Marantz AV8805A AV Review: High-End AV Preamp, Not a Turntable

Who Should Buy It

Key Specifications

Overview

The Marantz AV8805A AV is a premium 13.2 channel AV pre-amplifier, not a turntable or record player. The listing positions it as a high-end home theater processor with 8K HDMI upscaling, advanced surround format support, and multi-room streaming. Buyers searching for a turntable should understand that this product belongs to a different category entirely. The listing does not publish any turntable specifications such as drive type, cartridge, platter, or tonearm.

For vinyl listeners, the listing mentions connecting a turntable among other devices, but it does not state whether a phono preamp is built in. The product appears designed for a full home theater system rather than a dedicated stereo turntable setup. The price tier is premium, which reflects the AV processing features rather than any vinyl playback capability. Buyers who want a turntable should consider dedicated models like the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB or Fluance RT81 instead.

On paper, the AV8805A AV offers a huge feature set for home theater enthusiasts. It supports 13.2 channel processing, multiple surround formats, and a wide range of HDMI and streaming options. The listing places strong emphasis on 8K video, voice control, and HEOS multi-room audio. This review evaluates the product based on the published listing while noting that turntable specifications are absent because the unit is not a record player.

Sound and Cartridge

The listing does not describe a cartridge because the Marantz AV8805A AV is not a turntable. Instead, it emphasizes multichannel audio processing with support for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X Pro, IMAX Enhanced, and Auro-3D. On paper, these formats allow for immersive home theater sound up to 7.2.6 or 9.2.4 speaker layouts. Audyssey MultEQ XT32 room correction is also listed, which typically improves speaker response in a room.

For vinyl playback, the only relevant detail is that the listing lists a turntable as a connectable device. It does not confirm a moving magnet or moving coil phono stage, nor does it publish cartridge loading options. Buyers who want to integrate a turntable should verify the phono input specifications separately, because the listing does not state them. Without a published phono preamp spec, we cannot evaluate the sound quality for vinyl sources.

The absence of cartridge and phono stage details means this product cannot be assessed as a record player. The high channel count and surround processing may be impressive for movies and gaming, but vinyl enthusiasts need more specific information. A dedicated turntable or external phono preamp would be a more straightforward choice for vinyl playback. The listing's focus on home theater sound does not translate to turntable performance.

Build, Platter and Tonearm

Since the Marantz AV8805A AV is an AV preamp, there is no platter or tonearm to evaluate. The listing does not provide physical build details such as chassis material, weight, or dimensions. Buyers looking for turntable build characteristics like platter mass or tonearm bearing type will not find them here. The product appears positioned as a premium component based on its price tier and feature set.

The listing focuses on processing features rather than physical build. Without published information, we cannot comment on the chassis rigidity, internal shielding, or component quality. The absence of platter and tonearm specifications is expected for a preamp, not a turntable. If build quality is a concern for a home theater processor, the listing does not provide enough detail to assess it.

Potential buyers should seek out additional documentation or user reports for physical construction details. Premium AV components often use robust enclosures, but the listing does not confirm any specifics. For turntable shoppers, the lack of a platter and tonearm means this product cannot fulfill the primary function of playing records. The build category score reflects the uncertainty around physical construction.

Features and Connectivity

The Marantz AV8805A AV is loaded with connectivity and processing features. The listing highlights 8 HDMI inputs and 3 outputs, including a dedicated 8K HDMI input. It supports HDMI upscaling with HDR10+, Dynamic HDR, VRR, ALLM, QFT, and QMS, which are relevant for modern gaming and video sources. These features make the unit suitable as a central hub for a high-end home theater.

Wireless streaming is a major focus, with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, and HEOS built in. The listing states support for Spotify, TuneIn, Deezer, Tidal, and other major music services. Voice control is available through Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Siri, and Josh.ai, allowing playback and smart home commands. The combination of wired and wireless options is extensive for a preamp.

Audyssey MultEQ XT32, Dynamic EQ, and LFC are listed as room correction and bass management features. These can improve overall sound in a room, but they are not specific to vinyl playback. The HDMI and streaming features are strong selling points for home theater users, but they do not compensate for the lack of turntable functionality.

• 13.2 channel pre-amplifier with 8K HDMI upscaling
• Dolby Atmos, DTS:X Pro, IMAX Enhanced, and Auro-3D support
• 8 HDMI inputs, 3 HDMI outputs, dedicated 8K input
• Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, and HEOS multi-room streaming
• Audyssey MultEQ XT32, Dynamic EQ, and LFC
• Voice control via Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.ai

Setup and Ease of Use

The listing does not provide a step-by-step setup guide, but the inclusion of Audyssey MultEQ XT32 suggests a microphone-based calibration process. However, the listing does not confirm whether a calibration microphone is included in the box. Buyers may need to rely on the HEOS app and on-screen menus for initial configuration. Setting up a 13.2 channel system is inherently more complex than a simple turntable.

For a unit with 13.2 channels and 8 HDMI inputs, setup complexity is likely higher than a simple turntable. The listing's mention of voice control and HEOS multi-room implies guided app-based configuration, but without in-person experience we cannot confirm the ease of use. Compared to a plug-and-play turntable, this AV preamp demands more system planning and wiring.

First-time home theater buyers may need professional installation. The absence of phono stage settings means vinyl setup is not clearly addressed. A typical turntable requires minimal setup by comparison, often just balancing the tonearm and setting tracking force. This product's setup difficulty is not directly comparable to turntable setup.

Speeds, Playback and Automation

Turntable speeds like 33 1/3 and 45 RPM are not applicable to the Marantz AV8805A AV because it does not spin records. The listing does not publish any playback speed specifications for vinyl. This is expected for an AV preamp, which processes audio and video signals rather than playing physical media. The only playback controls relate to digital streaming and HDMI sources.

Automation features on this product relate to home theater and streaming, not record playback. The listing mentions voice control for music playback and smart home devices, but there is no automatic tonearm lift or start/stop function. Vinyl automation is irrelevant here because the unit is not a turntable. Buyers seeking automatic turntable convenience should look at the Audio-Technica AT-LP60X or similar models.

The unit has no platter motor or speed control, so turntable speed accuracy cannot be evaluated. The speeds breakdown score is zero because the product cannot play records at any RPM. For AV sources, the unit handles video refresh rates and audio formats, but those are not turntable speeds. This section is necessarily empty for turntable-specific features.

Daily Use and Record Care

Daily use of the Marantz AV8805A AV would center on switching HDMI sources, streaming music, and adjusting surround modes. Record care is not a consideration because the product does not handle vinyl directly. If a turntable is connected, users would still manage record cleaning and stylus care on the turntable itself. The preamp would only receive the phono or line level signal.

The listing does not mention any phono stage settings, cartridge loading, or rumble filter, which are common in dedicated phono preamps. Buyers who plan to connect a turntable should treat this unit as a general-purpose AV hub, not a specialized phono stage. The absence of record care features is consistent with the product category. Vinyl enthusiasts would need separate phono preamp and record cleaning accessories.

Streaming and HDMI switching are the main daily interactions. The HEOS app likely allows control of multiple zones and sources, but the listing does not detail the user interface. For vinyl playback, daily use would still involve physically operating the turntable, which this product does not affect. The product is more suited to managing a complex home theater than to turntable maintenance.

Who Should Buy It

This product is best suited to home theater enthusiasts building a premium surround system with many speakers and 8K video sources. It is not a good fit for someone whose primary goal is listening to vinyl records. The listing's feature set targets movie fans, gamers, and multi-room audio users. Those who want a high channel count AV preamp will find the connectivity appealing.

Vinyl listeners who already own a turntable and also want a high-end AV preamp might consider this unit, but they should confirm phono input compatibility first. The listing mentions a turntable connection but does not provide enough detail for vinyl purists. Dedicated turntable buyers should look at models from Pro-Ject, U-Turn, or Audio-Technica instead. This product is overkill for a stereo vinyl setup.

The premium price tier means this product is for buyers with substantial home theater budgets. It is not a value-oriented choice for someone wanting a simple record player. The 13.2 channel processing and 8K HDMI features justify the price only if you will use them. Buyers who do not need such features would be better served by more focused audio components.

Alternatives Worth Considering

If your priority is a turntable rather than an AV preamp, several well-regarded models offer a more direct vinyl experience. The Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB provides manual operation with USB output, while the AT-LP60X is a popular fully automatic entry-level choice. Fluance RT81 and U-Turn Orbit are also commonly recommended for their build quality. These alternatives are more appropriate for playing records.

For those who need a phono preamp to connect an existing turntable to a receiver, standalone phono stages from Pro-Ject or Schiit may be simpler and more affordable than a full AV preamp. Standalone phono stages are compact and easy to set up. However, such products do not offer the surround processing and HDMI switching found in the Marantz AV8805A AV.

If you need both home theater and vinyl playback, verify the AV preamp's phono input before purchase. Some AV receivers include a dedicated phono stage, but the listing does not confirm this for the AV8805A. Alternatively, a separate phono preamp feeding an analog input on the AV8805A would work if an analog input is available. The listing mentions connecting a turntable, but not which input type to use. Research is needed before committing to this unit for vinyl integration.

Verdict

The Marantz AV8805A AV is a high-end AV preamp with extensive features for home theater and streaming. It is not a turntable, and this review cannot evaluate it as a record player. The listing clearly targets premium surround sound and 8K video systems, not vinyl playback. Buyers should not confuse this product with a turntable or an integrated phono stage.

For the right buyer, this product offers impressive flexibility with 13.2 channels, 8K HDMI, and multiple surround formats. For turntable shoppers, it is a mismatch. We cannot recommend it as a record player because it lacks any turntable specifications. The high price tier reflects its AV capabilities, not vinyl performance.

The score reflects the AV feature set rather than turntable performance. Speeds are zero because there is no record playback. If you are building a premium home theater, this unit may be a strong candidate, but verify phono input details separately. For anyone wanting to play records, choose a dedicated turntable. This product belongs in a home theater rack, not a vinyl listening room.

Strengths and Limitations

Alternatives to Consider

Denon AVR-A10H 13.4-Ch 8K

Home theater buyers seeking a high channel count 13.4 channel AV receiver with 8K video and HEOS streaming, not for vinyl playback.

Read the Denon AVR-A10H 13.4-Ch 8K review →

Sony STRAZ7000ES ES CH 8K A/V

Home theater buyers who need a high-channel-count A/V receiver and already own a separate turntable or plan to use an external phono preamp.

Read the Sony STRAZ7000ES ES CH 8K A/V review →

Marantz Cinema 30

Home theater buyers seeking a premium 11.4 channel AV receiver, not turntable shoppers.

Read the Marantz Cinema 30 review →

Questions Buyers Ask