News

Marantz Announces SR7001 THX Certified, HDMI-Enabled A/V Receiver with Up-Conversion (2/10/2006)

Soaring performance from new Marantz up-converting, THX-certified receiver

Marantz is proud to unveil the first model in an entirely new line-up of home cinema receivers, which saw their world launch at the Berlin-based IFA show this year.

The £1000 SR7001 AV receiver is a no compromise digital surround receiver, built in keeping with Marantz traditions to excel at not only movie reproduction, but also with music firmly in mind. Its impressive specification includes a conservatively estimated 110 Watts across each of its seven channels, THX Select 2 certification, four HDMI 1.2 inputs with switching, up-conversion from all analogue sources to HDMI with interlace to progressive processing, the latest in advanced 32-bit Digital Signal Processing circuitry, automatic Room Acoustic Calibration with MultEQ by Audyssey, and Crystal 192kHz/24-bit audio DACs for each channel.

Perhaps the most important features on the SR7001 are the four latest specification HDMI inputs and one ouput, which are compatible with 720p, 1080i and 1080p signals and offer switching and up-conversion from all analogue sources, ensuring the highest video quality is achieved at all times. There is also interlace-progressive processing for analogue to HDMI converted video signals ensuring no compatibility problems with display devices.

At the heart of the SR7001 is highly advanced 32-bit Digital Signal Processing circuitry decoding the latest generation of digital surround sound including THX Select 2, Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES, DPL IIx, CSII, DTS 96/24, Dolby Headphone, and Dolby Virtual Speaker.

As with all Marantz products the very best audio reproduction is the key. Fundamental to this in the SR7001 is a massive power transformer in combination with high-grade, oversized filter capacitors that deliver continuously clean and stable power, and a Crystal 192 kHz/24-bit D/A converter for each of the seven channels.

The design also implements Marantz's proprietary Current Feedback amplification circuit technology making it ideal for high-resolution software such as DVD-Audio and DTS 96/24, as it offers wide-bandwidth, high-speed reproduction with excellent transient response and superb sonic transparency for the full bandwidth up to 100kHz.

Elsewhere you'll find independent power supply circuits for the audio and video sections, as well as FL display, for maximum separation, clarity and dynamic range. There's also a Pure Direct mode, which turns off high-noise video components and the display, which can both cause interference. Together with specially selected high grade components, all elements work in harmony to recreate the emotion, exactly as the artist had intended. The multi-speaker C output can even be used to bi-amp the front left and right channels for improved sonic performance.

Set-up couldn't be simpler thanks to the Room Acoustic Calibration function with MultEQ by Audyssey. This system - developed by a handful of audio experts at the University of Southern California including THX inventor Tom Holman - automatically determines how many loudspeakers are connected, whether they are connected in phase and whether they are satellites or subwoofers. When it has processed this it then calibrates speaker level, size, and distance. The system compensates for more than one listening location at the same time, giving nearly every listener in the room a "sweet spot" no matter where they're sitting. A dedicated high sensitive audio microphone will come with the receiver.

In addition, Marantz has focused on flexibility by utilizing Flasher In, IR Emitter Out, DC trigger out, a RS-232C communication port, so the SR7001 is ideal as a custom installation solution. A multi-zone function allows you to simultaneously enjoy a different source in another room, complete with component video signals from the second monitor output.

Completing the package is an extensive, backlit learning remote handset, making the SR7001 the ideal choice in every home entertainment system.

www.marantz.com