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Slim-line AV Receiver
Audio Features
Video Features
USB/iPod Connectivity
Remote/Bluetooth Control

Slim-line AV Receiver

Slim Design Chassis: The Marantz NR1601 A/V Surround Receiver features a slim designed chassis which measures only 17.3125" wide x 4.0625" tall x 15.625" deep so it easily fits on a shelf or inside a cabinet.

Contoured Front Panel: The Marantz NR1601 features a contoured front panel that combines aluminum and glass-reinforced resins for maximum shielding, dimensional stability, and sophisticated styling.

Audio Features

7Ch Discrete Amplifier: The Marantz NR1601 A/V Surround Receiver features an 50 watts x 7-channel all discrete amplifier. This very efficient seven channel in-line amplifier benefits from voltage feedback for enhanced linearity and employs a massive EI power transformer. This design configuration is capable of a clear and powerful reproduction of the most demanding action movie soundtracks and full range multi-channel music discs. Through its ability to generate very high output voltages, the unit can easily drive the most demanding speaker with optimum results.

Isolated Audio Circuit Board: The carefully-optimized audio signal path rests on a separate circuit board for maximum performance as well as isolation from interferences generated by high speed video processing.

24-Bit, 192 kHz D/A Converters: The NR1601 uses 24-bit/192-kHz Digital-to-Analog converters for all channels. The 192kHz sampling and 24-bit word length capabilities of the DACs allows you to play high-resolution recordings and hear the increased clarity, detail and dynamic range of those recordings.

Digital Signal Processing (DSP): The Marantz NR1601 is equipped with an advanced SHARC 32-bit Digital Signal Processor (DSP). All elements of the Surround Processor are optimized to the highest standards by the use of selected high performance and discrete components, particularly the A/D and D/A converters and the sophisticated DSP surround decoder. The NR1601 is equipped with various surround modes to reproduce a variety of surround sound effects, according to the content of the source to be played. The receiver features Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Dolby Pro Logic IIz, Dolby Digital, Dolby TrueHD, DTS, and DTS-HD decoders.

Auto MultEQ Setup: This Audyssey MultEQ technology adapted by this receiver provides the best listening environment for multiple listeners. The Auto MultEQ Setup feature of the NR1601 measures sound characteristics of your speaker system and room where the receiver is used and automatically optimizes settings. To do this, the Auto Setup feature measures a test tone emitted by each channel in a maximum of 6 listening positions, using the supplied microphone. The measurement results are analyzed using an original algorithm and environmental settings are made to improve the sound characteristics of your listening area.

Note: If you prefer, you can manually setup up your speaker configurations. You can select the size and presence of each speaker, the distance of each speaker from your normal listening position,  the level of each speaker in your system, and the 9-band EQ (63Hz, 125Hz, 250Hz, 500Hz, 1kHz, 2kHz, 4kHz, 8kHz, 16kHz) for each channel.

Audyssey Dynamic EQ: Audyssey Dynamic EQ solves the problem of deteriorating sound quality as volume is decreased by taking into account human perception and room acoustics. Audyssey Dynamic EQ works in tandem with Audyssey MultEQ to provide well-balanced sound for every listener at any volume level.

Reference Level Offset: Audyssey Dynamic EQ is referenced to the standard film mix level of 85dB SPL for -20 dBFS. Due, to the lack of standard outside the film industry, the film reference level may not be appropriate when listening to other material. Audyssey Dynamic EQ Adjust provides three offsets from the film level reference (5dB, 10dB, or 15dB) that can be selected when the mix level of the content is not within the standard.

Audyssey Dynamic Volume: Audyssey Dynamic Volume solves the problem of large variations in volume level between television programs, commercials, and between the soft and loud passages of movies. Audyssey Dynamic EQ is integrated into Dynamic Volume so that as the playback volume is adjusted automatically, the perceived bass response, tonal balance, surround impression, and dialogue clarity remain the same. The amount of compression can be set to an of the following three levels - Light, Medium, or High.

M-DAX (Marantz Dynamic Audio eXpander): This function makes up for lost audio content in MP3, WMA, or AAC sources during playback. Compressed audio formats such as MP3, WAV, WMA, and AAC reduce the amount of data by eliminating signal components that are hard for the human ear to hear. The M-DAX function generates the signals eliminated upon compression, restoring the sound to conditions near those of the original sound before compression. It also corrects the sense of volume of the bass to obtain richer sound with compressed audio signals.

HT-EQ: The tonal balance of a film soundtrack will be excessively bright and harsh when played back over audio equipment in the home. This is because film soundtracks were designed to be played back in large movie theater environments. Activating the receiver's HT-EQ feature when watching a film made from movie theaters corrects this and restores the correct tonal balance.

Surround Parameters: You adjust surround sound parameters to customize your audio listening experience.

• Center Image: You can also adjust the Center Gain to expand the sound image from the center channel in DTS NEO: 6 mode.
• Center Width: The Center Width feature allows you to gradually spread the center channel sound into the front left and right speakers in Pro Logic IIx mode.
• Dimension: This feature adjusts the sound-field either towards the front or towards the rear of your system. This can be useful to help achieve a more suitable balance from all the speaker with certain recordings in Pro Logic IIx mode.
• Panorama: Panorama wraps the sound of the front left and right speakers around you, for an exciting perspective in Pro Logic IIx mode.
• Height Gain: This feature controls the front height channel volume in Pro Logic IIz mode.
• LFE Level: This function selects the output level of the LFE signal included in the Dolby Digital signal or the DTS signal. You can select from 0 to -10 dB.

DRC (Dynamic Range Compression): This features compresses the AV receiver's dynamic range (difference between loud and soft sounds).

Source Level: This function corrects the playback level (+/-12db) of the selected input source's audio input. Make this setting if there are differences in the input volume levels between the different sources.

Volume Settings: You can adjust the unit's maximum volume, power on level, and mute level.

• Volume Limit: Set the receiver's maximum volume level to -20dB, -10dB, 0dB, or None.
• Power On Level: Define the volume setting (-80 to +18dB) that is active when the power is turned on.
• Mute Level: Set the amount of attenuation (Full, -40dB, or -20dB) when muting is activated.

Digital Inputs: There are 2 optical digital inputs and 1 coaxial digital input on the receiver's rear-panel. The inputs accept digital audio signals from a compact disc, DVD, or other digital source component. You can designate the input for each digital input according to your component.

Speaker Terminals: The receiver has binding post speaker terminals for the front A, front B (front-height), center, surround, and surround back speaker channels. The binding posts can accept bare wire, pin connectors, and single banana plugs. The terminals are spaced too far apart for dual banana plugs. The collar surrounding the binding post terminals prevent the use of spade connectors.

Bi-Amp Connection: A bi-amp connection is possible with speakers that have two set of inputs by combining the Front A and Surround Back speaker connections. This allows you to drive the treble and bass units with separate channels amps, which enable better sound quality. The surround back channels of the amplifier will need to be turned off to bi-amp your front speakers. This configuration will limit your Home Theater to 5.1- channel.

Front-Panel Connections: The Marantz NR1601 is equipped with a front-panel auxiliary and headphone output.

• Front-Panel Auxiliary Input: The receiver features a front-panel minijack (3.5mm) auxiliary input for connecting an external audio source, such as a portable digital audio player.
• Headphone Output: The receiver features a 1/4" stereo headphone jack on its front panel for connecting a pair of optional headphones. The unit's speakers will automatically be turned off when a set of headphones are connected.

AM/FM Tuner: The Marantz NR1601 features a built-in AM/FM tuner which can automatically or manually store up to 30 AM/FM presets.

Memory Backup: This unit is equipped with a backup function to prevent memory data such as the preset memory from being erased.

Sleep Timer: The receiver offers a Sleep Timer which will automatically turn the unit off after 10, 20, 30, 60, 90, or 120 minutes.

Video Features

HD Video Connections: The Marantz NR1601 AV receiver is equipped with 7 high-definition video inputs (4 HDMI/3 component) and 2 high-definition video outputs (HDMI/component).

• HDMI (version 1.4a) Inputs/Output: This unit has 4 HDMI inputs and 1 HDMI output. The receiver can send digital video and audio signals from DVD, Blu-ray, and other audio/video sources directly to your connected display. HDMI minimizes signal degradation caused by analog conversion so that high quality images can be enjoyed. The NR1601's wide-bandwidth HDMI circuitry supports 3D, Deep Color, xvYCC Color, ARC, Auto Lip Sync, and HDMI control. The unit offers to HDMI audio settings. The 4 HDMI inputs are assignable from the receiver's on-screen menu.
• Component Video Inputs/Output: This unit has 3 component video inputs to obtain the color information (Y, Cb, Cr) directly from the recorded DVD signal or other video component; and one component video output to output the video signal directly into the matrix decoder of your television. By sending the pure DVD component video signal directly, the DVD signal forgoes the extra processing that normally would degrade the image. The result is vastly increased image quality, with incredibly life like colors and crisp detail.

HDMI Video Conversion: The Marantz NR1601 is equipped with an up-converter (that converts composite and component signals to HDMI signal) for the video signals using full-digital processing. The built-in video up-converter lets you enjoy your favorite composite and component videos on your flat-screen television through the receiver's HDMI output and your television's HDMI input.

Note: Analog video signals up-converted to HDMI are output without any processing of the original resolution. HDMI digital video signals cannot be converted to analog video signals.

Audio Return Channel (ARC): If the connected TV has HDMI version 1.4 and supports ARC, the audio signal can be transferred from the TV (when its internal tuner is used) to the NR1601 through the HDMI (monitor output) cable, so a second cable isn't needed.

3D-Ready: The Marantz NR1601 will pass a 3D (three-dimensional) signal via HDMI (v.1.4) when connected to a 3D source (3D Blu-ray player, 3D cable box, etc) and a 3D TV.

x.v.Color: The receiver supports x.v.Color, offering a wider color range than the current broadcast standard. For the x.v.Color feature to be useful, the entire video production chain must be compatible (camera-editing-format-player-display).

Deep Color: The Marantz receiver also supports Deep Color which allows increased color depth of video signals passing through HDMI. Without Deep Color, the number of colors expressed by 1 pixel is 24 bits (16,777,216 colors). Using Deep Color, the number of colors expressed by 1 pixel is 36 bits. Since the gradation of the depth of a color can be expressed more finely with more bits, continuous color changes can be more smoothly displayed. For the Deep Color feature to be useful, the entire video production chain must be compatible (camera-editing-format-player-display).

Note: x.v. Color and Deep Color technology are supported only when source product, HDMI cable, media and HDTV all support those features.

Lip Sync: The Lip Sync function delays the audio signals and adjust the difference in their timing from the video signals. The default setting is 0 ms and can be adjusted up to 200 ms.

HDMI Standby Pass Through: The HDMI Standby Pass-Through feature allows you to choose which HDMI input remains accessible when the receiver is powered off, so you can view back an HDMI source on your TV even when the receiver is in standby mode.

On-Screen Display: The receiver incorporates an on-screen menu system which makes various operations and menu selections visible on your connected television set. To view the on-screen display, you will need to connect the HDMI, component video, or composite monitor output jack of the receiver to the matching input on your television.

Input Name: The names of the receiver input functions can be changed as desired. The maximum number of characters that can be registered for the names is 8, including spaces. The function names that you register will appear on the unit's display.

Dimmer: The unit's front-panel display can be dimmed or turned off completely.

USB/iPod Connectivity

USB Port: The Marantz NR1601 is equipped with a front-panel USB (type-A) port for easy, direct connection of a USB mass storage class (MSC) device. The front-panel USB port supports playback of MP3 (32-320 kbps), WMA (48-192 kbps), AAC (16-320 kbps) audio files recorded in FAT 16 or FAT 32 onto a USB mass storage class (MSC) device. The unit can recognize up to 255 folders and 255 files per folder. When a USB device is connected, playback will start automatically. You can control basic operations (Play, Pause, Stop, Fast Forward, Rewind, Repeat, and Random) of your connected USB device. The unit also supports ID3-Tag (ver.2) information so title, artist and album names can be displayed.

Note: USB memory devices will not work via a USB hub. It is not possible to connect and use a computer via the unit's USB port using a USB cable.

iPod Direct: The unit's front-panel USB (type-A) port can also be used to directly connect your Apple iPod or iPhone. You can listen to music files from your iPod/iPhone by simply connecting the iPod/iPhone to the NR1601's front-panel USB port using the USB/Dock cable that came with your Apple iPod/iPhone. The Marantz NR1601 supports audio playback, music navigation, information display (on TV), and charging of select iPod/iPhones. The USB connection features digital audio signal handling, which routes the digital signal to the NR1601's 24 bit/192 kHz audiophile quality D/A converters for optimum fidelity. You can choose to operate your connected iPod/iPhone from the NR1601's remote control or from your iPod/iPhone's click-wheel/touch-screen. The Marantz NR1601 is "Made for iPod/iPhone compatible" and support the following iPod/iPhone model functions (as of July 2010):

Note: Apple iPod/iPhone software updates may change functionality results. If you download a newer software version, you may need to reset your iPod/iPhone to regain functionality.

 

Remote/Bluetooth Control

Multibrand Remote Control: The provided IR wireless remote control is a universal learning remote control. The remote control is preset with a total of 10 types of remote codes for Marantz gear, including: BD, DVD, SAT, Game, Aux, USB, TV, CD, Tuner, and M-XPort. The remote control is also preset with remote control codes from AV equipment by other manufacturers. The preset codes are BD, DVD, TV, SAT, and CD. In addition, the remote control is capable of learning and storing codes used by other remote controls. The remote control's buttons are backlit with a press of a button.

HDMI Control: When you make an HDMI connection between the NR1601 AV Receiver and a HDMI control-function compatible TV or Blu-ray/DVD player, you can perform the following operations.

• The AV receiver can be turned off with the TV's remote.
• You can switch audio output devices from the TV remote.
• You can adjust the AV receiver's volume with the TV remote.
• You can switch the AV receiver's input sources through the TV remote.
• When playing a Blu-ray/DVD player, the AV receiver automatically switches to the input source of the player.

Remote In/Out: These RCA input/output connectors allow you to connect the NR1601 to a Marantz component equipped with remote control (RC-5) terminals.

Bluetooth Ready: Through its proprietary M-Xport, the NR1601 offers Bluetooth capability.  Simply add the optional RX101 Bluetooth adaptor (642RX101, sold separately) to the NR1601 and you can play the music stored on any Bluetooth-enabled portable device (your iPhone, iPod Touch, or PDA for example) through your home theater system. The optional RX101 doubles as an IR (infrared) receiver so you can place all your components out of sight and still maintain full remote control.