Ресиверы — Marantz AV 20

The AV 20 is a 13.4-channel balanced AV preamplifier and processor from Marantz, powered by HEOS. It has no built-in power amplification, so every speaker channel needs an external amplifier. In the brand's line of AV processors it sits above the 11.4-channel AV 30 and below the AV 10, and list prices are USD 6,000 in the US and GBP 5,000 in the UK.

Key specs that matter

Processing covers 13 main channels plus four independent subwoofer channels, and the pre-outs are laid out as 15.4 channels on both RCA and XLR connectors. Seven rear HDMI inputs and three HDMI outputs support 8K at 60 Hz and 4K at 120 Hz with bandwidth up to 40 Gbps, HDCP 2.3 and eARC, and the scaler converts 1080p and 4K sources to 8K. Decoding includes Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD, DTS:X, DTS:X Pro, IMAX Enhanced, Auro 3D, 360 Reality Audio and MPEG-H. Analogue inputs number six, one of them XLR, plus an MM phono input, and digital sources connect through two coaxial and two optical sockets. Power consumption is 90 W and standby is 0.2 W. Without the antennas the unit measures 442 x 437 x 191 mm, and it weighs 15 kg.

Engineering and use context

The preamplifier stage is built from discrete HDAM-SA3 modules in monolithic form using current feedback topology. A toroidal transformer powers the circuits inside a copper-plated chassis, and a clock jitter reducer is fitted. Pure Direct mode shortens the signal path, and the RCA terminals are gold plated. Supported layouts reach 7.4.6 or 9.4.4 speaker arrangements. HEOS provides network streaming and multi-room playback, with AirPlay 2, Spotify, TuneIn, Amazon Music, TIDAL, Deezer and Roon Ready support, plus FLAC, ALAC and WAV up to 192 kHz and 24 bit and DSD at 2.8 and 5.6 MHz. Bluetooth works both ways, so the unit can send audio to Bluetooth headphones. Three multi-room zones are available, with pre-outs for the extra zones and an HDMI output for Zone 2. Integration options include IP, RS232, web and app control, an IR flasher input, Marantz Remote Bus and three DC trigger outputs, and an AM/FM tuner is built in.

Pairing

Because the balanced and unbalanced pre-outs are duplicated, the AV 20 can drive a Marantz AMP 20 with 12 channels over XLR, while additional amplifiers cover the remaining outputs. Four subwoofer outputs, each on RCA and XLR, allow several powered subwoofers to be spread around the room. A front USB input plays files from a memory stick.

Alternatives

The Marantz AV 10 is the brand's higher-priced AV preamplifier with 15.4 channels of processing.