Marantz Announces ‘Industry’s First’ IMAX Enhanced Preamp

Also as part of the raft of announcements at CEDIA last week, Marantz has launched the latest edition to its line of preamp/processors, the AV7705. The 11.2-channel processor is the first of its kind to introduce the new IMAX Enhanced feature, intended to enable experiences with a ‘a new level of quality in immersive sight and sound.’ The IMAX Enhanced program is supported via free firmware updates.

“Marantz sets the standard for music lovers and critical listeners around the world, so everything we do and build starts with ensuring we’re providing optimum fidelity for beautiful, natural sounding music,” said Emmanuel Millot, global brand director at Marantz. “Fans of Marantz technology will see familiar features, like HDAM technology and the ability to decode lossless files with exceptional signal quality. However, the AV7705 does more than recreate music; it provides the ultimate home theater experience. We’ve integrated brand new IMAX Enhanced technology, support for the latest audio and video formats, multi-room audio functionality— including Apple Airplay2—and several options to make custom integrators lives easier than ever.”

The IMAX Enhanced AV7705 pre-processor leverages the latest technology from IMAX and DTS that promises to set a new standard for image, sound, scale, and content quality. The technology is intended to produce clearer pictures and brighter images alongside ‘immersive, heart-pounding’ audio. The Marantz AV7705 also supports the 3D audio formats (Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Auro-3D). The pre-processor also includes Dolby Surround, DTS Neural:X, and AURO-MATIC up-mixing.

Key specs of the multi-featured $2,199 AV7705 (available now from authorized Marantz dealers) are listed in full below, and as released by Marantz:

• 11.2 channel XLR pre-out; 11.2 channel RCA pre-out

• IMAX Enhanced technology introduces a new level of audio and visual excellence

• 8 HDMI inputs (incl. 1 front) with full HDCP 2.2 support; 3 HDMI outputs (incl. Zone 2)

• 4K/60 Hz full-rate pass-through, Dolby Vision compatibility, HDR, HLG and BT.2020

• Advanced video processing with analog to HDMI conversion; SD to HD/4K upscaling

• Dolby Atmos, DTS:X (up to 7.1.4), Auro-3D and DTS Virtual:X for height virtualization effects

• eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) support via firmware update supports the most advanced surround and object-based audio formats via single HDMI connection between AVRs and compatible TVs

• Stream music from Internet Radio, Spotify Connect, Pandora, SiriusXM, Amazon Music, TIDAL, Deezer and more with Bluetooth, Airplay2 or HEOS built-in

• Built-in Wi-Fi with 2.4GHz/5GHz dual band support

• Enjoy multi-room whole-home audio streaming with HEOS technology

• Amazon Alexa voice control via the HEOS Home Entertainment skill

• Apple Airplay 2 for advanced streaming

• Marantz 2016 AVR remote app for control over the latest generation of Marantz network AV Receivers and AV Pre-processors. Available on iOS and Android

• High resolution DSD (2.8/5.6MHz), FLAC, ALAC and WAV support • AKM AK4458 32-bit D/A converters, HDAM circuit boards and Current Feedback circuitry for optimum fidelity and maximum dynamic range

• Suite of Audyssey room correction software: Audyssey MultEQ XT32, Dynamic Volume and Dynamic EQ, LFC and Sub EQ HT

• Third-party integration and IR remote control, RS-232C serial port and Creston Connected for external control • ihiji Invision and Domotz Pro remote monitoring and management technology support

• Seamless out-of-the-box experience with Quick Start Guide, guided Setup Assistant and Marantz AVR Remote App

 

 

Martin, a seasoned journalist and AV expert, has written for several notable print magazines. He’s served in key roles at Lucasfilm’s THX Division, NEC’s digital cinema division, and has even consulted for DreamWorks. Despite his illustrious career, Martin remains rooted in his passion for cinema and acting, with notable appearances in several Spielberg films, Doctor Who, and Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. He currently resides in San Francisco.

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John Dirk

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I'm a Marantz customer and fan in general but this sounds like snake oil. I found the below in a preliminary review over at Digital Trends while trying to figure out what "IMAX Enhanced" really meant.

As for what IMAX Enhanced brings to the table, we haven’t yet had the chance to try it, but it promises “a new level of audio and visual excellence.” Everything else we’ve seen under the IMAX name has been fantastic, so there’s no reason to expect otherwise here.

I know nothing of IMAX in the Home Theater space. Are they trying to take on Dolby?
 
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