Marantz Announces 8K-Ready SR Series AV Receiver and Amps
Marantz introduces its new SR Series of 8K-Ready AV receiver and AV amplifier receivers.
Marantz's new SR-Series comprises the SR5015 AV receiver and the SR6015, SR7015 and SR8015 AV amplifiers. The 2020 8K-ready AV receiver line also offers HEOS, Roon Ready and hi-res audio skills.
Marantz is renowned for packing plenty of goodness into a good-looking chassis, and the new SR line is no different.
MARANTZ SR SERIES 2020
Firstly, SR5015 (£899) features 7 channels with 180W along with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support. The SR6015 (£1,099) ups things to 9 channels and 185W while also adding IMAX Enhanced certification. It also features 11.2ch processing, bringing the option to extend the setup by an external stereo amplifier.
The SR7015 (£1,599) offers 9 channels and 200W and a second display behind the aluminium trap door along with AURO 3D added to the list.
The flagship SR8015 (£2,799) comes with 11 channels and 205W amplifiers built-in. Additionally, you get 13.2 processing capabilities, DTS:X Pro support and many audiophile touches such as single-board amplifier design, toroidal transformer and a copper-plated chassis.
Allowing up to 13 channels of DTS:X decoding enables you to set up speaker configurations such as 7.2.6 or 9.2.4 for the latest IMAX Enhanced films. The DTS:X Pro feature will be delivered via a firmware update later this year.
8K HDMI
8K HDMI input supports 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz video pass-through. This is as well as support for HDR10+ and Dynamic HDR, and Quick Media Switching (QMS) that allows a source to instantly switch frame rate to eliminate screen blackout. Naturally, the 2020 SR series still supports HDR10, HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) and Dolby Vision, as well as 4:4:4 Pure Color subsampling and BT.2020 pass-through. Of course, the units will upscale 4K to 8K for those of you with 8K-ready televisions.
HI-RES AUDIO
Audio-wise, the new Marantz SRs can decode up to 24-bit/192-kHz ALAC, FLAC and WAV lossless files as well as DSD 2.8MHz and 5.6MHz tracks so you can enjoy hi-res streaming from TIDAL, Amazon HD along with Spotify and TuneIn internet radio. Furthermore, you can control your streamed music via the beautiful Roon interface which adds all the benefits of artist biographies, song lyrics, as well as drawing together all your music from streaming services and your networked library in one place. In addition to Roon, the 2020 SR series is also equipped with HEOS, enabling you to pair them with other HEOS Built-in products or speakers for a seamless listening experience.
Analogue-lovers can easily connect their turntable to the SR-Series' phono input and enjoy the raw purity of LP records. All models feature an advanced phono stage with HDAM, which is said to outperform op-amp solutions.
UNDER THE HOOD
The 2020 SR-Series boasts high-current discrete power amplifiers on all channels while also sporting the company's proprietary Hyper Dynamic Amplification Module (HDAM) circuitry. With low impedance driver capability, the SR-Series promises operational stability with a wide range of speakers providing both clarity and balance.
Additionally, the latest Marantz SR Series now supports 'Pre-Amplifier' mode on the SR6015, SR7015 and SR8015 models. Pre-Amplifier mode provides a clear signal path and more tolerance in clipping levels by disconnecting internal amplifiers when the receiver is used as an AV processor, and all speakers are powered by external amplifiers.
TAILORED SOUND
Audyssey MultEQ XT is loaded on the SR5015 and MultEQ XT32 on the SR6015, SR7015 and SR8015 models and, along with the supplied measurement microphone, should give you the optimum sound for your room. Audyssey analyses each speaker's output (including subwoofers) at up to eight measurement locations and generates precision digital filters to optimise each channel for the correct frequency and time domain response. Additionally, we're told that Audyssey Dynamic Volume also smooths out disruptive jumps in volume (such as TV commercials), letting you enjoy lower output levels while still enjoying clear dialogue and overall performance. Audyssey Dynamic EQ provides full-range clarity at any listening level.
Audyssey MultEQ XT32 adds Low-Frequency Containment by using advanced psychoacoustic algorithms to deliver more full-range balance, including deep bass, without disturbing the neighbours or people in other rooms of the home, says the manufacturer. Whereas Audyssey Sub EQ HT provides individual DSP tailoring of each subwoofer in a dual subwoofer setup.
Finally, new to Marantz, Dual Speaker Preset Memory enables you to toggle between two calibrated speaker configurations. The upshot of this is that you can dictate where the sweet spot is for a variety of listening situations (listening alone, or in a group, for example).
AVAILABILITY AND PRICE
The Marantz SR7015 will retail for €1999/£1,599 and is available from August 2020. The SR5015 (€999/£899), SR6015 (€1499/£1,099), and SR8015 (€3199/£2,799) are available a month later.
For more information, head on over to Marantz.
Jay Garrett
StereoNET’s resident rock star, bass player, and gadget junkie. Jay heads up StereoNET as Editor for the United Kingdom and Europe regions. His passion for gadgets and Hi-Fi is second only to being a touring musician.
Posted in: Home Theatre
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