During the now completed CEDIA Expo 2018 show in San Diego, the new $2,199 IMAX-Enhanced certified Marantz AV7705 Pre-Processor was officially introduced.
Marantz says that its new 11.2-channel processor is one of the first products to hit the consumer market that carries IMAX Enhanced certification, meaning it incorporates development input from IMAX and DTS.
“Marantz sets the standard for music lovers and critical listeners around the world so everything we do and build starts with ensuring we're providing optimum fidelity for beautiful, natural sounding music,” notes Emmanuel Millot, global brand director, Marantz.
“Fans of Marantz technology will see familiar features like HDAM technology and the ability to decode lossless files with exceptional signal quality. However, the AV7705 does more than recreate music—it provides the ultimate home theater experience,” Millot says.
“We've integrated brand new IMAX Enhanced technology, support for the latest audio and video formats, multiroom audio functionality, including Apple2 AirPlay and several options to make custom integrators lives easier than ever.”
As part of the IMAX Enhanced program, certified products will be supported with a free firmware update in 2019.
Marantz AV7705 Supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X
Internally, the home theater processor features 32-bit AKM digital-to-analog converters (DAC) on all channels, and it provides the ability to decode content such as 24-bit/192kHz ALAC, FLAC, and WAV lossless audio files.
The unit's rear panel incorporates balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) pre-outs to provide integrators a choice of connection methods.
Supporting the DSD format (the format used by SACD), the AV7705 is able to decode DSD 2.8MHz and DSD 5.6MHz files via the processor's front-panel USB port and network sources.
Leveraging IMAX technologies, Marantz says the AV7705, “produces clearer pictures and brighter images alongside immersive, heart-pounding audio.”
Related: IMAX, DTS Team Up on ‘IMAX Enhanced’ Certification & Licensing Program
The processor offers a choice of audio platforms such as the object-based Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Auro-3D formats, as well as the Dolby Surround, DTS Neural:X and AURO-MATIC up-mixing algorithms to add more “life” to traditional 5.1 content.
The AV7705 also includes Marantz's Hyper Dynamic Amplification Module (HDAM) circuits that are said to improve channel separation, while minimizes crosstalk and increasing signal-to-noise ratio performance.
Integration Friendly, 4K Ready
The processor employs a total of eight HDMI inputs that support HDCP 2.2, 4K UltraHD video, 60Hz video content and 4:4:4 chroma subsampling rates.
The AV7705 also supports Dolby Vision and Hybrid Log Gamma HDR formats, 21:9 video, 3D video, and pass-through for the BT:2020 wide color gamut. Three of the HDMI outputs allow integrators to connect to multiple zones.
Later, the Pre-Processor will support HDMI 2.1, and technologies like Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM).
Read Next: eARC at CEDIA—The One Question to ask TV and AVR Manufacturers
It also features remote control input and outputs on the unit's rear panel, a flasher input, and a 12-volt trigger output.
The processor's RS-232 port enables electronics professionals to install the AV7705 into third-party control systems, and the product also supports ihiji Invision, Domotz Pro monitoring, and Crestron Connected.
Additionally, the Marantz AV7705 Pre-Processor provides voice-control options with Amazon Alexa voice control capability, and the unit also serves as a wireless zone within a multizone HEOS wireless audio system.
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