Slim pickings

Marantz has announced the latest versions of its popular slimline AV receivers, which provide multichannel power, an HDMI hub for the home, and HEOS wireless multiroom streaming, all in a chassis far lower than the usual AV receiver height.

The $1099 NR1510 and $1399 NR1710 share the ability to handle 4K/60Hz pass-through at full-rate 4:4:4 color resolution, including support for HDR10, Dolby Vision and HLG High Dynamic Range. The NR1510 has six HDMI inputs and offers five channels of amplification rated at 50W per channel, while the NR1710 ups that

to eight HDMI inputs and seven channels rated at 50W each. The HDMI output supports not only ARC but also the new enhanced ARC (eARC) to play surround signals from the TV into the receiver.

While both receivers can decode Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, the NR1710 adds Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, and although height channels are not physically supported it also offers Dolby Atmos Height Virtualisation, which purports to add virtualised height effects for a more immersive experience without actual dedicated surround or overhead speakers.

There are audio inputs including phono for a turntable, while the HEOS multiroom platform enables high-resolution audio playback, music streaming via DLNA, AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth, multiroom playback, and voice control able to work with the user’s choice of Alexa, Google Home or Apple Siri voice assistants.

More info: www.marantz.com.au