Marantz announced new AV receiver models, the "CINEMA 60 Series 2" and "CINEMA 70s Series 2," on September 16th. They are set to be released on October 30th, priced at ¥242,000 and ¥187,000 respectively. Both models will be available only in black.

CINEMA 60 Series 2

Marantz's New Slim Amplifier Models

The CINEMA 70s Series 2 is the successor to the CINEMA 70s, which was announced in October 2022. It represents the latest (14th generation) in Marantz's line of slim-design AV receivers, a series that began with the "NR1501" in 2009. This model features a 7-channel amplifier within a low-profile chassis, designed for easy placement in TV racks. The CINEMA 60 Series 2, while not previously available in the Japanese market, is the successor to the CINEMA 60.

The power amplifier sections of both models incorporate technology cultivated in the higher-end "CINEMA 40." While the flagship models also utilize digital amplifiers, both new units feature a single-stage differential Class AB linear power amplifier circuit. Although a single-stage differential amplifier circuit is simpler, it is highly sensitive to design and component selection, making it challenging to implement in models with cost constraints. Its inclusion can be seen as a testament to Marantz's confidence. Both models significantly improve driving power by combining current mirror circuits and constant current circuits.

The main differences between the two models are amplifier output, chassis size, the number of HDMI outputs (two for the 60, one for the 70s), and the speaker terminal layout (a single row left-to-right for the 60, top-and-bottom for the 70s). Furthermore, the preamplifier section, which significantly impacts sound quality, in the CINEMA 60 Series 2 features Marantz's proprietary high-speed amplifier module "HDAM-SA2" within its 7.2-channel preamplifier, built on a single board. This design powerfully suppresses power line fluctuations and hum noise ingress, adhering to an audiophile approach of "building a robust preamplifier" without relying on attenuators.

In pursuit of purity ~ Thorough Noise Countermeasures and a Feast of Custom Parts

The design of AV receivers, which process a variety of video and audio signals, is always a battle against noise. Sound Manager Yoshinobu Ogata stated that he aimed for "In pursuit of purity" – not just reproducing the source, but conveying rich musicality – and undertook meticulous tuning from a perspective different from merely pursuing specifications. Compared to previous models, a significant generational change in key components, such as capacitors and resistors, forms the basis for the improved sound quality.

The DAC section employs a new 8-channel, 32-bit DAC from Cirrus Logic. To achieve Marantz's ideal sound, high-quality custom parts have been lavishly used wherever cost permits. Furthermore, because clock timing affects sound quality in HDMI connections, built-in HDMI jitter reduction re-clocks the master clock, achieving high-precision, jitter-free signal transmission.

In component selection, the block capacitors are custom-made. Low-impedance capacitors and film capacitors, typically used in Hi-Fi audio equipment, were also actively adopted where appropriate. Furthermore, "copper screws," which were found to dramatically improve sound quality during the tuning process of the flagship integrated AV amplifier "CINEMA 30," are also used in both models (a change from conventional black screws). The feet of the high-density insulators feature newly formulated felt, demonstrating uncompromising craftsmanship that applies know-how from top-end models.

New vs. Old Listening Test: Overwhelming Power and Luster Emerging from Silence

During the announcement, a demo in a 5.1.2ch environment was also available. We began with a 2-channel playback demo using a CD player connected via coaxial digital. We listened to the differences between the old and new DACs using Maren Mortensen's "Where Would I Be Without You." The differences were clear, with the Series 2 exhibiting a wider soundstage and improved vocal presence. The sound image was tighter and clearer, and the smooth low-frequency extension significantly enhanced overall coherence. With the fundamental performance of the amplifier elevated, background noise was suppressed, allowing fine details to emerge beautifully into the space.

Next, we played "The Theme of Lupin the 3rd '76" featuring Shigeru Matsuzaki's vocals from Yuji Ohno's 80th Anniversary Live Blu-ray (using Neural:X, subwoofers connected in parallel). The CINEMA 70s Series 2 did not saturate even at high volumes, maintaining its sense of scale. Achieving this level of sound from a slim amplifier is highly satisfying. The tonal quality was clear, beautiful with a suitable luster, and it also possessed the smoothness characteristic of an analog amplifier.

We then switched to the CINEMA 60 Series 2. While the overall sonic character remained consistent, the sense of effortless speaker driving increased, giving it the feel of a higher-end model. Naturally, if forced to choose a superior model, the CINEMA 60 Series 2 would win, but it was impressive how well the CINEMA 70s Series 2 performed.

For a movie playback test, we watched the opening race scene depicting the Daytona 24 Hours from "F1." The mode was set to Dolby from the movie mode. Incidentally, while the previous Lupin the 3rd track was upmixed for vertical channels, this source was originally Dolby Atmos, designed from the outset to utilize top speakers. Using the new "Channel Level Monitoring" feature, it was interesting to observe how the allocation of top speakers changed according to the scene.

In action scenes, all channels are used to create the soundscape, but in everyday scenes, the top speakers are intentionally not used, opting for a more front-centric, subdued presentation, allowing for a more detailed understanding of the production's intent. In terms of expressive power, the signal-to-noise ratio was extremely high, and every sound effect—from the lingering echoes of fireworks exploding overhead, the reverberation of stadium announcements, the roar of engines, to the sharp slam of a door—was depicted with exceptional clarity and three-dimensionality, enhancing immersion in the visuals to the ultimate degree.

Advanced Features to Enrich the Theater Experience

Features to enhance the user experience are also abundant. The aforementioned "Channel Level Display" feature, which visualizes the output status of each channel, offers a new way to enjoy content by peeking behind the scenes of a movie's audio design, such as how much a playing work utilizes the top speakers. It also supports "AMD FreeSync" as a feature for gamers, which adjusts the monitor's refresh rate to match the GPU's output, suppressing screen tearing. From the inclusion of a backlit remote control for improved operability in the dark to environmental considerations like eliminating plastic from packaging, no detail has been overlooked.

The CINEMA 60 / 70s Series 2, which dramatically updates both the multifunctionality as a theater amplifier and the purity of Hi-Fi audio, suggests it will become a new benchmark for mid-range AV receivers.

Main Specifications:

*CINEMA 60 Series 2 Number of Amplifiers: 7ch Rated Output: 100W + 100W (8Ω) Input/Output Terminals: HDMI (6 inputs, 2 outputs), Analog audio input x 4, Phono input (MM), Optical digital input x 2, Coaxial digital input x 2, 7.2ch Pre-out, Zone Pre-out, Headphone output, Ethernet, USB-A, USB power supply terminal (5V1.5A), Bluetooth transceiver, Wi-Fi, etc. Network Playback Function: Yes FM/AM Tuner: Yes Dimensions: W442 × D354 × H165mm (with antenna laid flat) Weight: 10.9kg

*CINEMA 70s Series 2 Number of Amplifiers: 7ch Rated Output: 50W + 50W (8Ω) Input/Output Terminals: HDMI (6 inputs, 1 output), Analog audio input x 3, Phono input (MM), Optical digital input, Coaxial digital input, 7.2ch Pre-out, Zone Pre-out, Headphone output, Ethernet, USB-A, USB power supply terminal (5V1.5A), Bluetooth transceiver, Wi-Fi, etc. Network Playback Function: Yes FM/AM Tuner: Yes Dimensions: W442 × D384 × H109mm (with antenna laid flat) Weight: 8.7kg