New Marantz amp (and new questions!)

[Tony Keats]

Got my Marantz SR4200 today (the 5200 was completely unattainable and I just couldn't wait!). My mission-6 pack and plenty of cable should arrive tomorrow but I'm semi-troubled by one or two things.

The amp certainly looks great and it features the brand-new DP2 & a tuner, but (quite frankly) I haven't got the faintest idea how to set-it-up!. For one thing, the manual claims that I'll need another amp to connect a sub-woofer (WTF?!) and it also makes reference to differing speaker sizes/distances and various modes for each....

After owning the "plug-it-in-and-GO!" digitheatre, I have to admit I feel a bit adrift!. Will the 6-pack be okay for this amp? (sub-woofer included?) and how do you properly set-up the distances/centre-sizes? any help of any kind would be greatly appreciated!.

[Bapapapa]

The six-pack will be fine, don't worry it'll become pretty straight forward once you start setting it up. :D

Set all the speakers to small, which will redirect all the LFE & bass to the sub. Measure the distance to each speaker from your listening position to determine the distance settings for each speaker. Most amps will only have a line-out for the Sub channel, and as your sub is powered by it's own built in amp it's nothing to worry about.

[Tony Keats]

Thanks for the re-assurance Baps!. A big "PHEW!" regarding the sub situation and I'll set the amp to small for the speaker sizes like you said.

My worries were triggered by the depressingly convoluted instructions I got with it and I warn everyone to keep your nose out of there if you don't know what you're doing. I'm absolutely DYING to try it out though!!.

[PlasmaDreamer]

I've been dying to get this off my chest

Marantz manuals are hopeless

I too bought the 4200 and was confused by the manual. I'm sorry to report the manual for the DV4100 DVD player is no better. They are all the size of an encyclopedia because the 'instructions' are repeated in every language known to man

Just as well as their products are better than the manuals

There I feel better now

[MikeK]

hehehe!! :D

But Marantz are by no means the only culprits, or the worst.

Generally speaking, the manual is written by people who know exactly how a product works before they write the manual - and then they make assumptions about the eventual reader which are often incorrect.

It's not just hifi where this is a problem :)

[worthit]

On the subject of Marantz amps......I've been on the Marantz website, as I think I'm going to get one of these beasts (fingers crossed, Justin delivers!)

Is there any discernible difference between the 7200 and the 5200? apart from slightly less power (105w/85w), 2 less inputs, multi-room function and a not so clever remote?

Justin is going to be doing the 7200 for around the £500 mark, and the 5200 on other sites is about £350-£400. Is it worth going for the 7200 for the extra money?

Your wizened thoughts are appreciated :)