| Audio Emporium
Newsletter New Marantz
Surround Sound Separates Just In! The
world of surround preamp processors just got better! Marantz has just introduced its long
awaited AV-8003, $2600. They’ve also introduced its companion power amp, MM8003,
$2400 (140x8). AV-8003
has been at the other end of the tunnel for some time. We’re glad to see the light
finally upon us. It’s in stock and living up to all advanced billing! AV-8003
has most anything a reasonable home theater owner would want and it doesn’t run
blazing hot, as most major competitors do. HDMI 1.3a, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD,
DTS HD MA. Its on board tuner is AM/FM/HD. It has RCA and XLR audio outs. It has one set
of XLR audio ins. It has multi-room audio with Component Video. Many
of the higher end pre-pros out there are full of bugs. All this new technology is a bag of
cats to make work right. In the first month of operation the AV-8003 has been wonderful,
without exception. This is really quite amazing. Most new products have their issues and
need several software touch ups before they’re really right. Thus far it appears to
us that Marantz got it right the first time. It’s hard, if not impossible, to
remember the last time anybody did so well with such a feature laden preamp processor! The
audio is outstanding! AV-8003 features a copper
plated chassis with double bottom plate. The transformer is a massive toroidal design. It
comes with the slick new RC-2001 remote. MM-8003
has 140x8 for power. You can run a 7.1 system and a passive sub that could be mounted in
the wall. You can use the channels independently for an endless array of options. It has
RCA and XLR inputs. Marantz has designed a new grade of storage capacitor for edge of the
art response to current demands. The
cosmetics of AV-8003 and MM-8003 match- quite elegant versions of Marantz’s Reference
Series components. Each component is 7 1/4h, 17 1/4w. You need 17” deep from the
front of the preamp knob to the back of where cables would protrude. The
BD-8002 Blu-ray player has been on perennial back order since it was introduced. As soon
as we get them, they’re sold. We expect the dam to break to where we have them to
sell from stock in September. Beethoven Violin Concerto & Kreutzer Sonata There have been many fine recordings of these works. Yet a brand new one sounds so good, especially the Kruetzer that it is a “must have.” Violinist Isabelle Faust and pianist Alexander Melnikov have made this great recording Kreutzer recording on Harmonia Mundi (HMC 901944). The sound is wonderfully clear. The speed of the attack on the violin and piano draw you into the feeling of a salon like performance! The violin concerto features Faust with the Prague Phil and Jiri Belohlavek. She’s terrific! |