[jruth]

Just upgraded from fine old 21-year TV to Samsung EH4003F (32"). Got Energy Take 5 Classic 5.1 speakers. Itching to bite the bullet and pick up an AV receiver. Heard Marantz 1602/1603 are terrific. Need to stream NAS/Macbook music, some Netflix and Internet radio. Could get Apple TV. House not enormous. Would like second zone.

1. Does Marantz look good for this?
2. Recommendation to help me decide if the pricier 1603 is worth getting instead of the 1602?
3. Is there a similarly price unit with similar features that I might be overlooking?

Thanks a lot for your help or tips.

[goujam]

The marantz units your looking at are slimline units. Is this what you need ? If not there are plenty more Av receivers in the same price bracket that you can look at

[jruth]

Goujam, thanks. Yes, the slimline size of Marantz 1602/1603 is a plus, but it's not why I'm thinking of them.

My price range is about US$400-600. Want two-zone capabalility (7.1 I think, splitting two speakers into a second room, leaving 5.1); excellent sound; networked to home network for music streaming; not enormous power needed; not atrocious GUI (read that Sony's STR-DN1030 is abysmal in this department); and maybe 4 HDMI inputs, not a lot.

I know that Marantz has a name for high-quality sound, and that's why I got started with these two receivers.

Do you have suggestions for others that might work as well, or better? I'm grateful for your time; don't have a lot of that these days with three little ones racing through the house...

[PSM1]

Where are you based? This is a mainly UK based forum so prices and options may vary where you are.
I would look at the Yamaha 673 or Denon 2113 as good alternatives for aroundn the same price.