cnet.co/13pTSEZ The Marantz NR1403 is slim, handsome AV receiver with excellent sound and plenty of HDMI connectivity, although it lacks built-in networking.
My friend bought this unit, and told me that it was the best purchase he made on a receiver. I ended up buying the newer Marantz 1605, because of the built in Airplay and Bluetooth. Well, the Marantz pretty much blew away my old thousand dollar Yamaha and Denon receivers. Marantz has a hit in their hands with this little guy! :)
I got one of these recently factory refurbished as well. Was looking for a smaller receiver about this size instead of the big bulky ones you usually find. Paid about $250 for mine, it looks and feels completely brand new, and it sounds incredible. Super impressed.
A 50 wpc of a Marantz is the equivalent of an 80-100 wpc of a Denon, Onkyo, Sony or Yammy. Marantz is that good. They look good too. Not too boxy like the traditional ones.
Yeah, white plastic earbuds and $99 all in one systems from Best Buy are definitely the future for the way we will listen to music or enjoy our movies, who the hell would want quality powerful gear that makes your media sound and feel as if you were there anyway? that would require an AV receiver, not in my house! I'll take a cute all in one that sounds like crap but blends with my IKEA decor and pay Geek Squad to set it up since I know nothing about audio systems!
