Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bassexpander]

I just dumped a chunk of change on a new Marantz SR-8002 receiver for my home theater/blu-ray set-up. I also dumped a load on a new pair of Paradigm Monitor 7's (older v.3 to sonically match my older mini's) to take over the fronts (I'll move my Mini-Monitors to the back).

Here are the goods (pics taken by others, but same as mine):











Here is the place I found the best prices.

www.avprime.co.kr

Actually, I learned about them by paying attention to the website the smaller shops were doing their ordering from! I just went to a PC Bang after seeing the name of the shop, got the address, and found the place on another street near the Yongsan Gu-Cheon.

Saved about 500,000 this way!

The also offer cash-only discounts which are less than prices on their site.

[Explat]

Very nice!

Thanks for the advice.

Here's a tip:

Don't put much bass into your speakers when they are new. Actually, the best way to break in speakers is to put a very low volume signal with lots of treble into the speakers for a couple of hours, then gradually turn up the volume. Wait a couple of days to break in the bass.

To break in the electronics, run the amp for three days straight. Doesn't have to be loud. Got that tip direct from an exec at Marantz.

Question: Does the power input take 120/230 volts?

I have a nearly new Marantz in storage. Trying to remember if mine takes both without any problems.

Marantz is a great value. And he used to be mayor of the town I grew up in.

[eamo]

Looks great Bassexpander.

I usually bought Marantz amps when I was an audio buff. Then I got a chance of a big Sony receiver for cheap. Very good but outdated now. No HDMI socketry, of course!!

What's the spec on that amp. Watts per channel?

As for breaking in........the modern stuff is a lot less picky about burning in. They can run loud straight from the box, I reckon.

The danger in audio lies in running a weak amp loud though big speakers. A weak amp when pushed will send a distorted signal to the speakers and heat up the coils.

[bassexpander]

Thanks for the break-in tips. I've got a 12" Pardigm sub which will handle the deepest lows. I'm kind of kicking myself, because I see the newer model Paradigm Monitor series includes a 3rd driver (didn't know that). I was trying to match my older Paradigm center channel... sort if wish I'd sprung for the Monitor 11s now, which were another 500,000 won. Oh well, my room isn't that big anyway.

I paid 1.3 million for the Marantz (cash price), which was almost 300,000 cheaper than anywhere else in Korea. Heck, Amazon in the US sells it for 2 million. I found Onkyo products carry a higher premium here, but Marantz are priced well. Even better than back home, it seems! Must have something to do with the FTA.

I didn't want to spend that much (was looking at the new Onkyo 606, which comes out in a few weeks) for 600,000 but the 605 model has some lip-flap delay issues, and firmware upgrade issues. The Marantz has been well-proven to be mostly trouble-free. HDMI is a weird beast, and even though it's meant to make life easy, most have found it causes more problems than anything.

I also spent about 100,000 on thick cables and connectors, including a 20,000 won HDMI cable which I will return (because the shop delivered a free one. The cables came from a guy who speaks good English, and is located in the bottom of the IParkMall (basement) in Youngsan. I went back to that place to purchase the cables after buying the receiver at the online store, which is located close to the Yongsan Gu-Cheon (other side of the bridge).

Specs on the Marantz:

The Audiophile and Videophile Reference - The New Marantz SR-8002

The ultimate in control, flexibility and power! The new Marantz SR-8002 is perfect for any audiophile, due to its all-discrete amplification circuitry. All seven channels deliver 125 watts from Marantz� proprietary Current Feedback Amplifiers. This receiver delivers a powerful, life-like presentation from two-channel stereo sources or multi-channel video sources with equal fidelity.

Includes audiophile-grade 24bit/192k audiophile-grade DACs for all channels. A huge toroidal transformer inside the copper-lined chassis ensures the finest sound you�ve ever heard from any receiver, at any price. Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus and dts HD-Master audio are the next wave of high-resolution sound, and the SR-8002 can decode them all. Also includes HD Radio and XM HD Surround capabilities. Videophiles get the best performance possible through 4-in and 2-out HDMI v1.3 connection. Upsample from any source to 1080p.

The SR-8002 is one of the few receivers to include Audyssey�s unique auto-calibration system, a newly designed room-correction microphone system that improves the listening characteristics of your entire room at the touch of a button. THX Select2 certifi cation provides assurance that the SR-8002 will exceed all of your expectations. To put it more succinctly � it�s a Marantz!

Specifications:

MULTI CHANNEL/SURROUND
Number of Channels: 7
THX
DTS (ES, Discrete 6.1/ Matrix 6,1, Neo-6)
Dolby Digital EX
Dolby Pro Logic IIx
Circle Surround II

SOUND ENHANCEMENTS
HDCD Decoder
Current Feedback Topology
Discrete Amplification: All 7 channels
Power Transformer: Torodial
D/A Conversion: 192kHz/24-bit
Digital Signal Processing: T1 32-bit
Video Off
Source Direct
Chassis: Copper plated
Variable X-over
Display Off
Video Up-conversion
M.R.A.C (Marantz Room Acoustic Calibration): Auddysey MultiEQ
XM-Ready
Bass management
Lip-sync (digital audio delay)
Software Upgradable (RS232)

IN/OUTPUTS
VIDEO
HDMI In: 4
Component In: 4
S-Video In: 3
Composite In: 5
HDMI Out: 2
Component Out: 2
S-Video Out: 3
Composite Out: 4

AUDIO
Analog L&R In: 7
Analog L&R Out: 4
Digital Optical In: 4
Digital Coaxial In: 3
Digital Optical Out: 1
Digital Coaxial Out: 1

OTHER
Pre-Amplifier Out
Multi-Channel In: 8 channel
Multi-Room Audio Out
Multi-Room Video Out
Multi-Room Speaker Out
Speaker A/B
External control (RS232C)
DC Triggers: 2
D-Bus Remote (RC-5) In/Out
External IR In/Out: 1/2
Front Panel A/V Inputs: + Optical Digtial
Headphone Out: Dolby headphone
AC Outlets (Switched/Unswitched): 1/1

SPECIFICATIONS
AUDIO SECTION
Power Output (8 Ohm) : 125w x 7
S/N Ratio: 105dB
Freq. Response (Analog In): 8Hz - 100kHz (+/- 3dB)
Freq. Response (Dig In): 8Hz - 45kHz (+/- 3dB)

TUNER SECTION FM
Frequency Range: 87.5 - 108.0 Mhz
S/N Ratio (Mono/Stereo): 70/75dB

TUNER SECTION AM
Frequency Range: 520 - 1710kHz
S/N Ratio: 50dB

VIDEO SECTION
Video Freq. Response (Component): 5Hz - 80Mhz (-1dB)
Video Freq. Response (Composit, S-Video): 5Hz - 8Mhz (-1dB)
Signal to Noise: 60dB

GENERAL
Color: Black
Front Panel: Aluminum
Remote Control: RC8001SR + RC101 (multiroom)
Power Requirement: AC 120V 60Hz
Power Consumption: 780W
Dimensions W" x H" x D" (Inches) 17 5/16" x 7 1/4" x 15 5/8"
Weight (lbs): 33.1

Source: http://www.musicdirect.com/product/80645

[ulsanchris]

What are the problems with HDMI? I'm looking into setting up a home theater system and wanted to get an AMP and DVD player with HDMI.

[bassexpander]

HDMI was originally supposed to be a 1 cable simplifies all type of thing. It sounded good on paper, but the problem is ... just as with Vista and everything else going the direction of DRM (Digital Rights Management) ... different HDMI implementations by different manufacturers, and even different models, often conflict or have issues with each other. When there are conflicts, HDMI doesn't work.

In another twist, there are multiple levels of HDMI: 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.3a

Sometimes the different levels don't work with each other, or work entirely correctly. The problem is compounded by all of the different manufacturers producing different spec levels. Some models, like the Onkyos, have different firmware upgrades available to fix issues, but installing them can be scary, or might brick your unit.

Then there are different levels of upscaling which each receiver will do or pass through. In short, it's a mess.

Your best bet is to search the internet HARD to find out what models do and don't have problems.

As I mentioned earlier, some models have "lip flap" issues, meaning that the video is delayed from the audio. You can again thank copy protection (DRM) for this.

HDMI can also suffer from different kinds of signal degradation over longer cable runs.

Here is some excellent reading on the subject: http://www.cepro.com/article/hdmi_or_component_integrators_weigh_in/

[Chris_Dixon]

thats awesome how much coin did you spend??

My dream is to have an awesome home entertainment setup...

[bassexpander]

50" PDP: 2,800,000 (a year old and paid too much)
Marantz SR-8002 Receiver: 1,300,000
PS3 Blu-ray: 350,000
Paradigm Monitor 7's 800,000 (bought yesterday)
Paradigm Mini-Monitor surround speakers 300,000 (bought used some time ago)
Paradigm LCR-350 Center Channel: 200,000 (bought used off of E-bay)
Paradigm PDR-12" Amped Subwoofer: 350,000

Currently have over 100 blu-ray movies. The HD audio is amazing now. My neighbors hate me. I'd add the additional 2 back channels for 7.1, but my room is only 12'x14' or so.

[eamo]

[harryh]

Nice stuff!

I like Marantz gear. I bought a Marantz SR-5600, and still use it as a pre-amp/processor. I use a Ceratec Penta as a power amp, with Quad 22L2 as front speakers and 12L2 as surrounds. I have thin walls, and get complaints about the noise, so I'm hesitant in getting a subwoofer.
An Arcam DV79 DVD player tops things off.

i'm thinking of getting another Marantz later in the year. Decisions, decisions.

[rocklee]

[ulsanchris]

I'm looking at setting up a home theater and wonder if anyone could give my some pointers. I think I will get the yamaha RX-V663 reciever. here is a link to it. http://reviews.cnet.com/av-receivers/yamaha-rx-v663/4507-6466_7-32869451.html

Seems to be good one.
What I am having trouble with is the speakers. I'm thinking of either getting Jamo or wharfedale. Both seem to have a reputation for being good bang for your buck. Which is really what I want. I hope to be spending less than a million on the speakers. Any hints or suggestions will be appreciated.

[Explat]

I'm not sure what is readily available in Korea. I went with Mission. I bought three different sets of Mission speakers, and they were all extraordinarily good, and exceptional values. You can get a variety of speaker sizes that match up fairly well for home theater sets. They are a British company, a sister company of Warfedale and Quad. Warfedales are a fine old speaker company, but a bit more expensive than Mission. Part of that goes into a fancier veneer on the cabinets. The Mission speakers are exceptionally well constructed and solid, but they have a printed, but very realistic veneer.

I don't know why you would go with Yamaha. If you are looking for audiophile quality at a reasonable price, you can't beat Marantz. Their reliability is legendary. I have had some old Marantz amps, and some new ones, and I have never had a problem with any of them.

Yamaha, on the other hand, has a terrible reputation for reliability. I know this first hand, too. They made some great, audiophile quality stuff, and some that was very poorly constructed.

Yamaha was doing mass produced audiophile gear around 1980. I had a class A/AB amplifier from that period, the CA1010. It produced wonderfully warm, lifelike sound. I used it until it fell apart. But other Yamaha amps and receivers made after this period had an unduly bright sound that was not realistic.

I suspect most electronics these days sounds good, but it depends in part on the design philosophy, the sound they want to create. Your choice also depends on the features you want, since that is what really separates the home theater gear.

If you can find Mission loudspeakers here, that's what I would go with.

[ulsanchris]

on a audio forum a lot of people were posting good stuff about this reciever. What is the comparable marantz?

[Explat]

I don't have the faintest idea what Marantz and Yamaha are offering these days.

I would just figure out how much you want to spend and see what Marantz has to offer.

I bought a Marantz home theater receiver and a Marantz PM7200 Class A stereo amplifier a few years ago. I expected to use the PM7200 for my serious listening, but found that the receiver, after about a month or two of use, mellowed out to the point that the sound was nearly indistinguishable. This was a big surprise to me, as am something of a purist. But modern circuitry can come pretty darn close to the purity of a Class A bias amp, without the enormous electrical usage and cost. I should not that I used the direct sound setting on the receiver to bypass the controls.

So you will not hear much difference in sound for the different priced Marantz gear. And you won't really need the extra power. So what's the difference?

Well just look at the back of bassexpander's receiver. You are buying a bunch of video switching, for one, some multichannel processors, and DACs. I used the DACs on the high end CD/DVD player I was using. You are also getting some fancy new digital radio capability.

Frankly, I think a hifi novice would be quite satisfied with a basic Marantz home theater receiver. With a little common sense, there's a good chance your gear could last 20 years or more. I have met plenty of people who have had their Marantz that long.