To make a long story short, the Marantz Stereo 70s imprints most of its specifications on the Marantz Cinema 70s, modulo a few major differences, first and foremost the presence of only two amplification channels and not seven, a slightly less rich connection ( but the HDMI connectors are all present) or the presence of HDAM pre-amplification stages (Curent Feedback type circuit) specially developed by the late Ken Ichiwata, the former ambassador of the brand. On the other hand, the Dolby Atmos and DTS:X multichannel decoders are logically absent.
Marantz Stereo 70s, design and OSD identical to Cinema 70s
The Marantz Stereo 70s sports a slim design identical to the Cinema 70s. Likewise, we find 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.
Marantz Stereo 70s, main specifications
For the rest, we find the management of HDR10, HDR10+, HDR HLG and HDR Dolby Vision technologies.
To return to the HDMI 2.1 input/output, these support all the features of the standard: VRR, ALLM, ARC, QMS, QFT, Ultra HD 4K 120 fps up to Ultra HD Upscaling 8K 60 Hz (see our HDMI 2.1 standard news, welcome official, technical and ergonomic additions).
Marantz Stereo 70s, the rest of the main specifications
For the rest, the Marantz Cinema 70s still offers 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 bedroom via wireless headphones.
We still find the Works with Hey Google, Works with Alexa and the Siri assistant functions. The same goes for the Heos multiroom functionality. This amplifier can therefore easily be transformed into a link in a larger audio chain including real Heos HS2 speakers, to add sound to a home.
At the equipment level, there is always the display of signal or volume information superimposed on an Ultra HD/4K stream. Precision, the Marantz Cinema 70s is Roon Tested certified.
Specifications, continued…
We still notice the dual-band Bluetooth and Wi-Fi compatibility (2.4 GHz/5 GHz), the Spotify Connect function in addition to access to the streaming services Amazon Music, Tidal and Deezer.
The Marantz Stereo 70s is a Class A/B model with a power of 7 x 150 W RMS (at 6 ohms)/7 x 75 W RMS (at 8 ohms). We find a UPnP (DLNA) audio/photo gateway function associated with access to TuneIn web radios, AirPlay 2 certification or even the possibility of controlling the Marantz Stereo 70s with an Android/iOS smartphone/tablet, after the free download of a specific application called Marantz AVR App. We still note the Gapless function and MP3, WMA, AAC, Flac, Alac and Wav compatibility (up to 192 kHz/24 bits). Likewise, management of 2.8/5.6 MHz DSD formats and 4 ohm speakers are included. Plus 192 kHz/24-bit converters, Source Direct mode and MDAX2 processing to improve the rendering of compressed music and an FM tuner.
Marantz Stereo 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, Ultra HD 4K or 8K. Added to this are three RCA stereos, a Phono (MM), a coaxial, an optical, a Pre-Out 2.0 output (zone 2), and two subwoofer outputs. Plus four pairs of screw terminal blocks, two powered USB Host ports and another Ethernet.
Availability, in black or silver finish, end of September. Indicative price: 1,000 euros.
Reminder of the key characteristics of the Marantz Stereo 70s:
• Model: 2.0
• Power: 2 x 150 W at 6 ohms, 2 x 75 W at 8 ohms
• THD ( total harmonic distortion): 0.4% (mono or stereo)
• Inputs: 7 HDMI CEC (3 2.0b connectors, 3 2.1 connectors), 3 RCA stereo, 1 Phono, 1 coaxial, 1 optical], 2 USB Host ports and 1 Ethernet port
• Outputs: 1 HDMI 2.1 output (eARC function), 1 Pre-Out 2.2 output (zone 2), 2 subwoofer outputs, 1 headphone output, 4 pairs of screw terminals
• OSD functions
• UPnP Audio Gateway (DLNA) functions
• ALLM functions
• VRR functions
• QFT functions
• QMS functions
• Ultra HD 4K/120 fps functions
• 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
• Audio ARC function
• HDR10 Video
• HDR HLG Video
• HDR Dolby Vision Video
• BT.2020 Compatibility Video
• Ultra HD Pass-Throught Function Video
• 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)
• IP Control Network
• Dual Band Wi-Fi Network (2.4/5 GHz)
• AirPlay 2 Network
• Bluetooth TX Network
• Google Assistant multimedia• Amazon Alexa multimedia
• Apple Siri multimedia
• Hi-Res Audio streaming via USB/network: yes
• Web radio(s): TuneIn
• Hi-Res Audio certification
• HDCP 2.3 certification
• Headphone output: yes
• Other: integrated Heos multiroom module
• Dimensions (L x H x D, mm ): 442 x 375 x 109 mm
• Consumption: 210 W (0.2 W in standby)
• Weight: 8.4 kg
