General Asylum

New Marantz AV8805 vs. AV7704

65.175.180.161

aspiring audiophile

A

I want to upgrade our home theater / audio setup to handle the latest 4K tech. I have the new Oppo UDP-205 which has great DACs for music. These two Marantz units are contenders for handling everyday HDMI for TV and surround.

I've never understood well how important the DACs are with HDMI for TV. I know they can make a big difference with analog cables for music.

My question: since I can use the Oppo DACs for music, is it worth getting the Marantz AV8805 for it's DACs for HDMI home theater use, or would the AV7704 (at half the cost) suffice for that use?
They would be used with Classe amps and Revel Performa3 F208s.

Thanks in advance for helping.
Aspiring Audiophile

Follow Ups:

FWIW, I purchased a Marantz AV7704 pre/pro... - jeffreybehr 22:27:25 01/19/18 (0)
...last fall to use in my upgraded HT system. Previously I was using an Oppo '105D DP and super-hi-Q analog ICs to the preamp's analog inputs, that preamp being a c-j vacuumtubed 6-channel model MET1. With the '7704, I decided to make-do, at least temporarily, with HDMI cabling from DP to pre/pro. After several other changes in the system, it's now stable and I can listen carefully for the transparency that my system HAD.

I'm happy to report that it still has that very high level of transparency using the '7704's DAC. I might buy an '8805 later get another pair of ceiling channels, but it won't be to get a better DAC, assuming the '8805's is better than the '7704's.
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Tin-eared audiofool, lover of large-scale Classical and film music and movies, and amateur fotografer.
William Bruce Cameron: "...not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted."
RE: New Marantz AV8805 vs. AV7704 - mgbpuff 06:46:29 01/19/18 (2)
It depends on many things. Some do not like the Sabre DAC in the Oppo. What is the complexity of your HT installation? Does it have Atmos? Are you planning to have more than four overhead Atmos speakers? The DAC in the AV88xx series are said to be better than the DAC used in the AV77xx series. Also the 8805 costs twice the 7704. Only you can choose!
- RE: New Marantz AV8805 vs. AV7704 - aspiring audiophile 11:54:28 01/19/18 (1)
  mgbpuff - thanks for responding.
  
  I do not have atmos yet, but have the Revel F208 L/R, and C208 center and M106 rears plus their B112 bass speaker.
  
  If I am okay with the Oppo DAC for music, my biggest question is whether the higher end DAC in the AV8805 vs the cheaper AV7704 is really going to impact movies and everyday TV over HDMI?
  
  I know it's subjective, but what would you do?
  Aspiring Audiophile
  - RE: New Marantz AV8805 vs. AV7704 - mgbpuff 18:23:12 01/19/18 (0)
    Well right now I have an older Marantz prepro, the AV7702, for my home theater which is a 7.2.4 Atmos system. I am fine with the sound of this for both movies and music. I want to increase my system to a 7.2.6 Atmos system and add DTS-X. So I am looking at the Emotiva RMC-1 or perhaps the AV8805. If Marantz comes out with an AV7705 with 15.1 outputs, I may be tempted to save some shekels. So yes I think the AV7704 is good enough .

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