People, comparing a Ferrari or a Porsche to a Hundai or a Mazda is basically saying they all have 4 wheels and internal combustion engines and get you to the same place, and you really can't drive more than 55 MPH, so what's the difference ! NOT! Nope ! TO put a BRYSTON SP-3 into a discussion with a Marantz for monetary reasons, is understandable, but for quality of build, reliability known, sound quality, and the best warrantee in the industry, is like comparing the Goodyear, Michelin, or Pirelli tire you use, to the Chinese knock off at Wallmart. They all have rubber compounds in them. I don't about you, but I personally don't want to sail down the interstate at 65 MPH on a 90 degree day, after an hour, then start turning down some switchbacks at speed on the Chinese stuff. The Bryston SP-3 might be one of the finest surround processors on the market for authentic, audiophile level sound control, PRE-DSP, and or after DSP. I have compared it to (and I own it) to many, including top Denon models ( of which is essentially a Marantz with a different face), in the exact same scenario of gear and wires, and I will say it was like going from some frozen pizza you thought was great to a hand made DOP pizza in the finest pizzeria in Naples. The sound stage increased exponentially, the depth of field was astonishing, and the tone, timbre, and overall [NATURAL] musicality was stunning! I AM NOT talking about surround, but regular 2 channel playback. In basic DTS or Dolby HD, the same type of experience was had with DVD A disks. ( I never judge on movie files, as too much DSP is engineered into the remixed file). If price was main consideration, and yyou need to be under $3,000, I guess many of the Japanese Army knives will do, but if you have the money the SP-3 is fantastic. If you insist on, and have the ability to utilize the upgrade from 5.1 or 7.2 ( SP-3) and demand Atmos or DTS:X and can swing the $14-$15K, the new Bryston SP-4 is a beast with 16 fully assignable, discrete channels. With every possible, professional, external audio control device built in. I was astonished at the depth of control of each speaker. (But if you don't know what you're doing, find a professional!) The Chinese brand mentioned before; I'll be kind...do your homework! Enjoy the music!