Yesterday I auditioned a Marantz AV7005 with the aim of replacing my Cary 11a, Velodyne SMS-1, and DVDO Edge with a single processor. I took several discs, then played the discs again when I returned home about a half hour later. In every case I preferred the sound of my system. But I couldn't attribute that to the difference between the 11a and the AV7005, because the ancillary equipment was also different.
The setup in my HT started as a 2.1 music system before the addition of front projection and surround speakers. The setup at the dealer seems aimed at very elaborate HT. The disc player was a video server with a name something like Kaleidoscope; the speakers were large B&Ws.
So I conclude that an audition at a dealer is of limited value, unless the dealer has the same equipment you have. So much for don't rely on reviews, listen for yourself advice. I can only go by Michael Fremer's review of the AV7005 in which he concludes that the AV7005 is an excellent value with very good sound, but not quite the equal of the sound of the Cary 11a. I suppose if I had been persistent, I might have borrowed an AV7005 to try at home, but then I would have felt really obligated. With a new lamp in my projector, I will try to it without the video processor. That would be one step toward simplification.
db
