Marantz has added another extremely capable and stylish-looking AV receiver to its 2020 lineup with the launch of its slimline, 8K-compatible Marantz NR1711. 

At just half the height of its latest 2020 SR-Series AV receivers, the new NR1711 is a compact system that delivers high-quality amplification, immersive surround sound and support for high-resolution streaming without sacrificing on valuable space within your home entertainment centre, the company says. 

The Marantz NR1711 is a 7.1 channel receiver setup that offers 90 watts per channel. It also provides an enhanced Audio Return Channel, or eARC capability, which is a new HDMI 2.1 feature that supports a wide range of 3D audio formats, including Dolby Atmos, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization Technology, DTS:X and DTS Virtual:X. With these, the Marantz NR1711 is able to deliver a highly realistic 3D listening experience without installing any dedicated height or surround speakers, the company said. 

The receiver comes with six HDMI inputs, including one dedicated HDMI 2.1 slot that supports 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz video pass-through. 

This enables what Marantz said is a “lag-free” gaming experience with support for features such as Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Quick Frame Transport (QFT) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), which reduce lag and frame tearing for smoother, lag-free enjoyment and perfect sync between audio and video.

In addition, the HDMI capabilities enable playback for a variety of High Dynamic Range formats, including Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG and Dynamic HDR. 

The NR1711 also comes with a new feature called Quick Media Switching, which enables source audio to switch to the correct resolution or frame rate instantly to eliminate screen blackout. 

Other neat features include the receiver’s support for multi-room streaming and AirPlay 2, which means users can play their favourite tracks wirelessly in any room just by adding more compatible devices. 

Marantz said the NR1711 can be voice activated through its support for Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Siri. Users will be able to stream music from various popular services, including Spotify, Amazon Music and Deezer, simply by commanding the receiver to access them with their voice. Other voice commands include the ability to switch between connected devices, lower and increase the volume, play a previous or next track, and pause. 

Marantz said the NR1171 goes on sale in September, priced at £649.