Marantz Cinema 40: 9.4, Ultra HD 8K, Dirac Live, Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Heos multiroom, Auro 3D, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, HDR Dolby Vision…

As with the Marantz Cinema 70s, Cinema 60 DAB and Cinema 50, the most notable change about the Marantz Cinema 40 (the replacement for the Marantz SR7015) is the stunning new design introduced on the manufacturer's audiophile products, the Marantz Model network player 40n, the Marantz CD 60 audio CD player 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 50, main developments

The Marantz Cinema 40 is therefore the worthy successor to the Marantz SR7015. Of course, it benefits from all of the latter's specifications, but in addition to its new aesthetics, it also has some notable new features, first and foremost 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. And compared to the Cinema 50, we notice the presence of a display in addition to the transport buttons behind the front hatch to use the amplifier without the remote control, slightly increased power with a seventh HDMI input, all of obedience 2.1 ( against only one on the SR7015). Likewise, the Dirac Live calibration process is planned via an upcoming Firmware update and it is now possible to connect up to four subwoofers via as many independent outputs.

Marantz Cinema 40, main specs

We still notice a pre-amplifier mode on all channels with an 11.4 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. Finally the Auro 3D decoding always responds.

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 40, the sequel to the main specifications

For the rest, like the SR7015, the Marantz Cinema 40 still has nine channels of amplification, HDAM pre-amplification stages (Curent Feedback type circuit) specially developed by the late Ken Ichiwata, the former ambassador of the brand, compatibility with Dolby Atmos 3D audio processing, 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). 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 40 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 40, Heos multiroom function and connectivity

For the rest, we find on this 9.4 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 40, 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, like the SR7015, the Marantz Cinema 40 is a Class A/B model with 9 x 165 W RMS (into 6 ohms) / 9 x 125 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 40 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, the management of DSD 2.8 / 5.6 MHz formats and 4 ohm speakers are included. Ditto for the third HDMI output (allowing you to enjoy a source different from that assigned to the main room in another room) and Imax Enhanced compatibility.

Also present, an automatic calibration of the system by Audyssey MultEQ XT 32 microphone. Not to mention Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ and Audyssey LFC processing, 192 kHz/24-bit converters and a Source mode Direct. Plus MDAX2 processing to improve rendering of compressed music.

Marantz Cinema 40, larigot connectors

The connection therefore has seven certified HDMI 2.1 CEC inputs, plus three outputs transparent to Deep Color, xvYCC, 1080p/24 and 3D, Ultra HD or 4K signals. In addition, there are two Composite, one YUV, five stereo RCA, one Phono, two coaxial, two optical, two Pre-Out 2.0 outputs (zone 2 and zone 3), the Pre-Out 11.4 output already mentioned, and four subwoofer outputs bass. Plus eleven pairs of screw terminals and a USB Host port (front) and another Ethernet.

Available, in black or silver finish, in March 2023. Indicative price: 2,799 euros.

Reminder of the key characteristics of the Marantz Cinema 40:

• Model: 9.4

• Power: 9 x 165 W at 6 ohms, 9 x 125 W at 8 ohms

• THD ( total harmonic distortion): 0.08%

• Inputs: 7 HDMI 2.1 CEC, 2 Composite, 1 YUV, 5 stereo RCA (including one on the front), 1 Phono, 2 coaxial, 2 optical, 1 USB Host port (front) and 1 Ethernet port

• Outputs: 3 HDMI outputs (eARC function), 1 stereo RCA 2 zone, 1 stereo RCA 3 zone, 1 Pre-Out 11.4, 1 RS-232, 11 pairs of terminal blocks

• OSD functions

• UPnP (DLNA) audio gateway functions

• ALLM functions

• VRR functions

• QFT functions

• QMS functions

• Spotify Connect functions

• Flac HD compatibility

• DSD 2.8/5.6 MHz compatibility

• Wav compatibility

• Alac compatibility

• MP3 compatibility

• WMA compatibility

• AAC compatibility

• DTS audio:X

• Audio Dolby Atmos Height Virtualizer function

• DTS Virtual audio:X

• Audio Function eARC

• Au dio Dirac Live Calibration

• Audio Audyssey Dynamic Volume Processing

• Audio Audyssey Dynamic EQ Processing

• Audio Audyssey MultEQ XT 32 Auto Calibration

• Audio Audyssey LFC Processing

• Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 audio with the addition of an external stereo amplifier

• DTS:X 11.1 audio

• Auro 3D audio

• HDR10 video

• HDR HLG video

• Dolby Vision HDR video

• BT.2020 compatibility video

• Video Ultra HD Pass-Trought function

• 3D Ready video

• HDR10+ video

• 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)

• AirPlay 2 compatibility

• Bluetooth TX network

• Heos Application network

• Multimedia Works with Hey Google

• Multimedia Works with Alexa

• Multimedia Amazon Multiroom Music

• Multimedia Roon Tested

• Hi-Res Audio streaming via USB/network: yes

• Web radio( Stun eIn

• Hi-Res Audio certification

• HDCP 2.3 certification

• Other(s): integrated Heos multiroom module

• Dimensions (W x H x D, mm): 440 x 414 x 254 mm (Wi-Fi antennas deployed)

• Consumption: 710 W (0.2 W in standby)

• Weight: 15.1 kg