Marantz has taken the wraps off a new Cinema 2 range of AV receivers designed to deliver a wide array of performance and feature enhancements over the brand’s original Cinema AVR range.
The Cinema Series 2 receivers will be available in three different models: the flagship Cinema 50 Series 2, the mid-range Cinema 60 Series 2, and the most affordable Cinema 70s Series 2. Obviously exact specifications will differ between these models, but Marantz states that “sound quality, connectivity, gaming compatibility and installation flexibility” have been improved across every model in the range.
For starters, at the heart of every Cinema Series 2 receiver is a new 32-bit, eight-channel DAC capable of delivering high-resolution conversion across every channel, resulting in claimed greater precision, improved imaging, enhanced dynamic expression and a more coherent surround performance. The new AVRs also process every channel simultaneously, reducing timing errors and simplifying the signal rather for greater consistency and reliability.
A new Channel Level Monitoring feature allows all Cinema Series 2 models to deliver real-time visualisations of channel activity to make it easier to verify how each speaker is working within your full home theater system. Plus all new Cinema Series 2 models have been tuned by a Marantz Sound Master to ensure each model provides the brand’s trademark warm, spacious and musical sound signature.
Another key enhancement for the Cinema Series 2 range finds all three models now able to be combined wth the Dirac Live Room Correction system for optimising sound to your specific room set up. To be clear, this feature remains only available as an optional extra; Marantz’s new AVR range would have to be much more expensive if the feature was included out of the box. It’s still good to know, though, that even the cheapest model in the range can now get the unique Dirac treatment if you feel like upgrading your experience somewhere down the line. Although the Cinema 50 Series 2 remains the only model capable of supporting the FULL Dirac ecosystem, including Room Correction, Bass Control and Active Room Treatment.
A future firmware update, meanwhile, will add a new Low Latency Bluetooth LE Audio feature to the Cinema Series 2 range, which will substantially reduce wireless listening delays with compatible headphones and mobile devices. The Cinema Series 2 is set to be improved by an upgraded HEOS platform, too, increasing the responsiveness of the streaming experience and introducing new multi-room functions.
Another across-the-range upgrade is Web Control 2.0, which delivers total system configuration and control via any smartphone, table or computer, meaning you no longer have to rely on TV menus during installation of your Cinema Series 2 model. There’s an update for professional custom installers, too, in the shape of an HDMI Diagnostics 2.0 within the receivers’ CI Mode that provides automatic HDMI verification and troubleshooting features to speed-up and simplify set-up.
The HDMI connections on every Cinema Series 2 model can support 1440p pass through at 120Hz for gaming, as well as the AMD FreeSync variable refresh rate system that allows compatible displays to show games that use constantly adjusting refresh rates without any screen tearing effects. Other connection options across the range include full-channel pre-amp outputs for seamless integration with external power amplifiers, and each Cinema Series 2 model enjoys a distinctive Marantz design, featuring copper hardware, carefully selected internal components and premium build features.
The flagship Cinema 50 Series 2 provides nine channels of amplification, 110W per channel, and 11.4 channels of processing, as well as carrying the new range’s strongest feature line, including the ‘full’ Dirac support mentioned earlier, a Center Channel Bi-Amp mode for enhancing dialogue clarity, and a Dolby Atmos Channel Expander that can make sure all of your available speakers are used when playing channel-based Dolby Atmos content.
The Cinema 60 Series 2 provides seven channels of amplification with 100W per channel, while the slim-line Cinema 70s Series 2 provides seven channels at 50W per channel.
All of Marantz’s Cinema Series 2 models are set to go on sale on August 15 across the world, with Europe getting its own digital radio-enhanced version of the Marantz Cinema 60 Series 2. Pricing will be as follows:
Marantz Cinema 50 Series 2: $3,000, €2,100 and £1,850
Marantz Cinema 60 Series 2 (APAC and Americas): $2,000
Marantz Cinema 60 DAB Series 2 (Europe only): €1,450 and £1,250
Marantz Cinema 70s Series 2: $1,500, €1,100, and £950.
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