Marantz AV8805 13.2CH 4K UHD AV Pre-Amplifier – First Look
Marantz AV8805 13.2 Channel Pre-Amplifier
Marantz AV8805 13.2 Channel Pre-Amplifier
Marantz AV8805 13.2 Channel Pre-Amplifier
Product Model: AV8805
Manufacturer: Denon
MSRP: $4499
Weight: 30 pounds
Availability: February 2018
Overview
In parallel with the release of the AVR-X8500H from Denon comes the AV8805 from the stables of Marantz, both under the watchful eye of their parent company Sound United.
Coming from the same stable, there are many similarities between the two in terms of both audio and video signal processing. Both support 32 bit processing with 32 bit stereo digital to analog converters – AK4490 DACS driving all 13.2 channels. There are two additional outputs (total of 15) to simplify the switching connectivity required to support the different speaker configurations for the three immersive 3D sound formats: 13ch Auro3D and DTS-X, and 13ch (9.1.4 / 7.1.6) Dolby Atmos. All outputs are assignable to suit the users speaker arrangement and cabling. Video processing supports 4K UHD HDCP 2.2 and the current HDMI specifications.
The major differences between these two flag ship contenders is that the Marantz AV8805 is designed for those users who are using active speakers, like myself, and do not require power amplifiers to drive them. It uses Marantz proprietary Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Modules (HDAM) in current feedback topology to drive the balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) line level outputs. While the Denon AVR-X8500H uses custom-made Denon High Current Transistors (DHCT) in discrete monolithic amplifiers, each rated at 150 watts per channel to drive the speaker outputs. It also supports a pre-amp mode that feeds the 13.2 signal to unbalanced RCA outputs and allows you to disable the power amplifiers.
Audio
The Marantz AV8805 supports the latest three, 3D audio formats, Dolby Atmos (up to 7.1.6 or 9.1.4) and DTS: X and Auro-3D (up to 13.1) featuring 15.2 pre-out outputs. Auro 3D will be available as a free upgrade. The construction is very solid with a rigid copper plated main frame chassis supporting multiple pcb boards including the seventeen HDAM audio modules driving all the XLR and RCA line outputs. Additional analog input connectivity supports 7.1 and is rounded off with a pair of balanced line level XLR connectors, and for all the vinyl enthusiasts, a MM Phono input. A large toroidal transformer, having minimum stray magnetic field, drives a hefty power supply utilizing large capacitors.
Marantz and Denon are both renowned for their audio expertise and quality. To support this both manufacturers use eight stereo AK4490 DACS running 192KHz/32bit. Hi-Res lossless file formats supported include DSD (5.6Mhz) and FLAC (HD), ALAC and WAV all at 192/24. It will be interesting to see if an upgrade will be offered to support MQA.
Audyssey
The receiver comes with the full Audyssey Platinum suite of audio processing, which includes Audyssey MultEQ XT32 automatic room acoustic correction, Audyssey Dynamic Volume and Dynamic EQ and Audyssey Low Frequency Containment (LFC). This software package also supports the Audyssey MultEQ Editor App, allowing the user to adjust the sound to correct for specific room problems, and tailor the sound to the user’s personal preferences.
Connectivity
The receiver is designed to be at the center of a whole house wireless music network and can be integrated into any automated home systems thanks to the RS232 port and IR input or over the network using IP and Control4 SDDP (Simple Device Detection Protocol). It supports Wi-Fi , Network and Bluetooth with connectivity to Pandora, Spotify, TuneIn Internet radio, Amazon Prime Music, iHeart Radio, SiriusXM, Soundcloud, TIDAL, Napster, Deezer, Amazon Music Unlimited and Apple Airplay, together with the Amazon Alexa Assistant for voice activated control.
The wireless multiroom technology HEOS (Home Entertainment Operating System), developed jointly with Denon, allows further integration into your audio system.
Video, HDMI & HDCP
The receiver fully supports the HDCP 2.2 specifications. (Lets hope that it is also upgradeable, like the Denon AVR-X8500H, to support 8K video passthrough, part of the HDMI 2.1 specification). It’s current video processing supports:
- 4K Ultra HD 60Hz video
- 4:4:4 Pure Color sub-sampling
- High Dynamic Range (HDR)
- 21:9 video
- 3D and BT.2020 pass-through
- It can also support older video sources by upscaling standard and high definition analog and digital video content to 4K UHD. Dolby Vision, eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) and HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) compatibility are also supported. eARC will be enabled via a firmware update in 2018.
Video connectivity is provided with eight HDMI HDCP 2.2 inputs and three HDMI HDCP 2.2 outputs.
My only question is, will it also be upgradable to support HDR10+?
For more information on the Marantz AV8805 see their web site here.
See my first look at the Denon AVR-X8500H here.
