Networking & HEOS on the Marantz SR7011

I routinely use the Ethernet connection for connecting AV receivers since it ensures a reliable connection, which might not always be available in Wi-Fi given the amount of other equipment in my test area, which is scooting IP packets wirelessly around the place. That said, setting up the Wi-Fi network here will not present the slightest challenge to anyone who has connected their smartphone to their home Wi-Fi, and there’s an iOS shortcut system to do it if you prefer.

The network audio performance was as good as that of most network streamers. In addition to internet radio, through the HEOS app you can access Spotify, Pandora, Deezer, Tidal, TuneIn and Soundcloud (some require subscription). I used the receiver extensively with Spotify to great e†ect. The receiver also acts as DLNA renderer, which means you can use any one of dozens of apps to send music to it in a wide range of formats: MP3, WMA, WAV, AAC, FLAC (to 192kHz), Apple Lossless (to 96kHz), and Direct Stream Digital both at the standard rate (DSD64) and double rate (DSD128). Playback is gapless so there isn’t that irritating pause at track boundaries.

One of the most interesting features of the HEOS multiroom system right from its introduction a few years ago was the ability to play throughout the system not just network music, but indeed any music available to any HEOS device within the system. With the original HEOS speakers this meant one minijack auxiliary input could be shared, but now with HEOS on devices like this receiver, you suddenly have a whole new set of interesting inputs available to every room in which one has a HEOS speaker. For example, as I’m typing now I’m listening to Jo Jo Zep’s 1982 album ‘Cha’ through a HEOS 5 HS2 speaker sitting on my desk. The album is on vinyl and the turntable spinning it is plugged into the Marantz SR7011 receiver. You know, it doesn’t sound half bad. For wireless vinyl! And because I have the network set to ‘Always On’ in the Marantz receiver, even though I’ve just switched the receiver o†, I can still hear the LP playing through the HEOS speaker. And I can switch over, using the HEOS app, to the DAB+ tuner also plugged into the receiver. Nice.

This also works with digital audio inputs to the SR7011, including HDMI ones, but only stereo. Nothing comes through with multichannel sound.

MEET THE FAMILY: The HEOS platform has expanded since launch into a range of wireless speakers, soundbars, amps and squirters, but is now also appearing in other Denon and Marantz products, such as the SR7011 reviewed here.