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Marantz Cinema Series 2 Announced

Burnsy1

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Nov 22, 2022
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Forgive me if this was posted elsewhere... Updated versions of the Cinema 50, 60, and 70 upcoming.

Of interest to me is the following statement: "At the heart of every CINEMA Series 2 receiver is a new 32-bit, eight-channel DAC, delivering dedicated simultaneous high-resolution conversion across every channel." - Curious to know what that will be.



"The next evolution of premium home theater, refined in every detail
August 6th, 2026: Marantz, one of the world's most respected names in premium audio for more than 70 years, proudly introduces the CINEMA Series 2: the next generation of its award-winning home theater receivers, comprising CINEMA 50 Series 2, CINEMA 60 Series 2, CINEMA 60 DAB Series 2 (available in Europe only) and CINEMA 70s Series 2.

Building on the acclaimed performance, elegant design and superior ease of use of the current CINEMA range, the new Series 2 models introduce meaningful advancements in sound quality, connectivity, gaming compatibility and installation flexibility. Carefully tuned by the Marantz Sound Master, every improvement has been engineered to create an even more immersive and emotionally engaging entertainment experience.

Enhanced performance for every soundtrack

At the heart of every CINEMA Series 2 receiver is a new 32-bit, eight-channel DAC, delivering dedicated simultaneous high-resolution conversion across every channel.

The result is greater precision, improved imaging, enhanced dynamic expression and more coherent surround performance throughout the listening environment. Processing every channel simultaneously also reduces timing errors while simplifying the signal path for greater consistency and reliability.

Further expanding its commitment to acoustic excellence, Dirac LiveTM Room Correction is now available as an additional cost option on more models than ever. CINEMA 60 Series 2, CINEMA 60 DAB Series 2 and CINEMA 70s Series 2 now join CINEMA 50 in offering Dirac Live upgradeability, enabling listeners to experience tighter bass, improved timing accuracy, greater tonal consistency and a significantly larger listening sweet spot. CINEMA 50 Series 2 continues to support the full Dirac ecosystem, including Room Correction, Bass Control and Active Room Treatment (ART).

As with every Marantz product, all aspects of each model’s audio performance have been meticulously tuned by the Marantz Sound Master to deliver the warm, spacious and deeply musical sound signature that defines the brand’s distinctive sonic identity.

The Signature Marantz Sound

CINEMA Series 2 introduces a range of intelligent new capabilities designed around the way people enjoy movies, music and gaming today.

A future firmware update will add Low-Latency Bluetooth LE Audio, dramatically reducing wireless listening delay with compatible headphones and mobile devices, it also features an upgraded HEOS platform, delivering a more responsive streaming experience while expanding multi-room functionality.
Greater control, enhanced flexibility

The all-new Web Control 2.0 delivers complete system configuration and control from any smartphone, tablet, or computer, eliminating reliance on TV on-screen menus during installation. In addition, for professional custom installers, HDMI Diagnostics 2.0 within CI Mode provides automated HDMI verification and advanced troubleshooting capabilities, streamlining installation and reducing setup time.

The new Channel Level Monitoring feature provides real-time visualization of channel activity across all CINEMA Series 2 models, making it easier to verify speaker operation and system performance.

Exclusive to the CINEMA 50 Series 2, the new Dolby Atmos Channel Expander further enhances immersion by utilizing all available speakers when playing channel-based Dolby Atmos content. The CINEMA 50 Series 2 also introduces Center Bi-Amp Mode, for improved dialogue clarity, complementing the existing Bi-Amp mode for compatible front left and right speakers.

Ready for the next generation of immersive gaming

Recognizing the growing importance of gaming within modern home entertainment, the new CINEMA Series 2 models introduce support for 1440p video pass-through together with AMD FreeSync™ compatibility, delivering smoother gameplay, lower latency and tear-free visuals for compatible PCs and gaming consoles.

Combined with Marantz's existing HDMI 2.1 capabilities, these enhancements ensure exceptional performance for today's most demanding gaming platforms.

Purposeful design, inside and out

The CINEMA Series 2 preserves Marantz’s award-winning design language while introducing refinements beneath the surface, ensuring continuity for existing Marantz owners while further elevating performance. Copper hardware, carefully selected internal components and upgraded construction continue Marantz's uncompromising approach to engineering and craftsmanship. All CINEMA Series 2 models are available in Black and Silver Gold finishes (available in Black finish only in North America).


Beyond performance, Marantz continues its commitment to more sustainable product design. Every CINEMA Series 2 model ships in redesigned environmentally conscious packaging that significantly reduces plastic usage, recyclable paper protection and improved packaging architecture, all while preserving the premium unboxing experience expected of a Marantz product."


A home theater family for every room

Whether creating a dedicated home theatre, upgrading a family entertainment room or integrating premium AV into a compact living space, CINEMA Series 2 offers a solution tailored to every environment.

The flagship CINEMA 50 Series 2 combines nine channels of amplification, 11.4 channels of processing with the most comprehensive feature set, including advanced Dirac support, Dolby Atmos Channel Expander and Center Bi-Amp Mode.

CINEMA 60 Series 2 (CINEMA 60/DAB Series 2) brings many of the platform's latest innovations, including Dirac Live Ready, the new DAC architecture and enhanced connectivity, to a wider audience.

For installations where space is at a premium, CINEMA 70s Series 2 continues to offer Marantz's elegant slimline design while introducing the same upgraded DAC platform, enhanced streaming capabilities and next-generation connectivity as its larger siblings. All Marantz CINEMA Series 2 models continue to feature full-channel preamp outputs, enabling seamless integration with external power amplifiers.

Elevate your home theater experience with the new Marantz CINEMA 50 Series 2, CINEMA 60 Series 2 (available in APAC and North America), CINEMA 60 DAB Series 2 (available in Europe only) and CINEMA 70s Series 2, available from Marantz.com and authorized Marantz retailers from August 12th 2026 (September 15th 2026 for CINEMA 70s Series 2).
 
Forgive me if this was posted elsewhere... Updated versions of the Cinema 50, 60, and 70 upcoming.

Of interest to me is the following statement: "At the heart of every CINEMA Series 2 receiver is a new 32-bit, eight-channel DAC, delivering dedicated simultaneous high-resolution conversion across every channel." - Curious to know what that will be.
These are going to be the same Cirrus DACs that are found in their 3900, 2900, and 1900 counterparts. In all honesty, "Series 2" is closer to what you get in terms of what's "new" for this new gen from Denon...I mean Marantz!

In the US, is the Cinema 50 Series 2 worth $1150 more than the 3900 (MSRP to MSRP)? Probably not!
 
I am happy to see the option of Dirac Live become available in an AVR with a shorter than average height in the Marantz Cinema 70s Series 2.
 
I am happy to see the option of Dirac Live become available in an AVR with a shorter than average height in the Marantz Cinema 70s Series 2.
This might be the Holy Grail for lifestyle AVRs if the SINAD does much better than Series 1 (I think it was 69 at 4 ohms?).
 
I am curious about the Dolby Atmos Expander function. With my Marantz AV10 and 15.2.6 setup, it might be a worthwhile upgrade to a newer receiver or processor that supports this feature in the future.
 
knowing how the 'series 1' performs on the charts do you guys think marantz will fix the performance?

i think you guys know the answer already
 
It seems that the price gap between Denon and Marantz will widen further. It's already hard to justify buying M over D, but I'm afraid they will now just cost double the equivalent Denon and at best measure the same.

At least there may be some clearout sales on the current Cinema gen...
 
Discrete sub outs would also be nice. Oh, and Dirac ART - not exactly lifestyle, but more lifestyle than buying bass traps
The 60 and 70S don't have the horsepower to run Dirac ART and max sub outs starts w/the Cinema 50. What you're proposing is even less product segmentation other than amp power. I think being able to run the baseline Dirac RC is good enough for the 60 and 70s.

For the cost of the 60 Series 2, you can get the 3900 and just about the base Dirac RC.
For the cost of the 50 Series 2, you can get the 3900 and all the licenses all the way to ART and still have money left over! ;)
 
Models below Cinema 50/Series 2 and X3800H/X3900H get very weak speaker correction with the standard Audyssey (MultEQ XT and MultEQ Basic) so Dirac Live addition is a must for proper DSP which will add $300 to the cost.

For content at 48kHz sampling rate:

MultEQ XT subwoofer minimum filter resolution 11.72Hz, speaker min resolution 93.75Hz
MultEQ Basic sub filter resolution: 11.72Hz, speaker minimum filter resolution: 375Hz
 
Isn't the 60 equivalent of a 2800? The new one will probably be a "2900".
Yes, the 60 Series 2 is equivalent to the 2900.

I was comparing what you get w/Denon pricing vs Marantz, not necessarily comparing AVR capability b/w D&M. I don't get the Marantz pricing in the US and will take every opportunity to ridicule the MSRP delta when I get the chance.
 
Prices announced in Portugal :

Marantz CINEMA 50 SERIES 2 - Recetor AV - 2100,00 €

With the arrival of the new model, the previous 50 is priced at 1680€
 
Prices announced in Portugal :

Marantz CINEMA 50 SERIES 2 - Recetor AV - 2100,00 €

With the arrival of the new model, the previous 50 is priced at 1680€
As of today, 2100,00 € is still just $2430 USD (a far cry from the $3000 in the US....stupid tariffs...).
 
The delta is a lot in Europe as well. The current M50 for 1680€ is the D3800 equivalent, and that one can be had for less than 1200€...

D3900 is 1500-ish, and the new M50-2 will be 2100.

Yeah it's a bit prettier but that doesn't warrant a 1/3 price increase over the Denon if you ask me :/
 
Prices announced in Portugal :

Marantz CINEMA 50 SERIES 2 - Recetor AV - 2100,00 €

With the arrival of the new model, the previous 50 is priced at 1680€
If one really likes the look of Marantz, the C50 at that discounted price may be worth it, but to pay more for the Cinema 60, series 2 or not, over the Denon x3800 or 3900H, or even the x2900h, one would have to really love the look or Marantz and/or believe the so called Marantz sound would sound much better, and really cannot tolerate the look of Denon’s.
 
  • Kudos for:
    • the added Powered USB-A connector at the back panel (I hope it turns off with AVR, or even better if it can be set up) I need it to connect something to power a cooling fan.
    • Dirac for 60 and 70s (but no ART or Bass management for lower models)
    • Channel monitoring is nice. Also the option to setup from smart phone is amazing (but I'm believe there was some kind of app with previous Cinema series)
  • But I'm disappointed with
    • they did not made power amp. in class D. I'm obsessed with low power consumption and low heat generation. And I'm mad when electronics is ON, but ilde and wasting power (especially during this hellish summer). Perhaps the reality is not so bad with Eco mode, but still it is annoying me that they did not use something similar to the class D amps in Model M1.
    • Cinema 60 and 70 can process only 1 sub, they still have 2 parallel sub outputs :(
    • Cinema 60 and 70 have only basic Dirac and Audyssey.
 
  • Kudos for:
    • the added Powered USB-A connector at the back panel (I hope it turns off with AVR, or even better if it can be set up) I need it to connect something to power a cooling fan.
    • Dirac for 60 and 70s (but no ART or Bass management for lower models)
    • Channel monitoring is nice. Also the option to setup from smart phone is amazing (but I'm believe there was some kind of app with previous Cinema series)
  • But I'm disappointed with
    • they did not made power amp. in class D. I'm obsessed with low power consumption and low heat generation. And I'm mad when electronics is ON, but ilde and wasting power (especially during this hellish summer). Perhaps the reality is not so bad with Eco mode, but still it is annoying me that they did not use something similar to the class D amps in Model M1.
    • Cinema 60 and 70 can process only 1 sub, they still have 2 parallel sub outputs :(
    • Cinema 60 and 70 have only basic Dirac and Audyssey.
Yeah, but if they made these Marantz units Class D, they would have to R&D an entirely new platform and couldn't simply take the comparable Denon unit, put it into a fancy box, and then sell it for nearly twice the cost (in the US at least)!
 
I am wondering which one would be better for an overall movies/music, this Marantz CINEMA 50 S2 or maybe Onkyo TX-RZ31
 
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