Marantz 7002 and 8002

[Wayde]

It's upgrade time to the HDMI 1.3 world and I’ve narrowed my choices to the Marantz 7002 or 8002.

Competitors in this category were eliminated : I don’t trust the Onkyo offering’s (SR-875)heat issues, Denon in this category is doing Wi-Fi and I just don’t trust it from a musical device.

I can get the Marantz locally for a better price than competing Yamaha and I prefer the Marantz name. My dad owned one when I was a kid so there’s the whole positive association thing too.

I am currently auditioning a 7002 in my system which I thought would be fine for my purposes. I didn't think there'd be any audio quality difference from my old receiver but I'm amazed that there is. The possibility that the 8002 could be as large a step up from 7002 as the 7002 was from my Arcam AVR200 is very tempting.

But the sonic differences could be in my head, a kind of "honeymoon" effect having the smell of new gear.

Do I drop a few extra bucks and an afternoon's setup time to upgrade to the 8002 now before it's too late? Or do I live for the forseeable future happy with my 7002?

Here are the differences extras the 8002 offers over the 7002.

125w per channel against 110w
Toroidal Transformer
Copperplated Chassis
Customized Components
Line memory
60 Tuner presets against 50 for the 7002
Multi room out via component
Gold plated In/Out
IR receiver in and Emitter out
HD Radio

I require none of the 8002 features, I’m only interested if it’s going to offer audio quality difference.

WPC is practically the same 125 v 110 doesn't seem like much at all. I don't know if the toroidal transformer and copper chassis are going to make a difference, maybe better power supply parts will provide better handling of peaks etc. The Arcam has a toroidal transformer too but almost half the WPC and it didn’t allow me to bi-amp my speakers.

What are custom components?

My inner practical objectivist is telling me - if the DACs are the same and the build quality is about equal, I probably wouldn’t hear any difference between the 7002 and 8002 if I did a side by side comparison at comfortable volume. I’m interested to hear if anyone disagrees.

[Sonnie]

I think about the only difference you might notice in the 8002 would be driving low impedance speakers at higher volumes... if you happen to own any now or plan to in the future. The better power supply in those rare cases might very well benefit you. Otherwise with the typical speaker, I suggest there will be no audio quality differences between the two. But... if it were me, I would still buy the 8002.

[Wayde]

HA, good assessment Sonnie. I'm with you there. It's the age old upgraditius conundrum.

There probably wouldn't be any perceivable difference and the upgraded pwr supply parts might at some moments very high SPL levels keep a peak intact, that's the only difference that can possibly come of it.

However, just knowing there is such an easy upgrade path to something 'better' makes it so compelling. If I wait a couple of weeks the option will be gone forever. If I act now, long after the time/money spent is forgotten the 8002 will be part of my system for which adjectives like flagship, top will be associated rather than ... one step down from the top/flagship... almost the same as the 'best' model the company makes.

It's mostly psychology at this point. I spend so much time/writing claiming I'm not 'really' an audiophile... I'm not caught in that trap of upgrading perfectly good components... good enough is good enough and all that. But give me temptation and my true colors come out.

[Sonnie]

It is truly an addiction!

[Wayde]

I did it, quick and painless - I upgraded the receiver to the 8002 from the 7002. Very glad I did it. I figure it's almost the same unit but the 8002 is what the 7002 was intended to be, no compromises.

[Sonnie]

Congrats! Of course now we expect a professional review.

[enrique]

I plan to also go to the marantz sr8002.I will be going from a rotel rsx1056 that has served me well.But i've decided its time to move on.The added power over my rotel as well as the tordial transformer of the 8002 put it over the 7002.i also dont think i will suffer from any loss in SQ over the rotel.I hope to have it by next month.