I don't have much idea about the Marantz 8003, though it does look good. Also look at Integra's DTA 9.4 (
Products). This may be a bit cheaper with the same capabilities as the Marantz.
As Sumit has suggested, in this upgrade, you must take some serious steps:
1. Make a list of requirements.
2. Discuss it with us to see if you have missed anything.
3. Short list 4 or 5 products that meet the requirements.
4. Do a price/capabilities comparison.
5. Whittle down to just 2 or 3.
6. Spend a little money and take a demo. I would even suggest you to make a trip to Singapore or Malaysia where you can audition all the products.
7. Order, install, and enjoy.
Cheers
hi venkat , thanks again
The DT9.4 seems like a power amp
Basically i am pissed of with the onkyo guys ( u definetly know the reason )
1 -requirements-- by now u definetly wud know that i love raw undistorted power and loudness with HT, this is one area where my onk is failing though its used as pre, and am totally pissed off with those guys for not coming up with anything , i wudnt like to mess around with it on my own ,though the forum says its a simple procedure, the 0nk AVR is a superb one but its failing me with certain discs , this is one area which is very annoying
for this very reason i have used very powerful external power amps ,but the pre seems to be the weak link
my configuration goes as follows
MAIN L/R --vincent SP331MK ( this one is a real power house , it can be taken to any limits without absolute concern) though rated conservatively @150 x 2 @8ohms, bought this after a thorough research
CENTRE-- Carver TFM35X , bridged/mono mode (pumping out abt 400+ x 1 @8ohms) opted for this as it makes the centre channel really stand out bcoz of the extra power it pumps out in mono mode
SL/SR --Carver TFM35X driven in 2 channel mode (250 X 2 @ 8 ohms)
Onkyo 875 as the processor for HT only, sometimes it drives the sorround back spkrs in 7.1 mode
spkr cables and inter connects are all from chord
the Sub is the DEF tech trinity
The difference when driven by the AVR alone and External power amps is felt instantly
am extremly good with this set up, but then there has been some failures , which after all the head scratching have come to the conclusion that the weak link is the processor
and this is with regards to HT only, coz the onk is in no way concerned with music
so the thot of replacing the processor and trying out something new is very strong
2--let me know if i have missed out on any thing
3-- have short listed Emotiva UMC-1 and the MarantzAV8003
4-- price/features the emotiva is the best bet, but marantz has great user reviews and i trust thier products
5--wud not be possible to go all the way for a demo, have to partly depend on user reviews (not the one by reviewer)
6--firmware upgrades of the marantz can be done by the ethernet port, like the BD players by the user so no depending on service guys who have no knowledge
7--as the unit is available for a good price here (actually both are available ,the pre/pro and the mm8003 power block,but i will be opting for only the pre) and the person is willing to send over the pre for trial and if there is an advantage over the onk , i wud be forced to favour it
8--also i have sound proofed my room to get the best benifits but still when things occasionally fail it irritates
9--according to avs forum they compare the marantz unit with the top end denon AVC-1 pre but @ half the cost, and the users say there is a mojor refinement of sound in HT
kindly let me know if i am missing out on anything, also looking forward to meeting u in bangalore
regards , subhash