Marantz SR-7300 7.1 A/V Receiver

Because I want to buy a good set of monitors or floor loudspeakers and still want to listen via optical digital inputs Apple Lossless, DTS, etc. I have found this amplifier (built in 2004) using marketplace and buy the Amp for €125 (27-1-2014).

The six 105-watt current feedback amplifiers (RMS into 8 Ohms) in the SR7300 A/V receiver deliver superb sound quality. It has 7.1 channel audio pre-outs and composite, S-Video and component video outputs. 

Multi-room/multi-zone outputs are also included. DTS (ES and 24/96), Dolby Digital, Dolby ProLogic II and CS 2.0 processing ensure access to Europe's most established DVD video and audio standards. And because software is upgradeable via a built-in RS232c port, access to future standards is guaranteed. An FM/AM RDS tuner with 50 presets, learnable system remote and OSD user interface all simplify the A/V experience.

The stereo sound is exceptional for a HT receiver of this price range. Sound is very warm, dynamic and quick. Trebles are warm and clear and bass is well-placed and fast. Midrange is also beautiful, crisp and clear. It tends to prevail weaknesses of other sources and speakers, as well as extra details from recordings, you had never noticed.The built of the amp is awesome and made in Japan. Marantz is using Elna capacitors for the amp with two 22K Elna audio grade capacitors for power reserve. With the powerful CS49400 processor and Crystal DACs for all channels, this amp truly stands out in 5.1 channels.

The cirrus logic CS49400 is far more powerful than the CS49326 used by the lower models and more capable in decoding DTS tracks. Subtle details in movies/concerts that were never heard b4 are now noticeable. When several instruments are playing at once, the sound never got cluttered unlike the lower models. Dolby tracks are equally impressive.



Digital Inputs (3x toslink, 3x coax):

• optical 1    : TV-tuner/recorder (Cisco)
• optical 2    : Kodi mediastreamer (Raspberry Pi + Hifiberry Digi+) + 3,5" HD 2 TB (movies) 
• optical 3    : iMac 27" (Apple) 
• rca coax 4 : Blu-Ray (SACD) player (Pioneer) + 2,5" HD 2 TB (music)

Outputs used:

• KEF R300 monitors + KEF center-speaker + KEF Surround-speakers + Infinity Subwoofer.

Searching for new speakers maybe it will be a pair such as on following pics?

Bowers and Wilkinson CDM2

Impulse "The Imp"

Kef Q500