Marantz CINEMA 70s Series 2 Slimline AV Receiver (Pre Order)

Marantz CINEMA 70s Series 2 Slimline AV Receiver

The Marantz CINEMA 70s Series 2 is a slimline seven-channel AV receiver combining 50W-per-channel amplification, 8K video, HEOS streaming and upgraded Series 2 processing for compact but capable home theatre systems.

The main appeal is straightforward: it gives you a proper seven-channel Marantz home theatre platform without the height of a conventional full-size receiver. That makes it especially useful in living rooms, smaller cinema systems and cabinetry where space is limited but 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos, modern video switching and network audio still matter.

Series 2 brings a new 32-bit eight-channel DAC architecture, updated gaming support and expanded setup tools, while optional Dirac Live room correction gives more advanced systems another calibration path beyond basic installation.

Seven-Channel Home Theatre in a Slimline Chassis

A practical fit when equipment space is limited.

CINEMA 70s Series 2 provides seven powered channels rated at 50W per channel. In a typical room that gives it a natural role in 5.1, 7.1 or 5.1.2 speaker layouts without committing to a taller receiver chassis.

Power requirements still depend on the speakers, room size and listening level. Efficient speakers in a small or medium-sized room are a more natural match than difficult low-impedance loads or systems expected to play at very high levels for long periods.

New Series 2 Digital Architecture

A new 32-bit eight-channel DAC sits at the heart of the updated platform.

The Series 2 redesign introduces a 32-bit eight-channel digital-to-analogue conversion stage across the updated CINEMA range. The practical goal is cleaner, more precise multichannel conversion and more consistent handling of the channels that make up a modern surround mix.

That matters in an AV receiver because dialogue, effects, ambience and bass management all need to remain coherent as the soundtrack moves around the room. The DAC change is therefore more relevant than a headline specification on its own.

8K Video and Better Gaming Support

Three 8K-capable HDMI inputs cover modern sources without turning the receiver into an oversized switching box.

CINEMA 70s Series 2 provides three 8K HDMI inputs and adds 1440p video passthrough with AMD FreeSync support. That makes the receiver better suited to current gaming PCs and compatible consoles as well as 4K and 8K video sources.

For mixed-use rooms, this keeps the television, games system and home theatre audio under one control path while retaining the slimline format that defines the CINEMA 70s.

HEOS Built-In for Music and Multi-Room Audio

The receiver also works as a network music source.

HEOS Built-in provides network streaming and multi-room integration within the wider HEOS ecosystem. That gives the CINEMA 70s Series 2 a useful role outside movie night, whether it is playing music in the main room or operating as part of a broader compatible multi-room system.

Optional Dirac Live Room Correction

More advanced calibration is available when the room or installation warrants it.

Dirac Live room correction is supported as an optional upgrade on CINEMA 70s Series 2. It can be valuable where speaker placement, room boundaries and seating positions create response problems that cannot be solved by hardware choice alone.

The licence is not included as standard, so it should be treated as a system-planning option rather than an automatic feature of every installation.

Setup and Integration Tools

Useful updates for installers as well as end users.

Series 2 adds Web Control 2.0 and HDMI Diagnostics 2.0. These tools are aimed at making configuration and troubleshooting more manageable, particularly in systems with multiple HDMI sources, displays and control requirements.

Ventilation still matters. A slimline chassis takes up less vertical space, but it is still an amplified AV component and should not be squeezed into a sealed cabinet with no airflow.

Key Features

• Seven powered channels
• 50W per channel
• Slimline chassis for space-conscious installations
• New 32-bit eight-channel DAC architecture
• Dolby Atmos support
• Three 8K HDMI inputs
• 1440p video passthrough
• AMD FreeSync gaming support
• HEOS Built-in network streaming and multi-room audio
• Optional Dirac Live room correction
• Web Control 2.0
• HDMI Diagnostics 2.0

Specifications

Detailed Technical Specifications

For those who like to drag out all the useful bits

Important Notes

• Dirac Live is optional and requires the appropriate licence; it is not included as standard.
• Bluetooth LE Audio has been announced for a future firmware update and should not be treated as available at launch.
• The 50W-per-channel figure should be considered alongside speaker sensitivity, impedance, room size and listening level when planning a system.
• Allow adequate ventilation even though the receiver uses a slimline chassis.
• Contact The Audio Experts to confirm current availability and final Australian-market specifications before ordering.

The Audio Experts Take

The CINEMA 70s Series 2 makes a lot of sense when you want a real surround system but a full-height AV receiver is difficult to accommodate. Seven powered channels are enough for a well-planned 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos system, while HEOS keeps music streaming part of the same box.

The Series 2 changes are useful rather than decorative. The updated DAC platform, improved gaming support, optional Dirac Live and better diagnostics all give the receiver more relevance in a modern mixed-use system. We would match it carefully to the speakers and room rather than treating the slim chassis as a substitute for unlimited amplifier power.

Contact The Audio Experts for current availability, speaker matching, system design and installation advice.