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

@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. 

 

@balooo2

I use a Marantz processor with Audyssey (the upgraded version with the calibrated mic) and my streamer uses ARC. I also have two amps that power my rear surround channels and rear height channels that use ARC. You can see the graphs of both in my profile.

Audyssey does a MUCH better job of integrating the subs with the speakers and overall bass management. It also does a much better job with channel separation and the soundstage. I have a very well treated room so DSP changes are readily apparent. This is something I experienced, not read in a review. Your post is extremely shallow you have obviously 0 experience with the upgraded version of Audyssey.

 

Well, since you never "experienced" it at least you can read the review 🙄:

https://www.soundandvision.com/content/audyssey-multeq-x-room-eq-software-review

@kota1 I don’t care about ANOTHER review you want to cite,my point is Anthem avr’s and processors performed superior for me to Marantz etc. period. That is my perspective based on my experience. Yes the bass is a little lean after running ARC (and that is the only fault I find with ARC) but all you need do is increase the bass gain to one’s perference if they perfer, no big deal overall it is still a far superior RC software in MY opinion and plenty of other folks believe so as well, fact.How does this combative vibe help the individiual or address the original question being asked?

So let’s just cut to the nasty chase which is where you’re headed (I’ve seen your post and others like you in these forums)....

I am wrong and just a stupid "shallow’ troll with no experience that could have never used or know anyone with the latest version of Auyssey. You are the last word and always right.

All the best!