When it comes to the debate over the Marantz 8805 vs 8805A, it is fleeting to see why there’s such uproar over two powerful AV receivers.
Upon evaluating the Marantz 8805 vs 8805A battles, the 8805A comes equipped with updates in several areas, the ability to play 8k media and is smaller than its predecessor.
There’s no real loss in owning either AV receiver with both devices being leaders in their sector but the debate over the 8k upgrade has enthusiasts questioning the necessity of it.
Is this full-scale upgrade in media support a true deal-breaker? Let’s find out as we unpack the issues that have arisen in the Marantz 8805 vs 8805A debate.
Setting the standard
Let’s rewind the clock to when Marantz first unveiled the 8805 in 2018. During its initial release, the 8805 was a game-changer in the receiver market.
Being the first home AV receiver to process 13 channels at once, it stood out from its competitors. On top of that, it could also support 15 output channels for various supporting peripherals.
It was also loaded with every latest upgrade possible including Dolby Atmos sound processors and 32-bit audio conversion to offer clear, crisp sound without any effort whatsoever.
All this alongside Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and 4k UHD support meant that this was a must-have device for any home theater enthusiast.
The unnecessary upgrade?
In 2021, the Marantz 8805 was still one of the strongest theater receivers in the market. However, that all changed in May of that year when an updated version was announced – the 8805A.
The main selling point of the Marantz 8805A was that this was a receiver that could support 8k media – the latest upgrade in media definition. Surely, nothing to sniff that?
Yet – 8k is still in its infancy when it comes to what content is out there. That’s because only top-end TVs and cameras run the footage with major TV providers only perhaps having one channel that supports this platform.
It is slowly becoming more common especially with the Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X running games in 8k as they are released for the platform.
That wasn’t the only upgrade though. The 8805A was lighter and slimmer than its older brother and come with upgrades in several drivers and connectivity platforms.
The Marantz 8805 vs 8805A : Side by side
When it comes to a direct comparison, there isn’t much difference between either platform. Both Marantz receivers can still run 13 channels at once and come with Dolby Atmos sound support.
They also have a wide range of different wireless connections such as Wi-Fi & Bluetooth all included allowing for easy support to any external device.
The https://www.marantz.com/en-us/product/av-separates/av8805a8805A does come with better image quality. This isn’t just through the 8K support but also provides Quick Media Switching allowing for a stable picture and eliminating the risk of blackout.
There’s also the ability for 4k content to be boosted to 8k allowing for most modern content to be viewed in that same breadth of quality.
Debunking the marantz 8805 vs 8805a debate
There’s always going to be some contention when an upgraded model is released when the previous one still performs to the highest standard possible.
However, in the release of the 8805A, Marantz has given a brief glimpse into how AV receivers can perform well supporting the latest technology out there.
The jump to 8k may raise some questions however media enthusiasts would benefit from having either Marantz device as their AV hub. It’s why there’s no real edge to the controversy surrounding the Marantz 8805 vs 8805A debacle.