When it was released I reviewed the Marantz AV7005 processor. Offering features not available in another processor without spending hundreds more, the AV7005 was a smashing success. It was such a success that I bought the review sample and it still lives in my home theater system to this day. Now it has been updated to the Marantz AV7701. Adding features like Spotify support, gold-plated outputs, and additional HDMI inputs and outputs, Marantz has tweaked their successful formula without changing what made the AV7005 so successful.

In my system the Marantz AV7701 offered the same great performance that the Marantz AV7005 does. Audyssey performance seems to have improved. It offered a better defined soundstage than the AV7005 does, letting me pinpoint the instruments and performers much better. The setup routine has also improved compared to past receivers and processors. Marantz and others could still improve upon this more, but Marantz does a far better job than most in this area. Overall, I find the Marantz AV7701 to be a great processor for the money, and coming in at only $1,700 you will have to spend hundreds more to improve upon it.

Sure, I’d like to see Audyssey XT32 support and some other options, but those cost money and getting them from Onkyo or Integra means spending $2,500 and up. If you want to know all about the Marantz AV7701, my full review is now posted at Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity, and it covers it in-depth. Anything you should want to know is covered there, and if it isn’t feel free to ask and I’ll get back to you.