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Funky Monkey asked this question in 2010, but as AV amps change so much, I was wondering if anyone had any recent experience with a DSD capable amp? I don't mind spending up to £500, but I really don't want to miss out on dsd to analogue conversion. So tricky to find this information on the manufacturers website. I'm favouring Marantz at the moment, but I could easily be persuaded otherwise!
Thanks.
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Post by Iain March 29, 2013 (2 of 13)
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ChocolateFingers said:
Funky Monkey asked this question in 2010, but as AV amps change so much, I was wondering if anyone had any recent experience with a DSD capable amp? I don't mind spending up to £500, but I really don't want to miss out on dsd to analogue conversion. So tricky to find this information on the manufacturers website. I'm favouring Marantz at the moment, but I could easily be persuaded otherwise!
Thanks.
Which Marantz AVR?
BTW, I would also consider either Denon AVR-2313 or AVR-3313 as both are DSD compatible. I have the latter model and it's a beauty. Both Marantz and Denon are designed by D and M Holdings in Japan.
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ChocolateFingers said:
Do you mean DSD "direct" to analogue or do you mind analogue via PCM? The "direct" route will significantly reduce your options & increase the prices.
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Post by Jordan March 29, 2013 (4 of 13)
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Just got a Marantz SR6007 which accepts DSD via HDMI. This information wasn't on Marantz UK site, but it was on the US site. However, the manual does concede that it converts it to PCM before analogue. Sounds good though, but at the moment I do prefer the sound of the 5.1 channel analogue inputs. Cost £549.
I'm not sure if its cheaper brother, the SR5007, accepts DSD or not.
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Post by Iain March 29, 2013 (5 of 13)
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Jordan said:
Just got a Marantz SR6007 which accepts DSD via HDMI. This information wasn't on Marantz UK site, but it was on the US site. However, the manual does concede that it converts it to PCM before analogue. Sounds good though, but at the moment I do prefer the sound of the 5.1 channel analogue inputs. Cost £549.
I'm not sure if its cheaper brother, the SR5007, accepts DSD or not.
For the record, Denon to Marantz model equivalence:
1) Denon AVR-2313 - Marantz SR6007
2) Denon AVR-3313 - Marantz SR7007
Only difference between Denon/Marantz is chassis style and price. Sound quality will be identical as they are both designed by DM Holdings.
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If you don't mind the DSD being pushed through PCM first, then you might want to have a look at Pioneer. Their VSX-922 and upwards support MCH DSD conversion and the VSX-922 is currently available for less than £250. The VSX-422/527/827 support stereo DSD conversion (and should be cheaper still). I've not heard any of these though so, as always, caveat emptor!
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Thanks for all your suggestions. Plenty to think about there. I may accept DSD via HDMI if further research suggests that this can be acceptable. I definitely want pre-outs as well as I want to run the front Proac speakers via a better quality amp for two channel use anyway. Now back to the reviews of your suggestions...
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Post by zeus March 29, 2013 (8 of 13)
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Iain said:
For the record, Denon to Marantz model equivalence:
1) Denon AVR-2313 - Marantz SR6007
2) Denon AVR-3313 - Marantz SR7007
Only difference between Denon/Marantz is chassis style and price. Sound quality will be identical as they are both designed by DM Holdings.
I don't think your comparisons are correct. While I'm sure they share the same DNA (and the manuals in parts are identical) they distinguish themselves with different ports, features etc. For example, the AVR-3313 has AL24 Plus and Denon Link HD, the SR7007 doesn't have either but instead uses HDAMs. Below these models though I'd expect them to sound more similar.
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Post by Iain March 30, 2013 (9 of 13)
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zeus said:
I don't think your comparisons are correct. While I'm sure they share the same DNA (and the manuals in parts are identical) they distinguish themselves with different ports, features etc. For example, the AVR-3313 has AL24 Plus and Denon Link HD, the SR7007 doesn't have either but instead uses HDAMs. Below these models though I'd expect them to sound more similar.
I'm quite aware of the different features between them as I spent some time, perhaps too much, in comparing both models last year.
I was trying to justify the extra cost of SR7007 over AVR-3313 at the time, as it's all down to sound quality. Finally, I came across this thread at American AVSForums:
http://www.avsforum.com/t/1437459/denon-avr-3313ci-compared-to-marantz-sr7007
Consensus there, is no difference of sound quality between them despite added feature list of the Marantz.
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I see that the Marantz SR5004 is still available in the UK (at least on Ebay) and for £349 - £399 new and with guarantees. I have that machine and it plays well. It accepts DSD over HDMI from my Oppo 93. I take a line out to a good stereo amp for the fronts but you can bi-amp them with the Marantz which gives excellent sound too.
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