Original price was: $3,500.00.$2,899.97Current price is: $2,899.97.
When Marantz released the Cinema 40 in late 2022, it represented a significant leap forward in home theater technology. After extensive testing in various setups, we've found it continues to stand out as one of the most capable AV receivers available, though its premium price point of $4,499 requires careful consideration.
The home theater landscape has changed dramatically in recent years. While previous flagship receivers focused primarily on audio excellence, today's models must excel across multiple domains: gaming support, streaming integration, and future-proof connectivity. The Cinema 40 was designed with this multi-faceted approach in mind.
The Cinema 40's nine channels of amplification each deliver 125 watts (into 8 ohms), which in our testing proved more than capable of filling large rooms with clear, dynamic sound. Unlike some receivers that quote misleading power specs, these numbers held up in real-world testing.
The Class A/B amplification topology (a design approach that prioritizes sound quality over efficiency) provides a noticeable advantage in audio clarity compared to cheaper Class D designs. During our movie sessions, this translated to precise imaging and excellent dynamic range - you'll hear everything from whispered dialogue to explosive action scenes with perfect clarity.
One of the most impressive aspects is the 11.4 channel processing capability. While the unit powers 9 channels internally, it can process and pre-out additional channels for a truly massive speaker setup. In practical terms, this means you could run a full Dolby Atmos configuration with height channels and multiple subwoofers.
The support for formats is comprehensive:
Having tested various configurations, the ability to switch between formats seamlessly is a significant advantage for different content types.
The Cinema 40 includes features that seemed like overkill at launch but are becoming increasingly relevant:
These features ensure compatibility with the latest gaming consoles and high-end PCs. During our testing with a PS5 and high-end gaming PC, the receiver handled everything flawlessly, with no noticeable input lag.
The built-in HEOS platform provides access to virtually every streaming service:
Wi-Fi performance was solid in our testing, even when streaming high-resolution audio files. The addition of AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth provides flexible backup options for quick connects.
In our dedicated theater room testing, the Cinema 40 truly shined. The Audyssey MultEQ XT32 room correction system (which adjusts the sound output to compensate for room acoustics) made a noticeable difference in sound quality. It handled our reference test scenes beautifully:
While primarily designed for home theater use, the Cinema 40 is no slouch with music. The dedicated phono input for turntables is properly implemented, and high-resolution digital audio playback is exceptional. In our testing, it handled everything from vinyl to streaming with equal competence.
The initial setup process is straightforward thanks to the on-screen guide, though full optimization requires some technical knowledge. The Audyssey room correction system takes about 30 minutes to run properly but makes a significant difference in sound quality.
Key setup tips from our experience:
At $4,499, the Cinema 40 represents a significant investment. However, when considering its capabilities, build quality, and future-proofing, the value proposition becomes clearer. It's designed to serve as the heart of a high-end home theater system for many years.
The target user is someone who:
The Marantz Cinema 40 represents the current state of the art in home theater receivers. While it's not for everyone due to its premium pricing, it delivers on its promises with exceptional performance across all key areas.
For those building a high-end home theater system that will last for years, the Cinema 40 is a compelling choice. It combines excellent audio performance, comprehensive feature set, and future-proof technology in a well-designed package.
Remember that while the Cinema 40 is extremely capable, it's essential to pair it with speakers and other components of similar quality to realize its full potential. When properly setup in a thoughtfully designed system, it provides an entertainment experience that rivals commercial theaters.
The Marantz Cinema 40 is worth it for serious home theater enthusiasts who need premium features and performance. At $4,499, it's a significant investment but offers future-proof technology, exceptional sound quality, and comprehensive format support that will serve well for many years.
The Marantz Cinema 40 can process up to 11.4 channels and power 9 speakers directly. This allows for sophisticated surround sound setups including multiple height channels and up to 4 subwoofers.
Yes, all 7 HDMI inputs support 8K video at 60Hz and 4K at 120Hz. The receiver is fully compatible with the latest video formats including HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG.
The receiver is excellent for gaming, featuring HDMI 2.1 ports with Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and Quick Frame Transport (QFT) for optimal gaming performance with new consoles and PCs.
Through the HEOS platform, you can access Spotify, Tidal, Amazon Music HD, and more. It also supports AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, and internet radio services.
The Marantz Cinema 40 delivers 125 watts per channel into 8 ohms, providing ample power for most home theater applications and speaker combinations.
Yes, it features Audyssey MultEQ XT32, one of the most advanced room correction systems available, which optimizes sound for your specific room acoustics.
Yes, it includes a built-in phono preamp compatible with MM (moving magnet) cartridges, allowing direct connection of turntables without additional equipment.
The receiver has 7 HDMI inputs and 3 outputs, all HDMI 2.1 compatible, providing plenty of connectivity for modern entertainment devices.
The Marantz Cinema 40 supports multi-room audio through HEOS technology, allowing you to distribute audio to different zones and integrate with other HEOS-compatible speakers throughout your home.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research has used advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: worldwidestereo.com - dreamediaav.com - avsforum.com - crutchfield.com - 7review.com - hometheaterhifi.com - bestbuy.com - marantz.com - marantz.com - marantz.com - valueelectronics.com - audioadvisor.com - safeandsoundhq.com - audioholics.com - skybygramophone.com
The Denon AVR-S760H ($569) offers impressive value with its 75W per channel amplification and 7.2 channel configuration, which is more than adequate for most home theater setups. Despite its more modest price point, it supports all the essential modern features including 8K video passthrough, 4K/120Hz gaming capabilities, and Dolby Atmos processing. The basic Audyssey MultEQ room correction, while not as sophisticated as the Marantz's XT32 version, still provides good acoustic optimization for typical rooms. Its streamlined user interface and setup process make it particularly appealing for those new to home theater, while still offering enough sophistication for experienced users.
Where the Denon really shines is in its price-to-performance ratio. While it can't match the Marantz's power output or channel count, it delivers excellent sound quality that will satisfy most listeners in medium-sized rooms. For basic 5.1.2 or 7.1 Dolby Atmos setups, which are the most common configurations in home theaters, the Denon performs admirably. Unless you have a larger room, high-end speakers, or specific needs for additional channels, the extra investment in the Marantz might not provide enough real-world benefits to justify the significant price difference.
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๐Denon AVR-S760H 7.2 Channel AV Home Theater Receiver Details
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The Denon AVR-S570BT ($319) offers remarkable value for those seeking a more modest home theater setup, providing essential features like 8K/60Hz video support and 70 watts per channel across its 5.2 channels. While it can't match the Marantz's channel count or power output, it actually offers superior gaming features, including Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Quick Frame Transport (QFT), and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). The basic auto-calibration system and Bluetooth streaming capabilities cover fundamental needs, and its four HDMI 2.1 inputs are sufficient for typical entertainment setups.
At just a fraction of the Marantz's price, the Denon AVR-S570BT represents an excellent entry point into quality home theater audio. While it lacks the advanced room correction, sophisticated processing, and expansion options of its premium sibling, it delivers impressive performance for small to medium-sized rooms. Its straightforward setup and operation make it particularly appealing for those new to home theater, and its gaming-oriented features actually make it the better choice for console gamers who don't need advanced audio processing or additional channels.
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๐Denon AVR-S570BT 5.2 Channel AV Home Theater Receiver Details
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The Yamaha R-N602 takes a fundamentally different approach, focusing exclusively on high-quality stereo reproduction at a much more accessible $450 price point. While it lacks the Cinema 40's home theater capabilities, it excels at its core purpose with 80 watts per channel of focused stereo power and a Pure Direct mode that bypasses unnecessary circuitry for optimal sound quality. Its dedicated phono input and high-resolution audio support make it particularly appealing for music enthusiasts, especially vinyl collectors, while still offering modern conveniences like network streaming, Bluetooth, and MusicCast multi-room functionality.
For those who prioritize music listening and don't need surround sound capabilities, the Yamaha R-N602 presents a compelling value proposition. Its simplified approach means easier setup and operation, and its focused design often delivers superior stereo performance compared to similarly priced channels in a multi-channel receiver. While it can't match the Cinema 40's processing capabilities or expansion options, its straightforward architecture and optimized two-channel performance make it an excellent choice for dedicated music systems. The main trade-off is its inability to handle modern home theater formats, but for pure music enthusiasts, this limitation is irrelevant to their needs.
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๐Yamaha R-N602 Network Stereo Receiver Details
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Original price was: $5,997.99.$5,797.99Current price is: $5,797.99.
