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Entered CNET Catalog: 08/06/2005
SKU: SR5500
Manufacturer: Marantz America Inc.
Manufacturer description
The SR5500 is an embarrassment of riches. Each "current feedback" amplifiers produces 90 watts RMS, sufficient for all but the largest rooms or most inefficient speakers. The 32-bit microprocessor decodes all Dolby and dts surround sound formats, and SRS' Circle Surround II. Consider the SR5500's multi-source/multi-room capabilities. Look no further than the front panel inputs to conveniently plug in a camcorder. You'll appreciate the SR5500's enhanced video conversion capabilities as you watch a full complement of sources through your monitor's high quality component video input. Want a customized system? The RS-232 port allows total control via a remote touch-screen. The on-screen display quickly guides you through setup. The SR5500's "Lip Sync" circuit assures you that sounds reach your ears at exactly the moment your eyes say they should.CNET editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 08/26/2005
Editor's note: Marantz America will not honor the warranty on Marantz components purchased from unauthorized dealers or on units whose original factory serial number has been removed, defaced, or replaced. When in doubt about a particular online or brick-and-mortar retailer, call Marantz at 630/741-0300. The Marantz SR5500 is one handsome devil--at least as far as A/V receivers are concerned--and its controls have the sort of look and feel we normally associate with higher-priced models. The 28.7-pound, all-black receiver occupies 18.25 inches of shelf depth.
Setup logistics were above average, thanks in large part to the SR5500's informative onscreen displays and intuitive navigation. The receiver's front-panel cursor controls were especially useful for scanning through AM and FM radio stations; however, we were a little less enthralled with the large, black remote, which isn't backlit and has lots of tiny buttons, making it somewhat difficult to use in our dimly lit home theater. The Marantz SR5500's "current feedback" amplifiers produce 90 watts on each of the seven channels, and its onboard 32-bit processor decodes all Dolby and DTS surround-sound signals as well as those encoded in Marantz's proprietary SRS Circle Surround II format. The SR5500 is one of the few receivers we've seen that allows you to set individual levels for each channel on its SACD/DVD-Audio inputs, including the subwoofer; as a result, properly calibrating your receiver will allow you to experience your high-resolution discs' surround balances as the producers intended them.
You also get Dolby Headphone processing, which is a big plus for headphone users because it creates satisfying surround effects over conventional stereo headphones. Unfortunately, accessing the Dolby Headphone setting isn't automatic; you'll first have to pull up the menu. In contrast, Harman Kardon's Dolby Headphone-equipped receivers (such as the AVR 635) are a bit more user-friendly.
Connectivity options are fairly complete: two of the five A/V inputs accept component-video sources, but Marantz didn't include any provisions for switching HDMI-equipped components. (One of the five A/V inputs is found on the front panel.) Audio connections include three stereo inputs, a set of 7.1-channel SACD/DVD-Audio inputs, 7.1-channel preamp outputs, four digital inputs (two optical, two coaxial digital), and two digital outputs (one optical and one coaxial). One conspicuously absent feature was onboard A/B speaker switching. To get sound in another room, you'll have to buy a stereo amplifier and incorporate it into a multiroom system using the SR5500's RS-232C port. The Marantz SR5500 will upconvert composite and S-Video sources (such as VCRs, game consoles, and non-HD cable or satellite boxes) to component video; furthermore, an adjustable delay maintains lip sync for all sources and video displays.
The SR5500's price tag is modest by Marantz's lavish standards, but the company offers an even more affordable entry-level model, the SR4500, for $429 (list). It's also worth mentioning that the Marantz SR5500's three-year warranty outdoes the more common one-year or two-year policies found among the competition. The depth and the clarity of the sound on the Flight of the Phoenix DVD was a special treat. The scenes inside the doomed plane put us in the middle of the action, and the roar of the engines added to the excitement of the crash scene. Watching the movie's cast suffer through the desert heat put us in the mood to chill out with the DVD of The Day After Tomorrow. The surround mix was unusually coherent--the tornado whipping through L.A.'s streets sounded frighteningly realistic as it sent cars and debris flying around our home theater.
The old-timey music accompanying the O Brother, Where Art Thou? DVD brought the Marantz SR5500's more subtle talents to the forefront. The Soggy Bottom Boys singing "I am a Man of Constant Sorrow" in the recording studio had a wonderfully natural sound.
We were eager to see if the Marantz SR5500's extensive SACD/DVD-A-tweaking skills would translate into audible sonic gains. Telarc's rousing Stravinsky The Rite of Spring SACD displayed a rich tonality and a big-as-life soundstage. The music's visceral dynamics took on power and majesty, especially on those feel-them-in-your-chest bass-drum flourishes. We don't expect that kind of performance from midpriced receivers; those 90 watts per channel made their presence felt. String tone was smooth, without any irritating harshness or glare.
To put the SR5500's talents in perspective, we arranged a head-to-head competition with Sony's $499 STR-DE998 receiver, but it was no contest. On paper, the Sony has a 20-watt-per-channel advantage over the Marantz, but the DE998 couldn't keep with the SR5500 when we blasted through Metallica's St. Anger CD. The Sony blunted the band's hard edge; its bass was looser, and dynamic oomph was lacking. The Marantz even trounced the Sony on that Stravinsky SACD; the Sony flattened the music's dimensionality, rendering it less enveloping and satisfying. The Marantz just sounded better on every count.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 User Rating: 
9/10
I have been very happy with this unit for 2 years now
Pros: Clean clear power, front input jacks, protection circuits
Cons: Input selection, large unit (very deep), FM reception
Review: It's been a little over two years, since I acquired this unit.
The sound is fantastic. This receiver can not be beat. I have not needed to â??twiddleâ?? with the settings too much. I use a digital coax cable from the DVD output and set the receiver Surround Mode to Auto - which then defaults to whatever surround mode is selected from the DVD source.
I almost did not buy this unit, because, I had read that it does not have A/B speaker selection -- it DOES. You can use it for A/B if you do not have it set up in 7.1 surround. If you use 5.1 surround, then it will support A/B. I have set mine up like this, and have had no trouble. You can have both A/B running at the same time, and playing different sources (play the radio in the kitchen, while a movie is playing in the living room). You do not need an additional amplifier for this configuration.
I was also concerned because it was rated for ~only~ 90 watts per channel. Well - that ought to have been my least concern. I have yet to be able to listen to anything at full power (0dB) for more than 5 minutes, as it is extremely loud - even in a large room. This receiver is much louder than the 100 watt per channel JVC receiver it replaced, and a 100 watt per channel Yamaha I use in another room. Heat dissipation is not much of an issue. Even if run for long times, and loud volumes, it does not get unusually hot.
The downsides to this unit have nothing to do with its acoustic abilities. They are a) the physical size of it; b) input selector knob; c) FM reception.
At over 18 inches deep, it is a challenge to fit into a cabinet. Also, all 7 speaker binding posts are located fairly close together, and getting all the wires in properly can be a challenge, especially if you use small gauge wires and bi-wire your mains.
Input selection can be done via the remote control: by holding the button down for 3 seconds (which can seem like an eternity); or by rotating the selection knob that cycles one-by-one through all of the inputs, of which there are many. I miss the good-old days when you want to listen to FM, you press FM
Speaking of FM, I have not had much luck capturing FM stations on this unit with the supplied antenna or even a set of rabbit ears. I have overcome this by using my CATV 75ohm for FM; which results in great quality, however my CATV supplier does not carry my favorite radio station.
Being a few years old already, this unit does not support HDMI. But thatâ??s not so much a problem (yet) for me. I do not use my receiver for video switching, and instead run my DVD video to the TV through HDMI, and audio to the receiver through digital coax.
Current setup: Marantz SR5500 receiver, Klipsch RF-62 main speakers RC-52 center, Pro-media rear surround, Paradigm 4 x CS-60R in-ceiling speakers as speaker B with 2 x VC-150 control knobs.
The sound is fantastic. This receiver can not be beat. I have not needed to â??twiddleâ?? with the settings too much. I use a digital coax cable from the DVD output and set the receiver Surround Mode to Auto - which then defaults to whatever surround mode is selected from the DVD source.
I almost did not buy this unit, because, I had read that it does not have A/B speaker selection -- it DOES. You can use it for A/B if you do not have it set up in 7.1 surround. If you use 5.1 surround, then it will support A/B. I have set mine up like this, and have had no trouble. You can have both A/B running at the same time, and playing different sources (play the radio in the kitchen, while a movie is playing in the living room). You do not need an additional amplifier for this configuration.
I was also concerned because it was rated for ~only~ 90 watts per channel. Well - that ought to have been my least concern. I have yet to be able to listen to anything at full power (0dB) for more than 5 minutes, as it is extremely loud - even in a large room. This receiver is much louder than the 100 watt per channel JVC receiver it replaced, and a 100 watt per channel Yamaha I use in another room. Heat dissipation is not much of an issue. Even if run for long times, and loud volumes, it does not get unusually hot.
The downsides to this unit have nothing to do with its acoustic abilities. They are a) the physical size of it; b) input selector knob; c) FM reception.
At over 18 inches deep, it is a challenge to fit into a cabinet. Also, all 7 speaker binding posts are located fairly close together, and getting all the wires in properly can be a challenge, especially if you use small gauge wires and bi-wire your mains.
Input selection can be done via the remote control: by holding the button down for 3 seconds (which can seem like an eternity); or by rotating the selection knob that cycles one-by-one through all of the inputs, of which there are many. I miss the good-old days when you want to listen to FM, you press FM
Speaking of FM, I have not had much luck capturing FM stations on this unit with the supplied antenna or even a set of rabbit ears. I have overcome this by using my CATV 75ohm for FM; which results in great quality, however my CATV supplier does not carry my favorite radio station.
Being a few years old already, this unit does not support HDMI. But thatâ??s not so much a problem (yet) for me. I do not use my receiver for video switching, and instead run my DVD video to the TV through HDMI, and audio to the receiver through digital coax.
Current setup: Marantz SR5500 receiver, Klipsch RF-62 main speakers RC-52 center, Pro-media rear surround, Paradigm 4 x CS-60R in-ceiling speakers as speaker B with 2 x VC-150 control knobs.
User Rating: 
6/10
good system
Pros: converts from composite and S-Video to component
Cons: just two component video inputs
Review: good system, although having more component video inputs would make it better, now I'm also currently looking at music servers, the sonos (www.sonos.com) and the olive symphony (www.olive.us), does anyone recommend anything else similar?
User Rating: 6/10
Home Audio Server
Pros: Home Audio Server
Cons: Home Audio Server
Review: This Marantz SR5500 seems to be a good A/V receiver but
I might be actually looking for something a bit different, I'm getting to a point where I need to find a better way to deal with all my music at home, got old analog, millions of digital songs, etc, and it'd be very nice to find a way to combine it all in 1 room, and be able to play it back in any room, so I wonder if this new server by olive (www.olive.us) might be it, and if you guys have some feedback on this music server or any other one.
I might be actually looking for something a bit different, I'm getting to a point where I need to find a better way to deal with all my music at home, got old analog, millions of digital songs, etc, and it'd be very nice to find a way to combine it all in 1 room, and be able to play it back in any room, so I wonder if this new server by olive (www.olive.us) might be it, and if you guys have some feedback on this music server or any other one.
User Rating: 9/10
This is a great receiver
Pros: If its great sound from music and movies with a good price...This is what you need.
Cons: Remote could be a little better.
Review: This is the cousin to the Dennon brand of receivers,being owned by the same company (also the same company who owns Macintosh). The Marantz will give you out-standing sound in music in that it is not over the top in brightness. It has a warm and rich sound that is laid back while focusing on the midrange that the brighter sounding receivers forget about. It also does very well in movies. You will hear the decoding as it was meant to be heard. The build quality of Marantz are great and the heat problems they had years ago have all been corrected. Before I got the SR5500 I used a Sony which was a good product, but had that bright sound. This SR5500 at 90 watts blows the Sony at 100 watts away. Like its Dennon Cousin, the Marants is a very good receiver...You wont go wrong if you like music and movies produced the way it was meant to be.
