- The new Marantz AV 20 Preamplifier and Marantz AMP 20 12 Channel Power Amplifier are AV preamplifiers and multi-channel amplifiers, both from the premium class.
The Japanese consumer electronics company Marantz is particularly proud to present two new solutions in its growing portfolio of home cinema components in reference quality, according to the presentation of the new Marantz AV 20 Preamplifier and Marantz AMP 20 12 Channel Power Amplifier. The combination of AV preamplifier and multi-channel amplifier is said to be based on the Marantz AV 10 and Marantz AM 10 models, and the Marantz CINEMA 30 premium AV amplifier is also said to have served as a technological reference in the development of the new Marantz AV 20 and Marantz AMP 20 systems.
With the introduction of the new Marantz AV 20 and Marantz AMP 20 systems, Marantz is once again proving that it is not only focussing on the HiFi segment, as so many other traditional brands have long done, but that it still sees potential for high-quality solutions in the home cinema sector.
Innovative technology for home cinema at the highest quality level
The new Marantz AV 20 and Marantz AMP 20 systems have been designed in such a way that they are ideally equipped to meet the requirements of modern home cinema at the highest quality level, Marantz promises.
The basis for this are two systems that are based on innovative technologies, support for all relevant current standards in picture and sound and, last but not least, careful tuning by the experts at Marantz, the so-called Marantz Soundmasters.
Elegant design and highest manufacturing quality
The manufacturer particularly emphasises the design of the two new solutions, and quite rightly so, as the systems are designed in such a way that they do not have to be hidden away in a cabinet, but can also be prominently displayed.
The Marantz AV 20 and Marantz AMP 20 are said to be characterised by the latest Marantz design line, which naturally still focuses on the legendary porthole display that has been a clear trademark of the Japanese company for years.
The AV components are designed to meet the highest demands and have a multi-layered housing with a high copper content. The side lighting on the elegant front panel of both models can be dimmed as required.
The Marantz AV 20 has been designed in such a way that less frequently used controls are skilfully concealed behind the front flap for a better overview. This also ensures a clean, aesthetic appearance, which Marantz is convinced is rarely found in AV components.
Of course, the remote control is also particularly important for the feeling of having opted for genuine premium solutions, and here it is made of aluminium and should guarantee effortless control even in darkened rooms thanks to the backlighting.
It should also be mentioned that both systems are manufactured directly in Shirakawa, Japan, to the highest quality standards.
Marantz AV 20 Preamplifier – Latest standards, comprehensive features
The new Marantz AV 20 is equipped with the latest and most powerful SHARC dual-core DSP chipset from specialist Analog Devices Inc. as well as state-of-the-art 32-bit two-channel D/A converters with special jitter suppression, as the manufacturer states for the record.
This forms the basis for a powerful AV platform that can accurately decode and process any type of incoming audio signal, not just home cinema content, including the latest immersive audio formats such as Dolby Atmos, IMAX Enhanced, DTS:X Pro and AURO-3D, but also content in Hi-res audio for stereo.
The Audyssey MultEQ XT32, which Marantz considers to be the most advanced room correction system, is also on board, automatically calibrating factors such as speaker size and distance as well as level adjustment using the microphone included in the scope of delivery.
However, an upgrade to Dirac Live Room Correction and Dirac Live Bass Control is only available as an option, so you will have to invest a few euros more to achieve fully optimised bass integration for up to four independent subwoofers.
It is also exciting that Marantz has announced that the Marantz AV 20 will be the first to support Dirac’s latest and most powerful room calibration technology, Dirac Live Active Room Treatment, also known as Dirac Live ART for short. This has been designed to deliver the most uniform and sonically consistent listening experience of any room correction system currently available, as Marantz promises. The upgrade to Dirac Live ART will take place via a future firmware update, although no details of availability are currently given.
Ideally equipped for all relevant tasks
As the flexible control centre of a modern AV system, the new Marantz AV 20 must of course be able to offer a wide range of interfaces, which it undoubtedly does. There are seven HDMI inputs alone, which support signals with 4K/120Hz as well as 8K/60Hz. There are also no fewer than three HDMI outputs, as well as other analogue and digital inputs and a wide range of custom installation features. This means that the Marantz AV 20 can be adapted to any application scenario, from small media rooms to large home cinemas, as Marantz explains.
The preamplifier section of the Marantz AV 20 is equipped with discrete Marantz HDAM-SA3 modules and allows signal processing with up to 13.4 channels via RCA and XLR outputs, thus ensuring a high degree of flexibility in terms of system configuration.
HEOS for flexible streaming
Streaming is of course a must, and Marantz naturally relies on the company’s own HEOS platform. This not only allows easy access to your own content and Hi-res audio streaming in a multi-room network with other HEOS-compatible solutions, conveniently controlled via an app for Apple iOS and Google Android, it also provides direct access to a wide range of streaming services.
In addition, HEOS also supports Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect and Apple AirPlay 2, which also ensures that the Marantz AV 20 can be labelled as Roon Ready.
Marantz AMP 20 12 Channel Power Amplifier – Power amplifier with a whopping 200 watts per channel
The new Marantz Marantz AMP 20 is designed as a 12-channel power amplifier that delivers 200 watts per channel into 8 ohms, according to Marantz, which believes it is ideally equipped for a wide variety of system configurations. In particular, its ability to convert two amplifier channels into BTL outputs is emphasised, whereby this abbreviation stands for Bridge-tied Load, so that up to six channels with 400 watts each are available if required and thus up to six loudspeaker systems can be operated in bi-amping mode.
The new Marantz AMP 20 is therefore not only the perfect partner for the Marantz AV 20, but can also be combined with other Marantz components in the AV segment, for example as a powerful amplifier upgrade for the Marantz CINEMA 30 or as a partner for the Marantz AV 10 AV preamplifier, provided twelve channels are sufficient. In the same way, the Marantz AV 20 can also be coupled with the 16-channel Marantz AMP 10 amplifier if more than twelve channels are required for a home cinema system, as the manufacturer explains in detail.
“The new AV 20 and AMP 20 models are a further step in Marantz’s continuous development in the high-performance audio category. They combine our premium design, technical expertise and attention to detail to create great products that ideally extend the breadth and versatility of our home cinema range.”
Giles Pocock, Vice-President Brand Marketing at Marantz
Prices and availability
The new models from Marantz in the home cinema segment, the Marantz AV 20 Preamplifier and Marantz AMP 20 12 Channel Power Amplifier solutions, are now available from specialist retailers at a recommended retail price of € 5.500,- each.
Getting to the point
It is extremely pleasing to see that there are still renowned consumer electronics suppliers with a brand like Marantz that are committed to the topic of home cinema, right up to the premium segment, which is where the two new additions to the Marantz product portfolio, the Marantz AV 20 Preamplifier and Marantz AMP 20 12 Channel Power Amplifier, are located. Equipped with the latest technologies, equipped for all current standards and with features designed for flexibility, this is an extremely fine combination of AV preamplifier and multi-channel power amplifier.
| Product | Marantz AV 20 Preamplifier and Marantz AMP 20 12 Channel Power Amplifier |
|---|---|
| Price | Marantz AV 20 Preamplifier € 5.500,- Marantz AMP 20 12 Channel Power Amplifier € 5.500,- |
| Brand | Marantz |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Masimo Consumer |
| Distribution Austria | Marantz Deutschland D&M Germany GmbH |
| Distribution Germany | Marantz Deutschland D&M Germany GmbH |
| Distribution Switzerland | B&W Group Schweiz GmbH |
| More about this manufacturer at HiFi BLOG |
