Denon AVR-X6800H vs Marantz Cinema 30 - Just the Differences Conclusion

[@mohamnazeerhm2019]

Thanks John.. always great info! Like it

[@1Aquadon]

Thanks John .. always great info!

[@ripewave]

Thank you. - Jon

[@madcrabber1113]

The SR8015 and the X6700H are on sale for really good prices now. I always wait until the newest latest and greatest comes out to buy the previous latest and greatest.

[@ripewave]

That is an excellent way to get lowest prices. Great tip! - Jon

[@DavidCNavas]

I got a 6800h for $900 off -- that was enough for me, not 6700h price points, but Dirac is of interest. Need to wait for Dirac to go on sale too though :) I bet there will be some pretty good sales for these receivers on the 4th or for Black Friday, I expect I just got a little lucky. I do still wish that we'd have more choice in affordable separates -- there are some very affordable excellent Class D amps I'd prefer to use than ~100lb analog power supplies.... Unfortunately I expect separates to continue to be unreasonably expensive (or have unacceptable boot times).

[@jackmehoff1832]

I just picked up the Marantz Cinema 30. I purchased Audyssey Mult EQ X with a calibrated Audyssey Mic. With Audyssey I am able to setup the proper crossover/ slopes to work with my THX Speakers and Sub. The bottom line for me is the sound. This is the best sounding AVR i’ve ever heard!

[@ripewave]

Yes - you can get very good results with Audyssey MultEQ-X (and the CInema 30). How did you find the process (easy, hard)? Did you modify the filter curves from the defaults? - Jon

[@jackmehoff1832]

@@ripewave the process was quite straightforward. I modified the Crossovers to 80 hz with a 2nd order crossover and set the sub up with a 4th order crossover. I’m using MK Sound THX Speakers.

[@fredalmgren7211]

What is your opinion of the Marantz being able to drive B&W 805d3 for your front channels?

[@nickmaddalena985]

Great video Jon! Loved the fair round up and explanations.

[@ripewave]

I appreciate that feedback. Thank you. - Jon

[@klausnabinger4761]

Any chance you could give us your thoughts about denon a1h in terms of sound quality?

[@ripewave]

I cannot from a firsthand perspective. I have not auditioned a receiver or processor over $5,000 to date. The exception was the Arcam AV41, which I got on sale for $4,200, but it is now back to over $5,000. I see that A1H as a good option for those who, are looking to build a high-quality full immersive theater (e.g. 9.2.4, 7.2.6 or better), but do not want to have any separate amplifiers as part of the setup - an all-in-one. -Jon

[@jacoblynch9862]

Number one I think the cost of these products and the fact that direct is not included is a huge part of the problem for the average consumer because when they look at an Onkyo RZ 50 at $1500 and it comes with it they start shaking their head and go how does a 3500 and a $4500 product not come with it and I have to pay extra at that point to an extent, I agree with

[@KJ_S1K]

Which do you prefer between the Yamaha A6A/A8A or the Denon X6800h? I picked up a A6A for 1530 brand new from Best Buy. But curious about the 6800h at 2400 on sale right now.

[@ripewave]

If I need extra channels, then I would choose the Denon AVR-X6800 - 11.4 cs 9.2. The Yamaha has better pre-calibrated sound quality and YPAO is very easy to use. If you want to go further with room calibration, Denon is the better choice. If you like the Yamaha DSP Sound Modes, Denon doesn’t offer. -Jon

[@kenaipaws477]

Hi John, if my usage is 70% 2 channel music/ 30% movies. should I get the A8A or Cinema 30 or even a Cinema 40 is good enough? I bought and return a Denon 4800H since it sounded very disappointing when it comes to 2 channel music. Your reviews are spotted on , the Denon sounded very confined and thin. I like an AVR produces sounds more like a integrated amp, spacious and dynamic. Please give me your opinion. Thank you.

[@ripewave]

The Yamaha A8A and Cinema 30 to me sounded noticeably better than the Cinema 40. The Cinema 40 edged out the Denon 4800h. If you move to the Cinema 30 and are still disappointed, it may be that your configuration and calibration may be causing and not the limitation of the Cinema 30. The A8A sound very good in my environment but I am concerned that YPAO may not provide enough control if your environment is more challenging. -Jon

[@Porchewaitombi]

I love watching your KZbin video, and I enjoy them. I have a question which one would you pick between Maratz cinema 30 and Integra 8.4!?

[@ripewave]

For my setup the Marantz Cinema 30 for the front wide and DTS:X Pro support. -Jon

[@masontmike]

Can you make a summay slide like you did for the Arcam and monoprice video?

[@ripewave]

Sure. Great suggestion. I will put Monoprice on the list. -Jon

[@GizmoDuck34]

I went with the Cinema 30. Thank you sir. Last question, if I plug front 2 speakers into 30, and rest into an Emotiva, would those front 2 speakers get the 140 watts?

[@ripewave]

Congratulations on your purchase. I hope it serves you well. Correct - If you are only driving 2-channels, you will get the full 2-channel rating for the impedance of your speakers.

[@htenthusiast2897]

Jon, great review, I enjoyed this series. After getting the 4800, I noticed a positive improvement over my 3400, which is expected, and more in line with my older 990, producing a more refined and detailed sound, noticeable on my B&W 700s. Also noticeable was Audyssey calibration which now truly calibrates each subwoofer individually and better fine tunes the speakers in the room, resulting in an overall improved and more refined HT experience when using the app. Given these improvements I was wondering what further improvement would be achieved with Dirac Live. Is it worth the investment? Or is MultEQ X a better choice?

[@ripewave]

Both Dirac and MultEQ-X can achieve better results then the built-in Audyssey when additional corrections are needed. That is because those tools provide visualization of the issues and control over the filter curves used to compensate. If you want to determine first if you have room issues that need to be addressed, you can measure the room using you current Audyssey calibration turned on. To do that you could either purchase the $20 Audyssey mobile app which lets you see the results, and provides I little more control over the built-in process, or install Room Equalization Wizard (REW) on a computer, but you will need to purchase a microphone, like the UMIK-1 for $79 from mini-DSP. If you see problems in the graph, upgrading to either Dirac or MultEQ-X will help. While both can achieve great results, I find that Dirac is easier to achieve those great results. Jon

[@htenthusiast2897]

@@ripewave thank you for your reply. I have the app and was able to achieve better results with both, old and new, receivers, and fine tune the results to my liking. I don’t see problems in my room, other than a dip with one of the subwoofers, which I need to take the time to fix. I cut the room correction at around 400hz rendering a more natural sound and adjusted the base curve and volume after running Audyssey. I watched several videos with REW, which is a good tool to address my base if not possible with Audyssey but always wondered if a Dirac or MultEQ-X would be worth it, since so many talk wonders about these systems.

[@МаксимСердюк-ж6д]

Hello. Please add Denon AVR X 8500H(A) av receivers to your comparison table. Well, it's very interesting where the previous flagship from Denon will turn out to be.

[@ripewave]

Coming soon… -Jon

[@kevinhoronzy6011]

Does the bigger power supply and components stand out in stereo mode sound quality listening to streaming?

[@ripewave]

A little bit, but you may notice a bigger difference depending of your speakers. -Jon

[@hectormorenojr5648]

Thoughts? I have Yamaha RX-A3080 with the NAD T-973 7ch. Is it worth going to x4800h? The only thing I like about x4800h is 4 independent sub and the calibrations. YPAO, I'm still figuring out to get the sound I want. As of now, I have 3 subs, but the future would like 4 subs. The speakers I have are the M&K s150ii setup with the subs being MPS 5000MKII THX. Should I stay with my setup and tinker with calibrations still or move on to Denon? Thanks.

[@bamadan7781]

Great reviews John. I replaced my aging Onkyo TX NR3009 With a Marantz Cinema 30. Your reviews have been very useful. I think the better sound and construction along with the remote made me lean to Marantz over Denon Should have it by the 4th of July !!!!

[@ripewave]

Hope you are enjoying your Cinema 30 by now. Just catching up on comments this week. I agree that the Cinema 30 offers those enhancements. -Jon

[@GerardCanavan-lh8ne]

Thank you 🙏

[@ddcrocky3831]

Why deos and how deos it work that the Marantz Cinema 30 has a crossover and LPF settings and how would you set both of them i am confused because they both have the same amount of hz settings

[@ripewave]

The crossover value is the lowest frequency which will be sent to each speaker with frequencies lower being directed to the subwoofer. The Low Pass Filter (LPF) is for Full Range speakers that take the full frequency range without a crossover value. While the full range speaker will still receive frequencies below the LPF, frequencies below the LPF will be sent to the subwoofer and the full range speaker. -Jon

[@ddcrocky3831]

@@ripewave thank you Jon

[@ripewave]

Happy to help -Jon

[@themafia3119]

Great video. I agree with the conclusion. If the unit is going to be hidden away go with the Denon, that's a great saving. With that $1000 saving use Dirac and invest in room treatment. You're not really going to hear night and day differences between the 2 receivers. They're practically the same thing. Also, if you're running power amps the e core Vs toroidal won't make a difference either. I find alot of the companies who own a group of brands tend to use the same internals which would automatically give basically the same product and audio capability. Another perfect example of this is Integra and pioneer.

[@ripewave]

Fair conclusion- we are aligned. -Jon

[@bhargan]

Can you do a comparison of the Anthem 1140 with these two?

[@dperr338]

I think the Denon looks good as is. I hate how people criticize these companies for the “dated” looks. Look at Yamaha now, ugly as hell. Their previous models looked great now they look horrible. That large knob in the center and the super tiny display is so dumb.

[@ripewave]

Fair comment. It seems that the least favorable position is to be between a modern design and a vintage design. The Denon products don't look bad. They just evoke the same level of emotion. -Jon

[@DetoxSince87]

Thank you John! You deserve a medal for an honest review. I've noticed the same thing, it's hard to tell a big difference. Perhaps you could dedicate a video to the following question: Stereo Mode: Are AV receivers better in stereo or should you go for an integrated amplifier?

[@Stephenwongdirectimaging]

as you rank the yahama Rx-a8a on tier 1 do u think the RX-6 will be a better value for 9 channel 150w they basic same with RX a8 only less 2 channel

[@zen3dx326]

I have had both A8A and A6A, and they sounded the same in my ears. However, A6A sounded more dynamic and refined than the A4A which I also had for a while before getting the A6A. If you are planning to use the AVR to listen to music also, get an ARCAM AVR21 or 31, The ARCAMs are on a different level. I have a 31 now and I don't see myself switching back to Yamaha or Marantz.

[@ripewave]

Yes - I believe the Yamaha RX-A6A will be the same with only 2 less channels. -Jon

[@mustelago]

Thanks!

[@ripewave]

Thanks so much for the donation. I am glad the content was helpful. I appreciate your support. -Jon

[@williss9995]

Thanks Jon

[@ripewave]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@dorothewiegand3652]

Guessing that Dirac A.R.T is coming for Denon/Marantz models that won't be avaliable for the lower models (X3800/4800 & Cinema40/50). Why? The higher models need for the processing for the two additional channels (from 7.4.4 to 7.4.6/9.4.4) passive cooling for the dsp-chips. Dirac A.R.T. need much power for calculation, so the lower models may run in thermal difficulties with Dirac A.R.T. running on them.

[@dorothewiegand3652]

If we upgrade from our Denon X8500 we choose the X6800, because we use the internal amps only for the six height channels, the basic channels got driven by the external amp Vincent SAV-P200.

[@ripewave]

Yes - extra processing power is needed as you add channels and more complex processing. Marantz/Denon are only hinting they will introduce Dirac ART, but I bet they will. Timing of release is the big unknown. -Jon

[@ripewave]

The. Vincent amplifier you have seems be very formidable and heavy. I bet it does a real nice job. -Jon

[@dorothewiegand3652]

@@ripewave 45kg

[@ddcrocky3831]

I owned the denon 6500 for a few yrs and just replaced it with the cinema 30 and the sound is way better to me plus I use the Odyssey app for both Receiver's, I do wish dirac had a app also because am not that tech savvy

[@MasterofPlay7]

subjective bias

[@ddcrocky3831]

@@MasterofPlay7 absolutely that's why put it sounds way better to me

[@ripewave]

I was very happy with the Marantz Cinema 30. If you hear a noticeable improvement that is all that matters. I am recommending to those who are considering upgrading to Dirac or Audyssey MultEQ-X to first run REW to measure your current performance. If the response looks bad, then those upgrades will likely help. -Jon

[@ddcrocky3831]

@ripewave I wish I knew how to do it am not tech savvy so I use the Odyssey app

[@jzenone]

Denon 6800 or arcam 11 ?

[@juve7]

Budget friendly helps...lol.😊.

[@Dot_je]

I moved from denon to anthem. I hope the speaker matrix on de 540 allows for bi amp on the Class a/b amps instead of the Class d amps. Overall i hope to hear a stronger stereo stage than with the denon

[@ripewave]

Yes - the sound quality on the Anthem is very good. Were you able to establish the configuration you wanted? -Jon

[@Dot_je]

​@@ripewaveThe MRX 540 doesn't offer a customizable matrix, resulting in a combined A/B and Class D amplifier configuration for bi-wiring. While the advantages of bi-wiring with different amplifier types are minimal, creating custom matrix setups requires a higher-end model like the RMX 740 or superior. Due to limited access to the MRX 540, I cannot confirm this information definitively.

[@RAMIRO61FERNANDES]

👍💯👋

[@benzionovna289]

Sony AZ7000ES still no ship to Europe or any country with 220/230v I think Marantz 30 is answer to Sony

[@ripewave]

That is just odd for Sony to give up on a large region of the world. -Jon