Marantz AV7704 vs AV7705 vs AV8805 vs AV8802A Review (of Pre-amplifiers/Processors)

While the Marantz AV7704 vs AV7705 are almost identical, the differences on AV8805 vs AV7705/ AV7704 are more substantial (AV8802A vs AV8805 also have some significant differences). Nevertheless, it should be said that the AV7705 differs from AV7704 in that it's IMAX Enhanced-ready, meaning that the AV7705 (and AV8805) will receive a firmware update so that they can decode and optimally reproduce audio tracks in IMAX Enhanced content. The AV7704 and AV8802A on the other hand are not IMAX Enhanced. Another update on the AV7705 (vs AV7704) is the added support for remote management and monitoring systems such as ihiji Invision and Domotz Pro but this matters only for custom installs.

Circuit Modules; D/A converters
The AV8802A, AV7704, AV7705 and AV8805 all use similar high-grade audio components. For example, instead of the typical operational amplifier integrated circuits, the Marantz pre-amplifiers/processors utilize multiple HDAMs (Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Modules) composed of discrete circuit elements of identical precision. Furthermore, considering that the HDAMs are used in a current (rather than voltage) feedback topology, the AV8802A, AV7704, AV7705 and AV8805 are all able to achieve wide-band response with low noise. The sound stage is therefore wider, with increased fidelity. There is a difference in the DACs (Digital-to-Analog Converters) used on the AV8802A and AV8805 on the one hand, vs AV7704 and AV7705 on the other. While the AV8802A and AV8805 utilize AKM AK4490 192kHz/32-bit DACs on all channels, the AV7704 and AV7705 use AKM AK4458 for all channels which are also 192kHz/32-bit but with slightly lower S/N ratio of 115dB (vs 120dB on the AK4490). The THD+N is -112dB on AK4490, and -107dB on AK4458, respectively.

Number of processing channels; pre-outs; supported Dolby Atmos, DTS:X configurations
The AV7704 and AV7705 have 11.2 channel processing capability with 11.2 channel RCA and 11.2 channel XLR pre-outs. The AV8802A also has 11.2 channel processing but it is equipped with 13.2 channel RCA and 13.2 channel XLR pre-outs. Finally, the AV8805 has 13.2 channel processing with 15.2 channel RCA and 15.2 channel XLR pre-outs. There is an assignable balanced XLR stereo input on either AV8802A or AV8805 but not on the AV7704 or AV7705. Unlike the AV7704 and AV7705, which have the same number of processing channels as pre-outs, the number of processing channels on the AV8805 vs AV8802A does not match the number of their pre-outs, meaning that while you could connect power amplifier(s) to all of the 13.2 pre-outs on the AV8802A, only up to 11.2 channels can be processed simultaneously. Similarly, the AV8805 is able to process up to 13.2 channels despite having 15.2 RCA and XLR pre-outs. In other words, the AV8805 supports a Dolby Atmos configuration up to 7.1.6 or 9.1.4 channels (using two subwoofers is also possible) while the AV8802A, AV7704 and AV7705 can process up to 7.1.4 or 9.1.2 channels (dual subwoofers are also supported). The AV8805, AV7704 and AV7705 support DTS:X out of the box whereas the AV8802A is DTS:X-ready, meaning that you'll need to install a firmware update in order to add support for this format (in up to 11.1-channel configuration). The Auro-3D is another object-based audio format. It is available as a paid upgrade to the AV8802 but the AV8805 should receive support for this format at no additional charge via future firmware update (according to Marantz), after which the AV8805 will support Auro-3D in up to 13.1-channel configuration. While the AV7704 and AV7705 also have an Auro-3D decoder, they can process only up to 10.1 channel Auro-3D configurations.

HDMI, ARC; HDR pass-through
The AV8802A, AV8805, AV7704 and AV7705 all have 8 HDMI inputs (7 rear and 1 front) in addition to 3 rear HDMI outputs. Two of the HDMI outputs are for the main room, and one is for a second zone. Audio Return Channel (ARC) is supported on one of the two HDMI outputs for the main room on either of the four Marantz pre-amplifiers. That being said, the AV8805, AV7705 and AV7704 will support eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) functionality via a future firmware update, which would allow you to pass-through Dolby Atmos, for example. The Marantz pre-amplifiers have full HDCP 2.2 support, so that you can connect an Ultra HD blu-ray player to any HMDI input. Also supported are HDR10 pass-through, wide color gamut (BT.2020), 4:4:4 full-chroma resolution (in either 4K@30Hz with up to 12-bit color depth, or 4K@60Hz with 8-bit color depth) on either AV8802A, AV8805, AV7705 or AV7704. The latter three, though, support Dolby Vision and HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) pass-through out of the box, whereas the AV8802A requires a firmware update (that has already been released). The Marants pre-amplifiers are also able to upscale standard or high definition sources to 4K resolution.

Wireless connectivity
Although they all have built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, there are some small differences. For example, the Wi-Fi on the AV7704, AV7705, and AV8805 is dual band (2.4GHz/5GHz) while the Wi-Fi on the AV8802A is limited only to the 2.4GHz frequency. They all have dual Wi-Fi antenna connections, though. In terms of Bluetooth, the AV8802A supports version 2.1 while the AV8805, AV7705 and AV7704: version 3.0 which leads to a differences in the transmission power and maximum communication range. Although the AV8805, AV7705 and AV7704 have an advantage in these areas, the AV8802A's approximately 32.8ft (10 meters) of maximum communication range (in line of sight) should be sufficient in a normal room setting. The AVRCP (i.e. Audio Video Remote Control Profile) has been updated from version 1.4 on the AV8802A to version 1.5 on the AV8805, AV7705 and AV7704 but the A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution profile) remains at version 1.2 on either of the four Marantz pre-amplifiers.

Acoustic Room Correction, Audyssey MultEQ Editor app
The full Audyssey Platinum suite is used in the Marantz pre-amplifiers discussed in this comparison, so they all have a number of advanced DSP algorithms at their disposal. For example, the Audyssey MultEQ XT32 provides an acoustic room correction by measuring the speakers and subwoofer(s) response from up to 8 different points in your room (via a measurement microphone). Precision digital filters are accordingly generated so that the frequency and time domain response of each channel is corrected. It needs to be said that only the AV7704, AV7705, and AV8805 are compatible with the Audyssey MultEQ Editor app (available for purchase for iOS and Android devices). This app allows you to easily fine-tune the MultEQ calibration. For example, you can edit the target curve, or adjust the rolloff for each channel pair. Furthermore, you can toggle mid-range compensation. The AV8802A is not compatible with this app because it doesn't have the specific hardware required.

Wireless Multi-room streaming; Voice Control
Unlike the AV8802A, the AV7704, AV7705 and AV8805 are equipped with HEOS which is wireless streaming technology with multi-room capabilities. That being said, in order to be able to wirelessly stream music to different rooms (and not only to the pre-amplifier itself), you'll need other HEOS-enabled devices such as speakers or a receiver. Selecting the music source (and destination) is done via the HEOS app. The AirPlay 2 technology, which is supported by AV7704, AV7705 and AV8805, also allows you to wirelessly stream music to compatible devices in different rooms. The AV8802A is compatible with the original AirPlay so it lacks the multi-room capabilities. In case you're using AirPlay 2 with Apple Music, you can ask Siri to play specific song or album. While on the subject of voice control, the AV8805, AV7705 and AV7704 work with Amazon Alexa devices (sold separately), and are compatible with the HEOS Home Entertainment skill which you can select from the Alexa app. Once your Marantz pre-amplifier/processor is discovered, you can stream music (either to the pre-amplifier, or other HEOS-enabled devices) by using Alexa voice commands. Specifically, you can ask Alexa to play music from services such as Amazon Music, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, Pandora (subscription may be required), as well as change inputs, control the volume, power on and off the pre-amplifier, etc. The AV8805, AV7705 and AV7704 also work with Google Assistant but currently music selection, switching inputs, and power cycling are not supported. As previously mentioned, you can use Alexa to perform these functions instead.

High-resolution audio
In terms of hi-res audio format support, all Marantz pre-amplifiers are able to decode lossless audio tracks in FLAC and WAV formats (up to 24-bit/192kHz) via USB or network streaming. However, the AV8805, AV7705, and AV7704 support ALAC in up to 24-bit/192kHz whereas the AV8802A's ALAC decoding capabilities are up to 24-bit/96kHz tracks. Another difference is that the AV7704, AV7705 and AV8805 are able to play 2.8/5.6-MHz DSD files whereas the AV8802A is limited to only 2.8-MHz DSD.

Pricing/Availability
Check availability and pricing on Amazon.com for the Marantz AV7704, AV7705, AV8805, and AV8802A (affiliate links; As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)