The Denon DRA-900H vs Marantz STEREO 70s comparison makes sense because it shows what devices in their segments can offer. According to the results of our review, Denon DRA-900H received 7.3 points out of 10 possible, and Marantz STEREO 70s was rated 7 points. Both AV receivers were introduced in 2023. DRA-900H is more suitable as the heart of home theater system than its opponent - STEREO 70s.
For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 7 and 6, respectively, on a 10-point scale.
The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. Both receivers can handle the 2.2-channels configuration.
RMS stands for the actual power of the receiver. The higher this value, the louder the sound can be produced. The differences between the models in terms of RMS power are significant - for the DRA-900H this value is 100/8 W/Ohm, and for the STEREO 70s it is 75/8 W/Ohm.
DRA-900H | STEREO 70s | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 2.2 | 2.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 100/8, 120/6 | 75/8, 100/6 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8, 6 | 8, 6 |
Frequency response | 10Hz-100KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.08 | 0.08 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the DRA-900H 7 out of 10, and the STEREO 70s - 8.
Bi-amping is the amplification of one speaker with two amplifiers. This amplification method has a positive effect on sound quality. Bi-amping is possible on the STEREO 70s.
Most receivers now come with a microphone included. It is with the help of this microphone that the auto-calibration system functions, which adjusts the sound of the receiver to the room.
DRA-900H | STEREO 70s | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | 192 KHz/32-bit | 192 KHz/32-bit |
Bi-amping | ✖ | ✔ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | Audyssey MultEQ | Audyssey MultEQ XT |
Speaker A/B switching | ✔ | ✔ |
Other audio features | has not | Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Enhancer(MDAX2), Hi-Res audio |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is equal and was rated 8 out of 10.
Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.
DLNA is the perfect way to use your local cloud storage to stream movies and music directly to a TV. You can use the DLNA protocol only with Marantz STEREO 70s.
DRA-900H | STEREO 70s | |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | 2.4/5GHz | 2.4/5GHz |
USB | 2 (USB 2.0) | 1 (USB 2.0) |
Bluetooth | ✔ | ✔ |
Ethernet (RJ45) | 1 | 1 |
DLNA | ✖ | ✔ |
MHL | ✖ | ✖ |
Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.
DRA-900H | STEREO 70s | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 |
Amazon Music | ✔ | ✔ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Napster, SoundCloud, Amazon Music, Amazon Music HD, MOOD:Mix | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Napster, SoundCloud, Amazon Music, Amazon Music HD, MOOD:Mix |
The presence of many connectors makes the receiver more versatile. But there are also narrowly targeted models, the number of connectors which are limited to a certain area of use. And when choosing their own receiver, users need to consider exactly your goals for using the receiver. For extensive connection, Denon DRA-900H got 7 points, but Marantz STEREO 70s received 8 points.
Denon DRA-900H is equipped with 6/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Marantz STEREO 70s has 6/3 HDMI inputs and outputs.
HDMI eARC is the next step in the development of audio return channel technology, which works in conjunction with HDMI 2.1. Using eARC provides the highest sound quality for home audio systems. HDMI eARC is available only on Denon DRA-900H.
DRA-900H | STEREO 70s | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 6/1 | 6/3 |
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✖ |
HDMI CEC | ✔ | ✔ |
Digital content protection (HDCP) | HDCP 2.3 | HDCP 2.3 |
Subwoofer output (LFE) | 2 | 2 |
Headphone output | 1 x 6.3 | 1 x 6.3 |
Optical digital input | 2 | 1 |
Coaxial digital input | 1 | 1 |
Composite input | 0 | 0 |
Component input/output | 0/0 | 0/0 |
Phono (MM) input | ✔ | ✔ |
Front panel connectors | USB, phones, setup mic | USB, phones, setup mic |
Multi channel preamp output | ✔ | ✔ |
The AV receiver is the heart of the home theater. And in this case, support for all current video formats ensures the best user experience, so it is very important to consider this when choosing a device. Video features of the DRA-900H were rated 7 out of 10 against the 8 for the STEREO 70s.
DRA-900H | STEREO 70s | |
---|---|---|
HDR (High Dynamic Range) | HDR10+ | HDR10+ |
4K signal pass-through | 4K/120Hz | 4K/120Hz |
8K signal pass-through | 8K/60Hz | 8K/60Hz |
HDMI signal pass-through | ✔ | ✔ |
3D signal pass-through | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI pass-through in standby mode | ✔ | ✔ |
Video conversion | analog to HDMI | ✖ |
Analog to HDMI scaling | ✔ | ✖ |
HDMI to HDMI scaling | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Vision | ✖ | ✔ |
Other video features | Dynamic HDR, Variable Refresh Rate, Quick Frame Transport, Auto Low Latency Mode, Auto LipSync | Dynamic HDR, Variable Refresh Rate, Quick Frame Transport, Auto Low Latency Mode |
In terms of evaluating additional features, both receivers received a score of 10 out of 10.
DRA-900H | STEREO 70s | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI |
App control | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android |
Display | colour OSD | colour OSD |
Tuner | AM, FM | AM, FM |
Sleep timer | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto power off | ✔ | ✔ |
ECO mode | ✔ | ✔ |
Graphical user interface (GUI) | ✔ | ✔ |
Setup assistant | ✔ | ✔ |
Firmware update | network, USB | network, USB |
Other additional features | IP Control, Web Control, App Control | IP Control, Web Control, App Control |
As the center of a home media system, each multichannel receiver has an additional set of terminals for connecting the second set of speakers to create additional audio space in Zone 2 or even Zone 3 where audio can have the separate source.
DRA-900H | STEREO 70s | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | 2 | 1 |
Zone audio output | preout | speaker |
Zone HDMI output | ✔ | has not |
Multi-room control | HEOS App, Denon 2016 AVR Remote | Marantz 2016 AVR Remote, HEOS App |
RS-232 | 0 | 0 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 1/0 | 0/0 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 0 | 0 |
DRA-900H | STEREO 70s | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✖ | ✖ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✖ | ✖ |
Dolby Surround | ✖ | ✖ |
Dolby (other) | has not | has not |
DTS:X | ✖ | ✖ |
DTS HD Master | ✖ | ✖ |
DTS Virtual:X | ✖ | ✖ |
DTS Neural:X | ✖ | ✖ |
DTS (other) | has not | has not |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✖ | ✖ |
Multichannel stereo | ✔ | ✖ |