The difference between Marantz SR7013 vs SR7012 is mostly due to the SR7013 being IMAX Enhanced-ready (and so is SR8012) whereas the SR7012 is not, so this model won't receive a firmware update for decoding and optimally playing such content. Another difference is that the SR7013 supports DTS Virtual:X out of the box whereas the aforementioned sound mode, which can create height and overhead effects from a 7.1, 5.1 or even 2.1 channel speakers, is available to the SR8012 and SR7012 after a firmware update.
Some of the audio components used in the three Marantz receivers are identical. For example, there are multiple HDAM (Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Modules) in a current feedback topology on either SR7013, SR7012 or SR8012. This enables a wideband response with low noise. However, there are also some differences between SR8012 vs SR7013/SR7012. For example, the SR8012's chassis is copper-plated, and the power amp section has a single board per channel design. But what's more important is that the SR7013 and SR7012 use an EI transformer whereas the SR8012 has a large toroidal transformer that is centrally mounted (for the purpose of achieving mechanical balance). The weight and power consumption are therefore different. The SR8012 weights nearly 36.4 lbs whereas the SR7012 and SR7013, at 31.1 lbs, are slightly less heavy. The latter two consume 710 Watts vs 780 Watts by the SR8012. The power output is also higher on the SR8012 vs SR7013/SR7012. With 2 channel driven into 8 ohms loads (20Hz-20kHz, at 0.05% THD), the SR8012 is rated at 140 Watts per channel while the SR7012 and SR7013: at 125 Watts per channel.
As previously mentioned, the SR7013 and SR8012 are IMAX Enhanced-ready whereas the SR7012 is not IMAX Enhanced. Apart from that, there is no difference in the supported 3D audio formats since the SR7013, SR7012 and SR8012 support Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Auro-3D. There is a difference in the supported speakers configurations, though, between SR7012 and SR7013 on the one hand, and SR8012 on the other. Even though all three Marantz receivers have 11.2 channel processing capability (and 11.2 pre-outs), only the SR8012 have 11 poweramps whereas the SR7012 and SR7013 have 9 amplifier channels. As a result, the SR8012 is able to power (on its own) up to 7.1.4 or 9.1.2 channel Dolby Atmos speaker system whereas the SR7012 and SR7013 require an external 2 channel amplifier in order to support the aforementioned configurations. Without an external amplifier, the SR7012 and SR7013 can support up to 7.1.2 or 5.1.4 channel Dolby Atmos. When it comes to Auro-3D, the SR8012 supports up to 10.1 channel system but you'll need to connect the top surround speaker to the Surround Back L terminal and make the appropriate menu adjustments (i.e. Top Surround Out needs to be set to Surround Back L). In contrast, the SR7012 and SR7013 support Auro-3D 10.1 channel only via an external amplifier which needs to be connected to the Subwoofer 2 pre-out. If you have already connected a second powered subwoofer, then the SR7013 and SR7012 can only rely on their internal amplification, meaning they can drive up to 9.1 channel Auro-3D speaker system.
The three Marantz receivers have identical multi-room wireless streaming functionality since they all support HEOS technology. You'll need another HEOS devices such as speakers or a receiver, though, to fully utilize HEOS capabilities. The SR7012, SR7013, and SR8012 are AirPlay 2 compatible (a firmware update may be needed). Unlike the original AirPlay, the AirPlay 2 supports multi-room audio, meaning that the SR7012, SR7013, and SR8012 can become part of a multi-room audio system, provided you have other AirPlay 2 compatible speakers or a receiver. The three Marantz receivers work with Amazon Alexa as well as Google Assistant. It needs to be said, though, that some of the voice controls are currently only supported by Alexa (such as input switching, powering the receiver on and off, choosing music (from Amazon Music, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, Pandora) whereas Google Assistant cannot currently perform these tasks on Marantz receivers (but support is expected to be added next year, according to Marantz). Volume and transport control are possible with either Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Amazon Alexa devices and Google Home products are sold separately.
The connections are nearly identical except that the SR8012 has a total of 4 composite video inputs and 6 analog audio inputs whereas the SR7013 and SR7012 have 3 composite video and 5 analog audio inputs. The three Marantz receivers have the same number of HDMI inputs and outputs. Each of them has 7 rear and 1 front HDMI inputs, in addition to 3 rear HDMI outputs. Two of them output the same signal so they are for the Main Zone and one HDMI output is for Zone2. ARC (Audio Return Channel) is supported on one of the two parallel HDMI outputs, and a future firmware update will enable eARC functionally on either SR7012, SR7013, or SR8012 so that you can bitstream Dolby Atmos, for example. All HDMI inputs are HDCP 2.2 compatible which allows you to connect an Ultra HD Blu-ray player to any HDMI input. Furthermore, you can pass-through various HDR formats such as HDR10, Dolby Vision, and HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) on all three Marantz receivers.
The SR7012 and SR7013 have the same remote control that has three light indicators near the top meant to show whether the AVR, an external device or a television set is being operated. In contrast, the SR8012's remote omits these indicators but has a small display instead that shows the same information. Furthermore, the SR7012/SR7013's remote has dedicated buttons for Main Zone, Zone 2, and Zone 3. The SR8012's remote on the other hand has a single Zone Select button, in addition to a Set button that is used not only for setting the Zone that is used with the remote but also other functions such as the backlight, for example. The SR8012's remote has a dedicated AVR operation button.
Check availability and pricing on Amazon.com for the SR8012, SR7013, and SR7012 (affiliate links; As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)
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