Hi,

I'm looking for some opinions/feedback as I'm considering a new pre/pro. I'm considering one of the two Marantz pre/pro systems. First of all a couple of things about my environment. I am currently only a 5.1 environment and don't really have the room to go to the more complex 7.1 and beyond. Other than a new processor the only other upgrade I foresee would be going to stereo subs. I am much more of an audiophile. Movies and associated surround sound is nice but is really secondary. My prime concern is it must sound great! I have a vast collection of music that is on a media server with a fair amount of it in high resolution. I also have a large SACD collection that I play through my Oppo player. Probably more often than not I listen to music in stereo as I find most recording in surround sound do not add very much to the actual musical experience (although I will admit there are some recordings that are much better in multi-channel). So here are my questions:

1) Is the audio of the AV7702 better then the AV7701 and if so by how much?
2) I noticed that the AV7701 only supports wired network connectivity. Do they have an option for wireless connections? My processor location does not lend itself to a wired connection.
3) Since I'm primarily an audio guy that's limited to 5.1 (or soon 5.2) are either or both of these units overkill for my needs, i.e. might I do better with a unit that had less features and better sound? If that's the case, any recommendations?

Any thoughts or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You.

3) Both are most likely overkill for your needs. The 7702 maybe more so given the immersive audio features with the 13.2 channels.

2)The 7701 could be paired with any bluetooth or wireless solution, such as Outlaw's BTR-100 or OAW3, or any other brand wireless device, to allow you to connect wirelessly.

1)Without physical comparison, I would think the 7702 should be better in audio quality, just for the fact of it's newer gen circuitry- discreet, current feedback HDAM's, for the preamp circuit instead of the single chip op-amp type.

Either piece will support high res audio. The 7701 handles 192/24, and DSD. The 7702 should as well.

The Outlaw 975 does 192/24 as well, not as much overkill, and any DSD needs could be handled by the Oppo's audio output config menu.

Hmm, "audiophile" and "wireless", a curious combination -- most such folks that wear the "scarlet A" have no problem crisscrossing their "listening room" with a gaudy assortment of pricey interconnects...

I think people misunderstood what I was referring to. I certainly didn't mean wireless speakers. I was referring to the network connection. Perhaps I should have said Wi-Fi. I do not have Cat 5 cables running throughout my house. I'd like to do some streaming from my media server, via the network, to this system. Doing via a Wi-Fi (wireless) connection would be preferable.

After to some more extensive searching on the web, I have come to the conclusion that of the 2 the AV7702 would better fit my needs (wants) . However, I'm not convinced the the AV7702 is really what will suite me best. I am now looking in to the Yamaha at the Yamaha CX-A5000, but it's not without its issues either.

I really wish I could find something that was more focused on the sound quality and basic features rather than having 11 or more channels and formats that have very little support and require numbers and placement of speakers that is well beyond most peoples reach, not to mention it's well beyond the WAF of most spouses!

Any suggestions for other products to look at would be appreciated.

"I really wish I could find something that was more focused on the sound quality and basic features rather than having 11 or more channels and formats that have very little support and require numbers and placement of speakers that is well beyond most peoples reach, not to mention it's well beyond the WAF of most spouses!"

That's why I suggested the 975..."The Outlaw 975 does 192/24 as well, not as much overkill, and any DSD needs could be handled by the Oppo's audio output config menu."

Have you looked into one of these, in place of wireless?

http://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-Extension-Extender-200-Feet-HDMI-EXTC/dp/B001PT1A7C

It might be possible to go with the 975 (plus amplifier of course) and the OAW3 (The Outlaw stereo wireless transmitter/receiver). If your media server has USB output it could go direct in the OAW3 and then wireless to the 975.

The only possible issue I could see is if the OAW3 has a limit on the data rate into the USB that is less than the high res data rate of your media server. There something on the product page about it being "only" CD quality.

If the goal is to deliver content from a media server to a preamp / receiver that only has an ethernet port the most common solution is to get a "wireless bridge" -- http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controll...=&A=details

Two of these can be configured as "invisible ethernet" where one is on the media server that does not have a wireless connection and the other is on the preamp / audio receiver that does not have built-in WiFi...

Technically a the Oppo BD-105 (and probably other models...) is also capable of getting audio files via network connection --" in-home network media sharing via My Network which is capable of connecting with DLNA and SMB/CIFS clients. Additional online streaming applications may also be added with future firmware updates." http://download.oppodigital.com/BDP105/BDP-105_USER_MANUAL_English_v1.4.pdf The Oppo DACs remain among the most revered choice and quite a few use the BluRay player as a replacement for a preamp...

It is too bad we can't get an update on the new Outlaw Pre/Pro that is in development. Based upon your criteria, that along with the new 5000 amp would be a great solution. I am in the market for new gear and waiting patiently for this new Pre/Pro's release.

Can add the "mk II" to the mix -- http://hometheaterreview.com/marantz-announces-av7702mkii-av-preamp/

As a long time Outlaw 990 preamp owner (from the initial shipment!) I have been following the saloon for more than 10 years. I had been waiting patiently for years now for the follow-on affordable near-high-end successor. Since I am not getting any younger, I finally gave up and purchased a new Marantz 8802. While not cheap, it is a great piece of hardware. But then I have waited so long, I was able to splurge a little. :-)

Since the functionality is probably very similar to the 7701 and 7702, I have only one issue with it. I have the standby mode HDMI pass through set to ON and connected to my cable box so we can watch most TV without turning on the whole HT system. It seems to work...sort of, but if the TV is off for a while -- definitely by an hour, but certainly by a few hours or overnight, if I turn on the TV it will not connect to the cable box. If I turn the TV off and on again, or change the TV to another input and back to the Marantz again, it connects successfully every time. At any time, if I turn the TV off and right back on again it is fine. If I shut the Marantz off (that is, back to standby) it reconnects the cable box successfully to the TV. It is a nice feature because the Marantz cuts the sound to the TV if the Marantz is on, but passes through both audio and video if the Marantz is off.

It is getting rather tedious to have to turn the TV on then off then on again for it to work -- especially for my wife!

Has anyone here had this issue with the 7701 or 7702, and if so did you find a solution? And, yes, I contacted Marantz support but they were not any help. They asked me about settings I already had set correctly. But I have always found the Outlaws here very helpful.

My old 990 was working just fine, and I feel kind of sorry for it in the basement. :-(

BTW: I have a Pioneer 6020 TV and an Xfinity X1 cable box.