Marantz NR1200 vs Cambridge Audio AXR100

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Being able to compare Marantz NR1200 and Cambridge Audio AXR100 gave us an insight into what of them would be better for home theater configuration. According to the results of our review, Marantz NR1200 received 6.4 points out of 10 possible, and Cambridge Audio AXR100 was rated 5.6 points. Both AV receivers were introduced in 2019. NR1200 is more performable in terms of audio broadcast than the AXR100.

Main advantages Marantz NR1200 over Cambridge Audio AXR100

Main advantages Cambridge Audio AXR100 over Marantz NR1200

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 6 and 7, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. Both receivers can handle the 2.0-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 AXR100 this value is 100/8 W/Ohm, and for the NR1200 it is 75/8 W/Ohm.

Audio features

The score for audio features is 6 of 10 for both receivers.

Pure Direct mode feeds sound directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Only Marantz NR1200 has Pure Direct mode.

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.

Speaker A/B switching allows you to change between the main and sub speaker set. Cambridge Audio AXR100 can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Marantz NR1200 scored 8, and Cambridge Audio AXR100 scored 6 out of 10.

Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.

Wired internet connection via RJ45 allows receiver faster connection than wireless or even use NAS storages. Wired connection via RJ45 is possible in the NR1200 only.

Streaming services

Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.

Extensive connections

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, Marantz NR1200 got 6 points, but Cambridge Audio AXR100 received 5 points.

Only Marantz NR1200 has 5/1 HDMI inputs and outputs.

By using the HDMI ARC, we can get rid of additional audio cables for the forefront of high-quality sound, but also thanks to this technology, it becomes possible to use surround sound formats. The NR1200 has HDMI ARC support.

HDMI-CEC helps gadgets attached to your TV to link back and forth with your TV via HDMI ports. It is become possible to control all linked devices with one remote. The NR1200 features HDMI CEC.

Video features

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.

HDR pass-through gives you the possibility to broadcast HDR content directly from source to TV without the processing of the receiver. HDR support is available only on the Marantz NR1200.

With the 4K pass-through feature, the AV receiver sends "native" 4K signals to a 4K TV from a video source without any processing. Only NR1200 in our comparison can work with the 4K/60Hz video.

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the NR1200 got 10 points, but the AXR100 has 4.

Voice control allows you to control the basic functions of the receiver through a smartphone, smart speaker or using the microphone that comes with the kit. The NR1200 can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI. Only the Marantz NR1200 has the ECO mode.

Multi-room

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.

Multichannel surround