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Another Old Guy Stumped by Technology: Marantz NR 1603

I

IamSpartacus

Member
Hi guys... Not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I need some Marantz advice.....and this Marantz was made primarily for home theatre.... I'll add.. I made another post asking about buying this a few weeks ago.. I was gonna delete that one and couldn't figure out how so I apologize for making two posts .. I'm prepared for a stern rebuke from the site administrator .

Just moved into a new home in TN and am currently setting up my workshop which will need music... Found a killer deal on a Marantz NR 1603... Not exactly what I needed, but the price was too good to turn down.. $100 and it looks like new... I bought it for one and only one purpose... To hook up an Echo Input so I can ask Alexa play whatever I want... On any other amp, this would be a 5 minute set-up, but that hasn't been the case.. This Marantz is the most complicated piece of equipment (outside of the Hubble telescope) I've ever seen..

First.. I'm old as dirt and even though I've set up 100 stereo systems through the years, I can't grasp new technology like I once could.. I've got everything wired and inserted into the right holes... and when I ask Alexa something, she flashes her light as if she's responding, but I'm getting no sound... In my formerly esteemed opinion, there are two possibilities... 1. The wi-fi signal Alexa feeds off of is inadequate being so far from the source which is 4-5 walls away.... or 2. There's a setting on the amp that I'm not choosing that will allow her to speak....

I've got Alexa plugged into the CD port. The Marantz is turned to CD and stereo. The speakers are wired flawlessly...I'll add, we set up this Echo device ( Alexa) in another room and she spoke with us on another amp so the wif-fi recognizes her unit ... Before I spend another $100 on a wi-fi signal booster, ... I still think this Marantz is the problem and I'm too dense to figure it out... so here I am.... Just a boy... standing in front of some hi-fi guys.. asking for some help...

Any sage advice to be had here?
 

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Maybe the Alexa is on the lowest volume setting / muted? Did you try "Alexa volume 10" or "Alexa louder" a few times?

Also try unplugging the audio cable from the Amazon device to the receiver and see if the device makes sound via its built in speaker. If it does it's likely a cable problem or setup issue on the receiver.
 
zzzzz said:
Maybe the Alexa is on the lowest volume setting / muted? Did you try "Alexa volume 10" or "Alexa louder" a few times?

Also try unplugging the audio cable from the Amazon device to the receiver and see if the device makes sound via its built in speaker. If it does it's likely a cable problem or setup issue on the receiver.
Click to expand...
I see you've used one before.... Yes... I ALWAYS start out with.. "Alexa... Volume # 8 or 9"" and always get the beep... except for now..


Yes.. I tried unplugging it and plugging back in.. No sound from the 100% brand new cables... I have another pair just like it in my sound room...
 
Swokie63 said:
Have you tried a different source in the cd input, did it make sound.?
Click to expand...
I have not and I'm not even sure how to do that other than bringing my real CD player from the house into the shop and plug that in... A major hassle, but doable... Actually spoke with a Marantz rep earlier and he suggested the same thing...
 
IamSpartacus said:
Hi guys... Not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I need some Marantz advice.....and this Marantz was made primarily for home theatre.... I'll add.. I made another post asking about buying this a few weeks ago.. I was gonna delete that one and couldn't figure out how so I apologize for making two posts .. I'm prepared for a stern rebuke from the site administrator .

Just moved into a new home in TN and am currently setting up my workshop which will need music... Found a killer deal on a Marantz NR 1603... Not exactly what I needed, but the price was too good to turn down.. $100 and it looks like new... I bought it for one and only one purpose... To hook up an Echo Input so I can ask Alexa play whatever I want... On any other amp, this would be a 5 minute set-up, but that hasn't been the case.. This Marantz is the most complicated piece of equipment (outside of the Hubble telescope) I've ever seen..

First.. I'm old as dirt and even though I've set up 100 stereo systems through the years, I can't grasp new technology like I once could.. I've got everything wired and inserted into the right holes... and when I ask Alexa something, she flashes her light as if she's responding, but I'm getting no sound... In my formerly esteemed opinion, there are two possibilities... 1. The wi-fi signal Alexa feeds off of is inadequate being so far from the source which is 4-5 walls away.... or 2. There's a setting on the amp that I'm not choosing that will allow her to speak....

I've got Alexa plugged into the CD port. The Marantz is turned to CD and stereo. The speakers are wired flawlessly...I'll add, we set up this Echo device ( Alexa) in another room and she spoke with us on another amp so the wif-fi recognizes her unit ... Before I spend another $100 on a wi-fi signal booster, ... I still think this Marantz is the problem and I'm too dense to figure it out... so here I am.... Just a boy... standing in front of some hi-fi guys.. asking for some help...

Any sage advice to be had here?
Click to expand...
You could try to touch one of the pins on the connector going to the Alexa with the amplifier turned on and the volume way up. You should hear a hum or noise. If you do, the problem is with the Alexa.
 
UPDATE 10/8:

... Just spent some time with a Marantz tech guy (who seemed VERY competent..) and after at least 15 minutes he came to the conclusion that the amp is not recognizing the speakers (and it should) and it needs to be looked at and possibly repaired.. He said the set-up feature should have identified the speakers but couldn't. He was able to produce a white noise from the amp ... He said there was NOTHING I can do it make it work... I'm taking the amp back to the previous owner... Live and learn... Thanks everyone for the brainstorming...
 
IamSpartacus said:
UPDATE 10/8:

... Just spent some time with a Marantz tech guy (who seemed VERY competent..) and after at least 15 minutes he came to the conclusion that the amp is not recognizing the speakers (and it should) and it needs to be looked at and possibly repaired.. He said the set-up feature should have identified the speakers but couldn't. He was able to produce a white noise from the amp ... He said there was NOTHING I can do it make it work... I'm taking the amp back to the previous owner... Live and learn... Thanks everyone for the brainstorming...
Click to expand...
Thank you for the follow-up.
 
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