made a believer out of me with the 6003. No it did not compare to many of the receivers spec wise when I was looking, but that is exactly what I was looking for. Something with less of the features I never use but had ample power and a sweet sound. It does everything I need it to do without the confusion of doing many things I do not want it to do.

What I suggest to you is take both spec sheets and check off the features that you will be using on each and then the one with the most checks win.

[SliderIQ]

On paper Onkyo 876 wins hands down and you would get better video up coversion (not that you care). Also, there are some very good deals on it right now e.g. Visions is selling it for $1388.

On the other hand, you would get better sound from Marantz. It's a toughy. As eimaj said, compare the featrures and see what you really need. At the end, I think either unit will serve you well for years to come.

[STANLEY1]

I am looking to purchase a new receiver for home theatre and listening to music or is there any other recommadations in the $1000 range?

[eimaj]

Not really in the same class. You would have to go at least with the 2310 to start comparing to the 6004, but would be a better comparison with the 5004 which would be another great option and closer to the $1000 mark.

I don't know how much the sound of the Denon's have changed over the past 5 years (if at all as a company usually has a signature sound) since the last one I owned was the 3805, but I found the Marantz 6003 has a much more balanced tone over that Denon (and much easier to set up to get that sound) even though it benchmarked (actual lab tests I found on the good ole interweb) at less power by about 12 watts (not a big deal really). I have found it is the equal to that Denon in volume output and it seems to run cooler doing it. I'm actually amazed at how loud the Marantz can go without getting hot or begin clipping the speakers or its own output. Way louder than what I have found is tolerable for actual home theatre/music usage.

At first I was leery to go from what was considered a mid/high end receiver to a mid level receiver, but the switch was well worth it and if Marantz ever decides to release another 8xxx series receiver (do not like the way the 8002 series look otherwise I would probably have that one) or less expensive seperates (would love to have the 8003 seperates but not for 5 g's), I would most likely go with them again in the future.

[FritterFratter]

I'm a huge Marantz fan having owned an SR5200 for several years. I agree with many others that a Marantz receiver is more musical than others, meaning it sounds better than most when it comes to music. Specs wise the Sr6004 is a very good receiver and if you do some digging you'll find that many review sites have found the power per channel to be understated at 110 watts.

The only caution I would provide is in regards to the infamous "pop of death" that many 6004 owners appear to be having right now. There's an entire forum posting dedicated to it over at AVSForum. It's the only reason I haven't pulled the trigger on this receiver.

[Donnybrook]

I would not recommend the Marantz xx04 AVRs to my worst enemy.

Complete power supply destruction during HDMI switching due to bad firmware hits between 1 & 10% (depending on which forums one reads) during the first 30 days. Plus incompatiblity with numerous input devices via HDMI gives these models the "avoid at all costs" award.

As for Onkyo - like many others including Yamaha - they are downgrading amp quality and performance with each new series. Add more expensive processing circuitry and mfgs have got to save elsewhere to hit Big Box price points.

IMHO, for 13 big ones I'd be looking at Denon or the Sherwood Newcastle 872 or perhaps an Onkyo X06 at a substantial price reduction. If SQ is important to you or if you have 4 ohm or low efficiency speakers, I'd be looking for a deal on a NAD or Cambridge Audio demo model.

Specs are great for listing features, they give no indication of real world performance or reliability.

[eimaj]

Maybe look for a 6003 over the x004 on CanuckAudioMart.ca or Audiogon.com as I have not had the "pop of death", the power supply destruction during HDMI switching or incompatibility with any device of mine that I have hooked up to it. In fact, I have had no issues with this receiver whatsoever.

After getting it right with the x003 from the problems with the x002, you think Marantz would be doing a little more testing before they put a product out.

[rispoli]

I think you should consider adding to your wish list also the Denon 890 which is going for a low price on the Canadian most famous retail chain right now.
The video scaler is better, if that can be a plus for you.
For audio, here we go on more subjective ground. I personally like A LOT what Audissey does to the sound and love indeed the dynamic volume feature, something the Marants 8003 would not have (the 8004 does, but everyone here is suggesting not to take chances).
I compared for a while the Denon 2809 (which I still own as second receiver, the one in the HT room) and the Marants 8003 for 2 weeks. I personally liked the sound of the Denon a bit better although I definitely considered it a bit more "artificial" than the Marantz, which comes across as more neutral. I returned the Marantz without regrets after 2-weeks trial. I now own a NAD which is better than both the ones mentioned before and also in a different price range. I still believe the Denon 2809 gives it a very good run for the money...
I do not think the current Denon 890 has the same amp, though I believe it can be quite close. Since that chain offers really easy returns, you might want to give it a chance.

[kfox]

The denon 890 is out of stock in-store at Canada's most famous retailer- I looked, before happily settling on a Cambridge Audio Azur 640r for about the same price.

You can pick up a Marantz 7002 at Canada's most famous club store for $1099, but comes with only a 1 year club warranty. An extension might be available.

edit: OP has probably bought already- Post was made in Sept '09