Marantz SR7012 vs Marantz NR1608

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

SR7012 vs NR1608 comparison chart

Marantz SR7012 vs Marantz NR1608 review

Marantz SR7012
vs
Marantz NR1608

The Marantz SR7012 vs Marantz NR1608 comparison makes sense because it shows what devices in their segments can offer. According to the results of our review, Marantz SR7012 received 9.4 points out of 10 possible, and Marantz NR1608 was rated 8.3 points. Both AV receivers were introduced in 2017. SR7012 is more suitable as the heart of home theater system than its opponent - NR1608.

Main advantages Marantz SR7012 over Marantz NR1608

  • More channels, namely 11, makes this receiver more profitable than its 7-channel competitor.
  • 125/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 50/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • Both receivers have a multi-room zone function, but SR7012 has 3 zones vs 2 on its competitor.
  • Include HDMI eARC function.

Main advantages Marantz NR1608 over Marantz SR7012

  • We do not know advantages

Amplifiers

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

SR7012
10
NR1608
6

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Marantz SR7012 supports 11.2-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 SR7012 this value is 125/8 W/Ohm, and for the NR1608 it is 50/8 W/Ohm.

SR7012 NR1608
Channels11.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm125/8, 165/650/8, 70/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.050.05

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the SR7012 9 out of 10, and the NR1608 - 10.

SR7012
9
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.

SR7012 NR1608
Digital to analog converter (DAC)192 KHz/24-bitAK4458 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAudyssey MultEQ XT32Audyssey MultEQ
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresHi-Res audio, Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey LFCHi-Res audio, Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Marantz SR7012 scored 9, and Marantz NR1608 scored 8 out of 10.

SR7012
9
NR1608
8

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 SR7012.

SR7012 NR1608
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz2.4/5GHz
USB1 (USB 2.0)1 (USB 2.0)
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)11
DLNA
MHL

Streaming services

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

SR7012 NR1608
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, PandoraDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud

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 SR7012 got 10 points, but Marantz NR1608 received 8 points.

SR7012
10
NR1608
8

Marantz SR7012 is equipped with 8/3 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Marantz NR1608 has 8/1 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 Marantz SR7012.

Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the SR7012 has a Phono interface.

SR7012 NR1608
HDMI input/output8/38/1
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.2HDCP 2.2
Subwoofer output (LFE)22
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input21
Coaxial digital input21
Composite input33
Component input/output3/12/1
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, phones, setup mic, AUXUSB, HDMI, phones, setup mic
Multi channel preamp output

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. Video features of rivals in our comparison were rated 10 out of 10.

SR7012
10
NR1608
10

SR7012 NR1608
HDR (High Dynamic Range)
4K signal pass-through4K/60Hz4K/60Hz
8K signal pass-through
HDMI signal pass-through
3D signal pass-through
HDMI pass-through in standby mode
Video conversionanalog to HDMIanalog to HDMI
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresx.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020HLG, BT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, both receivers received a score of 10 out of 10.

SR7012
10
NR1608
10

SR7012 NR1608
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AIAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Amazon KindleiPhone, iPad, iPod, Android
Displaycolour OSDcolour OSD
TunerAM, FMAM, FM
Sleep timer
Auto power off
ECO mode
Graphical user interface (GUI)
Setup assistant
Firmware updatenetwork, USBnetwork, USB
Other additional featuresIP ControlIP Control

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.

SR7012 NR1608
Multi-room zones32
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlMarantz 2016 AVR Remote App, HEOS AppMarantz 2016 AVR Remote App, HEOS App
RS-23210
Remote control input/output (IR)1/01/0
DC trigger output (12V)21

Multichannel surround

Marantz SR7012 got 9 points for the multichannel surround sound and Marantz NR1608 got 7.

SR7012
9
NR1608
7

Auro 3D gives a bit more versatility than Dolby Atmos or DTS:X and provides a hemispherical sound and enables a receiver to produce 3D sound stages. Only the Marantz SR7012 has Auro-3D on its feature list.

SR7012 NR1608
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital PlusDolby Digital Plus
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other)has nothas not
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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