Hands-on with Marantz's new AV8003 and MM8003 processor / amp pair

If the idea of a receiver is just too lowbrow for you, Marantz is introducing their new AV8003 and MM8003 processor / amplifier pair. It's a nice couple: HDMI 1.3a (four in, two out), Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD MA, DeepColor and Audyssey to get things dialed in; the amp kicks out eight channels at 150-Watts. Both available Q2 2008, prices to be determined.

Gallery: Hands-on with Marantz's new AV8003 and MM8003 processor/amp pair

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[Russ @ Jan 9th 2008 4:05PM]

Oh Hell yes. It's about damn time Marantz did this!

[shelterpaw @ Jan 9th 2008 4:09PM]

Is it hands on or sneak peak cause I can't find any type of review or anything. Looks like a really nice Pre Processor and Amp combo. Looking forward to a in-depth review.

[lou @ Jan 9th 2008 4:21PM]

This can be yours for the low low price of $1,000,000!

[zargon @ Jan 9th 2008 4:37PM]

Marantz is not where you will be spending a cool 1 mil. Try Mark Levison, Krell or any of the other super high end companies.

[zargon @ Jan 9th 2008 4:17PM]

I have actually been looking at the Onkyo Integra processor to combine with my Marantz SR-8000. I love my marantz receiver, choose it over a Onkyo Integra I had for a week and took back. I would love to stick with marantz product if this is up to snuff.

[zargon @ Jan 9th 2008 4:18PM]

I have actually been looking at the Onkyo Integra processor to combine with my Marantz SR-8000. I love my marantz receiver, choose it over a Onkyo Integra I had for a week and took back. I would love to stick with marantz product if this is up to snuff.

[andy @ Jan 9th 2008 4:32PM]

That switching/source matrix is the same setup as the SR8002 (due out any day).

All they've done is pull the amp out and beef it. The 8002 is only 125Wx7.

I'd look for it to be more in the 5k range. The 8002 is 2k list. That is unless they label it as one of their "reference" pieces, and then the price is anyone's guess - 50k?

[MDB @ Jan 9th 2008 5:21PM]

The real question is what kind of video processor is in this beast?

[SteveH @ Jan 10th 2008 8:04PM]

I spent an hour in the booth and talked with all of the Marantz technical boys.. For starters, this is a different beast in comparison to the receiver line. The processor is a fully differently balanced top to bottom with their own video processing. Build quality was excellent but I suggested to juice-up the cover to something closer to the new Denon prepro "skin". The product manager was all ears and took all suggestions in stride. :)
Price is TBD. The "Stack" is going to run $5K (ish). I'm guessing the price will be coming in the high two's. Now, he very much understood what the price point is of Integra 9.8. They suggested that they took a listen to the comp and feel VERY comfortable in its audio quality.

My concern was the video processing. He assured me that the are experts and they did in fact look at all of the powers. I think it they might borrow some expertise from the PJ group if I could read between the lines.

None the less, it is seemingly difficult to ignore the Japanese vendors when it comes to prepro's. IT seems that the list of players is shrinking.

[hatbrox @ Jan 11th 2008 5:18AM]

And for those who want to build a home theater with a HTPC, Marantz would recommend to start building your HTPC with the Silverstone Crown Series CW02.

This model was a request made by Marantz to Silverstone 2 years ago or so. Silverstone was given some design request (the CW02 has to match Marantz product design) and came out with the CW02.

Take it in black color and you will no doubt see some simililarities with the design of the AV8003.