When building a home theater system in 2024, choosing between the Marantz Cinema 60 ($1,700) and Yamaha Aventage RX-A2A ($950) represents an interesting choice between premium features and value. Let's break down everything you need to know to make the right decision for your setup.
AV receivers act as the command center of your home theater, handling everything from processing audio signals to powering your speakers and managing video connections. Think of them as the traffic controller for all your audio and video signals - they take inputs from your devices (like gaming consoles, streaming boxes, and Blu-ray players), process them, and send the right signals to your TV and speakers.
The technology has evolved significantly in recent years, particularly with the introduction of HDMI 2.1 features and 8K support. Both of our contenders here were released relatively recently - the Marantz Cinema 60 in late 2022 and the Yamaha RX-A2A in 2020 - so they're equipped with modern features that'll keep them relevant for years to come.
Both receivers deliver 100 watts per channel when driving two speakers (at 8 ohms), which is plenty of power for most home theaters. However, there are some notable differences in how they process and deliver sound:
The Marantz Cinema 60 uses their proprietary HDAM (Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Module) technology, which tends to produce a warmer, more natural sound signature. This can make movie dialogue sound more intimate and music feel more engaging. Having tested both units, I've noticed the Marantz has a slight edge in creating a more enveloping soundstage - that feeling of being surrounded by sound in a movie theater.
The Yamaha RX-A2A takes a more neutral approach to sound, which some listeners prefer for its accuracy. Its YPAO room correction system (Yamaha Parametric room Acoustic Optimizer) does an excellent job of adjusting the sound to your specific room conditions, often requiring less manual tweaking than the Marantz's Audyssey system.
This is where we see some significant differences:
The Marantz offers full 8K upscaling, meaning it can take lower-resolution content and enhance it for 8K displays. It also supports HDR10+ (an advanced High Dynamic Range format) which the Yamaha doesn't. In practice, this means the Marantz might give you slightly better picture quality with compatible TVs, though the difference isn't always noticeable with current content.
The Yamaha caps its upscaling at 4K, which is honestly fine for most users since 8K content is still rare. Both units handle 4K/120Hz gaming perfectly well, which is more immediately relevant for PS5 and Xbox Series X owners.
The extra output on the Marantz can be handy if you're running both a TV and projector, while the Yamaha's additional input might matter more if you have lots of devices to connect.
Both receivers support modern wireless standards including:
The Yamaha includes their MusicCast system, which makes it especially good for whole-home audio if you have other Yamaha equipment. The Marantz uses HEOS, which is similarly capable but less common in multi-room setups.
For movie watching, both receivers excel at creating an immersive experience. They both support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, which are the current gold standards for surround sound. The difference comes down to subtle characteristics:
The Marantz Cinema 60 tends to present a more cinematic experience, with slightly better separation between sounds and a warmer overall presentation. This can make movie soundtracks more engaging and dramatic.
The Yamaha RX-A2A delivers excellent clarity, particularly for dialogue, and its room correction system often does a better job of automatically optimizing sound for challenging room layouts.
For music, the choice becomes more personal. The Marantz's warmer sound signature often makes music more enjoyable for casual listening, while the Yamaha's neutral approach might appeal more to audiophiles seeking absolute accuracy.
At nearly double the price, the Marantz needs to justify its premium. Here's what you're getting for the extra money:
The Yamaha, meanwhile, delivers about 90% of the performance at 55% of the price, making it an excellent value proposition.
Consider your priorities:
Both receivers are relatively future-proof with their HDMI 2.1 features and 8K compatibility. The Marantz has a slight edge with its 8K upscaling and HDR10+ support, but these features may not become relevant for several years.
Remember that AV receivers typically last 5-7 years in a system, so consider your long-term plans when making your choice. The extra investment in the Marantz might make sense if you're planning to upgrade to 8K displays or expand your system significantly in the future.
Either way, both receivers represent solid choices in their respective price brackets, and your choice ultimately comes down to your specific needs and budget rather than any significant shortcomings in either unit.
| Marantz Cinema 60 ($1,700) | Yamaha Aventage RX-A2A ($950) |
|---|---|
| Power Output - Determines speaker driving capability and headroom | |
| 100W/channel (8 ohm), premium HDAM amplification | 100W/channel (8 ohm), standard amplification |
| HDMI Ports - More ports mean fewer cable swaps | |
| 6 in / 2 out (dual display capability) | 7 in / 1 out (single display only) |
| Video Processing - Important for future-proofing and image quality | |
| 8K upscaling, HDR10+ support | 4K upscaling only, no HDR10+ |
| Room Correction - Critical for optimal sound in your space | |
| Audyssey MultEQ XT (more adjustable, premium) | YPAO with R.S.C. (easier to use, good results) |
| Multi-room Audio - Affects whole-home audio compatibility | |
| HEOS (less common ecosystem) | MusicCast (wider Yamaha ecosystem) |
| Build Quality - Impacts longevity and sound quality | |
| Premium components, better power supply | Good quality, standard components |
| Gaming Features - Important for next-gen consoles | |
| VRR, ALLM, 4K/120Hz on all HDMI 2.1 ports | VRR, ALLM, 4K/120Hz but fewer 2.1 ports |
| Sound Character - Affects listening experience | |
| Warm, cinematic signature (great for movies) | Neutral, accurate signature (versatile) |
| Value Proposition - Overall price/performance ratio | |
| Premium price, premium features | Excellent value, core features intact |
The Marantz Cinema 60 ($1,700) has a slight edge for dedicated home theater use due to its superior video processing, dual HDMI outputs, and warmer sound signature that works well for movies. However, the Yamaha RX-A2A ($950) offers similar core features at a lower price point.
The Marantz Cinema 60 costs $1,700, while the Yamaha RX-A2A is priced at $950, making it roughly $750 less expensive.
Both offer excellent sound quality, but the Marantz Cinema 60 has a warmer, more cinematic sound signature thanks to its HDAM technology. The Yamaha RX-A2A provides a more neutral, accurate sound that some listeners prefer.
Yes, both the Marantz Cinema 60 and Yamaha RX-A2A support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X for immersive surround sound.
Both support gaming features like VRR and ALLM, but the Marantz Cinema 60 has more HDMI 2.1 ports supporting 4K/120Hz. The Yamaha RX-A2A is still perfectly capable for gaming at a lower price point.
The Marantz Cinema 60 offers full 8K upscaling and passthrough, while the Yamaha RX-A2A supports 8K passthrough but only upscales to 4K.
The Yamaha RX-A2A is generally easier to set up with its YPAO room correction system. The Marantz Cinema 60's Audyssey system offers more adjustability but requires more technical knowledge.
The Marantz Cinema 60 has 6 inputs and 2 outputs, while the Yamaha RX-A2A has 7 inputs and 1 output.
Both support major streaming services, but the Yamaha RX-A2A has the advantage of MusicCast for whole-home audio. The Marantz Cinema 60 uses HEOS, which is less common but equally capable.
Yes, both the Marantz Cinema 60 and Yamaha RX-A2A fully support 4K resolution, including HDR and 4K/120Hz for gaming.
Both the Marantz Cinema 60 and Yamaha RX-A2A deliver 100 watts per channel into 8 ohms, which is plenty for most home theater applications.
The Yamaha RX-A2A offers the better value, providing most of the same features as the Marantz Cinema 60 at a significantly lower price point. It's the smarter choice if budget is a primary concern.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses 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: hifireport.com - valueelectronics.com - abt.com - hometheaterhifi.com - audioadvisor.com - snapav.com - digitalcinema.com.au - marantz.com - bestbuy.com - audioadvice.com - crutchfield.com - bestbuy.com - safeandsoundhq.com - crutchfield.com - crutchfield.com - usa.yamaha.com - hifimart.com - ca.yamaha.com - usa.yamaha.com - adorama.com - avsforum.com - bestbuy.com
