Preliminary a few words about the iPod dock IS301 that no longer exist from me completely incomprehensible reasons, because it is the best accessory that I have seen in a while: The iPod is plugged into a Blue Tooth Cradle and can from your sofa be served, that I have from there access to my mobile 160G music collection. The device turns iPod Files in HiFi quality: It can thus even play videos. I need not thereby be network servers and no payment services for my music. Actually, this is a really good and especially lean solution that everyone who wants to use his iPod sense can really use. Incomprehensible that such a product has so little importance that it disappears from the market after a short time. Alternatives I've seen none. This tool has another brilliant side effect. The original remote SR6008 also sends all signals to dock so that the amplifier, which is located in my closet, can also be controlled with closed cubicle door. For this, however, there is also a remote adapter, Marantz, from my point of view absolutely meaningful optional, what I have always missed at Yamaha. It's probably hard to understand for the product designers that not everyone wants to have his music equipment free standing around, otherwise there would be probably for this long a uniform standard. Clear advantage for Marantz.
IPod to USB:
An iPod or iPhone can also be connected to the USB on the front page. In the case allows the navigation mode from iPod to TV menu switch. Cool. So you need not necessarily have a docking station for these devices.
iPod playlists:
Created in iTunes playlist Norder are not displayed correctly as a folder but absurdly as a playlist when the SR6008 TV Navigation mode. This means that the iTunes Folder Structure TV playback menu lapsed although they could perfectly through using the arrow navigation of the FB. Thus there is in the iPod TV Navigation chaos and access to playlists is anything but comfortable. Nevertheless, you can, if you have identified the problem, for example by clever list naming, with which you can influence the order of presentation, sort its current lists quasi upwards. This then simplifies access to lists something. All list titles by clicking on a playback list then actually appear in the correct order so that you can even jump to a specific point in the list. The expected actually also, it works just not with all iPod interfaces. Specifically, I do not know a single interface, in which the playlist tree is mapped as well as created in iTunes. Therefore, I would not blame this malfunction the SR6008.
No problems have been, of course, if one uses the iPod navigation mode. Because the iPod is of course all the folders correctly, then hangs but of course the USB cable if you do not IS301.
Television without SR6008:
Who wants to just television "as before," does not need every time to switch on the AV Receiver. The HDMI input of the cable box can be looped through by a setting in the HDMI setup. This allows the TV to be used at the cable box, if necessary, without the SR6008. The sound can then be controlled as usual via the TV speakers.
Auto Off
When the SR6008 is running together with the TV, the HDMI shutdown at "TV Off" is helpful. Works but obviously not for each device. However, the receiver turns off automatically when it is a long time idle.
Remote Control:
The remote control of the SR6008 makes a tidy impression, not too many buttons, it should really pay attention. Marantz SR6008 unfortunately dispensed with an illumination of keys. Too bad. The key 21 is only available on the SR7008. Somewhere, the difference to the more expensive model then makes it noticeable. The essential functions of the SR6008 and the peripherals can be easily controlled via the FB and this is crucial. When Yamaha it was a disaster. Since it also has not helped that 130 mini buttons also illuminate felt some with 3X occupancy on the FB yet.
Equipment configuration and operation via the TV menu:
Setting up the receiver on the TV menu is well-structured and understandable. Help texts support the configuration in most menus. One should be aware that not only the establishment but also the entire operation of the receiver on the TV menu is most convenient. It is hardly yet blindflug moderately on the FB tap around the curve of the equalizer adapt (is that even possible?). Quick access to the Equalizer (Something like bass, treble) I miss both the device as well as on the FB.
Sound:
The sound of the amplifier is after my first impression overall quite good. I use Bose Double Cube, rather from design to technical reasons, because I want to have no standing around giant boxes (specifically, my wife does not want that). Rauszuholen from the cubes reasonable tone, has always been no easy task. The sound just good at Bose systems and that's it. The SR6008 makes but still quite good. However, I have as an immediate measure replaces the Bose Centercube to Canton in 1050 will do the trick.
Speaker vote
Unless already Audyssey calibration a satisfactory result returns, the SR6008 offers extensive options for sound improvement.
Sound modes:
On the FB Different thematic sound modes let (Movie / Music / Game / Pure each with sub-menus, but they are all similar) set. Initially convinced me only the stereo mode. After some experimentation and the tuning of the speakers, the sound is fine. Certainly, the speaker crucial here. I must say, however, the 3800 RXV has under the same conditions has very clear advantages. The sound modes are simply better.
Nevertheless, just makes the TV sound on SR6008 a good impression when you first find out the correct settings. What this was a little difficult getting and remains is the fact that the sound performance from one station to and from mission can be quite different from broadcasting. Here I think again scores the SR6008, because the differences appear more neutral. The magic word is: Dynamic Volume.
Network / Media Server:
Another reason for the purchase of a new AVR was the possibility of the use of Internet services and the integration of the receiver into the PC network for me. The device supports only Ethernet LAN cable so. But who has a network port or router in his living room? So you have to think of something. It would be desirable, of course, an integrated Wi-Fi for the SR6008 direct access to the router but I can not give. Why not? Even our kitchen radio has integrated Wi-Fi. I use a so-called Home Theatre AV 500 Powerline Adapter from Netgear. The transmission rate for the network signal mainly depends on the choice of outlet. Power strips should not be used. In my area I come from, anyway, only to
Music Streaming:
The Flac format lt. Description expressly support. For me, however, all folders with Flac files as a blank display. The sound of MP3 is for me pure horror and regardless of the MP3 "quality". The louder the more evil the whole thing sounds. MP3 on the Media Server sounds like on 2oow reinforced Earphones. Hardly bass, middle and treble and little transparency drowned certainly not. Far from HiFi quality. My Goodness. One can not give the booster to blame, which amplifies the waste finally only, presumably well. is probably just on the "nature of things". Because of Flac (lossless format) story I have to contact the manufacturer at ease. NB .: I have the impression that sound the same music files from your iPod via the IS301 significantly better. I do not know how Apple does it.
Internet Radio:
Okay so far everything ran without interruption (permanent availability LAN signal provided). The station search function is good and can lt. Description via a web service Marantz also be carried out on the PC. It can also save favorites, etc. The sound is dependent on the transmission quality but at 128Mbit / sec already amazingly well.
A word about the appearance of the device
The comic porthole display is for me more of a whim of developers. The simply assume that the device is operated via TV. But would it then at least can not be a bit bigger and more functional? Without TV you now do not have a chance to use the box. Minus point.
Price-Performance
Specifically, in this model, it pays to compare prices. I have here vendors differences of partly more than 400 euros (!) Yoy. EIA noted. Once again an example of the irrelevance of the so-called EIAs. The thus quite favorable price stopped me, the bigger brother to order SR7008, which would thus cost about double and lt. Function Overview little more to offer than the SR6008. At this point, a small detail. I really came to ponder, as the SR6008 has no unregulated audio outputs, ie Rec Out or Audio Out for recording from radio broadcasts or playing videos. The SR7008 has at least one Audio Out.
Conclusion:
I ultimately give 4 stars and would recommend the SR6008 also beginners or users who listen to more music than watch movies. Compromises I make the sound (sound mode), the display (size and position) and the lack of Wi-Fi and Audio Out. The sound modes that "something" is missing. One has long fumbling to the sound hinzubekommen reasonably, the Audyssey calibration function is helpful. But what I miss, include spatial effects and more dynamic. However, I have only been tested with a 5.1 LS combination and a passive bass. 4 additional speakers and a reasonable sub, it should then bring.
