Surround Sound/Home Theatre Bargains

[Scooby_Doo]

the marantz amp NR1602 has amazing specs for networking, actually lekker specs for everything:

DLNA Certified o (v1.5)
UPnP Certified -
Network Audio: MP3 / WAV / AAC / FLAC / WMA o / o / o / o / o
Network static video (JPEG) o
Network Video -
Integrated webserver -
Internet Radio: direct / external media player o / o
vTuner / Napster* / last.fm* o / - / o
WiFi: integrated / external access point -
Ethernet o
IP Control o
Apple APP control by iPhone/iPod touch o
AirPlay Music Streaming o

thats very sexy

The special is for the NR1402 not the NR1602, just incase thats what you thought?

 

[Superjakes]

The special is for the NR1402 not the NR1602, just incase thats what you thought?

As for the NR1402, it has no networking functionality, sadly.

 

[sand_man]

Just ordered this!! Perfect for the main bedroom. Currently got a Sony system in there which hasn't lived up to expectations.

R5555 inc delivery, should arrive within the next 2-3 days...

 

[akescpt]

The special is for the NR1402 not the NR1602, just incase thats what you thought?

Nope! Came across the big brother while looking for a review of the 1402.

 

[sand_man]

Nope! Came across the big brother while looking for a review of the 1402.

Was also looking at the 1602 but there seems to be quite a significant price difference between the 2, like 30%!!

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

Just ordered this!! Perfect for the main bedroom. Currently got a Sony system in there which hasn't lived up to expectations.

R5555 inc delivery, should arrive within the next 2-3 days...

It might sound a bit flat when you hook everything up. If that's the case, then increase the input source level on the receiver to +6dB or more (Amp menu -> Input -> Source level).

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

I have the NR1602. If you want 5.1 and don't need all the network and connectivity options, then the NR1402 is fine. In terms of performance they are exactly the same.

 

[sand_man]

It might sound a bit flat when you hook everything up. If that's the case, then increase the input source level on the receiver to +6dB or more (Amp menu -> Input -> Source level).

Thanks for that!! The bigger speakers come at a cost and the wife will also get pissed if I clutter the room with massive speakers. Those smaller Jamo's are lovely looking but I must admit, I won't be impressed if they cannot deliver on some basic fundamental ranges.

I have the NR1602. If you want 5.1 and don't need all the network and connectivity options, then the NR1402 is fine. In terms of performance they are exactly the same.

Yeah, it's a nice to have but streaming via the Mede8er still allows some networking functionality.

 

[Seanx5000]

Stupid dionwired, y do I have a dionwired card if i can't pay with it online, knw im gona miss out on this specials, donner nee!!!!!

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

Thanks for that!! The bigger speakers come at a cost and the wife will also get pissed if I clutter the room with massive speakers. Those smaller Jamo's are lovely looking but I must admit, I won't be impressed if they cannot deliver on some basic fundamental ranges.

Yeah, it's a nice to have but streaming via the Mede8er still allows some networking functionality.

Well even with the bigger speakers is still sounded kinda flat to me. Had to do a bit of tweaking to get it sounding right. Adjusting things like the input source level, changing the front speaker setting from large to small and changing the cutoff frequency (this triggers the sub to automatically turn on for any frequency below the specified frequency, even for stereo sound), etc. If you need help tweaking it, let me know.

And yeah if you have a media player with decent networking options, it negates the need to have it built in to the receiver. I don't use any of the networking options or the 7.1, so I may as well have went for the cheaper NR1402.

 

[sand_man]

Well even with the bigger speakers is still sounded kinda flat to me.

OI!!!

Had to do a bit of tweaking to get it sounding right. Adjusting things like the input source level, changing the front speaker setting from large to small and changing the cutoff frequency (this triggers the sub to automatically turn on for any frequency below the specified frequency, even for stereo sound), etc. If you need help tweaking it, let me know.

Sweet, thanks, sounds good (pun intended). As I said I'm currently running the Sony HT-DDWG800 Home Theatre and from day one I was not all that impressed. Hoping this will be a significant upgrade.

And yeah if you have a media player with decent networking options, it negates the need to have it built in to the receiver. I don't use any of the networking options or the 7.1, so I may as well have went for the cheaper NR1402.

Yeah, makes sense. As we said, nice to have but not worth the price premium.

 

[akescpt]

Was also looking at the 1602 but there seems to be quite a significant price difference between the 2, like 30%!!

the 1602 has connectivity while the 1402 has none. if you need networking features its easy to understand the price difference.

 

[Seanx5000]

So yesterday I went to dionwired woodmead and got the special on my dionwired card, awsomeness. Have connected everything up lastnite, sounds, but i need to get a optical to get the full 5.1 surround effect.

System is connect through my computer on analog.

Will I be able to connect with my hdmi cable or optical.

Which will be better. tx Guys

 

[techead]

So yesterday I went to dionwired woodmead and got the special on my dionwired card, awsomeness. Have connected everything up lastnite, sounds, but i need to get a optical to get the full 5.1 surround effect.

System is connect through my computer on analog.

Will I be able to connect with my hdmi cable or optical.

Which will be better. tx Guys

Hey man, would you mind letting me know if that dion wired card is like a credit card where you pay off interest OR if it's like an Edgars card where you pay your goodies off interest free!

Thanks

 

[Chevron]

Hey man, would you mind letting me know if that dion wired card is like a credit card where you pay off interest OR if it's like an Edgars card where you pay your goodies off interest free!

Thanks

Edgars is only Interest free on the 6month option. 12month has interest.

 

[sand_man]

Got mine about 3 hours ago. Been setting it up and playing a bit. Nice looking amp. Speakers even better. So small though, can't believe it. Unfortunately they not all that capable of overcoming there diminutive stature. Lack a bit of midrange grunt.

 

[sand_man]

It might sound a bit flat when you hook everything up. If that's the case, then increase the input source level on the receiver to +6dB or more (Amp menu -> Input -> Source level).

This helped!!!! Instantly more depth and detail!!! Ty

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

This helped!!!! Instantly more depth and detail!!! Ty

Pleasure, took me about an hour to figure that out There's a few other tricks as well, let me know if you're interested in playing with it a bit or if you're happy with the way it is.

 

[sand_man]

Lol. Did the auto calibration trick using the microphone. Always thought that to be more gimmick than substance but it seemed to enhance performance quite significantly.

Audyssey settings dynamic eq on, reference offset 0db, dynamic volume light.

That now bypasses a lot of the manual settings available and there seem to be a lot of them.

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

Lol. Did the auto calibration trick using the microphone. Always thought that to be more gimmick than substance but it seemed to enhance performance quite significantly.

Audyssey settings dynamic eq on, reference offset 0db, dynamic volume light.

That now bypasses a lot of the manual settings available and there seem to be a lot of them.

Yeah it's good to use the auto calibration as a baseline and then tweak it from there. My Audyssey settings are the same as yours. It doesn't sound as vibrant when you try to tweak the equaliser settings manually.

In the Bass Setting (under Speaker Setup), I have Subwoofer Mode set to LFE+Main, with a LPF value of 80Hz. What this means is that any frequency below 80Hz will be sent to the sub, even in normal stereo sound. My front stereo speakers can handle low frequencies though, that's why I have it set to this. Since you have smaller speakers that may distort at low frequencies, you may want to increase it to anything between 100Hz to 150Hz, depending on what sounds best for you.