Technical data

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Technical glossary Technical glossary
NOTE: THE NUMBERS BETWEEN ICON AND PRODUCT FEATURE REFER TO THE
GLOSSARY COLUMN IN THE TECHNICAL DATA ON THE NEXT PAGES.
AUDIO TECHNOLOGY
1. 70% POWER GUARANTEE
Marantz has the 70% power guarantee, meaning that a minimum of 70% of the stereo power
indicated in the specification section will be available when 5 channels are simultaneously used.
A lot of misunderstanding about power rating has been created by claiming the highest possible
output power as a unique selling point. Measurement often has been done on only one driven
speaker, with lower impedance than 8 ohms and high THD (total harmonic distortion) acceptance.
A standard THD value is 0.08%. The lower the better.
2. CURRENT FEEDBACK
Current Feedback amplification is a well known, Marantz original circuit technology. The Current
Feedback amplifier technology fits perfectly with the high requirements set for Super Audio
software providing wide-bandwidth, high-speed reproduction. The impedance at the Current
Feedback point is limited resulting in a very low phase shift. Marantz receivers and amplifiers
equipped with Current Feedback can keep the phase compensation via Negative FeedBack (NFB)
to a minimum, resulting in high through-rate, excellent transient response and superb sonic
transparency for the full bandwidth. Unlike conventional Voltage Feedback amplification,
the Current Feedback amplification makes the power amplifier in-sensitive to difficult
loudspeaker loads.
3. TOROIDAL TRANSFORMER
Toroidal Transformer has several advantages over a normal EI core transformer. It is very efficient
and therefore delivers more power compared to the same size of an EI core transformer. In addition,
due to its shape, the electromagnetic radiation and the mechanical vibration are extremely low
all ending in a better sound quality.
4. HYPER DYNAMIC AMPLIFIER MODULES (HDAM)
Marantz developed its own discrete circuit boards to replace standard IC’s. These HDAM’s consist
of discrete surface mount components with short mirror image L/R signal paths. Those devices are
doing exactly the same thing as the Op-Amps, but outperform the regular IC Op-amps dramatically
in terms of the Slew Rate and reduced noise level, resulting in a much more dynamic, accurate and
detailed sound. Over the years, Marantz developed different types of the HDAM to improve quality
and to fit to the special requirements of a product category like CD and amplifier what can be
found back in the different versions. CF is the abbreviation for Current Feedback and SA for SACD
Audio, indicating an extreme wide bandwidth.
5. CUSTOMISED COMPONENTS
On paper an electrical component might look excellent, but the actual result may fall short of
the combined design expectations. Marantz selects the appropriate components for the specific
design application. In some cases it’s simply not possible to use standard components that meet
the Marantz’s high standards. These components will then be specially made, in close cooperation
with the Marantz engineers, for Marantz.
6. SYMMETRICAL CIRCUIT LAYOUT
To achieve the best possible sonic performance, signal paths need to be short, direct and mirror
imaged. The construction of our circuitry provides improved stereo imaging by ensuring close to
perfect symmetry between right and left channel layout.
7. COPPER PLATED CHASSIS
A copper plated chassis provides the best shielding against noise or electromagnetic distortion
radiating from other components in the equipment. It prevents this noise from being amplified
together with the audio signal. And even more importantly, it gives equal low impedance ground
level to every point of the chassis, keeping the ground potential as clean as possible.
8. ZERO-IMPEDANCE MATCHING JOINT
Improves the signal to noise ratio significantly by adding a copper plated bracket across the output
terminals of the player providing the best ground contact possible.
9. PURE / SOURCE DIRECT
Pure / Source Direct is a special listening mode that provides the highest possible signal purity.
It can be used for both analogue and digital sources, with two-channel or multi-channel inputs.
When it is selected, the signal follows the most direct path not passing the tone and bass
management circuitry or any DSP (digital signal processor) of AV Receiver. The less processing,
the closer the signal is to the original.
10. AUDIO EX(CLUSIVE)
Audio EX functionality makes sure you can enjoy your favourite audio tracks in an even purer high
fidelity way with the ability to switch off pitch control, the digital output, and the fluorescent
display. Switching off these functionalities minimises distortion – which can have an impact on
the fidelity of the audio tracks – as much as possible.
11. SUPER AUDIO CD
Super Audio CD (SACD) is an established music format that provides a more natural, ultra-high
quality sound. It offers a smooth migration path to a higher quality sound, as all existing CDs
can be played on the SACD player. SACD is based on the Direct Stream Digital (DSD) technology,
which uses 1 bit delta-sigma modulation and a sampling frequency that is 64 times higher than
that of the CD. This enables the SACD to offer a frequency range up to 100 kHz and a dynamic
range of 120 dB.
12. ZYLON
ZYLON
®
(PBO fibre) is the next generation super-fibre, which decreases the vibration and resonances
of a disc dramatically, increasing the quality of the outputted audio quality. Developed by Ashahi
Chemical Japan, the fibre possesses High Rigidity with High Internal Losses, ideal material for
CD or DVD mechanisms.
13. BALANCED INPUTS/OUTPUTS
Balanced connections in an audio system are designed to reject both external noise, from power
wiring etc, and also internal crosstalk from adjacent signal cables. The basic principle of balanced
interconnection is to get the signal you want by subtraction, using a three-wire connection.
14. USB AUDIO & CD RIPPING
USB Audio makes it possible to listen to compressed audio files like MP3, WMA, etc. The CD
Ripping works the other way around; it allows you to convert audio tracks from an audio CD into
MP3 format. The created MP3 files are automatically saved on your USB device. Bitrate resolutions,
and record speed, can be selected via the setup menu.
27. BLU-RAY DISC
Blu-ray Disc, also referred to as BD-ROM, is the next-generation High Definition (HD) optical
disc format. The format is developed to enable recording, rewriting and playback of High Definition
video and audio. The format offers more than five times the storage capacity of traditional DVDs
and can hold up to 25GB on a single-layer disc and 50GB on a dual-layer disc. This extra capacity
combined with the use of advanced video and audio codecs will offer consumers an unprecedented
High Definition 1080p experience, providing an exhilarate life-like image and an audio soundtrack
that is more detailed and clearer.
28. DEEP COLOR™
Deep Color™ lets HDTVs and other displays go from millions of colours to billions of colours
allowing consumers to enjoy unprecedented vividness and accuracy of colour on their displays.
Deep Color™ eliminates on-screen colour banding, for smooth tonal transitions and subtle
gradations between colours. It enables increased contrast ratio, and can represent many times
more shades of gray between black and white.
29. TRUE1080/24FPS
The standard frame rate that is being used to record cinema movies is 24 frames per second (24fps)
and this life-like image with stutter free movements could only be enjoyed in the real cinema up
until now. Now with Blu-ray players outputting 1080p/24fps it is coming to the customers’ home.
30. SD CARD
Input for a SD-Card. Content stored on the card, such as MP3, Windows Media™ Audio and JPEG
files can be viewed via the source player. It also supports special additional contents from Blu-ray
Discs, like picture-in-picture view for example if available.
31. DIVX ULTRA
DivX is a video compression tool developed to exchange film content via the internet. With a
DivX certified DVD or Blu-ray player it is easily to take digital video from the computer and play
it back on the normal TV at almost DVD quality. Thanks to DivX technology’s superior compression,
hours of DVD-quality video can be saved on a single CD. The latest improved version is called
DivX Ultra, also called DivX 6.0 The new DivX offers enhanced multimedia and interactive features.
32. HD JPEG
HD JPEG allows customers to enjoy their High Definition images taken with their digital camera
via the SD Card slot or images saved on CD.
SOUND FORMATS
33. THX SELECT2 / THX ULTRA2
THX certification, developed by LucasArts of George Lucas, is a quality assurance specification
for products that meet the high requirements of THX, guaranteeing highest quality audio
performance, and a soundtrack reproduction exactly as the audio engineers of the film intended
it to be. THX certified products are built according the THX standards for presentation excellence,
and include THX features as: timbre matching, bass management, adaptive decorrelation,
re-equalization (Re-EQ™) and Boundry Gain Control. There are two certification levels starting
with THX Select2 and the even higher specified one THX Ultra2.
34. HD - 7.1 PCM MULTI-CHANNEL
HD - 7.1 PCM Multi-channel offers the full High Definition / high resolution sound from Blu-ray
Disc™ or HD-DVD even if the decoders for the HD Audio formats Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD
and DTS-HD aren’t built into the receiver. How? The player has the option to convert the HD
Audio signal into an up to 7.1 PCM Multi-channel 24bit / 96 kHz signal, which will be transmitted
via the HDMI cable. The conversion is lossless and so you will enjoy every single bit of High
Definition sound. In the Marantz receiver high-quality 24bit / 96 kHz digital to analogue converter
will take care of the signal.
35. DOLBY TRUE HD
Dolby TrueHD is Dolby’s next-generation lossless technology developed for high-definition audio
coding. Dolby TrueHD supports up to eight full-range channels, allowing the audio engineer to
position sounds for a more realistic effect than ever before. Dolby TrueHD is supported by HDMI™,
the single-cable digital connection for high-definition audio and video. Dolby TrueHD will be
transmitted via HDMI 1.3a and is compatible with HDMI 1.1 as an outputted HD 7.1 PCM
multi-channel signal. See ‘HD - 7.1 PCM Multi-channel’.
36. DOLBY HEADPHONE
Dolby Headphone technology allows users to listen to music, watch movies, or play video games
with the dramatic surround effects of a 5.1-channel soundtrack through any set of stereo
headphones. Best of all, ”listener fatigue”, a phenomenon commonly associated with headphone
playback, is replaced by a spacious, natural sound field that listeners can enjoy for hours.
37. DOLBY PRO LOGIC IIx
Dolby Pro Logic IIx is a complete surround sound solution featuring Movie and Music mode that
function with 5.1 as well as stereo source material. It delivers a natural and immersing up to
7.1-channel surround listening experience to the home theatre environment.
38. DTS-HD MASTER AUDIO
DTS-HD Master Audio is an optional High Definition Audio format for all Blu-ray Disc™ products.
DTS-HD Master Audio format allows a bit-to-bit representation of the original movie’s studio
master soundtrack and delivers audio at high constant bit rates superior to standard DVDs.
39. DTS ES 96/24 NEO:6
The DTS-ES surround system offers a superb sound quality and a range of formats. The Discrete
6.1 offers the ultimate quality of surround field creation, while the Matrix 6.1 provides compatibility
for the existing DTS 5.1 software. And the Neo:6 is to create a 6.1 surround stage from any two
channel source.
40. SRS CIRCLE SURROUND II
Circle Surround II is a powerful and versatile multi-channel technology designed to enable up to
6.1 multi-channel surround-sound playbacks from mono and stereo sources. CS-II places the
listener “inside” the music performances and dramatically improves the separation and image
positioning of both hi-fi audio and conventional surround-encoded video material, adding a
heightened sense of realism.
41. HT-EQ
The Marantz HT-EQ Home Theatre Equalizer circuit compensates for the overly bright sound of
some DVD movie soundtracks that were not properly re-equalized for the home listening
environment from the original film soundtrack. Film soundtracks are often equalized with a higher
bright soundstage. This is done because the speakers in a movie theatre are placed further from
the audience as the speakers in your home theatre setting. The functionality is similar to the
Re-EQ™ of THX.
15. MDAX
The use of compressed audio files like MP3, Windows Media™ Audio or AAC is getting more
and more popular. The audio quality of these compressed files, however, is less than the original
lossless files found on the CD, especially lacking the higher frequencies and affecting the lower
frequencies, which make the audio image narrower and shallower. The Marantz Digital Audio
Expander, also called MDAX, recalculates the outputted frequency range of any compressed MP3,
Windows Media™ Audio or AAC audio signal and expands it over a broader frequency range.
This enables you to get a more detailed and clearer sound.
16. AUDYSSEY
Audyssey is an acoustic measurement technology which equalizes the acoustic distortion caused
by the acoustic behaviour of a room. When you experience Audyssey equalization, a cloudy layer
is lifted away, leaving only clear, accurate, natural sound. Voices and dialog become focused and
intelligible. Musical balance is restored. Musical instruments and sound effects become precisely
localised. The surround soundstage becomes seamless and enveloping. And the best at least, all
the measurements and parameter settings will be done fully automatically with a high-quality
microphone and a sophisticated audio processing technology started via the setup menu of the
AV Receiver.
17. MARANTZ ROOM ACOUSTIC CALIBRATION (MRAC)
Taking into account reflections from walls, ceiling and floor and our knowledge about
psycho-acoustics, MRAC optimizes the sound for the room acoustics. With a supplied microphone
placed on your listening position, a powerful DSP analyzes accurately and sets the sound
configuration for your listening room fully automatically. MRAC can test and controls speaker
configuration, speaker size, trim and distance/delay. All for best sound and easy set-up.
VIDEO TECHNOLOGY
18. 1080P UPSCALING
Upscaling is the process of converting a standard definition (SD) video signal to a seemingly
high-definition (HD) video signal by using a video scalar. Upscaling does not convert standard
definition video to true High Definition video, but it does dramatically improve the detail and
colour consistency of the picture. Depending on the internal video-scaler, signals of 720p, 1080i
or even 1080p can be produced. 1080p is the short name for a category of video modes from
which the number 1080 corresponds with 1080 lines of vertical resolution, while the letter p
stands for progressive scan or non-interlaced. 1080p is the resolution possible for HDTV. The
term usually assumes a widescreen aspect ratio of 16:9, implying a horizontal (display) resolution
of 1920 lines and a frame resolution of 1920 °— 1080 or over two million pixels. On AV receiver
video conversion from analogue level to the digital level for output via HDMI offers ease of use
and best digital picture quality for each source material.
19. PROGRESSIVE SCAN
Compared to a conventional interlaced picture, progressive scanning creates a picture signal with
double the scan lines, resulting in a noticeably sharper image. The progressive image offers
higher picture resolution and eliminates virtually all motion artifacts. Even on large screens, the
progressive scan lines are barely noticeable and picture flickering is greatly reduced, so you can
enjoy extended viewing without eye fatigue.
20. VIDEO CONVERSION
Analogue video signals feed to the AV Receiver in Composite, S-Video or Component format will
be up- or down-converted to the monitor video output of another format. This feature allows you
to connect several sources to an AV Receiver and run only one cable to the TV set. Please check
specification area for details on conversion direction.
21. HIGH-DEFINITION MULTIMEDIA INTERFACE (HDMI)
HDMI combines high-definition video and superb audio in a single digital interface with a
bandwidth of up to 10 Gigabits/ second. HDMI complies with High-bandwidth Digital Content
Protection (HDCP) technology protecting high-value content from unauthorized reproduction and
distribution. HDMI is the only interface in consumer electronics that can carry both high-definition
video and multi-channel audio e.g. Dolby Digital and DTS in all HD formats, including 720p, 1080i
and 1080p. With only a single cable connection all information can be digitally transmitted. The
latest HDMI1.3 supports higher resolution audio formats as Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and
DTS-HD and a higher bandwidth for higher frame rates and extended degradation in colour space.
22. ANCHOR BAY
The Anchor Bay Technologies’ second generation video scaling chip is specially made for
applications requiring high-quality up-conversion from standard video like 576i up to high-definition
formats including 1080p, I/P conversion and upconversion from analogue video signals to the
digital domain for transfer through HDMI. The chip features Anchor Bay’s proprietary 10-bit
Precision Video Scaling Engine that can independently scale an image horizontally and vertically
to achieve an outstanding picture quality for today’s demanding high resolution video displays.
See ‘1080p Upscaling’.
23. I-CHIPS
I-Chips is a Japanese developer and manufacturer of images processing chips. Their know-how
and experience makes it possible to achieve the highest degree of image quality. The i-Chips 10-bit
video processor features an advanced deinterlacer for I/P conversion with motion-adaptive
de-interlacing and is able to upscale standard definition video content up to 1080p. See ‘1080p
Upscaling’.
24. SILICON OPTIX & HQV™
The Realta video processing chip of producer Silicon Optix features the HQV(TM) – Hollywood
Quality Video - technology powered by Teranex. It is a highly integrated advanced video processor
that uses a 10-bit image processing chip for upscaling images up to the High Definition format
of 1080p. The I/P scalar converts your interlaced content into progressive to enjoy a smoother
image. See ‘1080p Upscaling’ and ‘Progressive Scan’.
25. UNIPHIER
®
The “UniPhier” is an integrated multimedia chip platform that enables high-quality video solutions
such as upscaling, videoconversion, audio processing in a number of product categories, including
Blu-ray- and DVD players. The UniPhier integrated video and audio processing chip is able to
upscale standard definition content as DVD’s up to 720p, 1080i or 1080p images. The I/P scaler can
convert your interlaced content into progressive to enjoy a smoother image. See ‘1080p Upscaling’.
26. LIP SYNC
The digital processing and scaling of video displays can create a slight delay in the video signal.
This delay makes audio tracks appear out of synch. Using sound delay (Lip Sync) you can delay
the sound presentation to match the presentation of the video again.
42. MULTI-CHANNEL DOWNMIX
When audio cannot be enjoyed via HDMI connection, the audio output has to be connected
analogue to the receiver or output screen. When a source product is not equipped with an analogue
multi-channel output but only a stereo audio output, the internal 2-channel downmix processing
automatically downmixes a 5.1, 6.1 or 7.1 signal back to a stereo signal (2.0). Optional to the
HDMI of course the digital audio output can be used for standard multi-channel audio as Dolby
Digital or DTS.
CI FRIENDLY INSTALLATION
43. MULTIROOM / MULTI SOURCE
With the Marantz AV system placed in the main room of the house, a second or even a third
loudspeaker set can be placed in separate rooms. In those rooms an audio and even a video
source can be selected independently from the main room at a different sound level and with
full remote control functionality. For example, in the main room a DVD can be played back with
multi-channel surround, while in a second room music can be enjoyed from a CD Player connected,
and a third room can have audio and video coming from the connected satellite set-top box – all
at the same time – all independently. Please check specification section for number of zones.
44. RF-TRANSMISSION
The RF-transmission of control commands makes it possible to control the equipment like amplifier,
CD / DVD Player or similar, even if there is no direct visual contact. It might be that the equipment
is set up in the next room or hidden in a cupboard. The remote will send out radio frequency (RF)
like a radio station and this signal will be received by a small box, converting it back into infra
red (IR) signals to control the equipment.
45. 2-WAY WIFI
WiFi, also called IEEE802.11, working on a frequency of 2.4 GHz. This means a much wider
bandwidth is available for transmitting the signals in comparison with RF for example and it can
be used in both directions (bi-directional or 2-Way): to control equipment and receive information
from the equipment when available. The WiFi technology is also used for wireless computer
networks. For the use with RC9001 for example this means direct browsing the contents of a music
server and several other application possibilities like lighting – climatic – security control – etc.
46. CI-READY
CI-Ready indicates that the products are equipped with connection like RS-232, Flasher Out,
IR Receiver in, DC-Trigger and similar used especially in the Custom Installation area. The RS232
for example is a communication port direct to the micro processor of the device. It is possible to
control the component and get status feedback via this connection without any visual contact
and even offers a way to update the system software if needed. Marantz products have dedicated
remote codes and RS232 codes for any function including discrete power on / off.
47. D-BUS
To optimize equipment in terms of ease of use, Marantz has designed the D-Bus system. Received
remote control commands are communicated via this bus. This enables equipment without
IR-receiver, like tuners or hidden systems, together with an external IR eye to be controlled via
the bypacked Marantz System Remote Controller.
48. DC-TRIGGER
A DC trigger is an assignable voltage output, which can automatically control for example an
electrical projection screen, lowering it when the DVD input is chosen on the receiver.
49. IR-FLASHER
The “IR-Flasher IN” is a standardised connection to control the AV system by external IR receivers,
independent of the infra red control format used. On the “IR-Flasher OUT” an IR-Emitter can be
connected to controlled third brand components. The third connection link to this is the “IR-Receiver
INPUT”, which is similar to the IR-Flasher In, but it outputs a voltage to directly feet an external
IR-Receiver eye. Please check capability per product in the specification section.
OTHER
50. DLNA
DLNA certified products guarantee a stable and fast connection, cross-brand interoperability,
Universal Plug and Play (UPnP), automatic IP-addressing and easy to use in a wired or wireless
setup with your home network: Sharing of your favourite music, photo’s and video’s stored on
your PC, NAS-drive, Music server or HD recorder through your audio/video set-up is possible.
51. FULL DOT MATRIX
High resolution display makes sure all the text that is displayed can be read clearly. Lower
resolution displays do not have enough pixels to clearly show all the data such as source
information, RDS information, track titles etc., transmitted to the display, which might made the
displayed texts not clearly readable. A Full Dot Matrix display can clearly show all characters.
52. ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY
Marantz products all carry the environmental logo. This logo proves the environmental way of
thinking within Marantz. This does not stop with the low power consumption of all Marantz
products in stand-by modus, but it also underlines the environmental way of working and producing
within Marantz and the use of environmental approved components that do not contain hazardous
chemical elements. As much as possible will be done to stress the environment as less as
possibly can.
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