Marantz NR1601 Audio Video Receiver (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)Okay, I'm going to be totally subjective. This 4" Tall Marantz AV Receiver is the perfect Solution for use in my Den/ Bedroom (see pics above). It doesn't have every single feature of a $1500+ Receiver but still, for $500 bucks it has everything you need at the size you want (3D resolution, up to DTS-Master Audio, 4 HDMI inputs, etc.). I actually waited close to a year after the NR1501 was released for it's replacement and am glad I did.
Right off the bat - this is a standalone solution meaning NO Pre-Outs! You cannot connect it to another Amplifier... it's simply not built for that purpose, especially at its price point. Also there is no 2nd Zone output and No internet connection. I'm okay with that because this is for viewing TV and using my PC in the privacy of my own room. It also means that there are less things that can go wrong! The focus of this receiver is clearly on its Audio capabilities and it's 7x50 Watt amplificatiion is plenty powerful and sounds stellar! The audio is super clean, and is nothing short of luxurious. I can obtain internet services through a separate device connected to one of its HDMI inputs so it's all good. (Look for the upcoming Amimon HD WHDI stick - fingers crossed! : )
Instead of rehashing the Specs, I'll try and list some Useful Info:
- If you're using HDMI Out to TV and you call up the OSD Menu (On Screen Display - visibile on your TV) to change some settings, the screen reverts to a Black Backround and settings appear in a text based format. However it is quick and you can still hear the sound.
- If you're using Component or Composite Out to TV, OSD overlays right over the Video source and is Text based. Nothing fancy and straight to the point! I like that.
- If you TOSLINK Audio only from an HDTV to the receiver or are just using the FM Tuner, you can connect a single composite video cable from the receiver to the TV and use the input source you connected it to on the TV to call up the receiver's OSD Menu on Screen
OR:
- You can just cycle through your options without OSD using only the receiver's LCD panel
- You can completely shut off the LCD panel lights on the receiver while it's in use, very cool!
- there's a Sleep Timer
- Going through the Manual is a Must!
- Remote has backlight, is learning capable and has a separate on/ off/ input toggle to control most TV's, thus eliminating an extra remote (Codes provided at the back of the Manual)
- 6 position Audyssey MultiEQ settings can be stored. Play around with your speaker settings then default back to Audyssey if you don't like any adjustments you make (You first have to perform the Audyssey calibration to get access to and store the settings)
- Tone/ Bass Control is an option if you turn off the Dynamic EQ, I prefer Dynamic EQ on though
- Receiver can handle 2.0 to 7.1 speaker configurations
- you can also connect a 9.1 speaker configuration and then choose between 5.1 + 2.0 Front heights or 5.1 + 2.0 surround back channels according to your preference
- HDMI Control - turns on/ off other HDMI CEC compliant devices when you turn the Receiver on/ off (uses more standby power though)
- All channel levels can be adjusted on the fly without resorting to OSD black screen if using HDMI, You just press then on remote and cycle through them on the LCD display of the receiver
Things I *wished* it had:
- Internet Radio
- Video Processing/ Upscaling
Don't confuse Processing/ Upscaling with the NR1601's Upconversion feature! Processing/ UpScaling adds to the cost! UpConversion just means that you can connect all kinds of Analog Video Sources (from 480i - to 1080i) and they can be output to your HDTV "As Is" through a single HDMI cable instead of changing the source inputs all of the time on your TV that has separate connections (i.e. VCR, Cable Box, Wii, etc.). Nevertheless, it's a very convenient feature to have for Non-HDMI equipment.
Processing/ Upscaling takes it a step further by not only Upscaling it to 1080p but then "refines" that upscaled signal. However, this process can never take a regular DVD or Standard Definiton signal and convert it to Native Resolution Full HD anyway and is generally used to produce a cleaner look on HDTV's that are greater than 50" inches. A 1080p HDTV will scale a signal to 1080p but probably won't "refine" it like a good processor would such as Anchor Bay or Qdeo. I use a 37" LCD so this feature isn't a necessity. Also a full BluRay signal does not need any processing and you can get a good BluRay player that processes standard DVD's using Anchor Bay or Qdeo technology such as the Oppo BDP-83 (and the upcoming BDP-93).
I love Internet Radio and not having to hook up the computer in order to get it. But I plan on getting it either in the BluRay player I need to purchase to go with this receiver or as a separate streamer connected to the NR1601 such as the Xtreamer.
All in all, it's a Great receiver & Hope this was useful.


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