Marantz SR4003 Surround Receiver Review
Its been a while since we looked at something in the mid range of AV 7.1 capable receivers, the Marantz SR4003 receiver landed with us a while back and we’ve finally got around to giving it a good thorough workout. The SR4003 is very well specified on paper with 7 discretely powered channels all running 80 Watts of power with 192KHz/24-bit DACs. The unit boasts Dolby Digital EX, DTS ES 7.1, Pro Logic II and Circle Surround 7.1.
Initial room setup of the DT ProCinema 1000 7.1 speaker system we were using was actually made quite easy with the Marantz Room Acoustic Calibration (MRAC) that is built into the SR4003. Using a clever system of test signals and acoustic modelling algorithms, MRAC analyses your room (In this case an L shaped upstairs second sitting room) and determines your speaker setup. We found it produced a pleasing overall setup with pretty much zero user tweaking in our less than optimal room.
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In terms of inputs and output features the SR4003 is very well kitted out boasting 3 (repeat capable) HMDI ins and 3 separate Component ins. 5 S-Video and composite ins, audio wise the system has 3 digital optical ins and a couple of coax ins. The system has pretty much an input or output for whatever configuration you are likely to need, including a large group of front panel plug and play style inputs (S-Video/Video/Analog L&R/Digital Optical) for any temporary components you would like to run through your system.
The sound quality of the SR4003 is very pleasing and the marantz is what could be described as a very capable unit in this price range. The manufacturers specs state that the system is capable of less than 0.08 THD and we felt that this does seem to be accurate.
As regards signal purity we were expecting the ProCinema 1000s to show up a little hollowness in the mids and perhaps a little too much artificial boosting of the low end signal but to be honest this was so little in evidence that unless you are an audiophile who will be using the unit to primarily watch classical concerts or listen to your Satie CDs
Apparently the SR4003 uses a separate circuit for audio and video signals thus minimizing any interference from video signals. This is a great idea that I hope more manufacturers will add to their mid range receivers. Power wise we found the unit more than capable of powering the speakers to the point where it is uncomfortable to be in the room and the neighbours will likely complain. Even at these kinds of volume levels no audible distortion was evident.
Finally the unit comes with a well designed backlit remote that is capable of learning most of your TV remote outputs so after a bit of tweaking the TV remote can happily get chucked in a drawer. All in all the Marantz SR4003 receiver is a very capable great sounding and extremely good value for money package, highly recommended.
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Basic Product Specifications
- 80 watts x 7 into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.08% THD
- Dolby® Digital EX, DTS-ES, Pro Logic® IIx, DTS Neo:6, and SRS Circle Surround II decoding
- RAC (Marantz Room Acoustic Calibration) auto setup system (microphone included)
- iPod® integration (requires optional Marantz IS201)
- HDCD decoding for compatible CDs
- H: 6.3 inches W: 17.3 inches D: 15.3 inches
- Weight: 25.6 pounds
- RRP: $549.99 (Check Current Pricing on Amazon
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Detailed Product Specifications
- Number of Channels 7 ch Amp. / 7.1 ch Processing
- THX: No
- DTS: ES/96/24/Discrete&Matrix6.1/Neo:6
- Dolby: Digital EX/Pro Logic IIx/Vertual Speaker/Headphone
- DSD: (SA-CD)/NEURAL - / -
- SRS: Circle Surround II
- HDCD Decoder: Yes
- Discrete Amplification all 7 channels
- Power Transformer EI
- D/A Conversion 192kHz/24-Bit
- Digital Signal Processing Cirrus Logic 32-Bit
- Video Off (Pure Direct): Yes
- Source Direct: Yes
- Variable X-over: Yes
- Display Off: Yes
- Video Up-conversion: S-Video to Component
- Auto Calibration by MIC M.R.A.C. (Marantz Room Accoustic Caliblation)
- AM/FM tuner AM/FM x1
- Bass management: Yes
- HDMI In: 3
- Component In: 3
- S-Video In: 5 (incl. Front)
- Composite In: 5 (incl. Front)
- HDMI Out: 1
- Component Out: 1
- S-Video Out: 2 (incl. Monitor Out)
- Composite Out: 2 (incl. Monitor Out)Analog L&R In 8 (incl. Front & AUX2 (L&R of 7.1 ch In))
- Analog L&R Out: 3
- Digital Optical In: 3 (incl. Front)
- Digital Coaxial In: 2
- Digital Optical Out: 1
- Digital Coaxial Out 0
- Pre-Amplifier Out: 7.1 ch
- Multi-Channel In: 7.1 ch
- Speaker A/B Surround Speaker “B”
- D-Bus Remote (RC-5) In/Out
- Flasher In/IR Receiver In/Emitter out 1/0/0
- Front Panel A/V Inputs S-Video/Video/Analog L&R/Digital Optical
- Headphone Outs: 1
- AC Outlets (Switched/Unswitched): 1/0
- Power Output: (8 Ohm) 80W x7 (20Hz – 20kHz)
- S/N Ratio: 105dB
- Freq. Response (Analog In); 8Hz – 100kHz (+/- 3 dB)
- Freq. Response (Dig In): 8Hz – 45kHz (+/- 3 dB)
- Frequency Range: 87.5 – 108.0MHz
- S/N Ratio (Mono/Stereo): 75/70
- Tuner Frequency Range: 520 – 1710kHz
- Tuner S/N Ratio: 50dB
- Video Freq. Response (Component): 5MHz – 80MHz (-1 dB)
- Video Freq. Response (Composit, S-Video): 5MHz – 8MHz (-1 dB)
- Video Signal to Noise: 60dB
Tags: Marantz, Marantz SR4003, Surround Receiver Posted in: AV Recievers, Home Theater
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