News

Marantz shows 18 new AV products (2/9/2010)

Marantz is showing 18 new and diverse products at IFA 2010 in Berlin – where formats covered will include Blu-ray, CD/SACD, digital content from mobile devices, internet-sources, and “analogue” vinyl – but focus remains fixed on delivering the best audio and video performance, whatever the media

This year’s IFA sees a Marantz showcase of 18 new products. This extensive line-up marks one of the company’s greatest ever annual launches and signifies not only a flourishing company, but also the varied nature of today’s media. As ever, Marantz offers top-performing options – in both contemporary and more time-honoured designs – whatever your preferred format is.

The AV range experiences dramatic growth with the arrival of four receivers, an AV pre-amplifier, two power amplifiers, and a pair of universal Blu-ray players. The slim-line NR1601 joins a trio of more conventional multichannel receivers – the SR5005, SR6005, and networking SR7005 – and all four units bring HDMI 1.4a, as well as 3D support and features iPod digital connection via USB input. Fans of big movie bangs will love the audio prospects of the AV7005 AV pre-amplifier in combination with MM7055 5-channel power amp, while the two-channel MM7025 can add a further 280 watts to its big brother’s 700 watts total available power.

Marantz is swiftly building up a reputation as the leading maker of high-end universal Blu-ray players, and the UD5005 and UD7005 look to bring this standing into financial reach of even more users. Both units play SACD in addition to Blu-ray and CD discs, plus support DLNA 1.5 for audio and video streaming from home networks.

Marantz’s two-channel line-up for 2010 includes the welcome arrival of the ‘Lite’ version of the Premium KI Pearls. The PM-KI Pearl Lite and SA-KI Pearl Lite bring the musical philosophy of the limited edition – and hugely successful – Premium KI Pearl system to a more affordable price range, and a bigger potential audience. Pearl Lite highlights include features to make the best of digital or non-packaged music as well as vinyl collections. Joining the new Pearls in the 2010 line-up are the entry-level CD5004 and PM5004, while the PM7004 offers a superb new mid-price integrated option. In light of today’s numerous new formats, stereo music clearly remains incredibly important to Marantz.

For those looking to combine class-leading performance with compact looks, Marantz’s Melody Series offers a trio of all-in-one systems. Joining last year’s award-winner, the M-CR502DAB, are the Melody Music (M-CR503), the Melody Media (M-CR603) and Melody Movie (M-ER803). The Melody Music adds extra power, an iPod/iPhone digital compatible USB input, and Marantz proprietary M-XPort to the ‘502’s armoury, while the Melody Media brings network support capabilities as well. Meanwhile the Melody Movie offers consumers a beautifully compact Blu-ray receiver, complete with Full HD 1080p output, and compatibility with Marantz’s optional RX101 wireless Bluetooth audio receiver.

Perhaps the most obvious example of Marantz’s capacity to embrace new media is the NA7004. This network audio player concentrates on making the absolute best of your music regardless of its origin. To deliver Marantz’s renowned sound quality, the NA7004 houses an audiophile quality DAC and an audio stage applying the company’s famous proprietary HDAM-SA2. This dazzling debutant embraces everything digital from the iPhone, to DAB+, and also your USB and HDD-stored music library, as well as internet radio stations. But the NA7004 is not just a digital media source and its extensive specification even includes a tuner to expertly deliver good old analogue FM radio.

Marantz at IFA 2010 means eighteen new products unveiled and numerous formats covered.

www.marantz.com