The SR7005 offers full compatibility with 3D TV and HD audio, nearly 1kW of power and an integrated media player. Priced at £1,399.90 and available from August in black or silver/gold, the new product is housed in an elegant chassis sporting a classic circular display with the traditional Marantz star.
The audio brain of the system is the 400MHz, 32-bit Sharc DSP from Analog Devices, which handles HD audio decoding and the Audyssey MultEQ XT PRO room equalisation auto set-up. Other technologies from Audyssey include DSX processing to provide additional speakers at the front-wide area, Dynamic EQ to maintain bass and rich sound at low volumes, and Dynamic Volume. There is also Dolby ProLogic IIz for enhanced vertical and horizontal spatial performance from the front channels.
The specification includes six HDMI 1.4a inputs, one of which is hidden behind the front flap for easy access, ensuring that both movie lovers and gamers are completely future-proofed with 3D video support at 1080p HD. The SR7005’s HDMI 1.4a inputs and two outputs also offer HDMI pass through in standby mode, Audio Return Channel (ARC) and Consumer Electronics Control (CEC). Up-conversion to HD quality of DVD and other standard video sources is via an Anchor Bay Technologies ABT2015 chipset.
The SR7005 built-in digital media player can access/stream music and static JPG images stored on a home network, whether it be on a PC or NAS drive. It is also possible to access new media via the iPod-compatible USB input for digital connection to the device, while the RJ-45 Network jack provides connection to vTuner internet radio and supports music services such as Napster. The M-XPort delivers optional Bluetooth reception via a RX101 unit to hook up mobile devices, PCs and the iPad. Classical analogue signals come from the built-in FM tuner or via either the analogue input jacks or the phono preamp, which is ideal for vinyl.
At the heart of the system is a current feedback amplifier circuit with proprietary Marantz HDAMs and an oversized low impedance transformer for rapid current supply. This works alongside custom filter capacitors and hand-selected customised components. Originally developed for Super Audio CD signals, this ultra-wide bandwidth amplification system delivers (a conservatively estimated) 125W into 8 ohms across each of the seven channels.
Richard van der Avoird, European product promotion manager for Marantz, told IE Residential: “The SR7005 is a completely new model derived from our flagship Premium Series designs, incorporating 7 x 125W Current Feedback amplifiers including Marantz’s bespoke HDAM modules for each channel. This guarantees the highest audio quality possible. Besides the versatile connectivity with six HDMI 1.4 inputs and two outputs (both 3D capable), the SR7005 also offers extensive networking capabilities. Via its new colour GUI you have access to internet radio, online audio streaming services and all your audio files stored on any DLNA 1.5-certified NAS drive or laptop including support for Windows 7. With the SR7005 Marantz has set a new reference standard for AV receivers at this price point, and should prove very popular.”
