Marantz Debuts State-Of-The-Art SR-18 Home Theatre Receiver at CES 1999
Marantz America has announced the introduction of its new top of the line SR-18 home theatre receiver, the culmination of nearly a half-century of Marantz engineering excellence. The companyís ultimate statement in receiver design, the state-of-the-art SR-18 commemorates the thirtieth anniversary of the legendary Marantz Model Eighteen, the worldís first true high-end receiver. The Ultimate Home Theatre Receiver The Marantz SR-18 is a state of the art component in every respect; created to be nothing less than the ultimate home theatre receiver. In addition to its unsurpassed Dolby Digital surround sound performance, the THX UltraÆ-ceritified SR-18 includes DTS decoding capability, for proper reproduction of DTS (Digital Theater Systems)- encoded DVD, LaserDics, and CDs. The SR-18 also provides Dolby ProLogicÆ and Dolby Surround decoding, along with a variety of additional surround modes including enhanced surround room two-channel music sources. Complementing its total surround sound versatility, the SR-18 incorporates THX 5.1 post-processing, for reproduction of movie soundtracks in the home. The SR-18 incorporates the most advanced DSP processing circuitry designed, with 96kHz/24-bit decoding for the highest possible fidelity and bandwidth, and high-resolution playback of 96/24 DVD audio discs. The DSP circuitry operates entirely in the digital domain for maximum separation and clarity. The SR-18 delivers exceptionally high power output ñ 140 watts (into 8 ohms) of high-current amplification into each of the five main channels for clear and powerful reproduction of even the most demanding action movie soundtracks and discrete 5.1-channel music discs at ""real-life"" volume levels. Heavy-duty banana-plug-compatible speaker terminals are used for all five mainspeaker outputs, facilitating the use of high-quality speaker cables. The Marantz SR-18 offers the most comprehensive array of features of any Marantz home theatre ever. Of particular note is the SR-18ís two sets of component video sources such as a DVD-Video player or DTV set-top decoder and effortlessly switch between them ñ a facility not possible with conventional audio/video receivers. The SR-18 offers an unusually extensive array of additional inputs, outputs and switching facilities, including eight audio and five video inputs, S-Video switching, four digital inputs and two digital outputs, and an RF input for use with LaserDisc players. Reflecting its heritage as a state-of-the-art Marantz receiver, the SR-18 features one of the most sophisticated tuner sections ever created. The SR-18 provides accurate, precise AM and FM tuning using its silky-smooth, weighted and balanced Gyro-Touch tuning wheel, and includes a station naming function and auto preset memory. Other versatile features of the Marantz SR-18 include a Source Direct switch that bypasses the tone controls for maximum signal purity, a Dolby Digital Night Mode that reduces overall dynamic range for quieter evening listening, a TV Auto On-Off switch and much more. The SR-18 also provides independent control of a second room audio and video system via a separate set of preamp outputs, and includes a six-channel direct input to accommodate future surround sound formats our outboard digital decoders. For the ultimate in ease of operation, the SR-880 Mark II is supplied with a special version of the Marantz RC-2000 Mark II Programmable learning Remote Control that is pre-loaded with DTS commands and can be programmed to control every component in a home entertainment system. The Marantz SR-18 features the spectacular Reference Series styling and will be available March 1999 at a suggested retail price of $2,699.99. In addition to the top-of-the-line SR-18, Marantz offers a wide selection of receivers for every system and budget. Here are a few of the highlights: The SR-880 Mark II: Total Surround Sound Versatility The Marantz SR-880 Mark II is a high-end home theatre receiver suitable for use in the finest home entertainment systems. The SR-880 Mark II provides superb Dolby Digital and DTS decoding capability, as well as Dolby ProLogic, Dolby Surround and additional surround modes including enhanced stereo. The SR-880 Mark II incorporates Lucasfilm Cinema Re-EQ technology that precisely adjusts the frequency response of movie soundtracks for home listening room acoustics, for amazingly realistic home theatre sound, eliminating the ""hot,"" overly-bright front speaker sound that is often heard with program material originally EQ-d for movie theaters. The Marantz SR-880 Mark II supplies 110 watts (into 8 ohms) of high-current power to each of the three front channels and 60 watts to each rear surround speaker. It also offers a full complement of audio and video inputs, outputs and switching facilities including ""S""-Video switching, front panel A.V inputs and three digital inputs. Other versatile features of the SR-880 Mark II include a high quality AM/FM tuner with station naming function, Dolby Digital Night Mode, an advanced on-screen display and much more. The SR-880 Mark II provides independent control of a second room audio system and can be used as a preamp/tuner to drive external amplifiers. The SR-880 Mark II is supplied with a special version of the Marantz RC-2000 Mark II Programmable Learning Remote Control that is pre-loaded with DTS commands. The Marantz SR-880 Mark II carries a suggested retail price of $1,499.99 and is currently shipping. The Marantz SRñ685 Dolby Digital Receiver The Marantz SRñ685 Dolby Digital receiver is a highly versatile home theater control center that offers superb Surround performance, thanks to its Lucasfilm Cinema Re-EQ technology and all-digital Dual DSP decoding. The SR-685 provides 80 watts of high-current amplifier power to each of the five main channels, and includes a sophisticated bass management system that can be configured for virtually any combination of home theatre speaker systems. The Marantz SR-685ís wide array of features include four video inputs and two audio inputs, set of front panel A/V inputs, an AM/FM tuner with station naming function and host of additional performance and convenience features. The Marantz SR-685ís learning-type remote control operates its functions in conjunction with an easy-to-navigate on-screen menu, and can also be programmed to control other components in the system. The SR-685 carries a suggested retail price of $799.99 and it currently available. The Marantz SR-585: An Exceptional Dolby Digital Receiver Value The Marantz SR-585 is the most affordable Dolby Digital receiver ever offered by Marantz (SRP:$599.99), with features and performance that make it the ideal component for everyone who wants to make the move to a Dolby Digital home theatre system at a reasonable cots. The SR-585 provides a solid 60 watts of power into each of the five main channels using all-discrete amplifiers, for detailed and dynamic full-bandwidth Dolby Digital surround sound. The SR-585 also offers a number of enhanced-stereo surround modes for realistic surround ambience from stereo program sources. The Marantz SR-585 is a full-featured home theatre receiver with a wide range of audio and video inputs, an high-quality AM/FM tuner with preset station selection, and a full selection of convenience features including an easy-to-navigate on-screen menu. The SR-585 can also be sued a s a preamp/tuner to drive external amplifiers, providing a ready upgrade path to a more powerful home theatre system using external amplifiers. The Marantz SR-585 is supplied with a system learning type remote control that is also pre-programmed to control other Marantz system components. Marantz America is committed to upholding the tradition of sonic excellence and technological superiority initiated by founder Saul Marantz over forty-five years ago. In keeping with this emphasis on quality, only the nationís premier independent audio/video specialty retailers carry Marantz audio and video components.