Earlier this year, Marantz unveiled its sleek and slim NR1607 A/V receiver, which packed 50 watts into a package just a hair over 4 inches tall. While that model was aimed at consumers who would likely see the receiver sitting under their TV, Marantz’s latest addition to its 2016 lineup is aimed more at hardcore home theater enthusiasts.
On Thursday, the company announced the new SR5011 network A/V receiver, a follow-up to last year’s SR5010. Looking at the two side by side, the new model doesn’t add a lot of new features, so owners of the SR5010 may not want to upgrade. A custom installer planning on building a home theater setup this year, however, will definitely want to give the SR5011 a look.
Built using high-grade components like Marantz’s HDAMs (Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Module), the SR5011 offers a claimed 100 watts per channel across 7.2 channels. Multiroom audio is supported with powered Zone 2 outputs as well as Zone 2 pre-outs for use with a separate stereo amplifier. With this, users can watch a movie with 5.1 surround in one room while playing music or watching TV in stereo in another.
In addition to standard surround sound, Dolby Atmos support is included for 3D object-based surround sound that uses ceiling-firing speakers to add height information to audio. Support for DTS:X, another 3D surround technology, should be added later this year via a firmware update.
In terms of video, the SR5011 features support for both 4K Ultra HD resolution and HDR (High Dynamic Range), which brings increased contrast and a wider color gamut for a more vivid picture. It supports 4:4:4 Pure Color sub-sampling, 3D, 21:9 video, and BT.2020 passthrough, as well as HDMI 2.0a and HDCP 2.2 across all eight HDMI inputs, ensuring support for modern TVs and projectors.
Looking at wireless connectivity, both Bluetooth and dual-band Wi-Fi with AirPlay support are included, with a dual-antenna system for improved signal strength, and wired Ethernet is supported as well. Streaming from NAS (network attached storage) devices lets you access high-resolution digital music files, while Spotify and Pandora take care of your streaming needs, with SiriusXM satellite radio supported as well.
The built-in Audessey MultEQ XT room acoustic measurement and correction system allows the system to use an included mic to measure your room and automatically make adjustments for the best sound, while color-coded terminals make hooking your speakers up the receiver a painless process. The Marantz 2016 AVR Remote app for iOS and Android not only controls basic speaker functionality, but also allows users to easily build playlists and queues to play via the receiver.
The Marantz SR5011 will retail for $900, and is expected to go on sale in July. See the product page on the Marantz website for more details.
