I am currently LOVING my NAD T748 amp for my nearfield setup with my Aon 2's. I have now gotten a 4K TV and a new Xbox One X. Upgraded my video card as well. Tired switching everything all the time. Have all my video direct to my TV and my audio over to the NAD. So selling the NAD and looking strongly at the Marantz NR-1508.

Does anyone have any experience with the Marantz compared to NAD?

Am I making a sound quality mistake?

I put my Onkyo from downstairs up here earlier and the "listening quality" for non-surround when I am editing was severely degraded. It is a great surround bargain but for critical stereo listening, it just is not there.

I just want to get the best "bang for the buck" head unit that does 4K switching without losing sound quality.

Any experience or advice would be greatly appreciated. Or ideas for the $500 arena that has 4K.

If you do not think anything will match the NAD sound quality I will probably not sell it and just put up with the switching.

Roman

Hey Bro Roman,
Interesting questions here and I am sorry I certainly cannot help. I have not gone 4K yet. And honestly, if I were you, I would not depend much on what someone else thinks, I would try hard to audition what you might buy to replace the NAD.
Because, you have proved that your ears and hearing are great, you proved it to me when you said the sound quality dropped off a lot with the Onkyo. I would have bet the ranch on that. But that just means that you need to hear something better before you get rid of the NAD. And I am sure it is out there. Not so sure it is in the $500 range, but hope so. Not sure of the Marantz, although I like Marantz a lot, I have not heard that one and would GUESS you would be lucky if it is a lateral move, maybe not even as good sounding as the NAD. Have you heard it?
All the best in your search,
God Bless,
Wayne

The problem is.....when you audition a receiver like this....it would require having both close to do an A/B comparison as wherever you do the audition is not like where you have things set up at home. I am hoping for at least a fairly lateral move. I will talk to my GE dealer where I bought the NAD unit. I looked and now they do carry Marantz. They did not when I bought the speakers. Hummmmm. They also carry Integra...but isn't that just the upper offerings from Onkyo? Yep..gonna have to make a few phone calls. The person who is interested in my NAD might be disappointed when I tell them my head unit is no longer for sale...lol.

Hi, Roman

With more than a little trepidation about how consistent the NAD and Marantz “house sounds” remain among all their models (and how each relates to any particular listeners’s preference), here’s my experience with both brands.

I had a NAD T757 7 channel receiver, replaced it with a Marantz SR 7010 11 channel receiver, to convert to a 5.1.4 Atmos system plus separate 2 channnel zone 2.

Both receivers delivered very enjoyable sound, pretty neutral, not particularly colored. Pretty close sound wise. The Marantz sound is a TAD warmer, more musical, though not by much. And the Marantz, in my system, seems more willing to pass through full bass to full range speakers, though I believe in your system you have speakers set as small plus sub, so maybe a moot point.

So, brand vs brand, I did not find any big differences SQ wise switching from one to another. I. E. both do a great job with GEt speakers.

A suggestion, if you can do it, get the Marantz on a 30 day trial period and hold off selling the NAD until you decide whether to keep the Marantz, as YMMV.

Good luck!

Rick

My system is centered with a Marantz 1605. A unit very similar to the 1508. I have Aon 3s in the front in my 5.1 setup. The Marantz produces wonderfully warm music that shine thru the Aons. I was a bit worried that the 50 watts produced by the Marantz would not be enough, My worry was unfounded. My feeling is that if you get the 1508 you will be very pleased with both its surround sound AND music capabilities. Also your switching days will be behind you for the better.

I hear ya Bro Roman, your NAD may be impossible to beat, or not, I don't know.
I totally agree with you about the Integra, would stay away.
But there are some good suggestions here. Especially what Bro Rick said, as always he is the sensible guy in the room.
IF you can buy that Marantz on a 30 day return deal, so you can compare at your place, that would be the best.
I have always liked Marantz and I agree with others here about the slightly warm sound. I have always enjoyed that compared to a bright, edgy sound.
Hope it works out very well for you, please let us know what you decide and how it sounds.
God Bless,
Wayne