Marantz receivers: five new models to hit the market

Marantz new home cinema receivers include HEOS wireless multi-room audio technology

You can explore and play music from your own music library, from online streaming music services and from thousands of Internet radio stations using the free HEOS app for smartphones and tablets, with high resolution audio fully supported.

The NR1508 (£500) also features Bluetooth and AirPlay compatibility to stream music directly from any compatible device. For high resolution surround from your favourite movie soundtracks the NR1508 is equipped with 32bit DSP processing supporting all the major sound formats, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. Its power amplifier section features high current discrete power transistors and identical circuit topology for all 5 channels, and is compatible with low impedance 4 Ohm speakers.

The video section features six HDMI inputs (including one on the front panel), with full compatibility with the latest 4K Ultra HD video specification, including 60Hz full rate content, 4:4:4 Pure Color sub-sampling, BT.2020, HDR and Dolby Vision compatibility. It’s also HDCP 2.2 compliant, for 4K Ultra HD copy-protected content. HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) pass-through for future HDR broadcast content will be supported via a firmware update. Like the HEOS app, the Marantz 2016 AVR Remote control app is available free for Android and iOS from the Apple app store, Google Play and the Amazon appstore.

The NR1608 (£600) offers high current discrete power amplifiers on all seven channels with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X decoders. It’s fully compatible with the latest HDMI and HDCP 2.2 specifications on all eight HDMI inputs, and will pass all the latest video formats – 4K 60Hz video, 4:4:4 Pure Color sub-sampling, BT.2020, HDR and Dolby Vision – from Blu-ray players, set-top boxes, games consoles and streamed/download 4K Ultra HD content to an Ultra HD TV or projector. For future HDR broadcast content, HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) pass-through will also be supported via a firmware update.

Bluetooth and AirPlay can stream music directly from portable devices, while HEOS wireless multi-room music integration allows the NR1608 to become part of a home-wide music system. The full-size receivers are the SR6012 (£1,100) at 185W and SR7012 (£1,500) at 200W. These are 9-channel designs offering eight HDMI 2.0 inputs. Both support Dolby Atmos up to 7.1.4 configuration with Wi-Fi/streaming, a 32bit DAC, Dolby Vision and HLG. Both offer 4K 60Hz HDCP2.2, 11.2-channel processing on board and feature integrated Tidal, Deezer and wireless multiroom capability. Finally, the SR7704 (£1,900) resembles the SR7012 and adds  XLR outputs to the RCAs. More details to follow.