Another important development of this new series of equipment, the name Cinema present within the references of the products. This should be seen as the desire of the Californian firm Masimo, new owner of Sound United (Bowers & Wilkins, Definitive Technology, Denon, Marantz, Polk Audio) since February, to position the Marantz brand on the premium Home Cinema market, in addition to that of the Hi-Fi.
Marantz Cinema 70s, main developments
The Marantz Cinema 70s is the worthy successor to the Marantz NR1711. Silm model (hence the "s" in the reference), it of course benefits from all the specifications of the NR1711. In terms of developments, we note a pre-amplifier mode on all channels with the addition of a Pre-Out 7.2 output (thanks to the space freed up by the disappearance of the YUV and Composite inputs/outputs) and the presence of three HDMI 2.1 inputs (against only one on the NR1711). Plus an OSD, 1080p color (not 480p). A lot of information is now available on the screen, in particular on the nature of the input signals and those of the output with, for example, the really active channels.
Marantz Cinema 70s, main specs
For the rest, we find the management of HDR10, HDR10+, HDR HLG and HDR Dolby Vision technologies, an 8K UHD upscaling up to 60 Hz and the possibility of applying the audio processing available on a Dolby signal, for example switching on DTS Virtual:X on a Dolby Digital 5.1 signal.
To come back to the HDMI 2.1 input/output, these support all the features of the standard: VRR, ALLM, eARC, QMS, QFT, Ultra HD 4K 120 fps up to Upscaling in Ultra HD 8K 60 Hz (see our news HDMI 2.1 standard, official additions welcome, technical and ergonomic).
Marantz Cinema 70s, Main Specifications Suite
For the rest, the Marantz Cinema 70s still has seven channels of amplification, compatibility with Dolby Atmos 3D audio processing, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization (to simulate height speakers in the absence of these), DTS :X and DTS Virtual:X (to simulate the height speakers in case of absence of these), without forgetting a more successful OSD.
Plus the availability of the Bluetooth TX function to broadcast the audio signal to suitable headphones in addition to the speakers. It is thus possible to enjoy your music on the speakers in the living room but also in the kitchen or the bedroom via wireless headphones.
Marantz Cinema 70s, Heos multiroom function and connectivity
For the rest, we find on this 7.2 Slim model the functions Works with Hey Google, Works with Alexa and the Siri assistant. Ditto for the Heos multiroom functionality. This amplifier can therefore easily be transformed into a link in a larger audio chain with real Heos HS2 speakers, to add sound to a home.
As far as the equipment is concerned, there is also the display of signal or volume information superimposed on an Ultra HD/4K stream, the Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoders. Precision, the Marantz Cinema 70s is certified Roon Tested.
Specifications, continued…
We also note the Bluetooth and dual-band Wi-Fi compatibility (2.4 GHz/5 GHz), the Spotify Connect function in addition to access to the Tidal and Deezer streaming services.
Otherwise, the Marantz Cinema 70s is a Class A/B model with 7 x 100 W RMS (into 6 ohms) / 7 x 50 W RMS (into 8 ohms) power and capacitors with a capacity of 13,600 microfarads. There is a UPnP (DLNA) audio/photo gateway function associated with access to TuneIn web radios, AirPlay 2 certification, a front USB Host port and the possibility of controlling the Marantz Cinema 70s with an Android/iOS smartphone/tablet, after downloading a specific application called Marantz AVR App for free. We still note the Gapless function and MP3, WMA, AAC, Flac, Alac and Wav compatibility (up to 192 kHz/24 bits). Similarly, support for DSD 2.8/5.6 MHz formats and 4 ohm speakers are included.
Also present, Audyssey MultEQ, Audyssey Dynamic Volume and Audyssey Dynamic EQ processing, 192 kHz/24-bit converters and a Source Direct mode. Plus MDAX2 processing to improve rendering of compressed music and an FM tuner.
Marantz Cinema 70s, larigot connectors
The connection therefore has six HDCP 2.3 certified HDMI CEC inputs including three 2.0b and, as already mentioned, three 2.1 plus an output transparent to Deep Color, xvYCC, 1080p/24 and 3D signals, Ultra HD 4K or 8K. There are also three RCA stereos, one Phono, one coaxial, one optical, a Pre-Out 2.0 output (zone 2), the Pre-Out 7.2 output already mentioned, and two subwoofer outputs. Plus seven pairs of screw terminals and a USB Host port (front) and another Ethernet.
Availability, in black or silver finish, in December. Indicative price: 999 euros.
Reminder of the key characteristics of the Marantz Cinema 70s:
• Model: 7.2
• Power: 7 x 100 W at 6 ohms, 7 x 50 W at 8 ohms
• THD ( total harmonic distortion): 0.08% (2 ch load)
• Inputs: 7 HDMI CEC (3 2.0b connectors, 3 2.1 connectors), 3 stereo RCA, 1 Phono, 1 coaxial, 1 optical], 1 USB Host port (front) and 1 Ethernet port
• Outputs: 1 HDMI 2.1 output (eARC function), 1 Pre-Out 7.2 output, 1 stereo RCA 2 zone, 2 subwoofer outputs, 1 headphone output , 7 pairs of screw terminal blocks
• OSD functions
• UPnP (DLNA) audio gateway functions
• ALLM functions
• VRR functions
• QFT functions
• QMS functions
• 4K/120 fps Ultra HD functions
• 8K/60 fps Ultra HD functions
• Flac HD compatibility
• DSD 2.8 compatibility/ 5.6 MHz
• Wav compatibility
• AirPlay 2 compatibility
• Alac compatibility
• MP3 compatibility
• WMA compatibility
• AAC compatibility
• Audio DTS:X• Au dio Dolby Atmos 5.2.2
• Audio Dolby Atmos Height Virtualizer function
• Audio DTS Virtual:X
• Audio eARC function
• Audio Audyssey Dynamic Volume Processing
• Audio Audyssey Dynamic EQ processing
• Audio Audyssey MultEQ XT auto calibration
• HDR10 video
• HDR HLG video
• Dolby Vision HDR video
• Video BT.2020 compatibility
• Video Ultra HD Pass-Trought Function
• 3D Ready Video
• HDR10+ Video
• Video Ultra HD/8K Upscaling Function (24/25/30/60)
• Video Upscaling function Ultra HD/4K (24/25/30/60/120)
• Network Control by IP
• Dual Band Wi-Fi network (2.4/5 GHz)
• Bluetooth TX network
• Google Assistant multimedia
• Amazon Alexa multimedia
• Apple Siri multimedia
• Hi-Res Audio streaming via USB/network: yes
• Web radio: TuneIn• Hi-Res Audio certification
• HDCP 2.3 certification
• Headphone output: yes
• Other(s): integrated Heos multiroom module
• Dimensions (W x H x D, mm) : 442 x 372 x 178 mm (Wi-Fi antennas extended)
• Consumption: 250 W (0.2 W in standby)
• Weight: 8.7 kg