As with the Marantz Cinema 70s, the most notable change in the Marantz Cinema 60 DAB (the replacement for the Marantz SR5015) concerns the superb new design introduced on the manufacturer's audiophile products, the Marantz Model 40n network player, the Marantz CD 60 audio CD or the Marantz SACD 30n player. 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 60 DAB, main developments
The Marantz Cinema 60 DAB is therefore the worthy successor to the Marantz SR5015. Of course, it benefits of course from all the specifications of the latter, but in addition to its new aesthetics, it also has some notable new features, the first of which is an OSD, 1080p color (and 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 channels actually active. We also note the presence of three HDMI 2.1 inputs (against only one on the SR5015).
Marantz Cinema 70s, main specs
We still notice a pre-amplifier mode on all channels with a 7.2 Pre-Out output, management of HDR10, HDR10+, HDR HLG and HDR Dolby Vision technologies, 8K UHD Upscaling up to 60 Hz and possibility of applying the available audio processing to a Dolby signal, for example triggering DTS Virtual:X on a Dolby Digital 5.1 signal. As its reference indicates, the Marantz Cinema 60 DAB also features a DAB+ tuner, in addition to an FM tuner.
To come back to the HDMI 2.1 inputs/outputs, these support all the features of the standard: VRR, ALLM, eARC, QMS, QFT, Ultra HD 4K 120 fps up to Ultra HD Upscaling 8K 60 Hz (see our news HDMI 2.1 standard, official additions welcome, technical and ergonomic).
Marantz Cinema 60 DAB, the following of the main specifications
For the rest, the Marantz Cinema 60 DAB still has seven amplification channels, HDAM pre-amplification stages (Curent Feedback type circuit) specially developed by the late Ken Ichiwata, former brand ambassador, compatibility with 3D audio processing Dolby Atmos, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization (to simulate the height speakers in the absence of these), DTS:X and DTS Virtual:X (to simulate the height speakers in the absence of these) this). Still at the equipment level, there is the display of signal or volume information superimposed on an Ultra HD/4K stream. Precision, the Marantz Cinema 70s is certified Roon Tested.
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 60 DAB, 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.
Marantz Cinema DAB-60, loose specs…
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 60 DAB is a Class A/B model with 7 x 140 W RMS (into 6 ohms) / 7 x 100 W RMS (into 8 ohms) power. 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 60 DAB 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, an automatic calibration of the system by Audyssey MultEQ XT microphone. Not to mention 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 DAB-60, 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 two outputs transparent to Deep Color, xvYCC, 1080p/24 and 3D, Ultra HD or 4K signals . There are also five RCA stereos, one Phono, two coaxial, two optical, a Pre-Out 2.0 output (zone 2), a Pre-Out 7.2 output, 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 October. Indicative price: 1,399 euros.
Reminder of the key characteristics of the Marantz Cinema 60 DAB:
• Model: 7.2
• Power: 7 x 140 W at 6 ohms, 7 x 100 W at 8 ohms
• THD (total harmonic distortion): 0.08%
• Inputs: 6 HDMI CEC including three 2.1, 5 stereo RCA, 1 Phono, 2 coaxial, 2 optical, 1 USB Host port (front) and 1 Ethernet port
• Outputs: 2 HDMI outputs (eARC function), 1 zone 2 stereo RCA, 1 Pre-Out 7.1, 2 subwoofers, 1 RS-232, 7 pairs of screw terminal blocks
• OSD functions
• UPnP (DLNA) audio gateway functions
• ALLM functions
• VRR functions
• QFT functions
• QMS functions
• Ultra HD 4K/120 im functions /s
• Ultra HD 8K/60 fps functions
• Flac HD compatibility
• DSD 2.8/5.6 MHz compatibility
• Wav compatibility
• AirPlay 2 compatibility
• Alac compatibility
• MP3 compatibility
• WMA compatibility
• AAC compatibility
• DTS:X audio
• Dolby Atmos 5.2 audio .2
• Audio Dolby Atmos Heigh function t Virtualizer
• Audio DTS Virtual:X
• Audio eARC function
• Audio Audyssey Dynamic Volume Processing
• Audio Audyssey Dynamic EQ Processing
• Audio Audyssey MultEQ Auto Calibration XT
• Video HDR10
• Video HDR HLG
• Video HDR Dolby Vision
• Video BT.2020 compatibility
• Video Ultra HD Pass-Trought function
• Video 3D Ready• Video HDR10+
• Video Upscaling Function Ultra HD/8K (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
• Heos Application network
• Hi-Res Audio streaming via USB/network: yes
• Web radio(s): TuneIn
• Hi-Res Audio certification
• HDCP 2.3 certification
• DAB+ tuner
• Works with Alexa certification
• AM/FM tuner
• Works with Google Assistant certification
• Works with Apple Airplay certification
• Roon Tested
• Other(s): Heos in multiroom module integrated• Dimensions (W x H x D, mm): 442 x 354 x 235 mm (Wi-Fi antennas deployed)
• Consumption: 650 W (0.2 W in standby)
• Weight: 10.9 kg