2. amps-preamps
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Help w/ preamp

Hey guys!

A while back I posted about my search for an amp...I got a ton of great suggestions and had decided on demo'ing Parasound and Anthem. I found a local Parasound dealer here in Pasadena, and I was FLOORED. I have been using a Marantz SR 7011, connected to a full Martin Logan setup: Ethos fronts, motif x center, motion 40 rears. I felt like I had never really heard my speakers once they cranked up the Parasound. I told them my budget and they introduced me to the KRELL CHORUS 5200....man, oh man. They had a floor model for sale, as they were making room for a new 7 channel. The sound was similar, but I felt like the bass had more punch, and they made me an amazing deal - something I have yet to find online (lucky me I suppose).  So, after that long story...here's a few questions:

1. I am currently using RCA instead of XLR, as the Marantz AVR doesn't have both. I am sure I am losing some audio quality here correct?
2. I am thinking about adding the Martin Logan AFX (atmos) speakers soon - but since the Krell is 5 channels, I would have to run them through the Marantz - is that a "bad" idea?
3. The store I bought the Krell from recommended I swap to the Marantz 8802 as a pre, and use a 2 channel amp to power the atmos - something like a Parasound A23, which I see fairly cheap on here. Or, I could just sell my 5200, and buy a 7200 (there's a good one on here).

I guess, my main concerns - will the sound seem "different" or "uneven" getting amplified from different sources? Whether it be Krell + Marantz, or Krell + Parasound. And, would I be losing quality running anything through the AVR (I know they are just atmos speakers, but still) as opposed to using a dedicated power amp?

Any and all advice is appreciated. Thanks@

128x128ethos4lyfe
auxinput
2,920 posts
 

Looking at the AV8802a:

https://www.marantz.co.uk/assets/images/products/av8802/top_inside.jpg

https://www.marantz.co.uk/assets/images/products/av8802/av8802_hdam_board.jpg

The 8802a has a much better power supply. You can see it also has the 13 individual discrete analog channel boards in the chassis from left-to-right.

Inside the AV7703:

http://onecall.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/m/a/marantz-av7703-pre-amp-processor-guts.jpg

The 7703 still has 13 analog channels, and they are still fully balanced/differential. However, they are all mounted on one board and the analog circuits are trimmed down. Think of the 7703 as a trimmed down 8802. You can see that there’s a lot of empty space in the 7703 when compared to 8802a.

Subjectively speaking, the 7703 is probably around 90-95% of the sound quality of the 8802a. I would put your SR7011 receiver at around 70-80% of the 8802a. It all comes down to how soon you feel you need to do an upgrade, and whether you feel you can live with what you have now. If it were me, I would skip the 7703 and go for the 8802 sound quality, even if it meant waiting for 6-12 months. I wouldn’t want to skimp since were dealing with the high resolution Krell Chorus. Would you consider a used 8802a? They are going for around $2600 nowadays.

randy-11
1,913 posts
 
I always try to use XLR cable runs - if short and not much elec. noise near them then RCAs will be fine.

I like a good ARC tube pre with a SS amp...

Marantz makes good products but an upgrade may make sense - listen before paying (buy from a place that allows returns).

Speakers & Room Treatments are the most important parts of improved sound.
ethos4lyfe's avatar
ethos4lyfe OP
74 posts
 
@auxinput, yes, I would consider used. would just need to sell my 7011 as well :) 

@randy-11, i have a very short cable run - the AVR is one shelf above the Krell - so I could be okay w/ RCA?

i am thinking of doing some room treatment - its a living room w/ all wooden floors and several big windows...though, they're typically covered by drapes when watchign movies. i am thinking a good first addition would be a floor rug. think that would help at all?
auxinput
2,920 posts
 

I’ve always had better results with XLR cable, even if it’s just 3 feet. Since the AV7703 and AV8802a are both fully balanced/differential internally, I would think the XLR balanced cables would be superior when compared to RCA cables of the same quality/level. You could certainly use your existing RCA cables until you have time/funds to switch to XLR.

A large area rug is definitely a good thing here.  Once beyond that, use room treatments conservatively because you can definitely over-damp the room and the highs become dead.  I use a combination of  Owens 703 FRK for the front/back walls because it has a metal foil foil layer that reflects mids/highs.

ethos4lyfe's avatar
ethos4lyfe OP
74 posts
 
@auxinput, I've heard that too and have no problem using them. But that will come when/if I swap to a pre instead of AVR. Which is my big dilemma. Maybe a more immediate fix would be cabling and adding a rug? I'm using AQ rocket 44 cabling that I got from Magnolia.. 
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