We tested the Marantz SR6014 home cinema amplifier!

We tested the Marantz SR6014 home cinema amplifier!

At the request of one of our repeat customers, Gábor Szalai, we calibrated and tested his newly purchased amplifier. Since we have done acoustic measurements and treatment at his home before, acoustics of the home theatre room was optimum, and the right amount and type of acoustic panels insured ideal sound conditions. The owner asked us to further help with the set up of his newly purchased home theatre amplifier. Therefore, we made the appropriate measuring and tests. You shall read about our assessment below (that followed of course the adjustments and placing of the acoustic panels based on our instrumental measurements.)

We can say that we came across a very serious and professional tool. In addition to high sound quality, this device handles almost all new video and audio technologies! Therefore, it is difficult to list what this amplifier can do… Marantz has a 65-year history and is a major brand in the premium audio products market.

The clean exterior covers a strong interior

The Marantz SR6014 box hides an excellent piece of equipment. Despite its weight of 12.7 kg, it has a really modern, minimalist design. The circular display is in the middle with two large dials on each sides. The right dial is used to adjust the volume, while the left is used to select the input. There is a power button below on the left, while an IR sensor on the right. All the other buttons and the front connections are hidden behind the central opening, which is located just below the circular display, so the overall appearance of the SR6014 is very clean and tidy. This way dust wont deposit on the buttons or in the connections’ hole, which is also beneficial.

The remote control

The layout of the buttons is ergonomic and clear. At the top are the input sources, in the middle the navigation buttons and some smart selection buttons, and the lower part controls the sound modes. Simple and practical, you don’t need any additional dexterity to handle it.

Inputs, inputs and inputs…

The back of the SR6014, unlike the front, is full of inputs, speaker connectors and outputs. With the exception of the small cooling fan, all available space has been fully taken advantage of. For some, this may be a little daunting, but if we take a closer look, we can see that everything is logically and transparently designed and labeled. When it comes to setting up, Marantz includes accurate information that you can follow step-by-step on your TV screen, simplifying the process. In addition to the five analog and two digital audio inputs, the Marantz sr 6014 also has a PHONO input that allows you to play vinyl records.

Wireless connection

It is also equipped with a wireless connectors to cope with the latest personal devices. There is also a Bluetooth or Wifi connection. It delivers high-quality audio using HEOS or Apple AirPlay 2, as well as your smartphone or other device. Using these methods, anyone shall have access to the favourite subscription streaming music services, including Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal. You can make the receiver part of a multi-unit audio system. Thanks to the Wi-Fi connection, it is also possible to control the SR6014’s using Siri, Google Assistant or Alexa voice assistants.

Sound Quality

The SR6014 supports a wide range of audio formats, from the old Dolby Digital and DTS to the latest Dolby Atmos and DTS: X. It supports both Dolby Surround and DTS Neural: X up-mixing technologies, and they transform the mixing of simple stereo audio tracks into full-surround sound.Thanks to the Phono input, this device can also be an ideal choice for vinyl record fans. Since the proof of the pudding is in the eating, we selected a couple from the vinyl records collection of the owner, Gábor.

We first listened to a classical piece, Beethoven’s Ode to Joy. We pumped up the volume and had a pleasant surprise! We heard a clear and clean version of the work of the great composer, without distortions. We felt almost like in a concert hall. We put on a hit from the king of pop music, Michael Jackson’s Bad as second part of our testing. While listening to the song, we suddenly became actors in the video clip as much as our music experience was incredibly sharp, clear and live.

But we couldn’t miss trying the amplifier for movies, therefore, we screened Taratino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, of course in Blue-ray quality. The Marantz Sr6014 has also proven that it was flawless, perfectly conveying the subtleties and details of the soundtracks and sound effects. This fantastic amp has actually propelled us to Hollywood!

Marantz SR6014 Review

The Marantz SR6014 is an AV receiver designed to be a central part of your home theatre system. If we look through the back panel, we can see how much it can do. It is equipped with eight HDMI inputs, each capable of 4K video recording with full HDCP 2.3 support. There are also three HDMI outputs, one of which has full eARC functionality. Low impedance speakers deliver sharp, clear and harmonious sound. The Audyssey MultEQ XT32 room calibration software ensures that the rooms acoustics is fine tuned as appropriate. The measurement microphone included with the product scans each speaker output at up to 8 measurement points and creates digital filters to adjust each channel to the ideal frequency and duration response. Audysessy Dynamic Volume also corrects annoying audio bounces (such as TV commercials).

In addition, there are the speaker terminals! They support 9.2-channel settings with 3D sound (although it can also drive a 5.1-channel or 7.2-channel surround system). Supported video technology also knows the latest technologies: IMAX Enhanced, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization Technology, DTS: X and DTS Virtual: X. There is also an ALLM (Automatic Low Delay Mode) for Xbox One gamers.

Top super stereo performance

We also tried the Marantz SR6014 as a stereo receiver. We connected a couple of speakers, streamed a bunch of Apple Music songs on AirPlay, and launched it. We had a very good time listening to music, as in stereo the SR6014 is capable of 110 watts per channel, with a distortion of only 0.08%.

Is the Marantz SR6014 worth the price?

In our opinion, clearly yes! Although you will have to stretch your pocket to the price if you want to make your home theatre system even more professional and perfect with an outstanding performance and quality amplifier.

Some technical features – without claiming to be exhaustive:

3D sound (Dolby Atmos, DTS)

11 channel signal processing

9.2 channel AV receiver

185 W amplifier per channel

Can be expanded to 11.2 channels

USB audio input

Built-in HEOS multiroom

Marantz Remote App control

Easy setup, control, intelligent ECO mode energy saving

Supports IMAX Enhanced, Dolby Atmos elevation virtualization technology, DTS: X and DTS Virtual: X

Each of the 8 HDMI inputs has full HDCP 2.3 support, 3 HDMI outputs, including one eARC

Supports 4K / 60Hz videos

5 analog audio inputs, 2 digital (optical) audio inputs, PHONO inputs (for playing vinyl records)

Gold-plated speaker connectors

AM / FM radio

Support for high-definition audio files, including ALAC, FLAC and WAV lossless files up to 24 bit / 192 kHz

Bluetooth, dual band Wi-Fi

Audio and multi-room support for streaming via HEOS and AirPlay 2

Supports Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant voice control

Front LCD display

44 x 16.1 x 38.8 cm, weight 12.7 kg

Includes remote control, radio antenna and Audyssey microphone to calibrate the speakers

G.H.