Marantz Cinema Series 2 Announced

[EWL5]

I am wondering which one would be better for an overall movies/music, this Marantz CINEMA 50 S2 or maybe Onkyo TX-RZ31

Depends how many SW outs you get with the RZ31. If you’re considering a $3k AVR, why is the RZ31 in the picture? I’m expecting the RZ31 to be close to $1k discounted!

 

[peng]

I am wondering which one would be better for an overall movies/music, this Marantz CINEMA 50 S2 or maybe Onkyo TX-RZ31

If you buy all the licenses, the C50 should be better but the x3900h is a much better value unless you are in Europe and prefer the M look a lot.

 

[livinon2wheels]

Clearly MASIMO is playing fast and loose with the type of amplification included in these receivers. They don't want to be too specific about it, have you noticed that? I suspect they are using class D amps especially in the lower power versions so they can cheap out on the power supplies. After all, when you are trying to engineer to a price point, heavy duty high current power supplies are expensive. Class D requires less peak power and less average power compared to the industry standard class AB. I don't blame them for this and actually applaud this approach. Electricity cost is growing exponentially here in the US and having a more efficient amplifier that still sounds good is a win for everyone especially the homeowner. If class D can hold up over the typical 20 year ownership that most well built class AB units can manage, and sound good doing it, I am on board for it.

 

[Power Pop 23]

Clearly MASIMO is playing fast and loose with the type of amplification included in these receivers. They don't want to be too specific about it, have you noticed that? I suspect they are using class D amps especially in the lower power versions so they can cheap out on the power supplies. After all, when you are trying to engineer to a price point, heavy duty high current power supplies are expensive. Class D requires less peak power and less average power compared to the industry standard class AB. I don't blame them for this and actually applaud this approach. Electricity cost is growing exponentially here in the US and having a more efficient amplifier that still sounds good is a win for everyone especially the homeowner. If class D can hold up over the typical 20 year ownership that most well built class AB units can manage, and sound good doing it, I am on board for it.

MASIMO sold the brands owned by Sound United to Samsung's Harman International division in September 2025.

 

[OCA]

I am wondering which one would be better for an overall movies/music, this Marantz CINEMA 50 S2 or maybe Onkyo TX-RZ31

One of them can be calibrated perfectly for free.

 

[livinon2wheels]

MASIMO sold the brands owned by Sound United to Samsung's Harman International division in September 2025.

I did not realize Harman had them now. I hope that doesn't change the quality level to the negative side. Marantz has always been solid gear in my experience. Expensive perhaps, but for reliable, high performance its probably worth it.

 

[Miker 1102]

I wonder how long you would have to wait for the rz31. If they are able to release it at 1k with ART capacity and Auro it would cut into Denon sales. You can get the 30 for 800 dollars at times. Despite Amirs review, its simply an excellent price for 9.2 atmos.

 

[dansan69]

Clearly MASIMO is playing fast and loose with the type of amplification included in these receivers. They don't want to be too specific about it, have you noticed that? I suspect they are using class D amps especially in the lower power versions so they can cheap out on the power supplies. After all, when you are trying to engineer to a price point, heavy duty high current power supplies are expensive. Class D requires less peak power and less average power compared to the industry standard class AB. I don't blame them for this and actually applaud this approach. Electricity cost is growing exponentially here in the US and having a more efficient amplifier that still sounds good is a win for everyone especially the homeowner. If class D can hold up over the typical 20 year ownership that most well built class AB units can manage, and sound good doing it, I am on board for it.

On the contrary, Marantz is using class A/B in their entire receiver lineup while class D (icepower, purifi etc) is reserved for their top shelf offering. The multi channel amps like the AMP10 deploy icepower modules while their high end stereo amps use the SOTA purifi modules.