This is normal and completely expected as the Marantz SR7007 is a receiver and not a processor/preamp. However, the AV7007 and AV8007 rumored above are processors/preamps and would definitely have balanced pre-outs as their respective predecessors did (AV7005 & AV8003).

WRT Audyssey MultEQ XT32 not being in the mix on the SR7007 at $1800, this is in keeping with the pricing scheme at D+M's Denon division that begins offering XT32 on the Denon AVR-4311CI at $2100. As for the competition, the Onkyo TX-NR3009 and Integra DTR-70.3 receivers that introduce XT32 on those brands sell for about $2200 and $2300 respectively.