[frostie101]

I'm really keen to find out what the new Marantz DV7001 is like. It's being promoted as being of equal(or almost) quality to the DV9600.

If anyone has seen it in the flesh, please share your experiences here.

Thanks, Mark

[Timbo21]

Seems to sit below the 9600. At around £599 I'm sure the audio, at the very least, would be significantly better on the 9600.

[frostie101]

Yep, it's considerably cheaper than the DV9600 so I'm guessing something has to give. I'm just curious what. The Marantz players tend to get fairly good appraisals so I'm keen to understand what the strong and weak points are on this one.

I'd be happy if the video was good and the mulitchannel audio was also good (SACD/DVD/DVD-A), as I'd be more than happy to stick a DAC on the back to get decent CD audio. I'm thinking something like the Musical Fidelity X-Dac v8 as it has several inputs for other stuffs also.

Hopefully the DV7001 would make a good CD transport as well as delivering on its DVD playing duties. Unfortunately for all its merits I believe the DV9600 has pretty poor audio jitter which sounds as if it wouldn't make such a good transport for off-board DAC usage

Looking forward to hearing first hand opinions and hopefully some magazine review lab reports.

[Andrathion]

Originally Posted by frostie101

I'm really keen to find out what the new Marantz DV7001 is like. It's being promoted as being of equal(or almost) quality to the DV9600.

If anyone has seen it in the flesh, please share your experiences here.

Thanks, Mark

I was keen as well. Especially because of the fact that it is/was touted to be a HDMI 1.2 player (as opposed to 1.1). Effectively that would make it possible to connect the player to an amp with only the HDMI cable and get full surround sound (including multichannel SACD) with just the one cable.

Unfortunately, though, it seems the DV 7001 might be just plain HDMI 1.1 after all.

Marantz has released a "product information sheet" which states the 1.2 version expressly (although on the last page, in the list of specs, 1.1 is mentioned):

http://www.marantz.com/new/index.cfm...=3667&single=1

But here's a link to a Japanese site with pics of the 7001, and the pic of the rear of the player clearly states "ver 1.1":

http://www.phileweb.com/news/d-av/200701/25/17651.html

Bummer? Probably, though I guess we've yet to find out for sure.

[kosio_t55]

Hi there,

I actually talked to one of the Marantz UK representatives, and he told me that they will give me a new DV 7001 which will be on the market in 2 weeks. It looks bigger on the catalogue's picture - more like DV 9600. I thought that it will share its bigger brother's specs but the only new thing in DV 7001 is that it will upconvert to 1080 progressive. Everything else is the same as DV 7600 which on its own was a good audio player. Some people claim that it was actually better audiowise than DV 9600 just because of the lighter video processing which didnot affect the rest of the circuitry. When I have the new DV 7001, I will try to compare it with DV 9600 and will report on the matter.
However, DV 7001 is still HDMI 1.1 equiped, no matter what the website and catalogues say. Marantz Europe is really poor in storing and publishing their specs!
Regards,
K.T.

[J.A.B.]

The DV7001 has much more to offer then the former DV7600!
The videoprocessing has been taken from the DV9600. The videodac is new and is the ADV7320, but you won't benefit from this if you use the HDMI connection. The 5.1 analogue board has also been taken from the DV9600. The DV7001 can upsample CD audio to 88.2 of 176.4 kHz. And something that was a great compaint to Marantz, but they finally listened: the DV7001 can display the remaining playtime.
So, yes, I'm really very curious how this 'dreammachine' will perform on video and audio.

[KMO]

If it can't output SACD as DSD up the HDMI, then no sale...

I'm also not convinced about the HDMI video circuitry - can it output 576i over HDMI? Along with multichannel hires audio?

Only having the single SCART would make my life difficult at the moment too; so I'm increasingly inclined to go for the Pioneer 989 and use i.Link, but I'm still concerned about the Pioneer AX4-ASi receiver's LFE bug.

[sdb123]

Originally Posted by KMO

Only having the single SCART would make my life difficult at the moment too; so I'm increasingly inclined to go for the Pioneer 989 and use i.Link, but I'm still concerned about the Pioneer AX4-ASi receiver's LFE bug.

It's not a bug....firmware will be available soon.

[frostie101]

Bump !

I got mine last Thursday so I have seen it.
Works fine, except for one thing but I do not know what it depends on as it could be the SR-8001 receiver or the DV-7001 DVD player.

Playing DVD's with 5.1 DD or 2 channel linear PCM audio tracks it works great but switching to 5.1 DTS it kills the subwoofer, i tried both 5.1 analog output and digital to the receiver but it seems like the LFE signal does't play at all.
Why Why Why?

[frostie101]

Gravling, the DTS issue is more than a little worrying. However, how do you rate the 7001 as a stereo CD player as well as a DVD player ? I know the 9600 was rated as being sonically stong alongisde a good DVD performance.

What's your experience/opinions regards your 7001 ?

Testing some more makes me 100% sure there is no DTS issue with the DV7001 since it apperently does the same thing with DD 5.1 at this time, and switching to playing the DVDs on my Xbox 360 give the same result.

That points to that the problem is located within the receiver (Marantz SR8001) wich makes me quite unhappy since I know I played a DD 5.1 track last week and it worked at that time and nothing has changed here except that the DV7001 moved in with us, and at the same time I read a post in a Swedish av forum that says "when SVT (Swedish television) runs DD 5.1 my sub wont run." that guy sits on a SR7001 tho but its more or less the same machine.

So back to the DV7001. Playing normal CD's (I have no SACD to test with at this time) its also very good, not so good I would kick out the SA7001KI standing beside it but if I diden't already have the SA7001KI I strongly doubt that I would go and buy it or anyother CD player just to have a standalone unit, or wait... I would probably go and buy both but thats me, most would be very happy with the DV7001 I reckon.

I pass the signal on the receiver with an optical cabel (Supra X-ZAC) as I also tested with my analog Van Del Hul Thunderline cables and I thought there was very little or no advantage to use the analog outputs for 2 channel listening. Can't say how the analog 5.1 output works yet since I really would love for my subwoofer to play along when listening to anyting in multi channel so I have to get back on that part when things works as they should again.

DVD preformance I can only compare with the Xbox, Xbox 360 and finaly the Harman Kardon DVD47 (that made me sell everything in the house that had something to do with Harman Kardon). Don't really know what to look for here but layer change is something that not should be allowed in 2007 and I haven't been able to find one yet so thats nice. Image is also nice I think, not much to compare with but its also not Hi Def video either so what can we demand from it? Magic?

[shezzy2k]

Another vouch for the DV7001's audio quality. I got mine today & I'm impressed with the extra detail compared to my old player.

[kosio_t55]

Originally Posted by shezzy2k

Another vouch for the DV7001's audio quality. I got mine today & I'm impressed with the extra detail compared to my old player.

Hi, shezzy2k
Since you have got the Pioneer 507 and the Marantz DV7001, could you, please, tell us how the Plasma copes with upscaled progressive images from the Marantz DVD player? I know that the 7 series Pioneer plasmas take on only true HD 24Hz 1080 progressive signals but cannot play upscaled 1080 progressive signals. Something Pioneer will be trying to remedy in their next series plasmas, coming out on the market this summer. I really like their 427 model especially when they have slashed its price by almost 50% but this progressive signals issue is the only thing putting me off.
As an owner of Marantz DV7001 I can say that it is a big development from DV7600 in hardware and software terms. The discs are still coming out warm but not hot as with the DV7600, bearing in mind that I have intentionally put the player in a tightly packed and closed space just to see how it copes. The disc read is quicker eventhough still slow compared to other brands. The DV7001 is even taller than DV9600 in size, and is a heavy piece of equipment. It is built in a different plant, and uses some of the circuits from DV9600 which emphasises on the positives. I couldn't see any disc layer change issues so far, and most of all, the disk spin is mouse-squirm quiet. Really, no noise at all!
On the software side, it has inherited most of DV9600's functions. Setup is intuitive, and easy. I couldn't understand the bass management function that much but I don't change the default settings on my equipment anyway. I always want to hear and see things in the most transparent and uncoloured way possible.
Picture is great, from every type of output - composite, scart, component, hdmi. The 720p upscaled pictures through the hdmi on my screen look nice, just so nice. I can't say "stunning" because this would fit more to the 1080p playback which my screen cannot cope with unfortunately.
Audio is top-notch for a DVD player, and typical for Marantz equipment. I really liked how the player faired in CD playback through its analogue outputs.
Apart from some minor dislikes in the setup layout, the only thing I don't like is the remote. It should have been better. It is white now but still with forgetable looks. For such a machine Marantz should have indulged themselves with a finer remote.
K.T.

[shezzy2k]

Sorry, only just spotted this...I cant say I've really noticed any issues with the video capability, but so far I've mainly used it for music.

I will have a go at testing that and let you know how i get on.

BTW I quite like the remote...it's definitely a step up from the one that comes with the PM7001.

[shezzy2k]

Sorry for my very late response to the query.

Outputting 1080P via HDMI results in a blank screen on the 507XD. Anything from 1080i to 480P works fine.

[zoro]

is vc 6001 based on this

[Barzo]

Any sign of the dreaded macroblocking? I notice this is a Faroudja based upscaling player, which is (a) very different from the Anchor Bay derived video in the 9600 and (b) disappointing given that the Denons' of equivalent price use the Realta processing. I'd be interested to know if it really is a picture upgrade over the 7600 - I note, for example, that there is no longer a 10bit colour mode (4:2:2), due to the limitations of the Faroudja processing (which works in 8bit only).

[shezzy2k]

I can't say I've noticed any macroblocking on DVD's. I will temper that statement in that I'm really not much of a movie buff, so I probably don't pay enough attention video quality.

[MJeeves]

Originally Posted by Barzo

Any sign of the dreaded macroblocking? I notice this is a Faroudja based upscaling player, which is (a) very different from the Anchor Bay derived video in the 9600 and (b) disappointing given that the Denons' of equivalent price use the Realta processing. I'd be interested to know if it really is a picture upgrade over the 7600 - I note, for example, that there is no longer a 10bit colour mode (4:2:2), due to the limitations of the Faroudja processing (which works in 8bit only).

Just how good was the 9600 ? In comparison to the big Denon's anyway ?

[Geoxis]

Originally Posted by MJeeves

Just how good was the 9600 ? In comparison to the big Denon's anyway ?

Yeah this would be a good thing to know, how does it compare to the Denon 2930 or 3930?

[MJeeves]

Originally Posted by Geoxis

Yeah this would be a good thing to know, how does it compare to the Denon 2930 or 3930?

Yes. Or even the Denon A1XV'A' ?

[sdb123]

The consensus on the forums seemed to be that the 9600 sat below the big Denon and Arcam 139 in performance terms. Not sure how/where the 3930 sits in that list though.

[J.A.B.]

Originally Posted by Barzo

....I note, for example, that there is no longer a 10bit colour mode (4:2:2), due to the limitations of the Faroudja processing (which works in 8bit only).

I think this is not correct. The Faroudja FLI3210 processor supports 4:2:2 YCrCb output. Don't know why this option is not on the DV7001 though.
On a Pioneer PDP screen the macro blocking Faroudja issue is visible with this player.

[Barzo]

Originally Posted by J.A.B.

I think this is not correct. The Faroudja FLI3210 processor supports 4:2:2 YCrCb output. Don't know why this option is not on the DV7001 though.
On a Pioneer PDP screen the macro blocking Faroudja issue is visible with this player.

Oops! I bought the 7001 at the weekend, having traded in my 7600 against it. Just waiting for it to be delivered (bought in Northern Ireland in person, and thanks to the security measures, not able to carry it as hand luggage!). Sorry to hear that MB issues are there - this is very poor. May not be keeping the player it seems....

[Barzo]

What are Marantz thinking!!!!!

Quite apart from clear MB in many transfers (something the Oppo manages to surpress rather well), the ultimate indication that Marantz do not really care about the European market is that the player cannot upscale PAL sources as PAL. Yes, you did read that correctly. All upscaling resolutions are locked at 60Hz - only 576p is 50Hz. Net result - judder in motion and camera pans with PAL discs.

First indication that all was not well was fact that it was impossible to select the TV system with the HDMI cable connected. Quick compare of 576p against 720p (on my Samsung LCD) showed that the former had smoother pans than the later - former was @ 50hz, latter @ 60hz. I would never have purchased this player had I known this. I've read two reviews in mags - What Hi-Fi? and Home Cinema Choice, in in both glowing accounts they failed to note this fairly obvious limitation. On perusing the manual, it is there to see under HDMI Video options - player only does 60hz in 720p or above.

Maybe it is just me, but I would have thought that spending £600 srp (though I did not spend that) on a DVD player in Europe might have actually been able to upscale at European scan rates. What, exactly, did I purchase such an expensive DVD player for? Call me old fashioned. It is doubly annoying, given that the Oppo - a US player - happily switches between 50hz and 60hz depending on the source material, and I have not yet encountered another DVD player which upscales at 60Hz only - supermarket and big brand cheapies manage 50/60hz upscaling (Samsung, Toshiba, etc).

This player seems a step back from the 7600, no matter what the Marantz PR spin might be. Picture options are noticeably reduced - in fact, I've just been on the US website, which has manuals (which include UK instructions), and note that the 6001 and 7001 seem indentical in terms of video dacs/processing options. This was not the case with the 6600 and the 7600. Of course, the major reason for taking back the 7600 was that it was temperamental - losing HDMi signal at times, and occassional mistracking as it got over hot. However, it was a quality product in terms of sound and vision, and could do upscaled video at 50 and 60Hz quite happily. I'm not sure this current player is really any advance on the Oppo (which the 7600 clearly was in terms of pic), and, with this 60hz thing, might be considered considerably worse. I should add that a major reason for buying the Marantz was sound quality, which is very good indeed, but video performance was a major consideration also!

I will contact Marantz Europe to see if there is a solution to this, but I am currently deeply unimpressed. Lack of any form of resume function once the disc is ejected is an operational foible I would not have expected (and could live with, if the pic was up to spec!) I think I will be voting with my pocket on this one and returning it for a refund or exchange.

[Barzo]

The following has been sent to Marantz Europe through their website. I await their reply with interest:

'I have just purchased a DV-7001 DVD player, following some excellent press reviews of this model. Frankly, I am more than a little disappointed. Having paid for a player which is supposed to deliver high quality sound AND video, I am most perturbed to find that video playback has not been a high consideration for the European market.

To whit, the player cannot upscale PAL sources as PAL over HDMI. All upscaling resolutions are locked at 60Hz - only 576p is 50Hz. The net result is judder in motion and camera pans with PAL discs (no doubt due to conversion) - it is small, but it is noticable. A back to back test of the same footage on 576p @ 50Hz compared to 720p @ 60Hz reveals the difference.

I would never have purchased this player had I known this. On perusing the manual, it is there to see under HDMI Video options - player only does 60hz in 720p or above.

Iwould have thought that spending £600 srp on a DVD player in Europe might have actually been able to upscale at European scan rates. What, exactly, did I purchase such an expensive DVD player for? This is very annoying, as every other player on the market at substantially cheaper prices manage to upscale in both 50hz and 60hz, dependent on the input format of the disc; players from Samsung, Toshiba, Sony, Pioneer, Denon, etc.

Is this to be remedied by a firmware update, allowing upscaling in 50HZ? If not, I will have no option but to return your player, and will not be buying the Marantz brand again. There was a time when the brand stood for quality - sadly, in the AV field at least, this no longer seems to be the case.

I look forward to a swift reply, as I have only 14 days in which to exchange or refund the product.'

[J.A.B.]

Within a few weeks Marantz Europe is releasing a firmware update for this issue. So no worries, with this new firmware the 720p and higher also support 50Hz output.

Bear in mind that most flat panels internally operate at 60Hz.

[mastaff]

Originally Posted by Barzo

Oops! I bought the 7001 at the weekend, having traded in my 7600 against it. Just waiting for it to be delivered (bought in Northern Ireland in person, and thanks to the security measures, not able to carry it as hand luggage!)....

Barzo,
just out of interest, where in Northern Ireland did you get the 7001 and did you get a good deal??
thanks in advance
Michael

[Hamslay]

Originally Posted by J.A.B.

Within a few weeks Marantz Europe is releasing a firmware update for this issue. So no worries, with this new firmware the 720p and higher also support 50Hz output.

Bear in mind that most flat panels internally operate at 60Hz.

My new DV6001 is connected to a Sony Bravia LCD. Should I be concerned whether upscaled 1080p output is at 50Hz or 60Hz?

Will this firmware be available to the public as something you can burn on to a disc, or would the unit need to go into a service centre to be updated?

Thanks.