Marantz Cinema 70s 7.2 Channel AV Receiver Black

The Marantz Cinema 70s sits as the slimline entry point in Marantz’s Cinema Series AV receiver range, below the full-width Cinema 50 and the flagship Cinema 30. Despite its compact 109mm-tall chassis, the Cinema 70s delivers a genuine 7.2-channel surround sound experience with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X decoding, making it one of the most feature-dense slim receivers available at this price point.

Amplification

At its core, the Cinema 70s uses Class A/B discrete power amplifier stages, outputting 50W per channel into 8Ω (20Hz–20kHz, 0.08% THD) or 70W into 6Ω at 1kHz. While modest on paper, the amplifier section benefits from Marantz’s HDAM (Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Module) current-feedback topology — the same circuit philosophy used throughout the Cinema range. A Pure Direct mode bypasses video and digital processing for two-channel listening, reducing the signal path to its shortest route.

HDMI and Video Processing

The Cinema 70s is equipped with six HDMI inputs, three of which support 8K/60Hz passthrough with HDCP 2.3, while the remaining three handle 4K/120Hz — both essential for current-generation gaming consoles and high-frame-rate content. The single HDMI output supports eARC for streamlined connection to compatible televisions. Video upscaling from 1080p and 4K sources to 8K is handled internally. HDR format support covers HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG.

Gaming Features

For gaming, the Cinema 70s supports ALLM (Auto Low-Latency Mode) passthrough, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Quick Frame Transport (QFT), and Quick Media Switching (QMS). These features ensure that compatible displays automatically switch to their lowest-latency mode and maintain a smooth, tear-free picture during fast-paced gameplay.

Surround Sound Processing

The receiver decodes Dolby Atmos (including Height Virtualisation and Dolby Atmos Music), Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Surround, DTS:X, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS Neural:X, and DTS Virtual:X. Room correction is handled by Audyssey MultEQ with Dynamic EQ and Dynamic Volume, allowing the receiver to adapt its frequency response and dynamic range to the listening room and volume level.

Streaming and Connectivity

HEOS Built-in provides multi-room audio streaming across the home, with support for Spotify Connect, Amazon Music HD, TIDAL, Deezer, TuneIn, and iHeart Radio. AirPlay 2 integration allows direct streaming from Apple devices, and the receiver is Roon Tested for integration with Roon-based music libraries. High-resolution audio playback covers FLAC, WAV, and ALAC up to 192kHz/24-bit, plus DSD at 2.8MHz and 5.6MHz. Voice control is available through Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomePod.

Analogue connectivity includes three RCA line inputs and a dedicated phono (MM) input with grounding pin for direct turntable connection. Digital inputs comprise one optical and one coaxial S/PDIF, plus a front-panel USB-A port for local media playback. An AM/FM tuner is also built in. The 7.2 multichannel pre-out allows connection to external power amplifiers for larger speaker systems, and Zone 2 output enables independent audio in a second room.

Design

The slimline chassis measures 442 × 384 × 109mm (W × D × H) and weighs 8.7kg, making it suitable for shallow AV furniture and tight installation spaces. The front panel features Marantz’s signature porthole OLED display, and setup is assisted by an on-screen HD GUI. Network and USB firmware updates keep the receiver current, and the included RC050SR remote provides full control.