Marantz Cinema 60 Review: Sound and Vision Redefined

As a self-proclaimed audiophile, I’m always excited to explore new home theater equipment, and the Marantz Cinema 60 7.2 Channel AV receiver is no exception. At first glance, it’s clear that this receiver is designed with the legendary Marantz quality in mind, boasting an iconic porthole, symmetrical layout, and visual cues that exude a sense of class and sophistication.

The Marantz Sound Master has meticulously tuned the Cinema 60 to deliver amazing performance, utilizing their proprietary HDAM amplification circuitry to create the most musical sound possible for your home. The inclusion of an accessible remote, front-panel controls, and an intuitive on-screen setup process ensures that even the most novice user will feel like an expert right away.

What sets the Cinema 60 apart from its competitors is its ability to transform your home theater system with masterful 8K connectivity and 3D surround sound. The 7.2-channel AVR (100W x 7) offers pristine audio and video, allowing you to experience 3D heightened realism for legacy content with Dolby Surround and DTS Neural:X upmixer. The receiver also supports cutting-edge technologies like 8K/60Hz or 4K/120Hz pass-through, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Dynamic HDR, HLG, HDR10, 3D, and more, ensuring that your movies and games will look and sound better than ever before. Additionally, it has QFT, QMS, VRR & ALLM support for lag-free gaming.

The Cinema 60 is equipped to handle a variety of surround sound formats, including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. With Dolby Height Virtualization and DTS Virtual:X, the Marantz receiver can create overhead sound in a 7.1, 5.1, or 2.1 setup without the need for height speakers. This flexibility allows you to upgrade your surround sound system without breaking the bank or requiring a complete overhaul.

One of the standout features of the Cinema 60 is its extensive connectivity options. It boasts eight HDMI ports (6 In/2 Out) with three 8K UHD inputs, two subwoofer outputs, a phono input, analog and digital inputs, USB, and more. This wide range of connections makes it compatible with any HD/UHD TV, subwoofer, turntable, and Blu-ray player for incredible stereo sound.

The Marantz Cinema 60 also excels in multi-room music streaming. With built-in HEOS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and AirPlay 2 support, you can create a multi-room surround sound system and enjoy Hi-Fi audio throughout your home. Stream your favorite tunes from services like Pandora and Spotify, and control it all with seamless voice control through Alexa, Siri, and other popular smart home automation systems.

A hallmark of the Marantz brand is their commitment to the highest measure of AV performance. The Cinema 60 AVR features legendary HDAM discrete circuitry and current feedback amplification, bringing theater-like dynamics to your home. The result is a warm, rich tone with extraordinary detail for both movies and music.

Setting up the Marantz Cinema 60 is a breeze, thanks to the Audyssey MultEQ XT32 automatic room acoustic correction. The HD on-screen graphical user interface makes navigating menus, selecting sources, and tuning your AVR an easy and hassle-free task.

Now, let’s talk about the sound quality. I tested the Cinema 60 with three different movies: “The Dark Knight,” “Blade Runner 2049,” and “Dunkirk.” In each case, the audio performance was nothing short of exceptional. With “The Dark Knight,” the Marantz Cinema 60 delivered the iconic score with rich, immersive sound, while the dialogue was crystal-clear and never overpowered by the sound effects. The intense action scenes were brought to life with punchy bass and precise audio positioning.

“Blade Runner 2049” showcased the Cinema 60’s ability to handle a complex soundscape, as the atmospheric score and intricate sound effects were reproduced with stunning detail and depth. The immersive audio experience made me feel like I was right in the heart of the futuristic city.

When it came to “Dunkirk,” the Marantz Cinema 60 truly shined in its ability to reproduce the film’s intense and dynamic audio. The roar of planes, the crashing waves, and the nerve-wracking ticking of the clock were all rendered with incredible accuracy, making for an edge-of-your-seat experience.

I also put the Cinema 60 to the test with three different music titles: “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen, “Hotel California” by Eagles, and “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin. With “Bohemian Rhapsody,” the Marantz Cinema 60 highlighted the song’s intricate harmonies and powerful vocals, while the dynamic shifts between the quieter piano sections and the full-band moments were executed flawlessly.

“Hotel California” was equally impressive, as the Cinema 60 delivered the iconic guitar intro with exceptional clarity and warmth. The song’s immersive layers of instrumentation were reproduced with precision, creating a rich and engaging listening experience.

Finally, with “Stairway to Heaven,” the Marantz Cinema 60 demonstrated its ability to handle a wide range of dynamics and frequencies. The gentle opening guitar lines were beautifully rendered, while the powerful crescendo towards the end of the song was delivered with stunning impact and intensity.

Of course, no product is perfect, and the Marantz Cinema 60 has a few minor downsides. The lack of multi-room video out via HDMI may be a deal-breaker for some users who require this functionality. Additionally, Its size may be an issue for those with limited space. However, these shortcomings are relatively minor when considering the overall performance and versatility of the Cinema 60.

In conclusion, the Marantz Cinema 60 7.2 Channel AV receiver is a powerhouse that delivers outstanding audio and video performance. Its extensive connectivity options, immersive surround sound capabilities, and multi-room streaming features make it a fantastic choice for any home theater enthusiast. Despite a few minor drawbacks, the Cinema 60 offers an unparalleled audiovisual experience that is sure to satisfy even the most discerning audiophiles.

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