I would say that even though they are sister companies with much the same parts being used the Marantz would sound warmer than the Denon. Slightly better for music but nothing to write home about and serious music use should involve an integrated stereo amp with HT by-pass.Can anyone describe the sound signature of the 8012 for me? I've just purchased a Denon x6500 and I am not impressed with the closed in overly warm/thick sound for movies and 2-channel music even after running room eq twice [all 8 positions]. Is the marantz open and detailed sounding? I also own a 2-channel Marantz ki sig amp which I've had for years and that sounds very open, dynamic and detailed.
I would say that even though they are sister companies with much the same parts being used the Marantz would sound warmer than the Denon. Slightly better for music but nothing to write home about and serious music use should involve an integrated stereo amp with HT by-pass.
I'm surprised with your remarks about the 6500 as I find it very clear with a great sound steering but I've only had Denon receivers. The direct comparison I make between Denon and Marantz is with their SACD players and the Denon is far more detailed and involving then the Marantz which manages to impart that traditionally warm Marantz sound.
The only stereo amp I've ever owned that I really got to dislike the sound of was an Onkyo and Mission combination. So we are all different in what audio we like. I really dislike the 6500 for stereo music and use a Rega amp for those duties.
I think that you should look outside the D&M stable for your receiver. The signatures may be too close on film and TV for you.
Ive had both the denon 8500 and the marantz SR8012 and av7705 you won't like any of them for music they are terrible. Go for something like the nad t778 or Arcam avr850 miles better for music.Thank you for the detailed response. I have been listening to 2 channel music on the x6500 with eq in flat mode and it sounds atrocious. Terrible, sloppy bass, bad timing and congested midrange and treble. Very poor. My old onkyo has top notch movie sound with great bass attack and definition across the frequency range and that was with the "lesser" XT eq system in THX (flat) setting. Im not too amazed at the Denon movie sound either. Thick and heavy (swampy) soft bass isn't to my liking. I havent got a clue what I would exchange it for. The retailer took my onkyo as a p/x. I may ask for a return/refund on the denon and ask for my old onkyo back.
Funny you mention the nad t778 and Arcam avr850, I was looking at those a few days ago.Ive had both the denon 8500 and the marantz SR8012 and av7705 you won't like any of them for music they are terrible. Go for something like the nad t778 or Arcam avr850 miles better for music.
you must have a room with good acoustic properties. My room sounds really bad with eq off.Very surprised by the comments here. I have a Marantz SR7012, used as preamp with an external 2ch power amp. I think it sounds great and it was a big improvement over the older Denon I had been using previously. For music, I listen in Direct mode, so no Audyssey messing with the signal. For movies, I use it with Audyssey in Flat mode with dynamic EQ on - sounds awesome. Very clear, crisp and punchy.
For me the nad is better and it has a lot more streaming features.Funny you mention the nad t778 and Arcam avr850, I was looking at those a few days ago.
Best bet is turn it off at the mains for a while if there’s nothing at all showing on th display itself.I've just gone to update my 7013 and all it's done is switched itself off and not come back on again. Update said it would take 6mins but it's been off for over 20 and will not turn back on again, any ideas or am I just being impatient?
Suggest that you read this first - there is a known issue with the latest update:
No network functionality anymore
I have a 7012 and MM7055 for the front 3 speakers, Rinning Klipsch RF280 5.2. 4, compared to my old Onkyo 906 the sound seems to laid back for my liking, Dance music ect, I was thinking of changing to a Dennon 8500, or would investing ain a Marantz pre amp be a better choice I also looked at the Nad 778?
Go for the nad t778 sounds a lot better than the marantz and denonI have a 7012 and MM7055 for the front 3 speakers, Rinning Klipsch RF280 5.2. 4, compared to my old Onkyo 906 the sound seems to laid back for my liking, Dance music ect, I was thinking of changing to a Dennon 8500, or would investing ain a Marantz pre amp be a better choice I also looked at the Nad 778?
Since what sounds ’better’ to anyone is purely subjective, I awarded you a funny, as you haven’t justified your opinion in any way!Go for the nad t778 sounds a lot better than the marantz and denon