Denon and Marantz unveil 2011 product ranges with 3D, AirPlay and networking
D&M, the parent company of Denon and Marantz – and now, Boston Acoustics – has unveiled its product ranges for 2011, at a grand location on the shores of Lake Maggiore in Italy.
Both Marantz and Denon have focused plenty of attention on their receiver ranges, developing sonic performance while extending network capabilities and improving usability through new GUI interfaces.
2011 Marantz receivers
Marantz has announced four brand new receivers:
• NR1402 (£349)
• NR1602 (£529)
• SR5006 (£629)
• SR6006 (£849).
Its entry-level offering is the NR1402, priced at £349, carries 5 x 50w of amplification, has four HDMI 1.4 inputs, plus 3D, ARC and CEC compatibility, Multi EQ, Dolby Pro-Logic IIz, M-DAX2, and Marantz’s new ‘overlay’ GUI (graphic user interface).
Next comes the NR1602 (above) which delivers 7 x 50w, and adds HDMI upconversion, an iPod-compatible USB input and networking via AirPlay or DLNA.
That's followed by the SR5006 with 7 x 100w, networking, Pro-Logic IIz, that iPod USB input and M-DAX2.
Finally, the SR6006 has 7 x 110w, seven HDMI inputs, HDMI scaling up to 1080/24p, a clock jitter reducer and, wait for it, wait for it… a phono stage.
In all products carrying network capability, you can expect to see AirPlay, DLNA streaming up to FLAC-HD, streaming from Android devices, Napster, Last.FM, and support for Flickr – though you’ll have to wait a little longer for Spotify.
Marantz has also put concerted efforts into new set-up wizards that make the receivers easier for first-time buyers to set up and use (see below).
2011 Denon receivers
Denon is also awash with new brand new receivers:
• AVR-1312 £249
• AVR-1612 £379
• AVR-1912 £499
• AVR-2312 £799
• AVR03312 £999
A key product in this range is the AVR-1912 (pictured top): at what many consider a price ‘sweet spot’ of £500, it carries full networking capability with wide support for streaming formats including FLAC-HD.
The Denon remote app will continue, with updates to come, and versions for iPad and Android can be expected soon.
In addition, a new set-up wizard makes things easier, as does a redesigned fascia that includes icon-adorned ‘shortcut’ buttons that (among other things) make internet radio presets more accessible.
The new products also aim to stay ahead of future EU regulations on power consumption. Denon claims its been so successful, that "five years power consumption on one of these will cost you, we estimate, £12.80. Some receivers will run up a bill of £237".
All the new Denon AVRs have a minimum of four HDMI 1.4 inputs, ‘compressed audio restorer’ and the new ‘overlay’ graphic user interface.
Those interested in the entry-level AVR-1312 (£249) will also be offered the option of a full home cinema all-in-one system, the DHT-1312XP, which partners the ‘1312 with a Denon 5.1 speaker package and which will retail for £399.
2011 Denon Blu-ray players
There are also new Denon Blu-ray players: the DBP-2012UD (£749), with 32bit/192kHz DACs, 7.1 analogue output and a very sturdy dual-layer top plate to reduce vibrations.
Then there’s the DBP-1611UD (£449), which aims to be an affordable universal player, with 3D Blu-ray compatibility and DLNA networking.
New Denon network player
Lastly, Denon is launching its own ‘network player’, the DNP-720AE. It uses wi-fi, offers Last.FM and Napster, internet radio, AirPlay, plug’n’play USB, PC music file streaming and an FM/AM tuner. We look forward to reviewing it soon.
As we do all these products. It’s a strong 2011 showing from D&M, and we’ll bring you test verdicts on all these products just as soon as we can get our hands on them.
For more from the Denon/Marantz/Boston Acoustics launch, click here for our blog.
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Comments
Much-discussed known problem - comments take the time and date of the original story. On the (very long) fix-list. Sorry.
Off topic - why are all the posts showing the same time? Namely Wed, Jun 8 2011, 6:06PM
Hi vmed_cha_gr,
Greece receives the same high-quality receivers as the rest of the world. Please contact me via phone or email if you wish Denon contacts within your country.
Regards,
Murdo
Nothing mentioned about that at the event. Only new system development on the horizon is the CEOL in black.
A little off topic but are there any rumors of the Denon D-M38DAB being replaced? It been out a while and was wondering wether to wait or snap it up now.
In the next couple of months.
When will the Denon DNP-720AE be available ?
Not that I can see from the limited specifications we have so far.
Do any of the above mentioned AVRs have DTS Neo X ?
No, the SR7005 continues.
Which model is replacing the Marantz SR 7005? The SR6006?
Thanks. & annoyingly I really like the look if the Marantz...!
Plus it's also much easier to make a receiver when you have the kind of space available in a full-size component such as the Denon, whereas shoehorning all that functionality into the much smaller package of the Marantz is rather trickier.
I'm hazarding a guess that you're paying a slight style premium for the slimline Marantz, which would slip more unobtrusively into set-ups than the chunkier receivers.
What I don't understand is how the Marantz NR1602 is £30 more than the Denon AVR1912? Appears to have the same technologies but less wattage.
kaledi,
For more on this, see my blog post, referenced in the above news story.
Hi What HiFi team,
I find it scary how often AV amps are replaced these days, but I guess the trickle effect of network and processing features has to move quickly.
Anyhow I digress from the question, which is this...
You mentioned Spotify 'though you’ll have to wait a little longer for Spotify'..
Have Marantz/Denon confirmed that they will be implementing Spotify at some point soon?
I've an SR7005, and though I was reluctant to spend that amount of money on an AV receiver (having previously owned SR6xxx series models), now that I have, it is without question the best piece of AV gear I've ever bought (and I've owned a lot of gear). The networking features are great and I'm always on Last.FM, however there are 2 limitations with Last.FM - you can't select specific songs, and the bit rate is low. It seems to me that Spotify Premium would overcome both these limiations.
PS. Before anyone mentions Napster, I'd point out that I find their service shockingly unreliable, with a lot of lag selecting tracks and the service simply drops far too frequently for my liking.
Thank you so much for your interest. But i leave in Greece & these receivers were bought here.
Anyway for your info the last one that died was a denon avr-1604. The main power supply had problems with 2 blown rectifiers and short-circuit main power electrolytic capacitors 10000uf/63v. I fixed it myself (i'm a technician). I felt very sad for the money paid & the built quality of this machine. I use it but don't trust it.
Maybe the units coming to Greece are lower quality ones.
We'll review it if we can get hold of one, certainly!
Clare, I see the DBP-1611UD has been out for a while now, will you consider a review?
... and, of course, the Marantz UD7006 as reviewed in the latest issue (July 2011) of What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision. (Five stars don't ya know!)
Dear 'vmed_cha_gr',
Your problem Denon receivers sound unusual and out of character for Denon machines. I handle UK PR for Denon (and Marantz) in the UK so perhaps you could drop me details of the models you owned and the problems you experienced - Denon may be able to assist/advise.
You can find my contact details on our website: www.andygilesassociates.co.uk
Thanks.
That link is to the US site/models - there are some differences with the UK/European models.
Denon have had info on this range for or a week or two now ... http://tinyurl.com/44ur89c
Most of the Denon receivers i have bought in the past started to malfunction after 3 years. I hope their built quality is better this time. But what can you expect after their production lines moved to China? I would go for marantz this time, my friends never had problems with marantz receivers, i think their QC is much better than the denons.
Ah, thanks.
New Denon Blu Ray player DBP-2012UD available in Premium Silver & Black; all new Denon AV Receivers only available in Black!
Read towards the end of the story - plenty of Blu-ray action....
Yes, two new Denon models, as mentioned in the story above.
No blu-ray players?