Marantz Cinema 70s AVR Review

[OKI]

Hi, I am also considering new AV Receiver, Cinema 70 and X2800H are on the short list, This is from the Marantz site: The Marantz Sound Master meticulously tuned CINEMA 70s for amazing performance with our proprietary HDAM amplification circuitry to create the Most Musical Sound in your home.
What do you think about comparable Onkyo receiver instead of this Marantz and Denon? To notice, I am an audiophile, this is my Cinema system, my main system is Arcam / Open baffle speakers, etc...so , I would like for my receiver to play music fair nice, this is important to me...
Thank you all for this threads here.

 

[trl]

Cinema 70 is a rather low-power amplifier, mostly for smaller spaces, so it will not deliver a high amount of power when run in 7.1ch. Also, it will run hot on louder volumes if placed in confined space, unless you provide a proper ventilated space. Feel free to read at least the first pages of this thread, but also https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...rsonal-thoughts-and-a-few-measurements.50743/.

 

[EWL5]

Hi, I am also considering new AV Receiver, Cinema 70 and X2800H are on the short list, This is from the Marantz site: The Marantz Sound Master meticulously tuned CINEMA 70s for amazing performance with our proprietary HDAM amplification circuitry to create the Most Musical Sound in your home.
What do you think about comparable Onkyo receiver instead of this Marantz and Denon? To notice, I am an audiophile, this is my Cinema system, my main system is Arcam / Open baffle speakers, etc...so , I would like for my receiver to play music fair nice, this is important to me...
Thank you all for this threads here.

If you are an audiophile you probably don't want any less than a Denon 3800 or Cinema 50.

On the Onkyo side, shoot for the RZ70 or Pioneer 805 equivalent (I won't recommend the RZ50/505 due to the stealth amp protection).

 

[peng]

Cinema 70 is a rather low-power amplifier, mostly for smaller spaces, so it will not deliver a high amount of power when run in 7.1ch. Also, it will run hot on louder volumes if placed in confined space, unless you provide a proper ventilated space. Feel free to read at least the first pages of this thread, but also https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...rsonal-thoughts-and-a-few-measurements.50743/.

I know this is a tall order, I am wondering if there is any chance you can measure the AVR-X1800H. It is not something I need but I have been looking for a low cost convenient way to use DLBC in one of my two channel system and was considering, almost pull the trigger on the MOTU 4 DAC, then suddenly I noticed the X1800H was on sale (in Canada) so I went and negotiated a deal with a nearby dealer, got it for about US$ 550 equivalent, that's like 50% of the price of the Cinema 70. So far, in my intensive testing using my BMR speakers that have no more than 85 dB/2.83 V sensitivity, this light weight AVR has no trouble without using any of ext. amps.

So, my tall order is, can you measure such a low end Denon amp, that as far as I could see, has the same preamp/dac signal chain as the Cinema 70 that also don't have HDAMs. I suspect the two will be very comparable in terms of pre outs, but would probably do quite a bit better in terms driving lower impedance, and/or low sensitivity speakers at moderately loud volume in a smaller from, say from less than 10 ft. Obviously the Cinema 70 has generally better build quality, and beats the Denon for those who need a low profile, better looking unit, but at half, or a little more than half the price, the Denon could be a better alternative, if it measures as good as the Cinema 70.

If I was in the US, I wouldn't mind sending my unit to Amir, but being in Canada, I don't want to do it for obvious reason. Thanks regardless.

 

[peng]

If you are an audiophile you probably don't want any less than a Denon 3800 or Cinema 50.

On the Onkyo side, shoot for the RZ70 or Pioneer 805 equivalent (I won't recommend the RZ50/505 due to the stealth amp protection).

I don't know if I consider myself an audiophile lol... The fact is, I got rid of both my AV8801 and AVR-X4400H (used in one of my 2 Ch system), and now got myself an X1800H, that is two notches down from the X3800H and C50. The 8801 and 4400 no doubt would do better in some ways, for for my need, I feel the 1800 actually make me happier, for one thing, it has the pre outs I need, though the other two has independent pre outs, but overall, I am happier with the 1800. So, again, I would still say it depends, something less than the two you mentioned could be good, even for an audiophile.

 

[EWL5]

I don't know if I consider myself an audiophile lol... The fact is, I got rid of both my AV8801 and AVR-X4400H (used in one of my 2 Ch system), and now got myself an X1800H, that is two notches down from the X3800H and C50. The 8801 and 4400 no doubt would do better in some ways, for for my need, I feel the 1800 actually make me happier, for one thing, it has the pre outs I need, though the other two has independent pre outs, but overall, I am happier with the 1800. So, again, I would still say it depends, something less than the two you mentioned could be good, even for an audiophile.

Right, but I know that in your situation, the 1800 only serves for stereo purposes and has a niche job. My recommendations are more so for the general AV population that wants the AVR to do all!

I'm not an audiophile because I'm willing to spend $10k on equipment but not $20k. I'm just a hobbyist trying to get by based on best "values" in the industry! I don't need the nth significant digit performance!

 

[peng]

Right, but I know that in your situation, the 1800 only serves for stereo purposes and has a niche job. My recommendations are more so for the general AV population that wants the AVR to do all!

I'm not an audiophile because I'm willing to spend $10k on equipment but not $20k. I'm just a hobbyist trying to get by based on best "values" in the industry! I don't need the nth significant digit performance!

Haha if you define audiophile as someone who is willing to spend around 20K on equipment then okay...but still, what would be included in the "equipment"? If only the AVP, or AVR, that's a lot, otherwise may be not.

 

[trl]

I know this is a tall order, I am wondering if there is any chance you can measure the AVR-X1800H.

Not sure where to find one now, but if I will then I'll update you for sure. Meanwhile, you should go ahead with your purchase, especially if it's a good price, because I seriously doubt that the THD+N at standard volume levels will be worse that 80dB.

 

[peng]

Not sure where to find one now, but if I will then I'll update you for sure. Meanwhile, you should go ahead with your purchase, especially if it's a good price, because I seriously doubt that the THD+N at standard volume levels will be worse that 80dB.

Thanks anyway. I wanted to buy a QA403 but wouldn't know what to do with it after measured all my gear.

 

[Barney O'Hara]

This is extremely helpful and reassuring that my purchase of the updated 6700H, at a really good "last chance" price was indeed a blessing. I listen to classical and I don't expect anything from YouTube, but just being able to hook up with an HDMI instead of using the earphone jack to rca from my computer is a huge step up. I know I'm missing out on true high end, I just don't have the money at the moment to really smooth out the sound, but I think I did good for once, with the 6700h.
Thanks for all the graphs, great stuff.
Barney

 

[Sal1950]

I know I'm missing out on true high end, I just don't have the money at the moment to really smooth out the sound, but I think I did good for once, with the 6700h.

Don't concern yourself over any differences, subtle in the extreme if any at all..
Play your fav tunes and geek out on the music.

 

[peng]

This is extremely helpful and reassuring that my purchase of the updated 6700H, at a really good "last chance" price was indeed a blessing. I listen to classical and I don't expect anything from YouTube, but just being able to hook up with an HDMI instead of using the earphone jack to rca from my computer is a huge step up. I know I'm missing out on true high end, I just don't have the money at the moment to really smooth out the sound, but I think I did good for once, with the 6700h.
Thanks for all the graphs, great stuff.
Barney

You are good, just play high quality recordings/mastered contents and it will sound as good as anything.

 

[peng]

You are good, just play high quality recordings/mastered contents and it will sound as good as anything.

Can't believe this thing is now more expensive than the x3800h that is on sale

 

[crashtech]

Hi all, I have read the review of this product but I don't understand a lot of it, and reading some of this thread (not all 17 pages, sorry) still leaves be with a bit of doubt whether this would be a good choice (if the price is right) to use as a pre/pro to get the latest surround formats and 4K HDMI switching. I don't intend to use its internal amps at all.

 

[ban25]

Hi all, I have read the review of this product but I don't understand a lot of it, and reading some of this thread (not all 17 pages, sorry) still leaves be with a bit of doubt whether this would be a good choice (if the price is right) to use as a pre/pro to get the latest surround formats and 4K HDMI switching. I don't intend to use its internal amps at all.

If you care about Atmos, then you need to look to something with more than 7.1 processing. Minimum on the Marantz line would be the Cinema 50.

 

[crashtech]

If you care about Atmos, then you need to look to something with more than 7.1 processing. Minimum on the Marantz line would be the Cinema 50.

Thank you for the reply. I should have specified that I'm not really looking for more than 7.1 in the room it's going in, I just need something that will detect and decode the best format it can from the source and also switch 4K, both things my old RX-V1600 does not do, although it has decent sound and enough power for the room.

 

[ban25]

Thank you for the reply. I should have specified that I'm not really looking for more than 7.1 in the room it's going in, I just need something that will detect and decode the best format it can from the source and also switch 4K, both things my old RX-V1600 does not do, although it has decent sound and enough power for the room.

Yeah the Cinema 70s would have you covered in that case.

 

[crashtech]

Yeah the Cinema 70s would have you covered in that case.

Thank you again. I've been looking at a lot of options, hoping to catch a deal on a used Denon AVR-X3600H, but they're a bit out of range (or missing parts if affordable), no doubt their reputation precedes them. Pretty much everything in my price range ~$700 is either underpowered or too old to be useful in the HDMI and HDCP realm. I feel that getting this may also free me up to get a better amp later when I am able, but the preamp obviously has to be "good enough," and I am still not 100% certain this unit fits the bill, though as far as I understand the weakness of the 70s is in the amp section.

 

[pogo]

Look for JBL MA510 or the better ones.

 

[crashtech]

Look for JBL MA510 or the better ones.

That model doesn't seem to be readily available in the US afaict.