NEW, FUTURE or RETRO: Very new
PREVIEW or REVIEW: review
HOW GOOD IT IS: This is a product that definitely isn't for everyone, but may be just right for someone who understands it and knows how to use it.
First off, what it's not:
At a $700 selling price it costs more than most people spend on a very sophisticated multi-channel home entertainment receiver. But it isn't multi-channel and has no capabilities to be used in a basic home stereo system. Back in the day before 5.1, 6.1 or 7.1 surround sound this would have been a nice stereo receiver. But it has zero HDMI connectors (in fact only one digital optical audio input and two RCA jack analog inputs. No video at all. It has no optical audio out, only a set of RCA analog jacks. Like stereo receivers of yesteryear it can power one set of local stereo speakers and one set of remote stereo speakers, with a subwoofer jack for the local speakers. That's it. In addition, as a network receiver there is connectivity via USB, WiFi or internet jack. That all seems precious little for $700.
Here's what it is:
Don't take this as a negative but it's a fancy table radio. Marantz's own website suggests using it in a den, bedroom or other such location. It is not in any way designed to be used in a modern entertainment system with flat screen TV unless maybe the one in your bedroom. Knowing what it's not, what it DOES do is pretty impressive. Well mostly. The inclusion of an audio CD player is odd at best, as that format is nearly obsolete. The CD player aside, this receiver abounds with up-to-the-minute technology such as internet radio, Apple Airplay, playing audio files from your PC or iPod and online streaming music.
How well does it work:
The number one criteria for rating any sound component is, how good does it sound? That's a tough call because this is only a stereo unit and most of us don't have those big floor-standing old school stereo speakers lying around anymore. How it sounds is speaker-dependent and because of its design it will probably end up being used with small bookshelf speakers in most applications. All the right specs are there so I would imagine if it was teamed with some high-end speakers it could pump out some decent sound.
I came up with what, for me, is an ideal setup. I located the receiver in my den and direct wired it to a nice set of bookshelf speakers (including a subwoofer) in the den and connected a second set of outdoor speakers on the other side of the wall over my hot tub. Due to its built-in WiFi capability it is compatible with a nice-sounding set of wireless WiFi speakers that I can spread out in my back yard so there are 4 total outdoor speakers and the set playing in the den that can be heard through the patio door. Because the receiver can be controlled by either an iOS or Android mobile device I can control the volume, change tracks/channels and make other adjustments from anywhere in or out of the house.
SIMILAR TO: Denon DRA-N5BK,Yamaha CRX-332BL
DO YOU NEED IT: As mentioned earlier, this receiver is not for everyone. It is not meant for a home-entertainment system, and there are probably better options for a high-end table radio. But if you have the money and the need for a specialized receiver, this could be a good, easy to connect and operate, choice. It does what it's intended to do and I like it. When used as intended, it ranks high in its class.
HOW IT IMPACTS YOU: In today's wired home we have a lot of options when it comes to our home entertainment systems. Unfortunately many of us bought uber-expensive multi-channel audio/video systems just before they became obsolete with the advent of networked receivers that do it all, and then some, by connecting effortlessly with our WiFi/Bluetooth equipped homes. With a little creativity you can add all that new connectivity in to your existing system, but the ugly question keeps coming up to Marantz ... if you're going to spend $700 on something like this why wouldn't you spend about the same for a whole new state-of-the art networked audio/video receiver.
COMMENTS: Bottom line, I'm sorry Marantz. Your reputation is legend, but what ever possessed you to come out with a $700 two-channel only plastic box with, woohoo, a CD player and an AM/FM radio? If someone really understands this thing and is creative the can put it to good use in a bedroom or den but, sorry, my circle of friends typically doesn't have $700 to spend on a nice table radio (without speakers).
TECH TOY WIZARD RATING: 3/5
WEBSITE: Marantz product website
BUYING OPTIONS: Buy it at Amazon
SEE IT IN MOTION: Not yet. Stay tuned
Share this with your Facebook friends by clicking f in the comments box below
It does have tone controls,
ReplyDeleteCD is no way near obsolete as you're saying it is as there are still plenty of people in the world with large collections of CD's who would find this to be a great product. If you dont like CD's then the 510 model does without the CD player. How easy is this to set up also? Very. And sound is just awesome when you're using a good set of speakers and good quality audio files. Personally its money well spent.