What are your opinions on the 9200, released yet? I read Dec 17th.

How is the construction different between the 9200 and Pro?

Where do you recommend getting the 9200, if you recommend it? Can you get it w/o the RF?

Some other notes/questions:

9200
----
320x240, 256 color, full area customization
8MB, 512k SRAM
flash
6 extra buttons + mult. directional, 14 direct access
release date of dec 17th
menu transport button alias issues
f: mult. jumps, no clock

Pro
---
bug: delay in hard button presses
f: timers/beeps, clock, tilt sensor
new base and charger?
macro timing issues?
RF from home page issue?

Both are 240x320; the ProntoPro has 240x219 free, the RC9200 has 240x270.

On the Pro: there is no "RF from home page issue". You just need to use aliases. This is by design.

What are "delay in hard button presses" and "macro timing issues"? I don't think I have heard of these before.

Mark,

The 9200 is supposed to have the tilt sensor according to Marantz's web page -- so was the 5200 (it doesn't)so we'll have to wait and see. It's not available w/o RF. All this is according to Marantz. I don't think anyones seen one yet.

Jim L

Is there a place that I can see one of these? Is there a web site with pictures, specs?

jw,

Look at Daniels 29 November news item (RCEdit). You can also go to Marantz.com, they have a downloadable spec/fact sheet, or just download RCEdit, load a color ccf (not Daniels unless you first delete the galaxy game) and use the emulator.

Jim L

Doubt strongly that the 9200 will have the tilt sensor when the 5200 doesn't. Hope the programmers are listening, re the autolight turnon feature.....But that is doubtful indeed. In order to correct the autoturnon feature, it is likely that BOTH a firmware and a software change would be needed. That is asking alot from a company who hasn't even been able to honor what they post on their own site (ie listing the autoturnon feature in their posted specs, listing that and the clock in the instruction manual, posting a notice on the site of "mid December availability of an upgrade, etc.)

This message was edited by drhb on 12/23/01 09:36.27.

This unit looks really nice. The screen is almost edge to edge and the construction LOOK more sturdy.

Does anyone know what this thing will cost on the street? Not MSRP, that is meaningless.

jw,

It will more than likely sell for closer to it's MSRP ($1299) than the Pro does. Marantz claims (I e-mailed them) that they will not provide warantee service unless you purchased from an authorized dealer. Authorized dealers sell at MSRP. I tend to doubt this claim for several reasons:

1) According to what I've been able to find out about what the warantee card actually says, there seems to be no provision which requires purchase from an authorized dealer. Any limitations, terms, or conditions are required to be listed on the warantee as a matter of federal law.

2) I know many people here have purchased Marantz units from "unauthorized sources". I've never seen any complaints on this board talking about having warantee service denied.

3) I wrote a second e-mail to Marantz customer service inquiring what language on the warantee required me to purchase from an authorized dealer as a condition of warantee service (whew -- long sentence, my English teacher would be ashamed). I got no response, it's been 3 weeks. Tends to make you wonder if it's a question they don't want to answer.

If anyone has any 1st hand knowledge concerning Marantz and warantee issues along this line -- I'd love to hear about it.

Jim L

Jim, I completely agree with you,I too saw no language indicating that the warranty will not be honored. I wonder if such a provision would be legal anyway? Just my opinion...

Harris,

Yeah, it is legal. Acoustic Research has such a provision on their speaker warantee. Other companies do this as well. It's legal, just has to be spelled out, otherwise they could change the terms on a daily basis.

Jim L

Jim, point taken. I still do not see anything in their warranty which has this exclusion in it, as you also had pointed out, so it is probably safe I would guess.

Jim

Denon also has this kind of language. Philips doesn't.

What surprised me when I tried to refer people inquiring about the RC5200 & RC9200 to a dealer that I respect and believe runs his business with the same integrity that I run mine, is that the dealer checked with Marantz and was told his authorization would be pulled if he sold outside his "territory".

So, I completely agree with your assessment that the same deep discounts will not be available on the "9200" that can be had on the Pro.

I don't see how Marantz can legally control where an authorized dealer sells to once the authorized dealer takes title to the stock, and I do wish the Marantz dealers would challenge that kind of control, but I guess it would realistically not happen.

If I was selling Marantz myself, perhaps my "tune" would change as the control certainly would go a long way to increasing margins vs the thin return I get on the Philips products.

-Bruce
alpha2data
on eBay

Bruce,

Yes, I was aware that Philips doesn't use that language, although about a year ago the rumor was they were kicking the idea around. Acoustic Research, Denon, and a whole passel of hi-end equipment manufacters do use the language (Lexicon etc. etc.).

Not at all suprized (I think I know which dealer you mean).

I believe, but I'm no lawyer, that this is legally controlled through agreements with both distributors and retailers. For instance, in most cases Ford's agreement with a dealership would preclude that dealership from selling Chevys. Not exactly the same thing but if both parties agree to the limitations it's legal.

Here's what happens with many companies that require you to buy from an authorized dealer for warantee service. They have an agreement with the distributor to only sell to authorized dealers. They don't, however, enforce or even police this agreement. The distributor sells to whoever has the cash. If you buy from an unauthorized source you can be denied warantee service (the company saves a few bucks on warantee repairs). The company can still look their authorized dealers in the eye and say they're protecting them from internet sales. The bottom line is the consumer and the authorized dealer get screwed. The consumer has no warantee and the dealer is screwed because the company does not really discourage unauthorized sales (bad for bottom line) and may even encourage them (lets them sell product w/o a warantee). Typically, (Acoustic Research is a prime example) you can go the web site and there is absolutely no mention of this warantee policy. You can also buy AR speakers at hundreds of places on the net at discounts approaching 50%. You'll only find out you've been had if you read the warantee card carefully or if you try to submit a warantee claim.

Sorry, to go on and on, I'm really not the consumer advocate type. I don't believe you need stickers on step ladders warning you not to stand on the top step. I also think Ralph Nader is a jerk. If anybody has sucessfully gotten warantee service out of Marantz after having purchased from an unauthorized dealer, I'd still like to know about it.

Jim L

I'm surprised anything like that is legal in the U.S. which is supposed to be the strongest in consumer protection and anti-trust laws.

In Australia, we've had trade practices legislation for around 30 years that makes anything like that illegal. Manufacturers cannot dictate the price that goods are sold for (they can only have a recommended price). Warranty is valid regardless of whether the retailer is authorised or not (provided it is new). The minimum legal warranty is usually adequate, though often manufacturers extend the time period.

In the example in the previous post, it is very common here for car dealers to sell different brands. The big companies cannot stop that.