Marantz ud7006 or Denon DBP 2012

[gosalh]

Hi Guys,

I'm deciding on which of these Blu-ray players i should buy to complete my home theatre system. Does anyone have any recommendations? The Marantz got a glowing review from Whathifi, but i prefer the style of the Denon. Spec wise they seem very similar.

Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

I have to say that for me the Marantz takes it on styling, it also has a more premium 'feel'. The picture quality and sound are probably the best you will find around, too. Plus I don't think the Denon uses the better Anchor Bay video processor.

 

[bigboss]

I have to say that for me the Marantz takes it on styling, it also has a more premium 'feel'. The picture quality and sound are probably the best you will find around, too. Plus I don't think the Denon uses the better Anchor Bay video processor.

Even Denon uses the Anchor Bay chip. It doesn't help the OP if you're basing your opinions on assumptions, & that too wrong.

http://www.creative-audio.co.uk/HD.php?_DEN_DBP2012UD_&CAT=DVDPLAY&ID=3389

I suspect there'll be very little to differentiate between the 2 players. Demo both & see what you think.

 

[gosalh]

Thanks guys. It certainly looks like they're both very similar in terms of specs. Do you think the Denon DBP-2012 might marry better with my Denon AVR-A100 receiver?

 

[Anonymous]

Wow, sharp. My 'assumption' was based on the DBP2012 PDF file from the DENON website having NO mention of it at all.

http://denon.co.uk/DocumentMaster/UK/DBP-2012UD_EN.pdf

But you may be correct.

 

[bigboss]

Thanks guys. It certainly looks like they're both very similar in terms of specs. Do you think the Denon DBP-2012 might marry better with my Denon AVR-A100 receiver?

I don't think Denon 2012UD will 'marry' better with your Denon receiver than the Marantz. Both will partner well. In fact, Marantz will give you an option to decode audio through another brand's player (although the same manufacturer). Denon 2012UD is likely to share the same components with the A100 receiver to decode audio. But your receiver is so good, I don't think you should be worried about that. Let it decode all audio.

Demo them to compare, & if there's no difference in performance between the 2, buy the one that looks aesthetically better to you.

 

[Son_of_SJ]

When I get a job I will also be buying a new Blu-Ray player for the kitchen, and I also am considering between the Denon 2012 and the Marantz UD6006. Throw the Oppo BDP-95EU and the Cambridge Audio 751BD into the mix, and confusion reigns. The group test in the August 2011 issue of What Hifi preferred the Marantz, though it also rated the Oppo and the Cambridge as five-star products.

For me, the two most important things are picture quality and sound qualitiy, with connectivity a close third. Also, they must play SACDs. I am not concerned with smart apps, or even, at this stage, with 3D, though 3D comes with all four players. The Marantz, Oppo and Cambridge all seem to be very good for picture and sound. However, the Oppo and the Cambridge have better connections than the Marantz and the Denon. The Cambridge and the Oppo each have two HDMI outputs, and both have both digital audio coaxial AND optical outputs. Further, they also have a separate stereo output, distinct from their 7.1 multichannel outputs. The Marantz and the Denon have 7.1 analogue out, and a separate stereo output I think, but only one HDMI output and only one digital audio output, which at that price really is a bit sparse. I mean, my 3-year-old £300 Panasonic DMP BD80 has an HDMI outptut, 5.1 multichannel analogue, a separate stereo output, and both optical AND coaxial digital outputs. For me, the two HDMI outputs would be quite useful, and the two types of digital audio output.

I guess as has been said before you'll have to try to listen and view the Blu-Ray players side by side, but you might have trouble finding a dealer who stocks more than one of them! HOWEVER, one such dealer is Peter Tyson. Note however that of the two you mention, there is a notable difference in the price - PT lists the Marantz at £800, and the Denon at £650, so that perhaps says something.

When I have a spare two hours I'll list all my equipment in the parlour, kitchen and bedroom. With the exception of my two Pioneer TVs and my Denon Blu-Ray/Receiver combination, never has so little money been spread so thinly over so many boxes!

 

[Son_of_SJ]

Sorry chaps, typo, I meant to say Marantz UD7006, not 6006 !!!

 

[manicm]

It's down to horses for courses. Many here seem to have sound quality as first priority - they want to play their CDs and SACDs on their BDPs. My first priority is Blu-ray and DVD picture quality - I'm confident there are no bad players soundwise for movies. So I take movie sound quality as a given, and good CD/SACD playback as the cherry on top. Hence my interest in the Marantz.

The choices are interesting at this 800-1000 quid level. Then again there's also the new 500 quid THX certified Onkyo. I will wait until Sep/Oct - cos I believe new Pioneer players will also be released then.

 

[Anonymous]

I recently bought a Marantz ud7006, excellent picture and sound. having an issue with films pausing momentarelly during playback. really annoying.

 

[toots347]

Recently had the Marantz UD7006 on a three week sale or return trial. Sorry, I thought it was not worth the money. The sound from the CD side was flat and uninteresting (certainly not "exciting" as WH said!), SACD was the same, just dull and uninviting. Picture was fine (don't use 3D) but so are a lot of other players. So it didn't blow my socks off!! Now the Oppo BD95 can be summed up in one word. WOW!!! Just everything about it demolished the Marantz, even my ever unimpressed wife thought it was a brilliant listen and viewing experience and that is high praise. (I am using the Oppo's built in audio sections as I was with the Marantz.)

 

[Anonymous]

I had this dem'd in my local Sevenoaks and was blown away with the quality of picture and sound, even the stereo sound was great which was very different from the other players they dem'd me. Had it now for 3 weeks and am very happy with this universal spinner.

 

[Son_of_SJ]

1Pickedbrain, you don't actually say which Blu-ray player you are referring to!

 

[Anonymous]

Hi OP,

If you've decided on the Marantz, then go here this weekend for £100 off the selling price, offer ends 24/07/11:

http://www.audiblefidelity.co.uk/marantz-bluray-player-ud7006-black-p-117.html

 

[Anonymous]

Sorry, I have the Marantz UD7006

 

[gosalh]

I ended up getting an Oppo BDP-95. Will post my results here soon.

 

[gosalh]

I ended up getting an Oppo BDP-95. Will post my results here soon.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Guys, I'm deciding on which of these Blu-ray players i should buy to complete my home theatre system. Does anyone have any recommendations? The Marantz got a glowing review from Whathifi, but i prefer the style of the Denon. Spec wise they seem very similar. Thanks

Oppo 95eu. I have had one of these since April 2011, sound is awesome in analogue, picture is just Ok.

 

[Anonymous]

I got a replacement for my Marantz as the picture kept freezing. Now it's all good. It's biggest asset is sound. Sounds amazing in any format.

 

[gosalh]

Hi Martin,

With the Oppo does Analogue really sounds that good using the DAC? What brand cables are you using? How does it compare against HDMI? I have a fairly new receiver Denon AVR A-100, so not sure if there will be much difference between Denon's HDMI processing or Oppo's Sabre32bit DAC. I have some Fusion RCA cables, still haven't got round to fitting them.

 

[mr malarky]

I can't comment on the Marantz but have had the Denon 2012 for about four weeks now - went for the Denon as already have a 3310 Receiver so wanted the matching finish. Picture Quality is pretty much flawless straight out the box so far as I can tell (noticeable improvement on my old Panasonic player) and no complaints about the sound, good with all the CD's and SACD's I've tried so far. Paid £599 from Peter Tyson (great shop by the way), which is a pretty big saving compared to the Marantz. Always best to try both if possible but if there's not a local dealer who can arrange a demo or if the budget is tight then the Denon's a safe choice that won't dissapoint.