If you love music, then there is a high chance that you have interacted with Yamaha audio devices on one occasion or another. Similar to Marantz, these audio device manufacturers have deep roots in the audio industry. In this article, we compare Marantz and Yamaha. Read on to get more insight into these two iconic brands.
Marantz and Yamaha are experienced audio device designers and manufacturers, however, Yamaha is in other industries as well. Both Marantz and Yamaha produce excellent receivers, but while Marantz receivers sound great, are reliable and use uses Audyssey while Yamaha has its own proprietary EQ software and their receivers tend to be more durable.
Other comparisons in the series:
Marantz vs Onkyo
Marantz vs Anthem
Marantz vs Denon
Marantz vs NAD
Pioneer vs Yamaha
Marantz Vs Yamaha
Both Marantz and Yamaha have spent many decades in the production and development of receiver series. However, while Marantz concentrated on surround sound improvement, Yamaha evolved from a music-oriented company to a company that produces all kinds of electronics such as drums and guitars.
From individual company reviews, therefore, it is clear that both Marantz and Yamaha are leaders with decades of experience in the manufacture and improvement of surround sound. The wider variety of Yamaha and Marantz receivers will therefore perform differently at different levels.
At the end of the day, the main reason most people would choose Marantz over Yamaha is that they may like and be familiar with Audyssey.
We should also mention that while Marantz and Yamaha both offer excellent receivers, Denon usually offers similar features and performance for less money. You can check out our comparison of Denon vs Marantz to find out more.
Marantz Company History and Review
The company was started by Saul Marantz in 1953. Over the years, Marantz receivers have evolved from the ‘Consolette” pre-amp of 1953 to the modern receivers produced by Denon and Marantz under Sound United.
From the first audio device – Consolette pre-amp, Marantz produced Model 1 preamplifier, then Model 2 mono power amplifier, Model 3, and Model 7 preamplifier. The company focused on improving the models.
Model 8B came with an added 5Wpc power increase from a circuit base, and Model 9 became the very first Marantz preamplifier with a front panel and 70W output. At Model 10, Marantz added an FM radio and Philips bought the company in the 70s.
However, in 2000, Marantz Japan Inc. united all the subsidiaries. In 2013, Marantz produced the SR Series Home Theater Receiver with improved sound quality, Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Module, and AirPlay connectivity.
Marantz is therefore an old name when it comes to the manufacture and marketing of audio devices.
Marantz Receivers
For many years, Marantz has produced world-class receivers, like the Marantz 2270. Since 2018, Marantz production happens in Japan and the company continues to improve its receiver models. Some of the features that are new or have been added to improve the receivers include:
- HDCP 2.3 all HDMI inputs/outputs
- USB input supports both NTFS and FAT32
- Dolby Atmos Height virtualization included
- Bluetooth transmission to a single set of headphones
- Main zone HDMI/TV Audio distribution downmixed to 2CH for Zone 2/HEOS speakers
- All Zone Stereo settings added to smart select buttons
- Airplay disabled (ON/OFF)
- HDMI Input Auto Rename. This setting allows the AVR to automatically change the input name, especially if recognized. For instance, if you are using PS4, the name will automatically change to PS4.
- HDMI Custom Input Assign. This setting makes it easier to assign and save a single HDMI input jack to multiple source names so that separate audio input assignment such as digital, HDMI, and analog can be individually saved.
- Can “overplay” the volume bar, OPTION, and INFO menus on all 4k and 8k video with setup menu on black background. This setting must however be enabled, otherwise, “overplay” will be disabled.
- Roon has been tested and can use either USB or Airplay.
- Screen saver with a moving MARANTZ icon is now enabled and will appear after no video for more than 5 minutes. Also added is a moving MUTE icon.
Marantz receivers have therefore greatly improved with robust additional features augmented to make your listening experience undebatable.
Besides, all Marantz receivers purchased from authorized dealers come with a 3-year warranty. Refurb models purchased from authorized dealers have a 1-year warranty.
Some well-known Marantz receivers include:
- Marantz SR7013 Ultra HD Network AV Surround Receiver
- Marantz AV Receiver SR5013
- Marantz M-CR612 Network CD Receiver
Yamaha Company History and Overview
Over the last 30 years, AV receivers have greatly evolved. Broadcast television steered programs to improve stereo programming in the mid-1980s. However, due to compatibility with stereo TV broadcasts, it integrated with Dolby Surround and led to the production of the first surround sound decoders.
In 1991, Yamaha started shipping RX-V1050 and RX-V850 receivers built around a digital Yamaha decoder integrated circuit (YSS203). In this era, other Dolby Pro Logic decoders utilized analog circuitry.
The Dolby Pro Logic Enhanced surround mode that was first introduced in the Yamaha RX-V850 offered to envelop DSP processing for directional sound placement. This contributed to today’s Yamaha technologies – Surround AI and CINEMA DSP.
Before the move to separate components, Yamaha evolved from CINEMA DSP through Dolby Digital, YPAO to HDMI. In 2007, Yamaha produced the last Z-series AV receiver – RX-Z11 and moved to separates in 2008. Yet in 2010, Yamaha reengineered its receivers and came up with an AVENTAGE line of receivers.
In 2015, Yamaha introduced Dolby Atmos, which became a much more advanced breakthrough in surround sound. The latest AV receivers are however more enhanced with Surround: AI capabilities. Besides, they can decode up to 9.1 channels of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X object-based surround sound.
Yamaha Receivers
Some of the best Yamaha receivers in the market include:
1. Yamaha RX-V685
This receiver is designed with seven amplification channels made on discrete elements and enables users to select between 7.2 and 5.1 surround systems. Besides, the device delivers realistic audio that goes beyond sound reflection.
Also, it is the only model in the RX-V series that is equipped with two HDMI outputs and a phono stage for connecting turntables with MM cartridges.
Besides, it comes with MusicCast technology that helps in building multi-room systems by combining several audio devices such as soundbars, AV receivers, stereo mini-systems, wireless speaker systems, computers, and smartphones into a single network.
2. Yamaha R-N303
The receiver is designed with advanced network functions with the ability to wirelessly connect to a local area network (WLAN), and support DLNA protocol. Also, it supports two stereo 100W outputs with the ability to drive 96kHz 24-bit playback.
Also, the receiver supports several audio formats including WAV 24/192, DSD 2.8, 5.6 MHz, FLAC 24/192, Apple Lossless 24/96, and AIFF 24/192. It however lacks loudness compensation and channel balancing controls.
3. Yamaha Advantage RX-A2080
With USB and Phono inputs, this receiver supports 9.2 channels.
Other features include;
- Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth
- Dolby Atmos, DTS:X capable
- MusicCast and AirPlay 2 via firmware update
- Dolby Vision, HDR10, 4K Passthrough, 4K Upscaling
Why Is Marantz So Good?
Why Is Marantz So Good?
• The Marantz Brand has built and upheld a reputation for continually producing high-quality products
• The Marantz brand carved a niche for itself in the manufacturing and creative industry.
• They have maintained Family-friendly, affordable prices.
• Since the brand was founded by Saul Marantz in 1953, they have had about four different owners, yet the product has always maintained its premium price.
• Products created by the Marantz Company have maintained a well-earned reputation for durability and quality, ever since the seventies.
• The Marantz Brand has continued to grow despite growing challenges plaguing the industry over time.
• They make quality sound products accessible to their customers at fair pricing.
• Unlike their counterparts, there is rarely any inflation in the prices of Marantz products.
Is Yamaha Reciever Better For Home Theatre?
When choosing a receiver for your home theatre system, there are a lot of options available on the market. There are some special features to look out for when trying to purchase a receiver.
You must consider the external design, speaker and amp capabilities, as well as its customizable features (like bass level, frequency, phase etc). Yamaha Receivers have a reputation for long-lasting quality, they are recommended by most audio experts.
How Long Do Yamaha Receivers Last?
The lifespan of any machine or piece of technology is directly controlled by various factors. The quality of the technology, the duration of usage, maintenance etc.
With that being said, there have been great developments in sound technology, and the typical lifespan of a Yamaha receiver is about five years.
A good example of a durable Yamaha AV receiver is the Yamaha TSR 700.
So, Which Is Better?
The quality of a product depends on its use, and compatibility with other components. Even when comparing the same receiver models from different companies, if one user prefers deep bass and another prefers high treble, satisfaction levels will still vary considerably. It is therefore not easy to say one manufacturer is better than the other, despite the many years of experience each of them has in the industry.
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