NEWS: Marantz receiver adds high-def audio decoding and HDMI 1.3 connectivity

Marantz is replacing its SR8001 7.1 multichannel receiver with a new model, the £1300 SR8002.

Key updates are the addition of full HDMI 1.3a connectivity, plus decoding of all the new high-definition audio formats – Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master Audio.

The SR8002 is THX Select II certified, delivers 125w across all seven channels, and is equipped with Audyssey's MultiEQ auto set-up system, video and audio switching, HDMI video upconversion and multiroom capability.

Marantz says it has paid particular attention to the receiver's stereo as well as multichannel performance, and for lower quality signals - such as compressed MP3, WMA and AAC audio – it has developed the Marantz Dynamic Audio eXpander (M-DAX) to improve their sound quality.

For those who want to play their music and movies in more than one room, the SR8002 can deliver independent audio or video to a second room, and audio only to a third room if so required.

A learning, pre-coded, backlit LCD remote control comes as standard, along with a secondary RC101 remote for use in a second zone.

Technorati Tags: Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD, DTS Master Audio, HDMI, multichannel receiver, multiroom, THX Select II, video upconversion

Andy Clough

Andy is Global Brand Director of What Hi-Fi? and has been a technology journalist for 30 years. During that time he has covered everything from VHS and Betamax, MiniDisc and DCC to CDi, Laserdisc and 3D TV, and any number of other formats that have come and gone. He loves nothing better than a good old format war. Andy edited several hi-fi and home cinema magazines before relaunching whathifi.com in 2008 and helping turn it into the global success it is today. When not listening to music or watching TV, he spends far too much of his time reading about cars he can't afford to buy.