Marantz

AV10 Surround Processor | AMP10 Power Amplifier

£5,999 RRP each

Marantz is a name that needs little in the way of introduction. Currently celebrating its seventieth birthday year, this illustrious audio company has just released what it states is its finest-sounding AV products to date. Enter the new 15.4-channel AV10 processor and AMP10 16-channel power amplifier, said to be made with the design brief of being the company’s finest-sounding cinema product ever – in Marantz’s words, “the cinephile’s dream”.

THE PROCESSOR

To achieve this lofty sound quality standard, noise reduction was key. To this end, a three-layer aluminium chassis is used, which rests upon polycarbonate feet. This results in the unit being free of internal vibrations, while a copper grounding plate ensures not only low impedance but the cleanest signal path, the company says.

Internally, analogue and digital sections are kept separate, with the digital side of the board sporting a Griffin Lite XP DSP Digital Signal Processor. Marantz says that this was chosen for its processing power, enabling the AV10 to handle up to fifteen channels and four independent subwoofer outputs. It also decodes all formats, including Dolby Atmos DTS: X Pro, Auro-3D and IMAX Enhanced and MPEG-H Audio. There’s also enough power on tap for the AV10 to have both Audyssey MultEQ XT32 and Dirac Live room correction, the latter of which is available through a paid upgrade.

Digital signals need to be converted to analogue; to this end, ten 32-bit, hi-fi-grade stereo ESS 9018 DACs are specified. Channel allocation has been carefully considered, with more active channels sharing a DAC with less active channels, such as surrounds or heights, to reduce channel crosstalk, while a four-layer copper PCB helps further. To alleviate timing artefacts such as jitter, the AV10 utilises a precise crystal low-phase noise master clock. Marantz’s proprietary HDAM3 technology is used in the analogue stage, said to deliver clarity and precision.

The preamplifier circuit board has also been redesigned, incorporating a four-layer or quad design with the analogue, digital and power circuitry occupying different board layers. This not only reduces noise but improves overall clarity, it is claimed. A toroidal power transformer with low impedance OFC winding is specified, feeding a linear power supply housed in an aluminium case and resting upon an aluminium base plate.

The company specifies a signal-to-noise ratio of 106dB (THD+N), which is said to be a big improvement on that of the company’s own AV-8805, with its quoted S/N ratio of 93dB. It also yields improvements in dynamic range, the AV10 supposedly having a 4dB increase. Final voicing was done by Marantz’s Sound Master Yoshinori Ogata, who set out to get an expansive soundstage with an excellent sense of width, depth, and height – plus a high level of focus and detail, with a fast and tight bass.

THE POWER AMPLIFIER

The AMP10 also employs a rigid aluminium case with a copper baseplate for grounding and stability, with polycarbonate feet to reduce vibration. Internal shielding has been utilised for everything from the power amplifier module –which reduces cross-talk to other modules – to the centre chassis shield that separates the audio circuits from the power supply.

Marantz’s HDAM-SA2 or Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Modules are used in the gain stages, with Class D power modules said to be designed and built in-house from hand-picked components. Equipped with eight stereo amplifier modules (sixteen channels total), the signal path never leaves the amplifier board. A switching power supply is fitted for digital circuits, and OFC-wound toroidal transformers for the analogue ones; large capacitors are featured with discrete power supplies for each amplifier block.

The result is an amplifier with an extremely low noise floor, providing a 10dB improvement over the existing MM8807, it is claimed. Power-wise, it’s rated at a solid 200 watts per channel (8 ohms, 0.7% THD+N, both channels driven) or 400 watts into 4 ohms. Unlike many amplifiers – including Marantz’s own MM8807 – the AMP10 can maintain the same power rating in multichannel mode and can be bi-amped or operated in Bridged Tier Load for more power.

UP CLOSE

A departure from previous Marantz designs, the AV10 and AMP 10 sport a two-tone finish, a matt black aluminium face plate offset against a textured grey. The porthole design remains, though, with Marantz likening it to a luxury watch face. Save for power and input selector dials, all controls are tucked behind a metal door. It’s here that you’ll also find a larger, more informative LCD, with information regarding the source, incoming format and the number of speakers being used. As stylish as the porthole is, it’s not practical if you use the front-panel display for anything more than the volume level.

Practicality meets good looks around the back of the AV10, with Marantz’s brass-on-black colour scheme. Here you’ll find both balanced and unbalanced preamp outs (17.4 for both) and seven 8K HDCP 2.3 inputs, and three 8K HDMI, including Zone 2. Arguably, the star of the show is the AV10’s four independent subwoofer outputs, with input for tactile transducers. There’s a wealth of connections on offer, including two coaxial and optical digital inputs, five analogue inputs, dual multi-room analogue inputs, a USB audio input, an Ethernet connection, two 12V DC Outputs, an IR input, twin AMP Control inputs, remote control input and output and an RS232C connection. The AV10 supports wireless and Bluetooth control through mountable rabbit ears.

Equally as stylish, the AMP10 features a VU meter that displays the incoming signal of channel one. The rear offers the choice of sixteen assignable balanced and unbalanced inputs. Next to each channel is an input selector with options for normal, bi-amp or BTL. It uses expensive hi-fi grade speaker terminals, capable of accommodating the largest of wires. Marantz has also included a custom wrench to ensure a snug fit for bare wire connections. Build quality is nothing short of perfection, and the all-metal remote control is a joy to use.

GETTING GOING

This combo proved surprisingly easy to set up. I broke convention by connecting the AV10 to the AMP10 with an unbalanced connection. While sorely tempted and I had the channels to spare, I kept the AMP10 in normal mode rather than BTL. I’ve long held the opinion that both Marantz and Denon components are the crème de la crème when it comes to usability. And I’m pleased to report that apart from a facelift to the GUI, this hasn’t changed. Hook the pair up to each other and your TV and projector and follow the prompts, simple as that.

The onscreen display guides the user through every step, including striping speaker wires and connecting speakers. AV grandmasters will undoubtedly frown upon such hand-holding, but it’s worth completing the process if nothing more than ensuring everything’s properly connected. It also includes a crash course on how to run Audyssey, although it’s the bare-bones approach to room correction. For the more familiar and those willing to learn, there’s an abundance of other, better options available.

Audyssey’s MultEQ app, for instance, which is available through the Apple App- and Google Play stores, provides significantly more control, including the ability to create custom room curves. If, like me, you find app-based solutions clumsy, Audyssey X PC software is also available, adding yet more control, including custom filters. Or should you want to go down an entirely different path, you can download Dirac Live at a cost. Unfortunately, Dirac Live Bass Control is unavailable, but I’m quietly hoping it will be offered as an upgrade.

For this review, the AV10 and AMP10 were connected to VAF Signature i91 front and centre speakers; four VAF i90s were used as rear surround and ceiling-mounted Atmos speakers, with two Definitive Technology DN12 subwoofers for a 5.2.2 Atmos layout. The fourth subwoofer output was connected to a Crowson D-501 Tactile Motion Amplifier, in turn, connected to dual Shadow-8 Dual Motion Actuators placed at the main listening position. Video sources comprised an OPPO UDP-203 and Apple TV, connected directly to a Lumagen Radiance Pro 5348, with a Sony VPL-XW5000ES projecting images onto a Severtson 100” Cinegray 16.9 screen.

MOVIE NIGHTS

The AV10 and AMP10 blend both hi-fi and home cinema for a listening experience that is distinctly high-end. Wonderfully transparent and detailed, they can reveal the finest detail and breathe new life into recordings. They pair to produce a wide, open soundstage with a fine sense of height, depth, and width. Refined as they are, though, they know when it’s time to put on the gloves. The AMP10 produces a seemingly endless amount of power, with powerful, lightning-fast dynamics. This is underpinned with fast and punchy bass that brings a cinema-like level of performance into the home.

Settled in for an evening anime session with my daughter, I decided to see what the AV10 and AMP10 would make of the decidedly un-cinephile 2.0 soundtrack of Demon Slayer. With the now-familiar opening score, the pair possessed wonderful transparency and musicality. So much so that I was drawn out of the show at times, marvelling at the sound pouring out of the speakers.

There’s an undeniable musicality to this pair that’s both distinctly Marantz, yet unlike any other Marantz that I’ve listened to. Musically pleasing as Marantz components can be, I sometimes find them a little fuzzy, yet I had no such misgivings with the AV10 and AMP10. There’s a wonderful transparency to the sound that is both revealing, yet musical. The strings of the shamisen in the opening score of Demon Slayer reached right into my room.

While Beast starring Idris Elba on Blu-ray would have undoubtedly benefited from a Dolby Atmos track, the DTS-HD 7.1 soundtrack nonetheless proved formidable. From the moment the Universal logo appeared, I knew I was in for something special. There was a clarity to the sound that breathed new life into the all-too-familiar introduction. As the film began, the Marantz combo created an immense sense of space. The sounds of the jungle came to life, with the soundstage exhibiting a marvellous sense of height – and the width was no less impressive from left to right.

Moving to the excellent DTS-X soundtrack on the 4K Blu-ray of Gladiator, the AV10 and AMP10 expertly combined the worlds of hi-fi and home cinema. As Maximus glided through wheatfields, the orchestral score was delivered with a startling sense of musicality and clarity. The various wind and string instruments all possessed a clear sense of precision. Having heard this on a number of systems, it can come across as a molasses-like mess, but not here.

As the Romans prepared to attack the Germanic Barbarians, the sound of the fire pots being lit elicited plenty of low-end detail from the subwoofers. As the action began, the taunting of the barbarians and explosions was a full-frontal assault on the senses. In fact, it bordered on uncomfortable at my usual listening levels, with the AV10 and AMP10 producing impressive dynamics that create a very cinema-like performance.

With the radio chatter between American tank crews in the opening scenes of Fury, the pair created cast a massive soundstage with the Dolby Atmos soundtrack. Meanwhile, every little movement or whisper inside the tank was produced in remarkable detail. The dialogue never missed a beat, and the thick American accents were delivered with the same level of clarity. When the shelling resumed, and the Sherman growled into life, the bass was tight and articulate, and the rumble of exploding shells was clearly felt. With the American tank crews facing off against the entrenched Germans, the Marantz combo put in an impressive performance. As machine guns burst into life, the AMP10 followed suit with immense power and speed. With the couch-mounted tactile inducers engaged, things got even more exciting – with the AV10 passing the signal to the transducers just as it should, untouched by Audyssey.

Switching to the familiar DTS-HD Master of Wolverine, the AV10 and AMP10 turned in one of the better performances that I’ve heard. As Logan went head-to-head with Yakuza on top of a bullet train, it possessed all of the sonic fury that you would expect. Using directional bass – which disengages the tactile transducers – did seem to lend more weight to effects on either side of the listening position. With only two subwoofers at the front of the room, the benefits of directional bass were marginal.

THE VERDICT

I came away thoroughly impressed by Marantz’s new AV10 and AMP10 processor and power amp combination. This dynamic duo proved to be a resounding success that lives up to its promises. It produces a massive, open soundstage with a very tangible sense of depth and height. It walks a fine line between musicality and elegance yet still manages to create a home cinema dynamo. Overall then, highly recommended!

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