Marantz Reveals Its SR7012 and SR8012 AVRs and AV7704 Pre-Amp; Auro-3D Ships Unlocked

Marantz Reveals Its SR7012 and SR8012 AVRs and AV7704 Pre-Amp; Auro-3D Ships Unlocked​

An inside look at Marantz's new SR8012 AVR(September 7, 2017) Marantz has officially announced three new high-end models, rounding out its 2017 class of AV receivers and processors. The new SR7012 ($2,199), SR8012 ($2,999), and AV7704 ($2,199) are on display at CEDIA 2017.

The SR7012 is a refresh of last year’s flagship SR7011 model, featuring 11.2-channel processing capability with onboard amplifier support for native 9.2-channel playback. If you’re looking to run a full 7.2.4 Atmos speaker array, then you’ll need to pair the SR7012 with a standalone external two-channel amplifier. Internally, Marantz says it has “re-tuned” the SR7012 with upgraded parts and features. Performance-wise, each of its nine amplifier stages are capable of providing 125 Watts of power. The company’s new flagship standard-bearer, the SR8012, is natively capable of driving a full 11.2-channel audio show. This model trumps the SR7012’s output capabilities, delivering a potent 140 Watts per channel.

Both models ship with onboard decoding of all three immersive sound codecs. Yes, that includes Auro-3D (previously a paid upgrade option on the SR7011), which is rather big news for the European-based sound technology. I had an opportunity to speak with Auro-3D’s founder, Wilfred Van Baelen, and he’s confident this will help to bring Auro-3D encoded movies to the US disc market.

The models also deliver streaming performance using the HEOS app, Bluethooth, and AirPlay, and sound calibration using Audyssey MultEQ XT32.

On the video front, the SR7012 and SR8012 are fully compatible with the latest HDMI and HDCP 2.2 specifications on each of their eight HDMI ports. Buyers can expect to enjoy 4K Ultra HD 60 Hz video passthrough with 4:4:4 color sub-sampling, and support for HDR, 21:9 video, BT. 2020 color, and Dolby Vision. Marantz says the receivers’ triple HDMI outputs allow the models to deliver video performance to several different displays simultaneously.

Another big announcement concerning Marantz’s new top AV Receivers is support and integration of Amazon Home Entertainment Skill. This enables voice command capabilities through Alexa, allowing owners to initiate basic commands such as power on/off, altering volume, and skipping tracks. In addition, the AVRs will support Alexa Multi-room functionality, which allows users to tap the power of Alexa’s streaming services.

The backside of the SR8012 is loaded with connectivity and outputsThe new AV7704 processor is a powerful preamplifier unit, matching many of the performance specifications offered by the SR8012 (minus the amplifier stages) with 11.2 channel XLR and RCA outputs. It carries full unlocked support for Auro-3D, in addition to Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, and houses high-performance 192kHz/32bit D/A converters integrated on all channels. Sound is further enhanced by Audyssey’s MultEQ XT32 room correction suite.

While the AV7704 isn’t designed to play friendly with Amazon’s Alexa, it does offer Marantz’s built-in HEOS technology for wireless streaming, along with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth functionality.

Marantz says the SR7012 and AV7704 will begin shipping in September, while SR8012 should be available in November 2017.

 

[GFOviedo]

Just as soon as I get a new shiny unit, a new one comes up within less than 6 months. I'm getting tired of my wife yelling at me for spending so much $$$ on HT updates. I think manufacturers should sell equipment in different colors that would appeal to the WAF! I wouldn't mind buying and updating to a PINK SR8012 if my wife likes that color

 

[JBrax]

Is there really much demand for Auro-3D? It's an option on my Marantz sr-7010 but with a price tag of $200 I just don't see the need. The "God channel" setup just isn't feasible after committing to the Atmos/DTS:X overhead configuration. Maybe they'll unlock it for the older models and I can give it a spin for free?

 

[GFOviedo]

Is there really much demand for Auro-3D? It's an option on my Marantz sr-7010 but with a price tag of $200 I just don't see the need. The "God channel" setup just isn't feasible after committing to the Atmos/DTS:X overhead configuration. Maybe they'll unlock it for the older models and I can give it a spin for free?

I was going to buy the Auro 3D, but then I am like you. I don't really think is worth it. I would rather have Dirac Audio Room Correction, which I don't think is supported by Denon X4300, which I am currently using.

 

[JBrax]

I was going to buy the Auro 3D, but then I am like you. I don't really think is worth it. I would rather have Dirac Audio Room Correction, which I don't think is supported by Denon X4300, which I am currently using.

I'd much rather allocate funding for Dirac as well.

 

[Sonnie]

I personally would not use the Auro 3D myself.

I wonder if the 7012 can be configured for a 5.1.4 setup... channels reassigned so that you get the 4 height channels.

 

[JBrax]

Yes sir it can.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Auro 3D is an interesting beast... and I'll be writing quite a bit about in the coming month(s). I'll have either a 7012 or 8012 in house for use with the second installment of the SVS review, but will also review the unit as a standalone product.

Not to spend too much time on it here, but the voice of god channel isn't needed in most average room setups... and the required speaker layout (according to Wilfred Van Baelen, Auro's founder) is actually conducive to (1) high quality playback of Atmos and can actually add improvements to Auro upmixing of native Dolby surround mixes.

Last year, at CEDIA, I sat down with Van Baelen for an hour long interview... and reconnected with him yesterday. I think the up-coming Auro/SVS could prove to be interesting! So don't discount Auro just yet!

I had an interesting discussion with a Marantz product development leader today - specifically about Dirac, Audyssey, and other room corrections... I'm working through how to wrap this information into a end of show report. But, the shortend is that Marantz is sticking with Audyssey for the foreseeable future . I'll have more details once I have a moment to sit and write. :-)

 

[Kevon Manuel]

Why can't we get 2 more channels to be 13.1 - 9.1.4?

 

[Todd Anderson]

It all comes down to cost and available processing power. I'm fairly confident your desire is the next step in model iterations. Emotiva is already pushing in this direction.

 

[Robert Zohn]

My speciality is video, but think the consumer version of Dolby Atmos is limited to 11 channels, plus subs. My favorite configuration is a 5.2.4.

Hopefully someone more knowledge than me can chime in as I once heard you can add 2 more channels used as "wides" which would bring us to 13 channels.

 

[Todd Anderson]

You're right Robert, but the forthcoming Emotiva RMC-1 will change that... offering 7.2.6!

Honestly, I can't imagine Mose consumer spaces radically benefitting from 6 Atmos channels. But, we shall see.

 

[Robert Zohn]

Very cool! Do you know if we'll see content encoded with 13 channels?

In theaters Dolby Atoms can go up to 22 discrete channels, but if my memory serves me correctly the consumer version was limited to 11 channels, plus subs.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Well, Dolby markets the codec as being nearly infinitely expandable, with a processor taking the encode and applying it to available speakers. I've since had a conversation that led me to believe it might be somewhat limited beyond 7.2.4.

I think 7.2.6 is possible, tho.