Marantz Cinema 50

Verdict

The Marantz Cinema 50 combines a hardcore residence cinema spec with an elegant, up to date design. Options embody future-proofed 4K 120Hz HDMI inputs, a pointy new consumer interface, and bullet proof HEOS multiroom Hello-res streaming. In the end although, it’s the amp’s beautiful musicality and dynamic supply that has us holding two thumbs enthusiastically aloft.

Introduction

Marantz lays declare to the high-end of residence cinema with the luxuriously outfitted Cinema 50, a strong Dolby Atmos amplifier with a way of favor.

The Cinema 50 ushers in a brand new period for Marantz’s residence theatre aspirations. The model’s conventional fascia design, with curvaceous edges, has been retired. Adopting design cues established by Marantz Hello-Fi separates, the brand new look is sharp and modernistic. 

It’s completely different beneath the hood too. There’s a reworked HEOS community module, which has enabled a pointy consumer interface, future proof HDMI connectivity and 9 channels of 110W (into 8 Ohms) muscle.

For those who’ve been holding again from changing a pre-Dolby Atmos AV receiver, this magnificence could be the beast that lastly convinces you to improve.

The Cinema 50 is out there priced at £1,700. Stateside you’ll be able to anticipate to select one up for $2,500. Word that within the US, the Cinema Collection are all AV receivers. Within the UK and Europe, they’re AV amplifiers, aside from a particular DAB version of the Cinema 60.

The mannequin on check right here is positioned slightly below the Cinema 40, an 11.4 channel 125 watts AV amp, and above the seven channel, 100-watts per channel Cinema 60. The model’s Cinema Collection entry-level mannequin is the 50W Cinema 70.

Design

• Fashionable, up to date design
• 4K 120Hz/ 8K HDMI help
• 11.4 preouts

Impressed by the gown sense of Marantz’s two-channel amplifiers, the Mannequin 30 and Mannequin 40n, this Cinema Collection newcomer options sq., symmetrical edges and a stylised textured end. Out there in black or silver gold finishes, it’s most likely the primary AV amp I’ve seen in an age that might be described as elegant, regardless of its 13.5kg bulk. 

The entrance fascia options quantity and supply choice knobs, positioned both facet of the standard Marantz porthole show. In fact, this isn’t probably the most helpful of shows, notably should you attempt to use it to navigate the varied menus, but it surely’s clear sufficient to verify sources and quantity management. That mentioned, the small porthole isn’t overly distracting at nighttime room, so that you received’t really feel the necessity to mute the show fully.

The amp comes with a slim, properly made distant management. A backlight button, positioned on the correct edge, illuminates the keys for darkish room use.

For individuals who want a extra hands-on strategy, there’s a pull-down fascia flap that gives some extra on-board controls, plus a USB-A connection and mic setup jack. Nevertheless, there’s no front-mounted HDMI enter on this mannequin, so no straightforward hook-up of native gear (laptops, recreation methods and so forth).

Rear connectivity compensates although. There are six HDMI inputs, plus three outputs, one eARC/ARC appropriate, a secondary monitor output for a projector, and a 3rd to help Zone 2. 

All HDMI inputs help 4K 120Hz / 8K as commonplace. The amp additionally upscales lesser sources, if required. HDR help covers Dolby Imaginative and prescient and HDR10+, and there’s ALLM (auto low latency mode) pass-through.

Further ports embody 4 digital audio inputs (divided between coaxial and optical), 5 analogue inputs, phono for a vinyl document deck, and 4 subwoofer outputs.

For those who ever hanker to improve, there’s additionally a full 11.4 financial institution of preouts, together with a stereo Zone two output. Wi-fi help covers Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and AirPlay 2, whereas streaming and multiroom are courtesy of the HEOS platform. A pair of rear-mounted Wi-Fi, Bluetooth antennas screw in left and proper.

To combine the amp with an electrical display screen, there’s additionally a 12v set off, plus an RS-232c port.

Options

• Audssey MultEQ XT32 calibration
• HD interface

As you’ll anticipate of any AV amp price its salt, room calibration is a part of the deal. Right here EQ is dealt with by Audyssey MultEQ XT32, and executed as a part of the preliminary setup routine. There’s a Audyssey commonplace microphone supplied for the duty.  

Capable of measure and combination as much as eight listening positions, this iteration of Audyssey improves staging and sonic readability by considering your viewing room’s traits. 

It really works out the space to your listening place, units channel ranges and implements filtering to compensate for any acoustical nasties you could have. The amp definitely sounds higher after this routine has been executed. 

The Cinema 50 additionally works with Audyssey’s Home windows PC-based software program package deal, MultEQ-X, however this requires a licence to make use of. You’ll be capable to take room calibration to a different stage solely with the Dirac Reside calibration replace that turn into obtainable in March – your native Marantz supplier can undertake this for you.

Like most customers, I caught with the common Audyssey MultEQ XT32.

Usability is nice. The amp’s up to date UI seems as recent because the improved cabinetry. Total navigation is quick and intuitive.

An Information button on the distant management supplies at a look data on the supply sign, lively channels and codec, and the impact of any put up processing mode. You can even name up HDR, decision and color area particulars. 

Efficiency

• Spacious supply
• Musical efficiency

Delicate, dynamic, melodious, expansive – all these adjectives could be utilized to the Cinema 50. This Marantz delivers every little thing I hope to listen to in a excessive finish residence theatre amp. It’s a connoisseur popcorn machine, and I need to confess to a tingle of pleasure each time it sprung to life.

The model has lengthy loved an enviable status amongst music lovers for its two channel amplifiers, however relating to residence cinema, Marantz has largely performed wingman to stablemate Denon.

On this proof, that ought to quickly change. This powerhouse can thrill simply as effortlessly relating to blockbusters, film soundtracks benefiting from layers of musical nuance. 

Marantz’s signature HDAM amplification circuitry is rightfully famous for its characteristically heat tonality. This clearly serves the amp properly when in two channel mode. The temptation to put up course of stereo to each channel is excessive although, just because it sounds so good. 

The actual pleasure comes from native multichannel content material. Object placement and panning is seamless, reinforcing the phantasm of being cocooned in sound. Bass supply is quick and profound, including a guttural kick to Tom Cruise’s Hornet jet fighter in High Gun: Maverick.

The Hearth TV Dolby Imaginative and prescient and Atmos demo of a white water kayaker, is a superb instance of simply how seamlessly the Cinema 50 knits its channels collectively – hear out as an enormous wave rolls overhead from the rear!

The Cinema 50 is supreme with Dolby Atmos music, not simply relating to the location of objects, however in its heartfelt supply. The Avatar the Approach of Water soundtrack (obtainable in Dolby Atmos, on Tidal), turns into a hovering, emotional hear.  

Into the Water from the Simon Franglen rating, tugs on the heartstrings with excessive frequency finesse, whereas ‘Happiness is Easy’, with galloping percussion propelling the midrange, has rhythm to spare.  

There’s an intriguing menu of audio modes and put up processing choices on provide: Film, Music, Recreation and Pure, plus Auro 3D, Auro 2D encompass, multichannel stereo, common stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby encompass, and DTS Neural X.  The latter is especially good for content material that’s two channel at supply.

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Sustainability

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As a part of this mission, at any time when we overview a product we ship the corporate a sequence of questions to assist us gauge and make clear the impression the gadget has on the setting.

We presently haven’t acquired solutions to the questions on this product, however will replace this web page the second we do. You’ll be able to see an in depth breakdown of the questions we ask and why in our sustainability web page.