The Marantz Cinema 30 receiver is a high-end AV receiver that delivers exceptional performance, versatility, and a robust set of features for both audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts. Priced at $4,500.00, this receiver is a significant investment, but its capabilities and quality make it well worth the cost for those seeking an immersive audio and video experience.
Design and Build Quality
From the moment you unbox the Marantz Cinema 30 receiver, the premium build quality is evident. The design is sleek and modern, featuring a minimalist front panel with a large, easy-to-read display and intuitive control knobs. The overall aesthetic is both elegant and functional, blending seamlessly into any home theater setup.
Amplifier and Audio Performance
At the heart of the Marantz Cinema 30 receiver is an 11-channel amplifier that delivers a powerful 140 watts per channel into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.05% THD, with 2 channels driven. This robust power output ensures that it can drive a wide range of speakers with ease, providing dynamic and detailed sound across all types of media.
Marantz’s Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Modules (HDAM) are a standout feature, offering exquisite detail and dynamic range while reducing noise. This results in a clear and immersive audio experience, whether you’re watching movies, listening to music, or playing video games.
Surround Sound and Immersive Audio
The Marantz Cinema 30 receiver excels in creating an immersive sound environment with support for Dolby Atmos®, DTS, and Auro-3D® surround sound decoding. These technologies allow for the use of in-ceiling or height speakers, enhancing the depth and realism of the audio experience. Additionally, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization and DTS Virtual provide three-dimensional effects without the need for actual height speakers, making it easier to achieve a comprehensive surround sound setup in any room.
IMAX® Enhanced is another notable feature, reproducing the full dynamic range of specially encoded IMAX soundtracks from compatible sources, further elevating the home theater experience.
Room Calibration and Optimization
Achieving the perfect sound balance is made simple with Audyssey speaker calibration and system optimization. The MultEQ® XT32 auto setup and room calibration deliver balanced, dynamic sound with enhanced surround performance. Features like Dynamic Volume and Dynamic EQ improve dialogue clarity, bass response, and surround channel levels, even at lower volumes. Sub EQ HT provides individual calibration for up to four subwoofers, ensuring even bass response throughout the room. Additionally, the optional Dirac Live room calibration and bass management offer further customization for audiophiles who desire precise control over their sound environment.
Digital and Streaming Options
The Marantz Cinema 30 receiver offers a plethora of digital and streaming music options, making it a versatile hub for all your audio needs. Built-in Wi-Fi allows for seamless listening to music from a networked PC, free internet radio, and various music services such as Pandora®, TIDAL, SiriusXM, and Spotify®. The free HEOS app provides easy control over these services, as well as Wi-Fi settings adjustments and music selection.
For those who prefer voice control, the receiver is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, enabling hands-free operation. AirPlay 2 support allows for direct streaming from Apple® devices, and built-in Bluetooth facilitates wireless music listening from smartphones, tablets, and compatible computers. The receiver also supports Bluetooth transmission to Bluetooth-enabled headphones, providing flexibility in how you enjoy your audio.
Multi-Room Audio/Video Capabilities
One of the standout features of the Marantz Cinema 30 receiver is its multi-room audio and video capabilities. It supports three-room/three-source output, allowing you to play different audio sources in multiple rooms simultaneously. Powered stereo outputs for the second and third rooms enable playback in three rooms at once, while line-level outputs for Zones 2 and 3 can be used with separate amplifiers or powered speakers.
The amp assign function lets you reassign the height channels for bi-amping or use in Zone 2 or 3, providing additional flexibility in your audio setup. TV Audio sharing lets you play surround sound in your main room and downmixed stereo in additional zones, ensuring a cohesive audio experience throughout your home.
Connectivity and Compatibility
The Marantz Cinema 30 receiver is equipped with an impressive array of connectivity options, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of devices and sources. It features HDMI 2.1 audio/video switching with 7 inputs and 3 outputs, all of which support 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz video. This ensures that the receiver is future-proof and ready for the latest Ultra HD content.
The receiver also supports HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision®, HLG, and Dynamic HDR, providing extended picture contrast and brightness with compatible TVs and HDR-encoded content. For gamers, the receiver includes Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and Quick Frame Transport (QFT) technologies, which help reduce or eliminate lag and frame tearing for a smoother, more enjoyable gaming experience.
Other notable connections include composite and component video inputs, digital audio inputs (Toslink optical and coaxial), analog stereo audio line-level inputs and outputs, a moving magnet (MM) phono input for turntables, and four discrete line-level subwoofer outputs. The front-panel USB port allows for audio playback from USB flash drives, and an Ethernet port provides a stable network connection.
The receiver also features RS-232C and IR remote connections for use with optional third-party controllers and three 12-volt trigger outputs for advanced home automation systems.
Software and Ease of Use
Setting up the Marantz Cinema 30 receiver is straightforward, thanks to the Marantz Setup Assistant. This intuitive software guides you through the initial connection process and settings, ensuring that even those new to AV receivers can get everything up and running quickly and easily. The HEOS app further simplifies control, offering a user-friendly interface for managing your music and settings.
For advanced users, the Audyssey MultEQ Editor app provides further audio customization options, allowing for precise adjustments to achieve the perfect sound. This paid app offers in-depth control over the receiver’s calibration and optimization features, making it a valuable tool for audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts.
Price and Value
At $4,500.00, the Marantz Cinema 30 receiver is certainly a premium product. However, considering its extensive feature set, exceptional performance, and versatility, it offers excellent value for those looking to invest in a high-quality AV receiver. Its robust power output, comprehensive surround sound capabilities, and extensive connectivity options make it a standout choice for anyone serious about their home audio and video setup.
Conclusion
In summary, the Marantz Cinema 30 receiver is a top-tier AV receiver that delivers outstanding performance, versatility, and build quality. Its powerful amplifier, advanced surround sound decoding, and extensive connectivity options make it a perfect choice for creating an immersive home theater experience. The inclusion of modern features like HDMI 2.1, HDR support, and gaming-optimized technologies further enhance its appeal, while the multi-room audio/video capabilities and user-friendly software ensure that it meets the needs of even the most demanding users.
Whether you’re an audiophile, a home theater enthusiast, or a gamer, the Marantz Cinema 30 receiver provides a premium, future-proof solution that will elevate your audio and video experience to new heights. While the price tag is significant, the investment is justified by the receiver’s comprehensive feature set, performance, and the unmatched quality that Marantz is known for.