Marantz AV7706From real comments

Verdict distilled from 39 mentions across 13 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment67%
PROS 67%
CONS 33%

Rank based on 39 mentions across 13 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a clear step up in channel separation and immersion moving from an AVR to separates
  • You're building a 7.2.4 or similar Atmos/Auro-3D setup with external amps
  • You value Marantz's XLR connectivity and don't need Dirac Live

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need Dirac Live room correction instead of Audyssey
  • You rely heavily on HDMI 2.1 4K/120fps gaming sources (Xbox Series X, RTX 3000 GPUs)
  • You want a modern full front display instead of the small porthole

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1
Panasonic SA-BX500
Modern decoding formatsConvenient front-panel S/video accessFlexible speaker configurationMarketing/title inaccuracyPerceived brand decline in receivers
Panasonic SA-BX500
Modern decoding formats
Convenient front-panel S/video access
Flexible speaker configuration
Marketing/title inaccuracy
Perceived brand decline in receivers
Best value
2Mid
Onkyo TX-RZ70
Dirac Live room correctionStrong value for priceExcellent Atmos and multichannel sound qualityHistory of HDMI board failures in Onkyo units4-ohm impedance switch pitfallSteep international price disparities
Onkyo TX-RZ70
Dirac Live room correction
Strong value for price
Excellent Atmos and multichannel sound quality
History of HDMI board failures in Onkyo units
4-ohm impedance switch pitfall
Steep international price disparities
3Premium
Marantz SR8012
Excellent music and movie sound qualityStrong power delivers 11 independent channelsEffective Audyssey room correction for mixed speakersSubwoofer integration with Audyssey is inconsistent4-ohm speaker load can cause unit failureCriticized power supply and component quality for the price
Marantz SR8012
Excellent music and movie sound quality
Strong power delivers 11 independent channels
Effective Audyssey room correction for mixed speakers
Subwoofer integration with Audyssey is inconsistent
4-ohm speaker load can cause unit failure
Criticized power supply and component quality for the price
4Premium
Marantz AV10
Excellent long-term sound quality
Marantz AV10
Excellent long-term sound quality
5Mid
Yamaha RX-V573
Future-Proof HDMI SupportGood DSP Sound ProgramsGood Price-to-Performance ValueMenu System Criticized by Some
Yamaha RX-V573
Future-Proof HDMI Support
Good DSP Sound Programs
Good Price-to-Performance Value
Menu System Criticized by Some
6Premium
Yamaha RX-A3080
High-end DACs and XLR outputsLong-term reliabilityBest-in-class control appComplex menu and setupInconsistent subwoofer bass handlingHDMI and setup issues for some users
Yamaha RX-A3080
High-end DACs and XLR outputs
Long-term reliability
Best-in-class control app
Complex menu and setup
Inconsistent subwoofer bass handling
HDMI and setup issues for some users
7Mid
Onkyo TX-NR7100
Dirac Live room correctionClear, detailed sound qualityStrong value for the priceBrand reliability concernsHDMI switching and dropout issuesBluetooth headphone switching is manual
Onkyo TX-NR7100
Dirac Live room correction
Clear, detailed sound quality
Strong value for the price
Brand reliability concerns
HDMI switching and dropout issues
Bluetooth headphone switching is manual
8Mid
Marantz NR1711
Slim, space-saving form factorBenefits greatly from external power amp via pre-outsWarm, musical Marantz sound signatureLimited power may require an external amp for demanding setupsRuns warmOnly one HDMI port with full 4K/120 HDR support
Marantz NR1711
Slim, space-saving form factor
Benefits greatly from external power amp via pre-outs
Warm, musical Marantz sound signature
Limited power may require an external amp for demanding setups
Runs warm
Only one HDMI port with full 4K/120 HDR support
9Premium
Sony STR-AZ7000ES
Immersive 360 Spatial Sound MappingClear, Detailed Sound QualityStrong Multichannel PowerDated, Uninspired Chassis DesignDim, Hard-to-Read DisplayNo Phono Input
Sony STR-AZ7000ES
Immersive 360 Spatial Sound Mapping
Clear, Detailed Sound Quality
Strong Multichannel Power
Dated, Uninspired Chassis Design
Dim, Hard-to-Read Display
No Phono Input
10Mid
Denon AVR-X1700H
Overall positive owner satisfaction8K future-proofingEasy initial setupConfusing speaker/subwoofer setupHarsh highs out of the boxPerceived sound quality decline vs older models
Denon AVR-X1700H
Overall positive owner satisfaction
8K future-proofing
Easy initial setup
Confusing speaker/subwoofer setup
Harsh highs out of the box
Perceived sound quality decline vs older models
You are here
28Premium
Marantz AV7706
Superior sound separation and detailLoyal owner satisfaction and repeat purchasesGood value relative to premium separatesPorthole display impractical for daily useNo Dirac Live room correctionNo Bluetooth button on unit
Marantz AV7706
Superior sound separation and detail
Loyal owner satisfaction and repeat purchases
Good value relative to premium separates
Porthole display impractical for daily use
No Dirac Live room correction
No Bluetooth button on unit

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Upgrading to the AV7706 delivers a genuine, noticeable leap in sound separation and immersion. Multiple owners moving from Denon AVRs or older Marantz units describe hearing individual voices and effects they never noticed before, with panning and ambient sound far more precise. Commenters who paired it with external amps like Monolith, Emotiva, or NAD reported being instantly impressed, some saying they'd never go back to an integrated AVR after experiencing true separates with this processor.

The porthole front display is a divisive but minor styling issue. Several commenters call the small round porthole useless for reading info from a seating distance and want it replaced with a bigger, dimmable display, while others appreciate its retro aesthetic and note the flip-down door reveals a full digital display anyway. It's a recurring complaint but doesn't overshadow overall satisfaction with the unit's sound.

Firmware, HDMI, and processing quirks create real reliability friction for some owners. Reports include audio/video dropouts after firmware updates, HDMI 2.1 4K/120fps handshake failures with Xbox Series X and Nvidia RTX GPUs, a known bug where bi-amped front channels lose sound after Audyssey setup, and TV power-sequencing issues causing no sound on startup. Several owners also wish it shipped with Dirac Live instead of Audyssey for better room correction.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?