Marantz Cinema 70S AV receiver Review

Verdict

The Marantz Cinema 70S is a slimline 7 channel Dolby Atmos and DTS:X succesful AV receiver, with a forward-facing characteristic set. Boasting 8k succesful HDMI inputs, HEOS Hello-Res audio streaming, and wonderful ease of use, this mannequin will enchantment to film lovers and avid gamers alike. It’s not a quantity monster, however audio efficiency excels for the worth…

Introduction

The Cinema 70S represents an entry level for the brand new Marantz dwelling cinema amplifier vary, however it’s definitely not a compromised, finances purchase. A successor to the equally slim NR1711, this mannequin is geared toward dwelling theatre lovers looking for a mix of fashion and efficiency, at a compelling worth.

A seven-channel design, the Cinema 70S can be utilized in a 5.1.2 loudspeaker configuration, or flatbed 7.1 structure (relying on whether or not you could have Dolby Atmos enabled top audio system obtainable). In the event you go for a 7.1 structure, Dolby Atmos sound mixes are robotically folded down.

There’s no compromise with regards to characteristic specification. This mannequin caters to each avid gamers and film aficionados, with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X compatibility and HDMI inputs that assist 8K and 4K/120Hz playback.

Availability

Obtainable now and priced at £850 within the UK, the Marantz Cinema 70S sits comfortably within the mid-range of AV receivers. Within the US, the mannequin sells for $1,200, and in Australia it’s AUS$2,000. Positioned above it within the Marantz vary is one other seven channel amplifier, the Cinema 60, this can be a full dimension mannequin with barely greater energy reserves.

Design

• Obtainable in black or silver-gold finishes
• Dimensions: 442 x 384 x 109mm
• Weight: 8.7kg

Reflecting the brand new, extra modern Marantz AV and Hello-Fi design, the Cinema 70S boasts a sharper, industrial aesthetic; nonetheless with the distinctive Marantz porthole show, the model’s signature look, it’s obtainable in both black or silver-gold finishes.

Two rotary dials for quantity and supply, bookend a line of operate buttons. There’s additionally a entrance mounted USB port and headphone jack.

Weighing in at 8.7kg, it’s not going to place a dent in your AV furnishings, and you should not have any drawback parking it in a front room.

Options

• HEOS appropriate
• Seven channels of amplification for five.1.2 immersive audio
• Dolby Atmos and DTS:X assist

On the rear of the Marantz Cinema 70S are six HDMI inputs, and one output. Three of the inputs are 4K 120Hz / 8K succesful, with a bandwidth of 40Gbps.  HDR assist covers HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma), Dolby Imaginative and prescient, and HDR10+. There’s additionally gaming options like Variable Refresh Charge (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Fast Body Transport (QFT) switching.

For these constructing an even bigger AV system, there are three analogue stereo inputs, an MM phono turntable connection, USB, and a pair of digital audio inputs (one coaxial, the opposite optical). There are additionally two subwoofer outputs, and a full 7.2 set of pre-outs, helpful should you ever must improve your system with exterior energy amps sooner or later.

Extra niceties embrace screw-on Wi-Fi/dual-band Wi-Fi Bluetooth aerials, an FM/AM radio, and an Ethernet port for those who favor to hardwire, slightly than go wi-fi.

The Cinema 70S comes with a busy, backlit distant management, making it a doddle to make use of in a darkish room.

A useful HD decision set-up information eases set up, and covers every little thing from loudspeaker connections to supply parts, with neat explanatory graphics. You don’t should be an AV professional to hook it up.

The Cinema 70S helps Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersive audio codecs, however not Auro 3D. The inclusion of Hello-Res audio streaming by way of HEOS built-in provides one other layer of usability. Spotify Join, Deezer, TIDAL, Amazon Music, and TuneIn streaming come as commonplace.

Voice help is accessible by way of Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant or Apple Siri. The AVR can also be Apple AirPlay 2 appropriate, and Roon Examined. The Cinema 70s upscales 1080p to 4K, and 4K to 8K if required.

Efficiency

• Audyssey MultEQ
• Extremely dynamic supply
• Musical and interesting stereo

Throughout set up, you’ll be prompted to high quality tune the AVR in your listening room. Room EQ and calibration comes by way of Audyssey MultEQ and is completed by way of the equipped microphone. For this audition, I measured six listening positions, overlaying off all of the seating positions in my media room. A couple of chirps and also you’re all finished.

Whereas a quoted energy output of 50W (into 8 ohms) might sound modest, at the very least in comparison with higher-end AV amps, the Cinema 70S comfortably delivers loud listening ranges in a mean sized room, with none apparent difficulties. Extremely dynamic, the Cinema 70S delivers transients with generally shocking authority, it all the time sounds prefer it’s in management.

To be clear, I wouldn’t specify the Cinema 70S in a devoted theatre, the place its major goal can be to stress load an area for a day by day dose of Christopher Nolan. However for a media room residing house, that’s to say one the place it’ll be used for films and TV exhibits, in addition to accommodate consoles, with out dominating the house or a requirement to dislodge plaster, it’s superb.

As I’ve come to count on from Marantz, the sound profile is heat slightly than analytical, however element presentation is excessive and there’s an incredible sense of dimensionality with immersive audio mixes. Beneath the hood there’s a quartet of PCM5102 DACs, allied to a Cyrus Logic DSP.

The soundstage is balanced and capacious. The basic opening to Mad Max: Fury Street, which options Tom Hardy stomping and chomping on a lizard, as ethereal whispers reverberate across the rears and heights, is impressively engulfing. When the pursuing Struggle Boys roar in, and over, from the rear, the panning and guidance is coherent and convincing.

Equally, Dolby Atmos for Music mixes are easy and rhythmic. The amp locations you centre stage or on the dancefloor.

The Cinema 70S additionally proves to be a strong two-channel performer, with a pronounced sense of spatial width.

The amp’s enthusiasm for deep bass can also be admirable. Whereas there are two outputs, I used the amplifier with a single lively sub, and it delivered LFE with appreciable pace and would possibly. In the event you like visceral slam together with your blockbusters, you’ll not be disillusioned.

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