Marantz AV7706 11.2Ch 8K Ultra HD AV Surround Pre-Amplifier with HEOS Built-in and Voice Control

The Marantz AV7706 is big, had to male room, but was no problem. Did the assisted setup and was all that was needed for very quick turn up. Tested audio with some standard music and was able to compare with the replaced device. Did not take long to hear improvement in all respects. Have not done Audyssey set, only been up 2 days. And am waiting on some replacement cables. When those arrive I will do room equalization. Advice is do your homework, as there’s some complexity to the operation, but the computers should do the . Used ChatGPT to do some research, with application of equipment being used. Instructions from ChatGPT seem very reasonable and aligned with my own knowledge about my speaker performance. Will update after calibration. Update 1/17/25 - Did the Audyssey calibrations. Had no problem doing the job using the Audyssey app. Just followed the application and it did the rest. Saved it to the AV7706 did some modes per ChatGPT that I did earlier and is now in use. Best room correction software I have ever used. ChatGPT was a great help and helped answer questions per the use of Audyssey. So far very satisfied with the AV7706 and the accompanying software. Update 4/12/26 been loving this AV Preamp. But it in reality is a device that you need to really study and learn how to use it, that takes time. Use the two apps available as they will help you learn and use. Only have run into one issue, minor design one, that would make the control factors better in the Marantz app. The Smar Select need to be improved. They are limited in that they are locked to a particular input set in when saving. Better improvement would be to have Smart Select for each input. This would give much better flexibility. Audyssey is really good, did some changes and did not need to do a recalibration. It just recalculates the changes. Also ChatGPT is great to help understand this units functionality and operation. Or even find solutions to problems.

I have been an audio fan since the 1960's, and in more recent years a home theater fan as well. I recently bought this Marantz to replace a competing brand, and was expecting it to perform well from past experience with Marantz and from the many reviews I had read. It has exceeded my expectations by a mile. The video from this thing brought my 65" TV to life, and the sound I get from it still surprises and amazes me. I guess you might be able to get better performance somewhere, but I don't know where. This processor at this price point pretty much knocks its competition out of the ring, IMHO. Vast array of features, terrific on screen easy setup, first class performance, quality build and to top it off, Marantz' customer support is also very good. I could not be happier with this pre/pro.

I had a AV 7704 which I bought on pre order from an audio dealer in MA. When I got the AV 7706 in Dec, I waited to see if my old preamp would last a while longer but it didn’t sound right and the Audyssey calibration was way off on the left channel. So I set up the 7706 a few days ago. It’s really so much better than the old 7704. The Audyssey set up my room perfectly. But the best part was the clarity of the picture. I’d say I got a great bargain.

The marantz av7706 is great, many features. Would be helpful if a printed manual was included. Dealing with the manual on line is not great. think the vendor is out of business. No response to phone calls or emails. Marantz customer service has been great.

I had a AV7701 for 10 years before age and lightning did it in. It was more pre pro than I needed as I only need 5.1 but nobody I know of makes a five channel AVP. More channels is always better for marketing and sales evidently. These things are overly complicated but the Audyssey helps. Remote could still use back lit txt to go with the back lit buttons. Being able to change settings on the fly with the remote only would be a whole lot better than having to go thru the clunky GUI but oh well. Listening to the Doobie Brothers Quadio box while typing this. Sounds pretty darn good. Also nice to be able to route all my HDMI video sources thru the 7706 and have one HDMI out to my display.

This 7706 replaced my old faithful 7702 that I had since I bought it brand new when it came out. The reason I had to upgrade was because I needed HDR/DV transport, which the 7702 lacked. I think this sounds better than the 7702. It otherwise feels the same. I hope it lasts as long as my 7702 which is still working it just unfortunately doesn't support those new HDR formats.

I don't write lengthy reviews, but this is a pre-amp...it won't do much without a power amplifier to go along with it. I was on somewhat of a budget and went with an outlaw 7 channel leaving room for another 5 channel should I decide to upgrade in the future. I invested heavily in Klipsch reference speakers, so there is no disappointment in my setup. The Marantz AV7706 performs perfectly for my needs as an audiophile who loves everything from EDM to rock to classical, and also likes to watch theater quality movies with the family. So far, without messing too much with the settings, I'm not disappointed. My previous setup was a Yamaha Aventage receiver which did okay until it died on me. If you're in the market for a futureproof pre-amp with a decent sized budget, the marantz AV7706 won't disappoint!

Awesome processor...my 2nd Marantz.