Receiver Decision For 2Nd Theater

[dem beats 10]

I need a living room receiver to run HD material from HD tv and BRD media. The speakers are Martin Logan Purity. They have a built in amp and can literally be driven from RCA connection. I could get away with a Pre/Pro, usually though you get less for more money it seams, and you loose the versatility of having power if I ever changed speakers. This receiver will also probably handle 2nd zone duty. I want to use my main beastly rig (yam z7) for the other zone work however my wife is strongly against this for many reasons. They don't have to make sense, I just need to abide. The number one factor this receiver must fulfill is to be ipod compatable for the wife, network with our in house LAN, and have some form of useful room calibration. If it has something to help MP3's sound a bit better, then all the better. 90% of the casual listening will be some form of compressed audio. That won't change. Unless I'm alone and can crank the ML's and sit in the amazingly beautiful sweet spot, compressed audio works. We do watch HD concerts on BD or streamed though and also watch quite a few BRD movies.

Marantz 7005. It right now is in the top of my list as it's the most gadgety. It doesn't quite seam as robust and the DAC is less audiophile than the bur brown integra, however I'm sure it can do the job and again, for now I don't need some monster amp. I can run the Logan's from RCA if I absolutely had to. It may also have instant ipod connection through USB and a nice compressed audio enhancer. Along with what sounds to be a great "night setting" and a setting to tame overly loud ads on TV, it has a whole list of cool conectivity and every day practical but perhaps gimiky toys to play with. Room calibration via auddysey's best. The pro system is available but only for "installers". There may be a work around.

http://us.marantz.com/us/Products/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?CatId=AVReceivers&SubCatId=&ProductId=SR7005

Integra 50.2 The middle of the road between the audio snob anthem and the tech geek Marantz. I know the silent cinema from my old integra and it man it works. All the excitement and voice clarity but none of the wife waking factor. Auddysey calibration, and maybe the pro software without being an installer. I'm waiting for confirmation on that. If the menu system is anything like the old integra style, though I loved it and installers love it, my wife will not.

http://www.integrahometheater.com/model.cfm?m=DTR-50.2&class=Receiver&p=i

Anthem MRX 500 (it looks like the 700 wouldn't get me much more but beefier power that I don't need). Audiophile name, suposidly the ARC calibration system is the BALLS, and I have it on hand as a loaner so I will check it out. From what I've read, the system may be amazing but it doesn't allow the user to EQ the system themselves. If so then it's a load of crap IMHO. On paper the integra outweighs it, and the 500 looks to be the least developed in tech. But it held it's own on a set a 'digms next to a Rotel dedicated amp and I still don't really need some over amped beast.

http://www.anthemav.com/products/anthem/a-v-receiver/mrx-500

Onkyo, dennon, and yamaha all look to be on the fence untill you're in the $2k category. Even then I'm not impressed. I originally put payment on the Integra 70.2, but other than some specs I don't need and a video chipset that won't get worked as I don't watch standard def on that system I started looking at other options. I'm open to anything that will solve my problem that is a networking rig that my wife will use. If anyone has a tip on another brand or rig let me know. otherwise give me your 2 cents.

[dem beats 10]

I was just able to research some systems online now, and it seams that the new offering from Yammaha the A3000 could upgrade my "old" z7 in everyway for half the price. So it's still less than I have on the books with the shop. I will need to see if they can order and how nice of a discount I can get.

This may have made my decision for me. Still waiting on some info for the SR7005.

[Aaron Clinton 15]

That Marantz looks awesome, but if it is what you need, that I do not know.

[nealmunro 28]

WOW the A3000 looks very nice!

http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio-visual/aventage/rx-a3000_black__u/?mode=model

[dem beats 10]

The Yammy had stereo sub controls.

The Marants has slightly better SNR.

The The Marantz is also quite a bit less in cost though. My other receiver is this.

http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio-visual/av-receivers-amps/rx/rx-z7_black__u/?mode=model

It's specs are not as good as the A3000, but I'm really skeptical that the new amp in 2 years is lighter, more powerfull, longer lasting and as sonically awesome for half the price. Could be sour grapes in my sub conscious though.....

[nealmunro 28]

I like your old yammy too! Lots of power!

I am thinking either way you go both look like very good receivers.

[dem beats 10]

YUP!

that's the problem. There isn't a winner that's painfully clear to me.

[nealmunro 28]

YUP!

that's the problem. There isn't a winner that's painfully clear to me.

Well I say that is a good problem to have.

[nealmunro 28]

Matt are you going to post some pictures of those yummy looking speakers?

[dem beats 10]

Matt are you going to post some pictures of those yummy looking speakers?

I sure as heck will!

[nealmunro 28]

Any news Matt?