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  #11  
Old 08-25-2020, 08:04 AM
silversurfer6 silversurfer6 is offline
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Using an AV8805 with rotel amps to drive 803d3, htm2 and ci800. Will change to the new mac power amp for the front channels.
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  #12  
Old 08-25-2020, 09:59 AM
Kal Rubinson Kal Rubinson is offline
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Originally Posted by 70sMac View Post
Edward..... Thanks for the interesting post. The part that really caught my eye was the fact that you switched from a Mac MX-121 to a Marantz AV7703...hmmmm
The MX-121 is based on a Marantz platform and created when the two were under the same roof back in 2012.
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  #13  
Old 08-25-2020, 03:37 PM
Dilettante Dilettante is offline
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Originally Posted by Kal Rubinson View Post
The MX-121 is based on a Marantz platform and created when the two were under the same roof back in 2012.
I believed the MX122 was based on the Marantz AV8802 platform, GUI, user interface, video processor/upscaler and the Audyssey but everything else was pure McIntosh. And the MX121 I believed was probably based on the Marantz AV8801 platform.
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  #14  
Old 08-25-2020, 03:54 PM
Dilettante Dilettante is offline
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Originally Posted by silversurfer6 View Post
Using an AV8805 with rotel amps to drive 803d3, htm2 and ci800. Will change to the new mac power amp for the front channels.
Which Rotel amps are you using? The RMB-1585 five-channel amps?
Somebody I knew initially had two Marantz MM8077 seven-channel amps paired with the AV8805 driving his B&W 804 D3, B&W HTM2 D3 center channel, several surround & Atmos speakers and he wasn't satisfied with the overal sonic performance. He then sold the MM8077 seven-channel amps and upgraded to three Rotel RMB-1585 five-channel amps and the improvements are immediate and not subtle. The RMB-1585 is night and day improvement in all areas over his previous Marantz MM8077 seven-channel amp. Just judging by build quality alone you can see the RMB-1585 five-channel amp weighs in 90 pounds and only has five channels whereas the MM8077 seven-channel amp weighs in only 45 pounds yet has more channels of amplifications than the Rotel RMB-1585.
The RMB-1585 is equipped with two large oversized good quality toroidal transformers stacked up.
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  #15  
Old 08-25-2020, 03:56 PM
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edward3132 edward3132 is online now
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The MX 121 was based on the Marantz AV7005
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Analog Sources: Oppo 203, Oppo 105, DirecTV, AppleTV 4K, Roku Ultra, Nvidia Shield
Digital Sources: Aurender W20 via USB and dual XLR, dCS Rossini and Clock
HT Processor: Anthem AVM90
PreAmp: Audio Research Ref 6
Amp: ML 536 (2), Rotel 1552 (3), Rotel 1585
Speakers: Focal Maestro EVO, Focal 1000 Utopia Center, Focal 1000 IW6 side/rear surrounds, Focal 1000 IW6 X4 Ceiling, Rel G2 X 2 subs, Martin Logan 1500 X 2 subs, B&W 805D2 in master bedroom
Video: JVC NZ8 Projector
Power: Shunyata Everest, Sigma XC (1), Sigma NR (1), Sigma Analog (2), Alpha HC (2), Alpha Digital (2), Alpha Analog (1), Viper(1), Venom Digital(1)
Cables: Shunyata Anaconda SC, Anaconda IC (2), Shunyata Sigma USB, Shunyata Sigma XLR X 2, Shunyata Sigma Ethernet, Shunyata Clock Alpha X 2, Sigma x 1
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  #16  
Old 08-25-2020, 04:04 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 70sMac View Post
Edward..... Thanks for the interesting post. The part that really caught my eye was the fact that you switched from a Mac MX-121 to a Marantz AV7703...hmmmm

Do you have any additional thoughts on the the differences between the Marantz AV7705 and the AV8805? Both models have now been brought up in this thread; hence, the question...
For Marantz, the AV8000 series is the cream of the crop. Has the best dacs, internals, processing software etc. The AV7000 series is however just a step below. Both have XLR outputs which I like.

For me it came down to the need to keep up with the ever evolving world of video. MX 121 was great with 1080p but as soon as 4k came around, it could not keep up therefor you were then replacing a $6k paperweight.

AV processors from Marantz and others allow you to keep up with the video changes which are now headed towards 8k but more friendly to the pocket book.

I was able to get the AV7703 just as they were announcing their next year model at about 50% of retail. Have a nice pre-pro that keeps up with the latest technology at that time..

Now if I decide to move up, I have only invested a thousand or so rather than the $6-8k to get one of the big boys.

Edward
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Analog Sources: Oppo 203, Oppo 105, DirecTV, AppleTV 4K, Roku Ultra, Nvidia Shield
Digital Sources: Aurender W20 via USB and dual XLR, dCS Rossini and Clock
HT Processor: Anthem AVM90
PreAmp: Audio Research Ref 6
Amp: ML 536 (2), Rotel 1552 (3), Rotel 1585
Speakers: Focal Maestro EVO, Focal 1000 Utopia Center, Focal 1000 IW6 side/rear surrounds, Focal 1000 IW6 X4 Ceiling, Rel G2 X 2 subs, Martin Logan 1500 X 2 subs, B&W 805D2 in master bedroom
Video: JVC NZ8 Projector
Power: Shunyata Everest, Sigma XC (1), Sigma NR (1), Sigma Analog (2), Alpha HC (2), Alpha Digital (2), Alpha Analog (1), Viper(1), Venom Digital(1)
Cables: Shunyata Anaconda SC, Anaconda IC (2), Shunyata Sigma USB, Shunyata Sigma XLR X 2, Shunyata Sigma Ethernet, Shunyata Clock Alpha X 2, Sigma x 1

Last edited by edward3132; 08-26-2020 at 09:45 AM.
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  #17  
Old 08-25-2020, 04:12 PM
Dilettante Dilettante is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by edward3132 View Post
The MX 121 was based on the Marantz AV7005
Really? I thought the McIntosh MX121/122 were based on the Marantz flagship AV880x processors. I was told that the MX122 was based on the AV8802 platform. Not sure about the MX121.

Last edited by Dilettante; 08-25-2020 at 04:19 PM.
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  #18  
Old 08-25-2020, 04:37 PM
Dilettante Dilettante is offline
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Originally Posted by silversurfer6 View Post
Using an AV8805 with rotel amps to drive 803d3, htm2 and ci800. Will change to the new mac power amp for the front channels.
Since you represent both Marantz & Classe (Sound United), I have a question for you. I'm currently still using the Classe SSP 800 paired with Classe amp in my dedicated home theater setup which I use mostly for bluray movie playbacks from my Oppo 105 connected via HDMI to my Classe SSP 800. From time to time I also use this setup for DVD-Audio (high resolution audio disc) music playbacks from my Oppo 105 via HDMI out to my SSP 800.
I have a separate two-channel setup in a different listening room.

Anyways, I'm thinking to move up to 4K with latest HDR Dolby Vision and stuff but have no desire to move up to Atmos setup. DTS-HD Master Audio & Dolby True-HD are good enough for me. So I will have to sell the SSP 800 and find a pre pro that supports 4K latest HDR Dolby Vision since my SSP 800 does not support 4K. The AV8805 came to mind but I'm concerned that I would sacrifice overall sound quality / audio performance for both bluray movie and DVD-Audio music playbacks in comparison to my SSP 800. How does the AV8805 stack up against the SSP 800 when it comes to pure sound quality alone for bluray movie & DVD-Audio music playbacks? I don't care about the extra additional features bells & whistles found in the AV8805. From pure sound quality alone, is the AV8805 comparable sonically to the Classe SSP 800?
I've never done AB comparisons between the SSP 800 and the AV8805 in the same system setup. I've heard the AV8805 but in a completely different setup using different amps different speakers in a different listening room.

Last edited by Dilettante; 08-26-2020 at 03:06 PM.
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  #19  
Old 08-26-2020, 02:12 AM
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70sMac 70sMac is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by edward3132 View Post
I would put in a vote for an Pre-pro from Marantz as well. The latest model is the AV7705. I am using the AV7703 that replaced a MX 121 Great performer.
Quote:
Originally Posted by edward3132 View Post
For Marantz, the AV8000 series is the cream of the crop. Has the best days, internals, processing software etc. The AV7000 series is however just a step below. Both have XLR outputs which I like.

For me it came down to the need to keep up with the ever evolving world of video. MX 121 was great with 1080p but as soon as 4k came around, it could not keep up therefor you were then replacing a $6k paperweight.

AV processors from Marantz and others allow you to keep up with the video changes which are now headed towards 8k but more friendly to the pocket book.

I was able to get the AV7703 just as they were announcing their next year model at about 50% of retail. Have a nice pre-pro that keeps up with the latest technology at that time..

Now if I decide to move up, I have only invested a thousand or so rather than the $6-8k to get one of the big boys.
Edward..... You do make some great points. Having owned a Mac MX-series pre/pro, I really get your message about diminishing returns relative to the growth of technology. If you're going to spend a given amount of money, you might as well "...roll with the changes...," right? Like yourself, I also like that the Marantz AV-series are equipped with XLR outputs.

Not to steer totally away from the topic of discussion I chose, but what are your thoughts on multi-channel amplifiers? Being an old-school Mac fan, I was thinking about the MC207...but, considering what I've been reading lately, there just may be some high-quality solid state amps out there that can give Mac a good run for their money in terms of quality...
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OUR VINTAGE MAC: MAC4100, MAC4200 | AMPS: MC452, MC300 | MAC PRE/PROS: MX151, MX130, MX121 | B&W SPEAKERS: (2) N802s, (2) N805s, (1) HTM3S | NEWER EQUIPMENT: Oppo 203 & 105D, Sony X800M2, Denon CDR-W1500 | VIDEO DISPLAY: 65" LG OLED | IMPORTANT NOTE: Zero High-speed internet connections
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  #20  
Old 08-26-2020, 05:12 AM
silversurfer6 silversurfer6 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dilettante View Post
Which Rotel amps are you using? The RMB-1585 five-channel amps?
Somebody I knew initially had two Marantz MM8077 seven-channel amps paired with the AV8805 driving his B&W 804 D3, B&W HTM2 D3 center channel, several surround & Atmos speakers and he wasn't satisfied with the overal sonic performance. He then sold the MM8077 seven-channel amps and upgraded to three Rotel RMB-1585 five-channel amps and the improvements are immediate and not subtle. The RMB-1585 is night and day improvement in all areas over his previous Marantz MM8077 seven-channel amp. Just judging by build quality alone you can see the RMB-1585 five-channel amp weighs in 90 pounds and only has five channels whereas the MM8077 seven-channel amp weighs in only 45 pounds yet has more channels of amplifications than the Rotel RMB-1585.
The RMB-1585 is equipped with two large oversized good quality toroidal transformers stacked up.
Yes, that rotel is a beast. It is also an AB design and this is one of the reasons it sound really good. Excellent amp for the money.
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