With COVID's effect on the economy and supply chains, new product announcements from audio and video companies have been few and far between for the last couple of years. I'm happy to say we're seeing light at the end of the tunnel as this week's CEDIA Expo is bringing with it loads of consumer electronics news and new product announcements.
High-end audio brand Marantz just announced six new products in their CINEMA Series home theater lineup: four receivers, one preamp processor and one multi-channel power amplifier. Sister company to Denon and now owned by audio conglomerate Sound United, Marantz continues to focus on the high end of the home theater audio market. These new products feature extremely high performance and offer cutting edge features, including a future upgrade to Dirac Live Room Correction. But the company is also offering a few more affordable products this year within the reach of mere mortals.
UPDATE: Marantz CINEMA Series products are now available to order on BestBuy.com
The complete line-up of new products in the Marantz CINEMA Series includes:
All of the new products are 8K/HDR compatible and include processing for the popular immersive surround formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. All models also come with Audyssey Calibration on-board. The Cinema 50, Cinema 40, and AV10 also include Auro 3D and Reality 360 processing and will soon include advanced DIRAC Live calibration. With DIRAC Live Room Correction and 4 independent subwoofer outputs, you know this gear will have the ability to put out gut-wrenching low bass, without boominess or dead spots anywhere in the room. The company says DIRAC Live will be offered in a software update to compatible products in March (2023) at an additional cost for the Dirac Live license.
"The CINEMA Series is the convergence of three unmistakable characteristics of Marantz heritage - exceptionally high performance, meticulous build quality, and elegant timeless design." said Joel Sietsema, Marantz and Classé president. "The most discerning cinephiles and audiophiles will appreciate the CINEMA Series' immersive sound experience, expertly crafted for the dedicated home theater. Those who desire both form and function will equally appreciate the display-worthy artisan craftsmanship that elevates any luxury living space."
All CINEMA Series AVRs offer built-in HEOS technology which allows you to share music anywhere within your home, from streaming sources, Bluetooth or your own local digital music library. Just install the HEOS mobile app on your phone or tablet and select which HEOS-compatible receiver or speakers you want to play your music. Vinyl lovers rejoice: all products in this year's Marantz line-up include a turntable (phono) input with built-in preamp for moving magnet cartridges. The CINEMA Series products will be available in both black and silver finishes, but black units will begin shipping first.
AV 10 and AMP 10 ($7,000 each): The CINEMA Series' flagship products, the AV 10 pre/pro and AMP 10 amplifier provide the ultimate foundation to your home theater. Built on Marantz' exclusive HDAM (Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Modules) technology, the AV 10 and AMP 10 work together create an elite, reference-level entertainment system. The 16-channel (200 Watts/Channel) amplification of the AMP 10 is perfectly matched by the discrete circuitry and seven HDMI inputs of the AV 10. The AV 10 supports Dolby Atmos speaker implementations with up to 9.4.6 channels. The unit includes native support for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X Pro, Auro 3D, 360 Reality Audio, MPEG H and IMAX Enhanced content. The AV 10 offers Audyssey MultEQ XT32 calibration and is expected to get support for DIRAC Live Room Correction via an optional software update in March, 2023 (for an additional fee). Its 4 subwoofer outputs are independently controlled.
On the video side, the AV 10 offers HDMI 2.1 inputs and outputs with HDCP 2.3 support at resolutions up to 8K/60Hz or 4K/120 Hz. There are seven HDMI inputs and three HDMI outputs (2 main, 1 for zone 2) as well as analog audio and video, coax and fiberoptic digital inputs and outputs for compatiblity with older gear. The preamp/processor supports HDR (High Dynamic Range) signals in virtually any format including HLG, Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+ and Dynamic HDR. It can upconvert incoming video content all the way up to 8K resolution.
CINEMA 40 ($3,500): The Marantz CINEMA 40 A/V Receiver includes an 11.4 channel processor, with nine channels of 125-watts per channel amplification. It supports 7.4.2 or 5.4.4 channels of immersive sound and can be upgraded to support 7.4.4 channels by adding a separate 2-channel power amp. The unit includes native support for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Auro 3D, 360 Reality Audio, MPEG H and IMAX Enhanced content. There are four independent subwoofer outputs on board. And if you want to beef up your system with dedicated power amps, you can tap into the 11.4 channel preamp output. The unit does include a built-in phono preamp so you can hook up your turntable.
On the video side, the The CINEMA 40 is similar to the AV 10 pre/pro with HDMI 2.1 inputs and outputs with HDCP 2.3 support at resolutions up to 8K/60Hz or 4K/120 Hz. There are seven HDMI inputs and three HDMI outputs as well as analog audio and video, coax and fiberoptic digital inputs for compatiblity with older gear. Like the AV 10, the CINEMA 40 receiver supports HDR (High Dynamic Range) signals in HLG, Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+ and Dynamic HDR formats. It can upconvert incoming video content to 1080p, 4K or 8K. The CINEMA 40 offers Audyssey MultEQ XT32 calibration and is expected to get support for DIRAC Live Room Correction via an optional software update in March, 2023 (for an additional cost).
CINEMA 50 ($2,500): The Marantz CINEMA 50 is very similar to the CINEMA 40 but with a little less power: 110 Watts per channel. It too provides amplification for up to 9 channels (5.4.4 or 7.4.2) and is upgradeable to 11 channels (7.4.4) with the addition of a separate 2-channel power amp. It includes 6 8K-capable HDMI inputs but it omits the analog and component video inputs available on the Cinema 40. For this ommission, the price is about $1,000 lower so if your video source components all include HDMI outputs, you can opt for the CINEMA 50 and save some serious coin. The CINEMA 50 supports HLG, Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+ and Dynamic HDR.
The CINEMA 50 does include analog audio and fiberoptic and coax digital audio inputs for connection of older audio gear. As with the CINEMA 40, you can hook up a turntable to the phono input and you can hook up the unit's 11.4 channel preamp outputs to external amplifiers if you feel the need for more power. The CINEMA 50 includes Audyssey MultEQ XT32 calibration on board and will be eligible for the Dirac Live upgrade in or around March 2023. The CINEMA 50 will be the least expensive receiver in the Marantz lineup to be eligible for the Dirac Live upgrade.
CINEMA 60 ($1,700): The Marantz CINEMA 60 is a 7.2 channel receiver, with 100-watts per channel amplification. It supports HDMI 2.1 and HDCP 2.3 up to 8K resolution (six HDMI inputs/3 outputs). For immersive surround, the unit maxes out at 5.1.2 (or 5.2.2) channels. It includes support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, but lacks support for Auro 3D, Reality 360 or IMAX Enhanced content. It includes Audyssey calibration but will not be eligible for the DIRAC Live update that its big brothers will be getting. It supports all the popular HDR formats including HLG, Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HDR10+ Dynamic HDR. It does include a turntable input as well as analog and digital audio inputs.
CINEMA 70s ($1,200): The Marantz CINEMA 70s is a slim and sleek 7.2 channel receiver, with 50-watts per channel amplification. Unlike the Cinema 60, the Cinema 70s does offer a 7-channel preamp output so you can hook it up to more powerful amps if you feel the need for more power. The CINEMA 70s supports HDMI 2.1 and HDCP 2.3 up to 8K resolution (6 HDMI inputs/1 output). For immersive surround implementations, the unit maxes out at 5.1.2 (or 5.2.2) channels. It includes support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, but lacks support for Auro 3D, Reality 360 or IMAX Enhanced content. It includes Audyssey calibration but will not be eligible for the DIRAC Live update that will be available on the higher end models. The CINEMA 70s supports HDR including HLG, Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HDR10+ Dynamic HDR. It includes a turntable input as well as analog and digital audio inputs.
The CINEMA Series lineup is expected to begin shipping at the end of October, starting with the CINEMA 50 and CINEMA 60 receivers. The first batch of receivers to ship will only be available in black, with the silver finish option following shortly thereafter.
For more information on the CINEMA Series, visit us.marantz.com.
Note: Marantz CINEMA Series products are now available to order on BestBuy.com
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