Marantz NR1602 AV-receiver
Whether through design or luck, Marantz has created something fairly special using the NR1602. Driven by means of a desire to innovate within the often stultifying constraints of hardcore AV, the business chopped it in half and has taken the conventional significant AVR form factor. The end result is a part with a good deal more va-va- voom than its peers.
But there's more to the NR1602. Internet radio network streaming and AirPlay are important. In the event you're tomorrow to reboot the home theatre market, the NR1602 could function as standard.
The machine has a distinctive, Marantz-flavoured fascia: buttonry that is fussy and all curved edges. It's also accessible both black 'silvergold', the latter harking back to an age -coloured separates, and that i must say I approve.
Standing 105mm tall, a Blu-ray player is much larger than this receiver.
It has four 3D-compatible HDMI inputs (all with support for Sound Return Channel compatible equipment), two component and three phono AV input signals, digital optical and coaxial audio inputs, plus Ethernet. There's likewise an accessory Marantz-eXtension Port for an elective Bluetooth receiver, allowing you to wirelessly stream or Android cellular telephone. All speakers gain from binding posts that are adequate. The NR1602 is equally as comfortable browsing externals hard drives as large USB sticks. It surely wasn't fazed by 160GB drive that was full.
The set-up routine is polished and painless. An easy-to-follow wizard guides you throughout loudspeaker connections the device configuration and room calibration. The user interface on this AVR is amazing. It's quick, high-res and intuitive. Putting inputs is not especially complex, thanks to some neat tabular layout. The NR1602 comes with Audyssey's MultiEQ auto-calibration system. A supplied microphone plugs into the very front and, when prompted, issues a series of squawks to assess space and level. It can take measurements from several seating locations (the 2EQ Full Calibration mode), or just one (Quick Start). However, because I've found with Audyssey calibration systems that are preceding, correctness might be a little defendant; in this instance the unit miscalculated the relative spaces of my rear speakers and subwoofer. Still, this is a simple fix. You may always forego auto-calibration completely, manually setting distance and amounts for yourself.
The MultiEQ system of Audyssey comes saddled with Volume technologies that are Dynamic and Audyssey Dynamic EQ,
Dynamic Volume ought to be switched off instantaneously. Made to smooth the dynamic peaks in reference content out, it's of use only to those who don't enjoy loud bangs. Like kittens.
Once in your LAN, this DLNA- informed receiver immediately sniffs out other apparatus that are like minded. It uncovered DLNA NAS devices and my various uPnP immediately. The receiver also rocks an extremely fine internet radio enactment, and includes support for Last.FM, Napster and even Flickr, the photo-sharing site.
Not only is there a larger universe of alternative online, but quality is generally better, also. As it happens, having Flickr alongside' turns out to be a wizard wheeze. Flickr pictures is an excellent strategy to fill the void that is visual while the NR1602 has a screensaver to prevent image retention.
The NR1602 has no problem with MP3, Ogg, WMA, WAV, FLAC and AAC files. It also correctly read record and artist metadata.
Of course, the center of attraction for iOS and iTunes users is going to be the provision of AirPlay. It takes no time whatsoever to create, and you will shortly be streaming from either PC or Mac, or iOS device.
On the transformational, AirPlay verges as a user experience. It's an extremely cool method to explore a music collection, especially via an iPad.
One unavoidable result is the NR1602 can't compete with larger muscle amps' hefty electricity reserves. My guess is that isn't going to prove challenging in the common living room. Given that in home theatres that are dedicated you are unlikely to run amplification at -15dB, this shortfall is easy to live with. Really, I ran both movies and music in multichannel mode and never felt shortchanged.
Surprisingly, the little NR1602 does a splendid job driving large loudspeaker loads. I used it with Authoritative Technology Benchmark boxes that were sizeable. Laced up to a more reasonable loudspeaker package (maybe something smaller from sister brand Boston Acoustics) and it'll rock the house.
Multichannel Super Audio CD is a treat. Hooked up to Marantz' UD7006 Universal Blu-ray player, this AVR sounds open and relaxed. Emi Fujita's MOR crooning (Camomile Best Audio, Japanese import) , not only demonstrates width that is tremendous, but also has actual depth. It's like 3 D for the ears.
Quick transients are additionally handled by the NR1602 with snappy ease and exhibits more than enough energy to handle the sonic delight Legacy bike duel. The film's 7.1 Bluray soundtrack stays among the very best of the year, and this little box does a thumpingly great job with it.
It's worth stretching to some complete 7-in the event you could, channel loudspeaker complement. This post- processing style operates nicely and I'd recommend using it if you're running having an enlarged setup. In case you don't intend on running speakers that are rear back, it is possible to assign the spare channels as a stereo feed to another room.
While most users will naturally rely on HDMI for sound and vision, the analogue input signals of the NR1602 offer toasty warmth. Compact Discs played about the aforementioned UD7006 and routed in via the stereo analogue inputs with Pure Direct chosen, are as smooth as a cauldron. While the NR1602 might not throw rather the same long shadow as traditional home cinema receivers, it doesn't lack in audacity. In the maelstrom of mass market AV receivers, it is a slimline oasis of substance as well as style. Really, as it pertains to networked theater, it's few peers in the cost.
