The Yamaha RX-A3070BL vs Marantz NR1608 comparison makes sense because it shows what devices in their segments can offer. According to the results of our review, Yamaha RX-A3070BL received 8.7 points out of 10 possible, and Marantz NR1608 was rated 8.3 points. Both AV receivers were introduced in 2017. RX-A3070BL is more suitable as the heart of home theater system than its opponent - NR1608.
For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 9 and 6, respectively, on a 10-point scale.
The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Yamaha RX-A3070BL supports 9.2-channels sound, but Marantz NR1608 supports a 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 RX-A3070BL this value is 165/8 W/Ohm, and for the NR1608 it is 50/8 W/Ohm.
RX-A3070BL | NR1608 | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 9.2 | 7.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 165/8 | 50/8, 70/6 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8 | 8, 6 |
Frequency response | 10Hz-100KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.06 | 0.05 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the RX-A3070BL 8 out of 10, and the NR1608 - 10.
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 NR1608 can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.
RX-A3070BL | NR1608 | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | ESS SABRE PRO 192 KHz/24-bit | AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit |
Bi-amping | ✔ | ✔ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | YPAO | Audyssey MultEQ |
Speaker A/B switching | ✖ | ✔ |
Other audio features | Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONT, Extra Bass | Hi-Res audio, Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ |
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 Yamaha RX-A3070BL.
RX-A3070BL | NR1608 | |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | ✔ | 2.4/5GHz |
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.
RX-A3070BL | NR1608 | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | AirPlay | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 |
Amazon Music | ✖ | ✔ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Sirius XM, Napster | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud |
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, Yamaha RX-A3070BL got 9 points, but Marantz NR1608 received 8 points.
Yamaha RX-A3070BL is equipped with 8/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Marantz NR1608 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 RX-A3070BL has a Phono interface.
RX-A3070BL | NR1608 | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 8/2 | 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 | 3 | 1 |
Coaxial digital input | 3 | 1 |
Composite input | 4 | 3 |
Component input/output | 2/0 | 2/1 |
Phono (MM) input | ✔ | ✖ |
Front panel connectors | USB, HDMI, phones, setup mic, AUX | 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 rivals in our comparison were rated 10 out of 10.
RX-A3070BL | NR1608 | |
---|---|---|
HDR (High Dynamic Range) | HDR10 | ✔ |
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 |
Analog to HDMI scaling | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI to HDMI scaling | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Vision | ✔ | ✔ |
Other video features | DeepColor, x.v.Color | HLG, BT.2020 |
In terms of evaluating additional features, both receivers received a score of 10 out of 10.
RX-A3070BL | NR1608 | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | Amazon Alexa | 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 | has not | 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.
RX-A3070BL | NR1608 | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | 3 | 2 |
Zone audio output | speaker, preout | speaker, preout |
Zone HDMI output | ✔ | ✖ |
Multi-room control | MusicCast, AV Controller | Marantz 2016 AVR Remote App, HEOS App |
RS-232 | 1 | 0 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 1/1 | 1/0 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 2 | 1 |
Yamaha RX-A3070BL got 8 points for the multichannel surround sound and Marantz NR1608 got 7.
RX-A3070BL | NR1608 | |
---|---|---|
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 Neo:6 Cinema, DTS Neo:6 Music, DTS 96/24, DTS-EXPRESS | has not |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✖ | ✖ |
Multichannel stereo | ✖ | ✔ |