NEW YORK – Marantz acknowledged
audio’s past and positioned itself for
audio’s future with the launch of 15 new
products that include traditional twochannel
components as well as a greater
assortment of networked products.
The product launch is the brand’s
largest in more than 10 years.
The products include the brand’s first
stand-alone networked digital media
player (DMP), a networked CD-receiver,
and two networked Blu-ray/SACD/
DVD-Audio universal players. All are
DLNA 1.5-certified to stream content
from a networked PC.
The two universal Blu-ray players,
called universal media players by Marantz,
are the brand’s first BD players
to stream music, video and photos from
a networked PC as well as the first to
stream on-demand video from Internet
video services. The players, which
are the brand’s first 3D-capable Blu-ray
players (via a third-quarter firmware
update), connect to the NetFlix service
and YouTube.
Four new previously reported A/V
receivers (AVRs) and a new preamp
processor (see TWICE, July 19, page
1) are the brand’s first with 3D-capable
HDMI 1.4a connections and Audio
Return Channel.
The lineup also includes the brand’s
first networked AVR, the $1,599-suggested
SR7005, also the brand’s first
with embedded Internet radio.
Other new networked audio products
include the brand’s first CD-receiver,
the M-CR603 Network CD
Receiver at an unannounced price; the
stand-alone NA7004 Network Audio
Player at a suggested $799; and the
$1,499 AV7005 preamp processor.
The DLNA-1.5-certified NA7004
Network Audio Player can be added to
existing sound systems to add playback of
nontraditional music sources. Th e component,
for example, streams audio from
a networked PC, incorporates embedded
Internet Radio tuner, accesses Internet
music services, and features iPodcompatible
USB connection to play back
music sent in PCM digital form from a
docked iPod. The component also features
a back-panel M-XPort to connect
an optional Bluetooth stereo receiver.
The M-CR603 Network CD Receiver
offers all of the features of the Network
Audio Player but adds embedded
AM/FM tuner and CD player.
Other networked devices include two
universal Blu-ray players, which expand
the brand’s selection of universal Blu-ray
players to four. The new $499-suggested
UD5005 and $899 UD7005 join a
$2,999 universal model and a $5,999
universal model, but the two new models
add 3D capability as well as networking
to stream audio, video and photos from
a networked PC. The two new models
are also the brand’s first Blu-ray players
to connect to on-line video services.
The new $1,499 AV7005 preamp
surround processor, like its predecessor
streams audio and video from a networked
PC, but the new model adds
embedded Internet radio, HDMI 1.4a
connections, and HDMI Audio Return
Channel.
In more traditional products, the
company added to its amplifier selection
with the $1,199-suggested
MM7055 multichannel amp, rated at
5×140 watts into 8 ohms, and the $799
two-channel MM7025 amp.
Four new products replacing previous
models are the $449 PM5004 and $999
PM8004 integrated amps, the $999
SA8004 two-channel SACD player,
and the $349 CD5004 CD player. The
SACD player features MP3/WMA
playback and a front-panel USB to connect
to music sources such as iPods.
