Marantz pm8006 vs Denon PMA-1700NE for combined home theatre and music room


Hi everyone,

I am looking at how I can combine stereo and surround sound in one AV system so I can switch between music and movies.

I have a Denon x3800h driving a 5.1.4 Atmos setup. I also have another room with some ceiling speakers that I want to drive from this room and will be used only for music.

I was thinking of using the x3800h for my Center Speaker, Surrounds and 4 Height Speakers. I was then thinking of running the fronts via pre-out to another amplifier which has a main-in/HT-bypass to drive the fronts whilst watching movies. If connected via a main-in, it converts the stereo amplifier into a power amp only with the Denon x3800 having full control over volume etc...

When listening to music, I have a Wiim Pro that would connect either direct to the stereo amplifier or via an outboard DAC and drive the fronts and/or a second zone in the other room.

Based on the above requirements I was looking for a stereo amplifier with both a main-in/HT-bypass and supports 2 speakers zones.

Via this very useful site, http://audiophile.no/en/articles-tests-reviews/item/426-amplifiers-with-processor-input I have narrowed my options down to The Marantz PM8006 and the Denon PMA-1700NE. 

Does anyone have an opinion on which would be best to provide good sound to my fronts for home theatre as well as good sound for music?

Thanks

cainullah

@cainullah +2 on considering an Anthem AVR I have the MRX series and I can attest to the the musicality of Anthem AVR's they sound much better than Marantz and Denon for music. The great thing about the MRX series is the main five channels are a/b 140 WPC and the MRX has the ability to create multiple profiles so you can assign two of the 140 WPC outputs to your second 2 channel listening area. You would in fact have a killer second listening area with the added bonus of top notch room correction.The Anthem 1140 MRX is a solid one box solution to your problem wihtout over complicating what you are seeking to do, plug in your WIIM Pro (don't use the built in "streaming") it is silly and overly complicated, go the true wireless route and simply use your Wiim, I have Wiims and love it.                 Anthem really is a cut above.

+1@balooo2, I agree the Anthem MRX series of AVR's are very versitile for setting up a home theater and 2 channel system with the same unit, by using their zone 2 function and also using their pre outs it is very easy to set this typa of system up, Anthem also has the excellent ACR room correction that includes a tripod and microphone to help with your set up.

Upscale audio has the Anthem MRX 1120 Home Theater Receiver on sale now for $2,799.00 it was the last version but it was the top of the line unit. I have the MRX 520 for the last 5 years and I have had no problems with it.

@alucard19 $2799 is a steal the MRX 1120 is still top notch gear.

What I love about your unit (and all Anthem products) is ALL channels driven ratings lots of folks are fooled by the specs with Marantz and Denon units. Your 5 channels will blow other “top of the line” avr’s out of the water, the 5 channels you have is serious power with outstanding SQ. And they don’t load up the units with stuff you will not likely use. To experience better than Anthem room correction and processing you are talking Trinnov territory.

OP, your Denon is a fine receiver, there is no need for you to spend $2799 unless you want to, you certainly don’t need to. You would be much better off using that $$ for other upgrades. That Denon receiver just got rave reviews last fall and it is fine. If you want to upgrade get the calibrated mic and the new Audyssey MultQ-X upgrade for the Denon.:

https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/denon-avc-x3800h

 

The upgrade for DIRAC was also just released if you want to go that way:

https://www.audioholics.com/editorials/dirac-road-map-denon-marantz-2022

I agree, there is no need to spend $2799 but I will say this. I've gone though the same upgrade,room addition sceanarios and auditioned every major brand of HT in the past 20 years and for the money nothing comes close to the Anthem AVR's. If you audition an Anthem you will kick the Denon's,Marantz etc to the curb and never look back. I don't like complicated, selling the Denon and going the one box route with the Anthem is simply a suggestion that would acheive in my opinion a better outcome with fewer points of possible failure than what has thus far been suggested for what could be a wash going with the previous gen top of the line MRX for $2799 selling the Denon,not to mention ARC will be included which is light years ahead of Audyessey, and the comparable to ARC DIRAC upgrade is $349 but with Anthem the room correction is included. Also,DIRAC is not done with getting into your pocket at $349...you have to buy the mike and stand separately so you are really at about $500 for DIRAC. Cost and value are two different things.

We are all simply offering suggestions and in my case perspective based on personal experience not something I read about in a reveiw.