Marantz DV-7600 Universal Player

[coopmv]

Any forum members own or have listened to the Marantz DV-7600 Universal Player? Is it any good and where is it made?

[Spitfire]

Any forum members own or have listened to the Marantz DV-7600 Universal Player? Is it any good and where is it made?I have one. My box says it was made in China. I use it mainly for SACD and DVD-A discs. It has a basic bass management system for multi channel output but I'm only using it for two channel right now. It's a pretty good DVD player but not as good as my Panasonic RP-82 using the component video outputs at 480p. It has an HDMI output up to 1080i which I haven't tried. One big annoyance is the lack of a time remaining display function. Overall a nice universal player probably better for audio than video.

[coopmv]

I have one. My box says it was made in China. I use it mainly for SACD and DVD-A discs. It has a basic bass management system for multi channel output but I'm only using it for two channel right now. It's a pretty good DVD player but not as good as my Panasonic RP-82 using the component video outputs at 480p. It has an HDMI output up to 1080i which I haven't tried. One big annoyance is the lack of a time remaining display function. Overall a nice universal player probably better for audio than video.

Thanks so much for the info, as you have saved me the time to research this unit. A CD/DVD player without remaining time is kind of annoying. I am basically starting to shop for my first SACD player and do not have lots of interests when it comes to video. BTW, do you happen to know where some of the high priced Marantz SACD players are made?

[Spitfire]

Thanks so much for the info, as you have saved me the time to research this unit. A CD/DVD player without remaining time is kind of annoying. I am basically starting to shop for my first SACD player and do not have lots of interests when it comes to video. BTW, do you happen to know where some of the high priced Marantz SACD players are made?I think the upper level Marantz is made in Japan but I don't know for sure.

[kdbrink]

My DV-9600 was made in Japan.

[cantona7]

The DV-9600 is a nice player if you're looking for a universal. I had one on a home audition for 30 days. Video-wise, it's really fantastic. On the audio side, it's a very romantic sounding player--smooth, warm and full-bodied (kinda typical Marantz sound.) But I ultimately enjoyed my stock Sony SCD-777ES better, so the Marantz was sent back.

[Spitfire]

Marantz`s reliability leaves much to be desired, particularly their ability to read SACDs. On other forums, there have been complaints about this problem EVEN on their more expensive SA series of players. Of course, the satisfied owners will chime in @ some point.
I don't disagree at all. My SA-8260 became more annoying the longer I owned it. It had TOC reading problems but even worse was the skipping problems it had. Instead of repairing it, I bought an Onkyo DX-7555 CD player.

[SamS]

Marantz`s reliability leaves much to be desired, particularly their ability to read SACDs. On other forums, there have been complaints about this problem EVEN on their more expensive SA series of players. Of course, the satisfied owners will chime in @ some point.

I don't disagree at all. My SA-8260 became more annoying the longer I owned it. It had TOC reading problems but even worse was the skipping problems it had. Instead of repairing it, I bought an Onkyo DX-7555 CD player.

Remember, the Marantz units that are CD/SACD-only are based around Sony transports, which are known for reliability issues. Marantz universals (except the newest 9600, 80xx-series) are based around Pioneer transports which seem to hold up exceptionally well.

[StyxCollector]

Remember, the Marantz units that are CD/SACD-only are based around Sony transports, which are known for reliability issues. Marantz universals (except the newest 9600, 80xx-series) are based around Pioneer transports which seem to hold up exceptionally well.

+1

The SA8260 I had in comparison to my DV9500 is like night and day. The SA8260 did have some occasionaly issues reading discs for me; none on the 9500 and the DV9500 sounds so much better.

[soundQman]

+1

The SA8260 I had in comparison to my DV9500 is like night and day. The SA8260 did have some occasionaly issues reading discs for me; none on the 9500 and the DV9500 sounds so much better.I have had a Marantz DV-9500 for over a year now. It has never skipped a beat on any disc I've ever put in its tray, audio or video. I'm totally satisfied with its sound, picture quality, and feature set, too. Very versatile machine. I believe the DV-9600 is their current top-of-the line universal player, successor to the 9500, but very close to being the same unit, with a few updates and improvements, like 1080p vs. 1080i video capability.

[coopmv]

A reference for my earlier post decrying Marantz SAPCDP`s issues w/ reliability can be found on Hi Rez @ AA. The thread is titled "Marantz SA-11S1 off for service". The responses revealed another owner w/ SA-11S1 woes as well as one w/an ailing SA-15S1. Marantz would have to be the last SACD mfg. in existence before I`d contemplate purchasing one of their machines. Reliability heads my list of hi end requirements. Notwithstanding, I`ve had my share of gear serviced, but why wade into troubled waters knowingly.

I have been under the impression that Marantz still builds its high-ends in Japan while farming out the low-ends to China. In my mind, only its low-ends should have quality problems.

[SamS]

I have been under the impression that Marantz still builds its high-ends in Japan while farming out the low-ends to China. In my mind, only its low-ends should have quality problems.

True, the high-end models are made in Japan. The cheaper units are either China or Malaysia IIRC.

But remember, it's the transport that fails on these units. Doesn't matter where it's assembled. If it's a Sony transport, there's a better chance for failure than if it's using the standard Pioneer DVD drive.

[coopmv]

True, the high-end models are made in Japan. The cheaper units are either China or Malaysia IIRC.

But remember, it's the transport that fails on these units. Doesn't matter where it's assembled. If it's a Sony transport, there's a better chance for failure than if it's using the standard Pioneer DVD drive.

So it appears even the more pricey models in the Marantz SA line have quality problems ... :sigh:

[mtodde]

I had an SA-8260 for a year and never had a problem other than 2 SACDs it wouldn't read. I went back to 2 channel and wound up buying an SA-8001. I've had it for 6 months and so far, so good (knock on wood).

This may seem funny to some but my primary reason for making the change was that the 8260 defaulted to multi-channel if the disc was multi-channel and this got on my nerves; there was no way to change the default to 2 channel or CD.

[peterC]

there was no way to change the default to 2 channel or CD.

Of course if you put a CD in, it will default to CD.

Why would you ever want it to default to CD if you put an SACD in?

(I do however understand the multi/2 channel SACD annoyance)

[mtodde]

Of course if you put a CD in, it will default to CD.

Why would you ever want it to default to CD if you put an SACD in?

(I do however understand the multi/2 channel SACD annoyance)

I don't think I would ever prefer that it default but just used that as an example. You are right that it would default to Red Book CD if you put a standard CD in the player.

[soundQman]

I don't think I would ever prefer that it default but just used that as an example. You are right that it would default to Red Book CD if you put a standard CD in the player.I think the concept of default only applies to multi-layer discs where you have a choice between 5.1 SACD, 2-channel SACD, and redbook CD layers. The default is typically programmable in player setup, and is the layer it plays automatically when you load the disc, until specified otherwise by the user with the front panel or remote control selections.

If you put in a redbook CD, there is no choice or priority function involved; hence the player plays the only program available on the disc. The same thing would be true for single-layer SACDs (non-hybrid discs). That is a different thing than the machine default for handling multiple layer media.