4K DVDs are awesome and even better than streaming. I find the Marantz’s upgrading processing to work really well, finally, I used the audio mic for initial set up, but then reconfigured by ear as I found the auto system put too much emphasis into the rear speakers and sub-woofer, I will do a quick summary touching on the good and bad aspect, starting in the next paragraph
Firstly, wonderful sound quality. I have always used Pioneer home theater receivers in the past, and they had the features and plenty of power for my setup, but I just never felt blown away by the sound quality. In particular, I always felt that my surround speakers were being underutilized even after making all the permissible adjustments. But with this Marantz my hearing could pluck the difference around me and the surround channels came to life and there was just a crisper, more immersive sound overall. Secondly and lastly, the looks and feels are those of a top-notch quality product. Everything about it is meticulously mapped out. The aesthetics as well as the setup menus just radiates quality without being over the top complicated for the average user like myself. I should say, I ghosted through the whole process of setting up, which is kind of awesome because it speaks a lot about its simplicity.
Quick Overview Video
No doubts, these complaints sound whiny, but for how much I purchased this product ($1000), I feel I equally purchased the right to be whiny as well, if everything don’t meet my taste:
Firstly, the front display panel is very tiny. I mean it is small. I know you can view much of the same information on-screen, but I personally find on-screen displays distracting (volume, for example). In the grand scheme of things, I would rather the maker — Marantz had skimped here rather than on the audio quality, but come on.
Features
- 7.2 channel AV receiver with 100 watts per channel
- 4K Ultra HD and HDR pass-through with support for Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG
- 8 HDMI inputs and 2 HDMI outputs with HDCP 2.2 support
- Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless streaming of music and online services
- HEOS multi-room audio technology for streaming music throughout the home
- Audyssey MultEQ room calibration with Dynamic Volume and Dynamic EQ
- Dolby Atmos and DTS:X object-based surround sound support
- High-resolution audio playback with support for FLAC, ALAC, and DSD files
- Front panel USB port for playback of MP3, WAV, and AAC files from USB devices
- Ethernet port for network connectivity and firmware updates
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa for voice control of music playback and more.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Great audio performance: The SR5012 delivers excellent sound quality with precise detail and a wide dynamic range, making it ideal for music and movies.
- High-resolution audio support: The receiver supports a wide range of high-resolution audio formats, including DSD, FLAC, and ALAC, giving you a superior listening experience.
- Multiple HDMI inputs: The SR5012 features eight HDMI inputs, which is more than most receivers in its price range, making it easy to connect multiple devices.
- Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: The receiver has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, which allows you to stream music wirelessly from your smartphone, tablet, or computer.
- Intuitive interface: The receiver features a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate, making it simple to adjust settings and customize your sound.
Cons:
- No Dolby Atmos or DTS:X support: The SR5012 does not support the latest immersive audio formats, which may be a deal-breaker for some users who want the most advanced audio features.
- No voice control: The receiver does not have voice control capabilities, which may be a downside for users who want to control their receiver hands-free.
- No phono input: The SR5012 does not have a phono input, which means you’ll need an external phono preamp if you want to connect a turntable.
- Limited video processing: While the SR5012 does have video upscaling, it lacks advanced video processing features like HDR support, which may be a downside for users who want the best video quality.
Secondly and lastly, when I tried to plug my turntable into the CD input using red/white RCA plugs I get nothing, not even a little feedback when plugging in. I tried this on multiple red/white inputs (cable/sat, DVD etc.) and got the same thing. I also tested this with another RCA input device and got no response. Also, during setup it came with a calibration microphone and stand to automatically calibrate the speaker configuration. However, there is no plug for the setup mic. The setup mic is useless.
Overall it’s a fantastic buy and for the sound quality you get, you can never go wrong with this beauty.