SR7002 Overview, Features, and Build Quality

Internally, we are dubbing 2008 "The Year of the Receiver." Ever since CES we've been excited about getting our hands on some of the year's newest products which boast so much in terms of features and value. If you travel back 8-9 years ago most flagship receivers, for around $1700, offered 5 channels of amplification, Dolby Digital and a fixed 90Hz subwoofer crossover. Component video inputs weren't yet available (and just forget about video conversion) and digital video certainly wasn't even in anyone's thoughts.

Fast forward to 2008 and the playing field is awash with multiple manufacturers throwing in their weight behind products that contain more features than we would have ever thought possible at these prices. HDMI switching is now available at less than $400, but the Marantz SR7002 hits home at that critical flagship-but-not-priced-as-one level. At just under $1400, the SR7002 provides those features that really make an AV receiver sing - features that aren't available at lower prices. Features a true Audioholics craves.

A New Breed of Marantz Receiver?

There are so many features being added to AV receivers these days, it's hard to keep up - but that's what I like to call a quality problem. The real problem is discerning which of the features really matter. For those of you familiar with past Marantz products, you may be surprised to note that the company is alive and well and competing head-on with other manufacturers in the home theater market. In fact, I was as stunned as anyone when I realized the incredible potential of the x002 series. A quick market comparison yields the following models for analysis. We realize not every manufacturer is listed here, but you'll get at least a good partial view of the marketplace:

*The Marantz is spec'd as having 4 HDMI inputs and 2 outputs, however it can only utilize 1 HDMI output at a time. In our opinion, this deserves a designation of 4/1/1 rather than 4/2.

Compared to the competition, the Marantz has a lot going for it. That's not to say it's the clear leader in every way, but there are several features that may be very tempting to those shopping for a future-ready product:

• THX Select2 Certified
• Support for Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, dts-HD Master Audio
• Deep Color, xvYCC and SACD Support by HDMI
• Up-Conversion (w/TBC) to HDMI with 480i/480p Converter
• Dual Component Outputs
• XM HD Surround by Neural THX Technologies
• M-DAX (Marantz Dynamic Audio eXxpander) for Compressed Audio
• Audyssey MultEQ
• RS-232C control, IR Flasher Input and two 12VDC triggers
• 2nd Zone Audio/Video Output
• RC8001SR Main-Room & RC101M Multi-Room Remotes Included

First Impressions & Build Quality

I hadn't played with a Marantz receiver in many years - certainly not since they brought their products into the realm of modern-day receivers with all the technologies consumers expect. The difference is, Marantz did it at a surprising value and seems to be one of the manufacturers currently dominating the sub-flagship market. I say this because of the THX certification, dual HDMI and component video outputs, and their integration of such technologies as XM, Audyssey MultEQ and powered Zone 2 with video. Upon unpacking the receiver I first recognized that it was a serious piece of equipment, weighing in at just over 33 lbs and standing 7-1/4 inches tall. I lugged it into Reference System 2's equipment rack and configured it for use with my RBH Sound CinemaSITE 5.2 system. The Marantz is a pretty receiver, with an oil-damped mechanism hiding the majority of front controls. This leaves the Aux inputs, Volume and Source selection knobs plus a headphone output in plain view along with the detail-rich fluorescent (FL) display. Speaking of front controls, there are enough to just about run the entire AV receiver should you ever lose the all-important remote control.

The front panel allows you to access Surround modes, Multi-room and Multi-speaker settings, radio functions and other features. Note that the Mic input is here for running the on-board Audyssey MultEQ system and you have direct access over the Setup menu and enabling A-B speakers. Marantz' M-DAX (Marantz Dynamic Audio eXpander) can also be turned on here, allowing you to expand MP3 and AAC-encoded files for a fuller sound and a recapturing of higher-frequency content.

Inside (I couldn't help but crack open the unit to see what made up the internals) the Marantz SR7002 is packed solid. I mention this because I have opened up products in the past only to find a "box of air" with a scant few circuit boards littered around a small power supply. Mind you, this hasn't been the case with many receivers, but so-called "high-end" processors are notorious for their simplification. The SR7002 is so packed with boards, capacitors, and other components that I could hardly believe enough air circulated to keep the unit from overheating. Peer straight down into the box and you'll note the giant EI transformer positioned near the middle of the chassis (incidentally, the more expensive flagship SR8002 model utilizes a toroidal transformer). Surrounding it are a myriad of power supply components which presented enough specs to reassure me it would get the job done. The transformer and power supply seemed sufficiently isolated from the audio components which led me to believe Marantz paid attention to the needs of its audiophile base. In addition, the receiver features independent power supply components for the FL display, so you won't get any of the telltale RF interference which can transfer if it isn't sufficiently isolated.