Marantz is the audio video brand its rivals try to emulate. Without too much success we might add. No matter how hard they try, Marantz always skips away with most of the world’s prestigious brands.
The two value-for-money, feature packed, superbly finished models we recently sampled shows why Marantz is a winner. The $1250 CR611 Network CD receiver, the latest in the range of compact Marantz Network models that have notched up awards over several years.
Ditto the $1280 NR1606 slim-line Home Theatre Receiver, which recently snared the 2016 Sound & Image award in its category for its all round excellence. Two highly awarded models with prices way under what you’d expect to pay for the sound quality, ease of use, features and pride of ownership both inspire.
If you haven’t sampled what these two chic models offer by now, here’s our in-house snapshot.
CR611
This newly released model builds on last year’s award winning version with new dimmable light strips on the fascia and a slinky black acrylic top plate. Available in Mint Green or black, the new CR611 spins CDs and can stream hi-res 24-bit/192kHz music files.
But now added are Bluetooth along with NFC/Spotify connectivity, a couple of USB inputs for Apple portable devices and USB drives. You also get analogue and optical digital inputs.
A versatile all-rounder, the CR611 bounded through our selection of music tracks with aliveness that made listening a joy. Moreover it handled all our music files romping through AIFF hi-res, WAV FLAC and DSD 2.8Mhz.
The CR611 is easy to get up and running on networks and thanks to a couple of free Marantz apps is compatible with iOS and Android devices. We also used the CR611 as a CD player. Excellent. And we played back our music libraries stored on our Network Attached Storage.
Finally we dipped into dozens of the thousands of free Internet radio stations. Our conclusion: we loved every minute spent with the affordable CR611.
NR1606 Slimline Receiver
Think of the NR1606 as a Lifestyle ‘n Leisure model with eye and ear pleasing features, and you’re half way to understand its award-winning appeal.
So much sleeker than traditional AV receivers, the NR1606’s slinky profile commands the right amount of attention-especially from the significant other/s in your life.
Turn it on and the digital era features mark this as not just a pretty receiver. Not when you have Wi-Fi, Internet radio, Pandora, SiriusXM and AirPlay, Bluetooth, as well as Spotify connect. That’s a world of streaming services and music at your elegant fingertips.
What’s more the NR1606 supports hi-res music files all the way up to, and including those streaming at 24-bit/192kHz.
A stonking home theater maestro, the 7.1 channels NR1606 impressed us with its dynamic and highly arresting surround sound. We loved its Dolby Atmos and DTS:X built-in decoders.
Lest you think its seven channels rated at 50 watts each is meager, the slam and dynamic impact of the NR1606 is ample for most movies and music – unless you’re a recidivistic head banger.
For example, we were riveted to our comfortable chairs experiencing Top Gun, which emerged from our Jamo speakers with trouser creasing bass wallop.
When those jets flicked on the afterburners, the treble detail was searing. And during the dogfight scene the ability of the NR1606 to place minute and overt detail around the room was uncanny.
Clout and finesse earmark the NR1606 for greatness at its price level. In the more romantic and wistful scenes that depend on the film’s music, the midrange presence and sheer musicality of this receiver renewed an old fave film, presenting it almost as a new experience.
Trust us; take the NR1606 for a spin. You’ll be thrilled.
www.marantz.com.au
