Marantz launches stylish new NR1608 and NR1508 network AVRs

Slimline, and feature-packed: Marantz launches stylish new NR1608 and NR1508 network AV receivers

Marantz has set the standard for compact AV receivers, with models packing state of the art features and performance into room-friendly designs. With the NR1608 and NR1508 it brings the concept right up to date with features including 4K ultra high definition video compatibility, including Dolby Vision – plus, of course, the legendary Marantz sound quality for both movies and music. Designed to sit at the heart of a complete home entertainment system, both models also have a wide range of facilities to enable your favourite music to be shared and enjoyed, including network streaming, Bluetooth and Airplay for playback from portable devices, and the HEOS wireless multiroom system.

NR1608: 3D surround, 7.2 channels, HEOS and slim style
Marantz started a new trend with its NR1501: a full-function receiver in a slimline package designed to fill the room with sound, not massive home theatre electronics. The NR1608 is the latest generation of that concept, and has everything needed for both a superb immersive home movie experience and whole-house music – all in a unit standing just 10.5cm tall.

The big news in home cinema is high-definition, both in sound and vision, and yes – the NR1608 can do it all! Not only is it compatible with the full range of variations of 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision and Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG; via future firmware update), it also has decoders for both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X 3D surround sound. Seven channels of amplification deliver those home theatre thrills. Eight HDMI inputs enable a full array of high-definition sources to be connected, including Blu-ray players, streaming devices, set top boxes and games consoles with 4K video and hi-res surround sound. The ability to drive 5.1.2-channel speaker systems with its 7x90W amplification means it will envelop you in the action.

It will even upscale legacy video sources such as DVD to 4K, and create immersive surround fields from older soundtracks using Dolby Surround and Neural:X processing, as is of course compatible with Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD soundtracks for conventional 5.1- or 7.1-channel surround. Audyssey MultEQ simplifies pinpoint-accurate set-up and calibration, the optional Audyssey MultEQ Editor App can be used to further refine the set-up or tune it to suit your personal tastes. In addition, Audyssey Dynamic EQ retains clarity and impact even when the system is playing at low levels, while Dynamic Volume levels out those annoying jumps between programming and adverts.

The high-definition doesn’t stop at home theatre – and neither does the entertainment. The NR1608 also streams music from local network storage or the Internet, using either a wired or Wi-Fi connection to your home network. As well as Internet radio and services including Deezer, Spotify Connect and Tidal, it can also stream music from a computer or NAS drive at up to 192kHz/24bit and DSD5.6MHz, as well as popular formats including MP3. You can even play hi-res music from USB storage, using a convenient front-panel port, or stream music direct from a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth or Airplay.

The NR1608 can also become part of a complete wireless multiroom music system, thanks to HEOS integration. Simply add extra HEOS speakers in any room via the HEOS app - accessible directly from within the Marantz 2016 AVR Remote app - and you can stream music around the house from network or Internet sources, or from your smart device. Play different music in every room, or make the whole house rock to the same tunes when it’s party time.

Completing the NR1608 is a simple on-screen Setup Assistant to get you started, colour-coded speaker terminals so you don't get your channels all crossed up, and an Intelligent ECO mode designed to minimise power consumption without getting in the way of your entertainment. Switch it to auto to save power, or turn it off when you want to let rip with your favourite blockbuster movie or music. Certified by the Imaging Science Foundation, the NR1608 also features a full suite of video calibration controls for detailed set-up by an ISF technician, along with ISF Day/Night video modes.

The NR1608 is the complete home entertainment solution made slim and stylish: Marantz has reduced the size, not the performance.

NR1508: compact and cost-effective
The NR1508 is a simpler receiver, designed for those who don’t want all the features of the NR1608, but still need a stylish, high-performance home entertainment hub. A 5.2-channel design, with five discrete 85W channels, it’s compatible with all the same 4K video formats on its six HDMI inputs, and has decoding for Dolby True HD and DTS-HD for conventional surround set-ups. Audyssey MultEQ basic set-up and calibration is featured, and the NR1508 can also be controlled using the Marantz 2016 AVR app.

Network and wireless music streaming is also a major part of the NR1508, which features Bluetooth, Airplay and Ethernet/Wi-Fi capability including access to Internet radio, streaming services, and locally stored content at up to 192kHz/24bit and DSD5.6MHz. In addition, the NR1508 features HEOS wireless multiroom audio integration, allowing it to become part of a complete whole-house music system – all controlled by the HEOS app. As on the NR1608, an onscreen Setup Guide and colour-coded speaker terminals make installation simple, and Intelligent ECO Mode allows energy to be saved without compromising performance.

The NR1608 and NR1508 will be available in June 2017, in a choice of black or silver gold finishes.

NR1608 7.2-channel Slim Design Network AV Receiver with HEOS – Main Features:
• 7-channel discrete power amplifier, 90 W per channel
o Enough power to fill medium-size rooms with renowned Marantz sound
• 4K/60 Hz full-rate pass-through, 4:4:4 color resolution, HDR and BT.2020, plus Dolby Vision compatibility and Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG; via future firmware update)
o Latest HDMI standard for future-proof compatibility
• 8 HDMI inputs (incl. 1 front) with full HDCP 2.2 support
o Plenty of inputs for your Blu-ray Player, game console and more
• Analogue to HDMI conversion and SD/HD to 4K Upscaling for legacy video sources
o Full HD and even Ultra HD video quality from existing DVDs or analogue sources
• Dolby Atmos (up to 5.1.2) and DTS:X
o Immersive 3D sound with overhead effects
• Built-in Wi-Fi with 2.4GHz/5GHz dual band support
o Improved network stability especially in Wi-Fi-crowded homes
• HEOS wireless multiroom integration o Combine with other HEOS speakers/devices for whole-house sound, all controlled by HEOS app • AirPlay, Bluetooth, Internet Radio, Spotify Connect, Tidal, Deezer, Network Audio Streaming o Access to almost unlimited online music sources • DSD (2.8/5.6MHz), FLAC, ALAC and WAV support o High Resolution audio streaming for Hi-Fi enthusiasts • Audyssey MultEQ, Dynamic Volume and Dynamic EQ o Delivering perfect equalisation for your room/speakers • Audyssey MultEQ Editor app support (available for EUR 20 in the Appstores) o Professional fine-tuning of equalization parameters • Colour-coded speaker terminals, Setup Assistant, Advanced GUI, Marantz 2016 AVR Remote App o Simple installation, setup and operation
• isf video calibration
o Ready for professional calibration of home cinema TVs or projectors
• Multi-room/Multi-source (2nd zone; via amplifiers or via pre-out)
o Watch a movie in the home cinema and listen to music in another room
• Intelligent ECO mode with off/on/auto setting
o Energy-conscious without compromising on performance

NR1508 5.2-channel Slim Design Network AV Receiver with HEOS – Main Features – as NR1608, except:
• 5-channel discrete power amplifier, 85 W per channel
• 6 HDMI inputs (incl. 1 front)
• Dolby True HD and DTS-HD decoding
• n/a is Dolby Atmos or DTS:X
• n/a isf video calibration
• n/a is Audyssey MultEQ Editor app support
• n/a Analogue to HDMI conversion and SD/HD to 4K Upscaling

For more information, visit www.awe-europe.com call +44(0)1372 729 995 or email [email protected]