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Marantz Adds Capabilities To SR-Series AVRs

MAHWAH, N.J. – Marantz is bringing DTS Neo:X post processing to its SR series of networked A/V receivers (AVRs) for the first time along with second-zone digital audio, all-zone stereo output, and compatibility with Windows 8 and Windows 8 RT devices.

The series also gets its first 9.2-channel AVR and an HDMI video select feature that lets users mix any audio source with any HDMI video source.

The three new models in the series, due in stores this month, are the $899-suggested SR 5008, $1,199 SR6008, and $1,999 SR7008. They replace 2012 SR models and will join the carryover 7.2-channel SR7007, which maintains its $1,799 price and was the previous top model in the SR series.

With the launch, Marantz is also expanding its current feedback and HDAM (Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Module) amplifier technologies to all three models from last year’s two. The technologies provide a high dynamic range and a wide bandwidth, the company said.

The HDMI video select feature appears in all three models, as does all-zone stereo output, which syncs up all audio zones and plays the same source in all zones with one button press.

Second-zone HDMI output and InstaPrevue expand to two models from one. InstaPrevue lets users see all connected HDMI sources simultaneously in multiple windows.

Second-zone digital audio appears in the top two models and delivers digital audio over coax, fiber or HDMI, said product manager Paul Belanger. Only AVRs from sister brand Denon offer such a feature.

Audyssey DSX appears in the top two models as in the previous line, and DTS Neo:X appears in the top two models for the first time.

Like their predecessors, the new models all feature 4K up-scaling, AirPlay, streaming of Internet radio and Flickr, and streaming of Pandora, Spotify and SiriusXM. Like before, they feature DLNA 1.5 networking, control from Android and iOS apps, front-panel Made For iPod/iPhone/ iPad USB port, optional Bluetooth adapter, and a trio of Audyssey technologies: room-acoustic correction, Dynamic Volume, and Dynamic EQ.

All three continue to offer HDMI standby passthrough as in the 2012 line. At $1,199, Marantz adds DTS Neo:X and Audyssey DSX post processing. In the $1,199 SR6008, users can use DSX and Neo:X to add either a pair of front-height speakers or pair of front-wide speakers to a typical 5.1-speaker setup, Belanger said. The 9.2-channel SR 7008, in contrast, delivers a full 9.2-channel implementation of both technologies, enabling the addition of front-wide and front-height channels simultaneously. With Neo:X, two of those additional channels can be used instead for backsurround channels.

All three new models offer 7.2-channel preamp outs, 7.1-channel analog inputs, 4K up-scaling, and Dolby Pro- Logic IIz.

Compared to the $899 model, the 7.2-channel $1,199 SR 6008 adds Neo:X, Audyssey DSX, InstaPrevue, and dual HDMI outputs. The outputs can be configured either to send the same HDMI source to two different displays in the same room or send two different HDMI sources simultaneously to two displays in separate rooms.

The $1,999 9.2-channel SR 7008 steps up output to 9×125 watts and adds three HDMI outputs, two of which are dual simultaneous outs. The third is a second-zone HDMI out.

The SR 7008 steps up acoustic-correction technology to Audyssey MultEQ XT32. The AVR is also Marantz’s first XT32, Audyssey Sub EQ HT Dual sub calibration, and Audyssey LFC.

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