Marantz, a manufacturer home audio products for over 70 years, has introduced the latest additions to its growing portfolio of reference-quality home theater components: the AV 20 AV Preamplifier and AMP 20 Power Amplifier. The company boasts the two new models build on the home theater pedigree of the AV 10 and AMP 10 pairing—plus the CINEMA 30 AVR—all three of which have cemented Marantz’s status as a leader in the AV category.
According to Marantz, both the AV 20 and AMP 20 have been designed as a compliment to its home theater portfolio, being combinable in a variety of different system configurations.
“The new AV 20 and AMP 20 are the next stage in Marantz’s continuing evolution in the high-performance audio category,” says Giles Pocock, vice-president brand marketing, Marantz. “They represent all that is best about the brand’s premium design, engineering excellence and attention to detail, and they also usefully expand the breadth and versatility of our offering in home theater.”
AV 20 Preamplifier Leverages Marantz Legacy Through State-of-the-Art Technologies
Looking at the AV 20 preamp, Marantz incorporates SHARC dual-core DSPs with 32-bit two-channel DACs, as well as seven HDMI inputs that support 8K, and three HDMI outputs. The IMAX Enhanced-certified preamplifier provides Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Auro-3D immersive audio processing options, along with standard surround sound capabilities. The discrete HDAM SA-3 preamplifier stage also feeds up to 13.4 channels via RCA or XLR outputs, ensuring flexibility over system configurations.
Moving on to processing power, the preamp comes with Audyssey MultEQ XT32 room calibration, which, according to Marantz is meant to help the preamp compliment a broader range of speakers in any listening environment. Furthermore, the AV 20 also features optionally available Dirac Live Room Correction plus Dirac Live Bass Control to support fully optimized low-frequency integration for up to four independent subwoofers, giving perfectly coherent bass response in challenging room environments.
In a first for Marantz, the AV 20 will also offer the most powerful of Dirac’s extensive room-optimization technologies: Dirac Live Active Room Treatment (ART). This new Dirac solution is designed to give a cohesive and tonally consistent listening experience of any available room optimization technology. The Dirac Live ART upgrade will be supported via a future firmware update.
Related News: Qobuz Streaming Service Now Available on HEOS Platform
Additionally, the AV 20 incorporates the latest HEOS multiroom platform, giving homeowners access to streaming service content, all seamlessly integrated into one unified user experience. Marantz stresses the immersive audio preamplifier is Roon Ready, and through HEOS, it provides Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, AirPlay 2, and Bluetooth.
AMP 20 Powers 12 Channels of Immersive Audio
Providing the power to enable the AV 20’s immersive audio and streaming home entertainment capabilities is the companion AMP 20. Designed to the same aesthetic and performance standards as the company’s AMP 10, the AMP 20 is configured as a cool-running 12-channel power amplifier with 200 watts per channel into 8 ohms, ( at1kHz, THD 0.05 % with two channels driven), which is sufficient to drive multiple different speaker configurations and speaker layouts with ease asserts Marantz.
According to Marantz, the AMP 20 also provides the option of reconfiguring pairs of 200-watt amp channels into bridged-tied-load (BTL) outputs, with up to a maximum of six channels of 400 watts available if the chosen speaker system requires additional power. Alternatively, integrators can opt to bi-amp up to six speakers through these amp configuration options, which also includes a choice of XLR or RCA connections.
Marantz adds that integrators can also utilize these components with other Marantz products. For example, they can act as an amplifier upgrade for CINEMA 30 owners, or as a complement to AV 10 AV Preamplifiers where fewer channels of power are required. Similarly the company proposes, the AV 20 can be paired with the company’s 16-channel AMP 10 Power Amplifier instead of the AMP 20 if a system requires more than the 12 channels of power.
Externally, both the AV 20 and AMP 20 incorporate the latest generation of Marantz’s porthole display concepts combined with the brand’s latest industrial design language. Both employ a multi-layer chassis that feature an extensive use of copper. The fascia plates on both models feature selectable side illumination, with a fold-down front panel on the AV 20 to conceal all less-used functions, creating a clean aesthetic. Additionally, the AV 20 comes with a remote control, which features backlighting for use in darker rooms.
Keep Reading:
Have you heard? Marantz is now with Harman
Are you building a home theater? Check out what the experts say you should focus on
Or see what we have to say about the Simaudio 250i v2 amp
