Home Theater Week in Review, August 16-20, 2010: New Marantz AV7005, MM7055 MM7025 Pre/Pro and Amps; New Marantz 3D HDMI 1.4 Receivers.

by Oliver Amnuayphol

Marantz recently announced a bevy of new gear including a new separates combo, the AV7005 pre/pro ($1499) and MM7055 ($1199)/MM7025 ($799) amps. The AV7005 sports 6 HDMI 1.4, 3D-compatible inputs/dual outputs, networking capabilities, toroidal transformer, and full support for HD audio formats including Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, and Pro-Logic IIz. What's more, the AV7005 also features Audyssey MultiEQ XT and Audyssey DSX room EQ processing for impeccable sonics and easy system setup. Full DNLA 1.5 compliance allows for smooth integration into home networks, and the AV7005 even incorporates a built in Internet radio with streaming for popular music sources such as Napster, Rhapsody, and Pandora; photo playback and streaming via Flickr are also on tap. On the power side of things, Marantz' new amps feature 140 wpc x 5 or 2 (7055 and 7025, respectively), Discrete Current Feedback Amplifier circuitry, robust power supplies, and complimentary styling. We use Marantz' current top of the line separates combo in our showroom here (the AV8003/MM8003) and buh-leeve you me, our speakers have never sounded better--they're that good. And if these new separates sound even half as good as the flagship combo, they should prove to be the hot tickets in their price class. The AV7005 drops October, while the power amps should be available by September.

Marantz' also debuted four new A/V receivers for your listening and viewing pleasure: The slimline NR1601 ($599); SR5005 ($799); SR6005 ($999); and their top of the line AVR, the SR7005 ($1599). All of the new receivers sport HDMI 1.4, 3D connectivity with Audio Return Channel support and processing for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA, 7 channels of amplification, direct iPod USB input, and Analog Devices SHARC processors. What's more, Marantz has also rolled in Bluetooth capability in all of their new models, while the top of the line 7005 features DLNA 1.5 certification for their most network-friendly receiver to date. But these latest Marantz goodies ain't all bells n' whistles: Marantz requires all of their multichannel receivers to maintain at least 70% of their rated 2-channel power with 5 channels driven under full load--a spec only a few other manufacturers dare claim. And lest you think Marantz forgot about their 2-channel heritage, they've also updated their stereo components, including replacements for the Stereophile-recommended PM5003 (PM5004, $449) and the SA8003 SACD player (SA8004, $999). With everything Marantz has on offer, you'd be hard pressed to find a better blend of performance goodness and features from other A/V manufacturers--this new lineup is the bee's knees for sure. Look for these A/V receivers and hi-fi components to drop by September.    

Movie Releases for Last Week.

DVD: Date Night; Max Headroom: The Complete Series; Letters to God; Death at a Funeral; In the Shadow of the Moon; The Joneses; Helen; Triage; The Lottery; Twilight Girls; Last Adam.

Blu-ray: Date Night; Letters to God; Death at a Funeral; In the Shadow of the Moon; The Joneses; Helen; Tai Chi Master. 

Comments

[Oliver Amnuayphol]

Hi Zack, many of the new Marantz items I mentioned are just now released, some will be released shortly. In fact, we carry the new Marantz receivers on our website as well, here's a link:

http://www.aperionaudio.com/catalog/Marantz-Receivers,87.aspx

Thanks for reading!

- Oliver

[Zack Nutter]

What compaines offer these products ive never seen them before