New Marantz Cinema Series 2 home cinema receivers promise bigger sound and better gaming

Sound the home theatre klaxon: Marantz has refreshed its CINEMA AV receiver range with new audio tech and a stronger gaming focus. We do love a good sequel!

The incoming Series 2 family comprises the flagship CINEMA 50 Series 2, the CINEMA 60 Series 2, CINEMA 60 DAB Series 2 and the slimline CINEMA 70s Series 2. All promise higher sound quality, improved streaming, and better gaming support.

Externally, little has changed. The signature porthole display and elegantly sculpted fascia remain, preserving the clean industrial design that has become a hallmark of the CINEMA line. Internally, copper hardware, carefully selected components and revised construction continue Marantz’s emphasis on engineering quality and long-term reliability.

The big advances lie under the bonnet. 

Each Series 2 model adopts a new 32-bit, eight-channel digital-to-analogue converter, enabling simultaneous high-resolution conversion across every channel. Marantz says this new DAC architecture improves timing accuracy, sharpens stereo imaging, enhances dynamics and creates a more coherent surround sound field.

With an eye to gaming, every Series 2 receiver now also supports 1440p video pass-through and AMD FreeSync, as well as 4K 120Hz video, for smoother gameplay with PCs and consoles.  

The brand’s integrated HEOS multiroom streaming platform has been updated too, apparently offering faster operation and improved whole home performance.

What hasn’t changed is the final sound tuning for every model, which is still carried out by the Marantz Sound Master, in Japan.

Marantz says its new DAC architecture improves timing accuracy, sharpens stereo imaging…

Marantz Cinema Series 2 models compared

The £1,850 CINEMA 50 Series 2 remains the flagship, offering nine channels of 110W amplification and 11.4-channel processing for dedicated cinema rooms and ambitious speaker layouts. Exclusive features include a Dolby Atmos Channel Expander which intelligently uses every available loudspeaker when replaying channel-based Dolby Atmos soundtracks, and a new Centre Bi-Amp mode which allows compatible centre speakers to be driven more effectively, improving dialogue clarity without altering the overall tonal balance.

The CINEMA 60 Series 2 and European-only CINEMA 60 DAB Series 2 inherit much of the flagship’s new technology, including the upgraded DAC platform, enhanced connectivity and optional Dirac Live support, but packages it in a seven channel 100W design, making them attractive options for enthusiasts building mid-range home cinema systems. It sells for £1,250.

The slimline CINEMA 70s Series 2, priced at £950, continues to target living rooms where space is at a premium. Despite its compact dimensions, it benefits from the same upgraded digital platform, improved HEOS streaming and next-generation connectivity as its larger siblings. A seven channel model, it delivers 50W per channel.

Across the range, Marantz retains full-channel preamp outputs, allowing owners to add external power amplifiers as their systems evolve.

The new Marantz CINEMA Series 2 receivers will be available from August 15 2026. The slimline CINEMA 70s Series 2 follows in September.