As with the Marantz Cinema 70s and Cinema 60 DAB, the most notable change about the Marantz Cinema 50 (the replacement for the Marantz SR6015) is the stunning new design introduced on the manufacturer's audiophile products, the Marantz Model 40n network player , the Marantz CD 60 audio CD player or the Marantz SACD 30n player. Another important development of this new series of equipment, the name Cinema present within the references of the products. This should be seen as the desire of the Californian firm Masimo, new owner of Sound United (Bowers & Wilkins, Definitive Technology, Denon, Marantz, Polk Audio) since February, to position the Marantz brand on the premium Home Cinema market, in addition to that of the Hi-Fi.
Marantz Cinema 50, main developments
The Marantz Cinema 50 is therefore the worthy successor to the Marantz SR6015. Of course, it benefits from all of the latter's specifications, but in addition to its new aesthetics, it also has some notable new features, first and foremost an OSD, 1080p color (and not 480p). A lot of information is now available on the screen, in particular on the nature of the input signals and those of the output with, for example, the channels actually active. We also note the presence of six HDMI 2.1 inputs (against only one on the SR6015). Similarly, the Dirac Live calibration process is planned via an upcoming Firmware update and it is now possible to connect up to four subwoofers via as many independent outputs. Finally the Auro 3D decoding responds present.
Marantz Cinema 50, main specs
We still notice a pre-amplifier mode on all channels with a Pre-Out 11.4 output, management of HDR10, HDR10+, HDR HLG and HDR Dolby Vision technologies, 8K UHD Upscaling up to 60 Hz and the possibility of 'apply the available audio processing to a Dolby signal, for example trigger DTS Virtual:X on a Dolby Digital 5.1 signal.
To come back to the HDMI 2.1 inputs/outputs, these support all the features of the standard: VRR, ALLM, eARC, QMS, QFT, Ultra HD 4K 120 fps up to Ultra HD Upscaling 8K 60 Hz (see our news HDMI 2.1 standard, official additions welcome, technical and ergonomic).
Marantz Cinema 50, the sequel to the main specifications
For the rest, like the SR6015, the Marantz Cinema 50 still has nine channels of amplification, HDAM pre-amplification stages (Current Feedback type circuit) specially developed by the late Ken Ichiwata, the former ambassador of the brand, capacitors with a capacity of 24,000 microfarads, compatibility with Dolby Atmos 3D audio processing, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization (to simulate height speakers in the absence of these), DTS:X and DTS Virtual :X (to simulate the height speakers in case of absence of these). In terms of equipment, there is always the display of signal or volume information superimposed on an Ultra HD/4K stream, 360 Reality Audio sound processing developed by Sony, not to mention compatibility with the Mpeg‑ H (group of international standards including a video compression standard, an audio compression standard, a container format standard as well as related documents). Precision, the Marantz Cinema 50 is certified Roon Tested.
Plus the availability of the Bluetooth TX function to broadcast the audio signal to suitable headphones in addition to the speakers. It is thus possible to enjoy your music on the speakers in the living room but also in the kitchen or the bedroom via wireless headphones.
Marantz Cinema 50, Heos multiroom function and connectivity
For the rest, we find on this 9.4 model the functions Works with Hey Google, Works with Alexa and the Siri assistant. Ditto for the Heos multiroom functionality. This amplifier can therefore easily be transformed into a link in a larger audio chain with real Heos HS2 speakers, to add sound to a home.
Marantz Cinema 50, loose specs…
We also note the Bluetooth and dual-band Wi-Fi compatibility (2.4 GHz/5 GHz), the Spotify Connect function in addition to access to the Tidal and Deezer streaming services.
Otherwise, like the SR6015, the Marantz Cinema 50 is a Class A/B model with 9 x 150 W RMS (into 6 ohms) / 9 x 110 W RMS (into 8 ohms) power. There is a UPnP (DLNA) audio/photo gateway function associated with access to TuneIn web radios, AirPlay 2 certification, a front USB Host port and the possibility of controlling the Marantz Cinema 50 with an Android/iOS smartphone/tablet, after downloading a specific application called Marantz AVR App for free. We still note the Gapless function and MP3, WMA, AAC, Flac, Alac and Wav compatibility (up to 192 kHz/24 bits). Similarly, the management of DSD 2.8 / 5.6 MHz formats and 4 ohm speakers are included. Ditto for the third HDMI output (allowing you to enjoy a source different from that assigned to the main room in another room) and Imax Enhanced compatibility.
Also present, an automatic calibration of the system by Audyssey MultEQ XT 32 microphone. Not to mention Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ and Audyssey LFC processing, 192 kHz/24-bit converters and a Source mode Direct. Plus MDAX2 processing to improve rendering of compressed music.
Marantz Cinema 50, larigot connectors
The connection therefore has six certified HDMI 2.1 CEC inputs, plus three outputs transparent to Deep Color, xvYCC, 1080p/24 and 3D, Ultra HD 4K or 8K signals. There are also five RCA stereos, one Phono, two coaxial, two optical, a Pre-Out 2.0 output (zone 2), the Pre-Out 11.4 output already mentioned, and four subwoofer outputs. Plus eleven pairs of screw terminals and a USB Host port (front) and another Ethernet.
Availability, in black or silver finish, in November. Indicative price: 1,999 euros.
Reminder of the key characteristics of the Marantz Cinema 50:
• Model: 9.4
• Power: 9 x 150 W at 6 ohms, 9 x 110 W at 8 ohms
• THD ( total harmonic distortion): 0.08%
• Inputs: 6 HDMI 2.1 CEC, 5 stereo RCA (including one on the front), 1 Phono, 2 coaxial, 2 optical, 1 USB Host port (on the front) and 1 Ethernet port
• Outputs: 3 HDMI outputs (eARC function), 1 zone 2 stereo RCA, 1 Pre-Out 11.4, 1 RS-232, 11 pairs of screw terminal blocks
• OSD functions
• UPnP (DLNA) audio gateway functions
• ALLM functions
• VRR functions
• QFT functions
• QMS functions
• Spotify Connect functions
• Compatibility Flac HD
• DSD 2.8/5.6 MHz compatibility
• Wav compatibility
• Alac compatibility
• MP3 compatibility
• WMA compatibility
• AAC compatibility
• Audio DTS:X
• Audio Dolby Atmos Height Virtualizer function
• Audio DTS Virtual:X
• Audio eARC function
• Audio Dirac Live calibration
• Audio Train ment Audyssey Dynamic Volume
• Audio Audyssey Dynamic EQ Processing
• Audio Audyssey MultEQ XT 32 Auto Calibration
• Audio Audyssey LFC Processing
• Audio Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 with the addition an external stereo amplifier
• DTS:X 11.1 audio
• Auro 3D audio
• Audio 360 Reality Audio
• Mpeg-H audio
• HDR10 video
• HLG HDR Video
• Dolby Vision HDR Video
• BT.2020 Compatibility Video
• Ultra HD Pass-Trought Feature Video
• 3D Ready Video
• Video HDR10+
• Video Upscaling Function Ultra HD/8K (24/25/30/60)
• Video Upscaling Function Ultra HD/4K (24/25/30/60/120)
• Network Control by IP• Dual Band Wi-Fi network (2.4/5 GHz)
• AirPlay 2 compatibility
• Bluetooth TX network
• Heos Application network
• Multimedia Works with Hey Google
• Multimedia Works with Alexa
• Multimedia Amazon Multiroom Music
• Multimedia Roon Tested
• Streaming Hi-Res Audio via USB/Network: yes
• Internet radio( s): TuneIn
• Hi-Res Audio certification
• HDCP 2.3 certification
• Other(s): integrated Heos multiroom module
• Dimensions (W x H x D, mm ): 442 x 404 x 235 mm (Wi-Fi antennas deployed)
• Consumption: 680 W (0.2 W in standby)
• Weight: 12.5 kg
