Choosing an AV receiver is not an easy task and the Denon AVR-S740H versus Marantz NR1606 comparison is meant to help you with this. According to the results of our review, Denon AVR-S740H received 7.1 points out of 10 possible, and Marantz NR1606 was rated 7.4 points. The release date of AVR-S740H is 2018, and NR1606 is 2016. As a result, it becomes clear that NR1606 is a better option for home theater than AVR-S740H.
For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 8 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 7.2-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 AVR-S740H this value is 75/8 W/Ohm, and for the NR1606 it is 50/8 W/Ohm.
| AVR-S740H | NR1606 | |
|---|---|---|
| Channels | 7.2 | 7.2 |
| Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 75/8, 110/6 | 50/8, 70/6 |
| 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 AVR-S740H 6 out of 10, and the NR1606 - 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 NR1606.
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. Marantz NR1606 can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.
| AVR-S740H | NR1606 | |
|---|---|---|
| Digital to analog converter (DAC) | 192 KHz/32-bit | 192 KHz/24-bit |
| Bi-amping | ✖ | ✔ |
| Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Auto speaker calibration | Audyssey MultEQ | Audyssey MultEQ |
| Speaker A/B switching | ✖ | ✔ |
| Other audio features | Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Restorer, Hi-Res audio | Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Denon AVR-S740H scored 7, and Marantz NR1606 scored 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 NR1606.
| AVR-S740H | NR1606 | |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | ✔ | ✔ |
| USB | 1 (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.
| AVR-S740H | NR1606 | |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Music (AirPlay) | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 | AirPlay |
| Amazon Music | ✔ | ✖ |
| Spotify | ✔ | ✔ |
| Other streaming services | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud | Pandora, SiriusXM |
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 AVR-S740H got 6 points, but Marantz NR1606 received 7 points.
Denon AVR-S740H is equipped with 6/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Marantz NR1606 has 8/1 HDMI inputs and outputs.
Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the AVR-S740H has a Phono interface.
| AVR-S740H | NR1606 | |
|---|---|---|
| HDMI input/output | 6/1 | 8/1 |
| HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
| HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) | ✖ | ✖ |
| HDMI CEC | ✔ | ✔ |
| Digital content protection (HDCP) | HDCP 2.2 | HDCP 2.2 |
| 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 | 2 | 3 |
| Component input/output | 0/0 | 2/1 |
| Phono (MM) input | ✔ | ✖ |
| Front panel connectors | USB, HDMI, phones, setup mic | USB, HDMI, 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 AVR-S740H were rated 6 out of 10 against the 8 for the NR1606.
Most of the AV receivers have a video scaling function, it is the process of reformatting the video signal to a higher resolution without losing the quality of the image. Upscaling the video signal resolution is possible with Marantz NR1606.
| AVR-S740H | NR1606 | |
|---|---|---|
| HDR (High Dynamic Range) | ✔ | ✔ |
| 4K signal pass-through | 4K/60Hz | 4K/60Hz |
| 8K signal pass-through | ✖ | ✖ |
| 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 | BT.2020, HLG | x.v.Color |
In terms of evaluating additional features, the AVR-S740H got 10 points, but the NR1606 has 8.
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 AVR-S740H can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI.
| AVR-S740H | NR1606 | |
|---|---|---|
| Voice control | 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 | IP 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.
| AVR-S740H | NR1606 | |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-room zones | 2 | 2 |
| Zone audio output | speaker | speaker, preout |
| Zone HDMI output | ✖ | ✖ |
| Multi-room control | HEOS App | Marantz AVR Remote App |
| RS-232 | 0 | 0 |
| Remote control input/output (IR) | 0/0 | 1/1 |
| DC trigger output (12V) | 0 | 1 |
For the ability to create multichannel surround sound, each of the receivers received 7 points out of 10.
| AVR-S740H | NR1606 | |
|---|---|---|
| Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✔ |
| Dolby TrueHD | ✔ | ✔ |
| Dolby Surround | ✔ | ✔ |
| Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Digital Plus |
| DTS:X | ✔ | ✔ |
| DTS HD Master | ✔ | ✔ |
| DTS Virtual:X | ✔ | ✖ |
| DTS Neural:X | ✔ | ✔ |
| DTS (other) | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-Surround | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-EXPRESS |
| Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
| IMAX Enhanced | ✖ | ✖ |
| Multichannel stereo | ✔ | ✔ |






















