Marantz Cinema 60 S2 7.2ch AV Receiver

Same hundred watts, an entirely new converter

The Marantz Cinema 60 Series 2 keeps the seven discrete 100W channels of the receiver it replaces and changes what feeds them. A new 32-bit eight channel converter now handles every channel at once rather than in groups, Dirac Live has been opened up as a paid upgrade on this model for the first time, and the HDMI section gains 1440p passthrough and AMD FreeSync. Everything else that made the Cinema 60 worth owning, including the current feedback topology and HDAM-SA2 modules, carries over.

Why You'll Love It

• One converter, all eight channels, at once. The Series 2 converter processes every channel simultaneously instead of splitting them, which is the single change Marantz leads with and the reason surround imaging holds together better on dense soundtracks.
• Dirac Live is now on the menu. Audyssey MultEQ XT ships with the receiver and the microphone, and Dirac Live can be added as a paid licence, which was previously reserved for the Cinema 50.
• Gaming inputs that will not need replacing. Three of the six HDMI inputs run at 40Gbps for 8K60 and 4K120, with VRR, ALLM, QFT, AMD FreeSync and 1440p passthrough.

Under the Hood

• Seven discrete amplifier channels rated at 100W into 8Ω from 20Hz to 20kHz at 0.08% THD with two channels driven, and 140W into 6Ω, built on Marantz current feedback topology with HDAM-SA2 modules.
• Six HDMI inputs and two outputs with eARC, HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision and HLG, alongside Dolby Atmos with Height Virtualisation, DTS:X, DTS Neural:X and DTS Virtual:X decoding.
• Full 7.2 channel preamplifier outputs with two subwoofer outputs, a moving magnet phono input at 2.5mV, four analogue and four digital inputs, and a second zone on speaker terminals or pre-out.

CHT Insider Verdict

This is the sensible middle of the Cinema range and the point where the Marantz house sound starts to show properly. Be clear on one thing before you plan speakers: there are seven amplifier channels, so you configure either 5.2.2 with height or 7.2 at ear level, not both together. It also does not decode DTS:X Pro, IMAX Enhanced or Auro-3D, which matters to a small number of buyers and nobody else. The full 7.2 pre-out means you can add a power amplifier later and grow past that limit.

Pro Tip: If the room only supports one or the other, put the two spare channels overhead rather than behind you. Height channels do far more for an Atmos mix in a normal lounge than surround backs, especially if the seating is close to the rear wall.