John Darko
The latest streaming integrated amplifier to be released by Marantz – the Stereo 70s – boasts the following feature set:
- 75wpc into 8 Ohms of Class A/B power
- In-house designed and built discrete HDAM modules that, according to the Japanese company, offer superior audible performance to traditional op-amps
- An internal 24bit/192kHz and DSD-capable DAC with coaxial, TOSLINK, HDMI ARC and Bluetooth access
- Wi-Fi and Ethernet inputs that feed an internal HEOS module (for UPnP, Tidal and Amazon Music but not Qobuz) that additionally supports Spotify Connect and Apple AirPlay 2
- An internal MM phono stage
- Two line-level analogue inputs
- One set of pre-amplifier outputs
- Two subwoofer outputs
- Two sets of loudspeaker binding posts
- A backlit remote control
- A front-panel 6.4mm headphone output
That’s quite the fit-out, especially at the Stereo 70s’s €1000 asking price.
And yet because the Stereo 70s also features six HDMI inputs – three of which support 8K signals – Marantz is calling its new amplifier, quite understandably, a stereo A/V receiver. And yet from where I am sitting, the Stereo 70s has all the trappings of a solid piece of entry-level Future-Fi with extensive hi-fi market appeal.
Shipping on the Stereo 70s begins this month. Your choice of black or gold.
Further information: Marantz
