Marantz SR4200 vs Yamaha 620 vs Denon 1802

[allerseelen]

I have just bought a Mission Cinema 7 speaker package (773e 77c1 77ds) and need an amp to go with it. I am considering these options -
Marantz SR4200 £257
Marantz SR5200 £348
Yamaha DSPAX620 £316
Denon AVR1802 £330

I don't think I need ProLogic2 because any VHS I have are encoded with PL1, also I don't need a tuner because I don't listen to the radio. Stereo performance is less important than movie performance cos I have a half decent hifi already. I would like an on-screen-display (5200 / 620) for easy setup but could live without it.
Basically unless you think I would hear much differance between them at low volume levels I would rather get the cheapest one and start saving for a sub.

P.S. All prices from Richersounds, if they are available cheaper somewhere else I am interested :)

[Rathion]

Hmmm can't really help much but I'm after one too! I'm going for Marantz it seems to get the best reviews.
Only thing is I think you need to go to Marantz 6200 for on screen display coz i want this too! Hope I'm wrong if so then I'll be getting the 5200 if it has got OSD anyone else know??

[Rizel23]

I got a Gold Marantz SR5200 and its very very good. I use it with my Mission M72's and sound is amazing, especially DTS. Great with Stereo as well, i don'nt use DPII that much to be honest, i preffer the 6 Channel Stereo system that the Martanz does, so many inputs and outs you'll never run out!

It also does 6.1 DTS-ES and the DD EX as well, so you can add another rear speaker (which i shall do in the new year) and sound tracks to the likes the 'Seven' will simply sound even greater. The tuner is top knotch to, also does a 'on screen' menu which you hook upto you TV to ajust all the setttings.

Can'nt think of anything else, apart from looking vert slick in a Gold finish and a basic programable remote to use with TV, DVD, VCR as well. Rizel

[Rathion]

Originally posted by Rizel23
also does a 'on screen' menu which you hook upto you TV to ajust all the setttings.
Can'nt think of anything else, apart from looking vert slick in a Gold finish and a basic programable remote to use with TV, DVD, VCR as well. Rizel

Sorry for the thread hijack allerseelen

Rizel can you confirm the 5200 has On screen display?? what connection on back does it use and where on tv do you connect it to?? Also can you confirm the remote is "learning" as I thought these features were on 6200 only? Thanks

[megabyte]

They are all fine machines.
Recently got the yamaha 620 rds, which is the same as the above yamaha only with the tuner.
I had yamaha before so I stuck with the devil I know.
Plus I only really wanted it for the movies and for this it is superb!
The consensus in the shops I went to a few months back was tending toward Marantz (the 5 or the 7) as they do an equally good job on the home cinema,but take the lead when it comes to music.
UGH seem to have some good stuff on forum offer at the moment and its almost january-SALE TIME ,Darn it why didn't I wait:nuts:
Conn

[Rizel23]

Originally posted by Rathion


Sorry for the thread hijack allerseelen

Rizel can you confirm the 5200 has On screen display?? what connection on back does it use and where on tv do you connect it to?? Also can you confirm the remote is "learning" as I thought these features were on 6200 only? Thanks

Its has a 'On Screen' menu yes, you can use S-VHS or the standard Yelllow Lead (can rember the name for it!) The remote is just a basic one, bit like a 'One4all' handy to conrtol the TV, DVD and VHS though. Has connections for the 'On Screen Menu' at the back.

[Boink!]

I have a SR5200 and confirm the on-screen display. I use a S-Video cable, but you can use a single composite [?] one. The pages are simple to use and setup is easy [though you'll probably be tweaking it for a while!]. CD playback [via Marantz CD63] is great.
The remote is OK, but I do recommend reading the manual to work out how it works - I had a panic where I couldn't switch the unit off. My gf said "did you read the manual?" Um, no (The answer was obvious (press amp then power). :rolleyes: I now have five remotes for everything!

Note: most places have the Marantz with a single years guarantee [mine from Empire Direct]. Upgrade Heaven have a two year guarantee.

You won't be disappointed.

Boink!:cool:

[Bapapapa]

I don't think I need ProLogic2 because any VHS I have are encoded with PL1

That's one of the selling points of PLII. It enhances existing PL material. :p

[bossc@]

Seconded to Bapapapa's comments on PLII - I find it does make a difference. I've got the SR5200 and find the separation ton PLII to be very good.

On screen setting up is very easy to do but a bit of a bugger to get right - spent ages trying different level/speaker combinations.
:)

[allerseelen]

Interesting point about PL2, hard to understand how it could create separate rears for PL1 materail that has mono rears. However I will take your word for it that it sounds better overall :)
The Marantz SR5200 seems to be worth the extra over the 4200 for the extra channel, power and OSD.
My TV only has scart connections in and my VCR only has scart also. Will I have to buy several scart to svhs leads to connect up my amp, or should I use scart to 3 phono (L + R audio and Video) ?

[MikeK]

Originally posted by allerseelen
I have just bought a Mission Cinema 7 speaker package (773e 77c1 77ds) and need an amp to go with it. I am considering these options -
Marantz SR4200 £257
Marantz SR5200 £348
Yamaha DSPAX620 £316
Denon AVR1802 £330

I don't think I need ProLogic2 because any VHS I have are encoded with PL1, also I don't need a tuner because I don't listen to the radio. Stereo performance is less important than movie performance cos I have a half decent hifi already. I would like an on-screen-display (5200 / 620) for easy setup but could live without it.
Basically unless you think I would hear much differance between them at low volume levels I would rather get the cheapest one and start saving for a sub.

P.S. All prices from Richersounds, if they are available cheaper somewhere else I am interested :)


If you don't want 6.1 capabilities, aren't bothered about DPL2 and could live without DTS (for the few DVDs which are actually available with a DTS soundtrack), then you could do a lot worse than the Yamaha RXV396 DD receiver on offer at Richers for £120.
You could probably then afford the subwoofer at the same time :)

If you only listen at modest volume levels, I doubt you'd really hear that much of a difference between that and units costing hundreds more, when listening to movies.
As for the DTS vs DD debate, it's all a matter of opinion, but at low listening levels, again, you may be pushed to be able to tell them apart. One thing I don't like with DTS, is that Dynamic Range compression doesn't work with it, so trying to keep the soundtrack listenable (late at night for instance) while keeping the missus and next door happy is next to impossible.
Even when listening at full pelt, the differences between DD and DTS are marginal IMO (and that's not taking into account some of the tricks they've been using to try to convince people that DTS is better, such as boosting the LFE channel, or the surround channels - there's plenty of info about this on the web)

[barcelona26051999]

I picked up the Yamaha dspa620 from richer sounds yesterday for £249.95, if they price it higher, say its in superfi for £259.95 and they will price match and knock £10 off (this had already been done inthe stockport store) No complaints with the amp, it knocks our old pro-logic amp out of the water and at this price I aint complaining about anything (apart from the fact you cant use banana plugs on the speakers)

[AndrewJ]

I have a shiny new Marantz SR5200 with all 6.1 channels running - Jurassic Park III in DTS-ES is fantastic........

recommend it wholeheartedly but make sure you use the 6th channel!

Just need a discreet wall mount rear center now - have a wall mount Yamaha but its white!! Any recommendations for wall mount neat and discreet rears?