Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Audio / Video
  3. News

Marantz’s new sleek and slim A/V receivers keep Alexa in the loop

By

A lot of A/V receivers are second only to your TV in terms of how much of your viewing space they take up. Most people may not notice, but for aesthetically minded viewers — or those with limited console space — a more compact receiver may be a better fit. We’ve long been a fan of Marantz’s smaller-footprint models, and are happy to announce they are getting even better, with two new Alexa-powered receivers hitting store shelves.

Following up on last year’s NR1608 and NR1508, the new NR1609 and NR1509 models keep the same feature set and audio quality, adding voice control on top. Both models are ready for hi-res audio, with support for ALAC, FLAC, and WAV lossless files up to 24-bit / 192-kHz, as well as DSD 2.8MHz and 5.6MHz formats. They can also act as the hub of a wireless multiroom audio system, with Bluetooth, AirPlay, and Denon’s HEOS supported. Pass-through of the latest video formats — including 4K and high dynamic range (HDR) in HDR10, Dolby Vision, and Hybrid Log Gamma — is also offered by both new units.

Recommended Videos

This isn’t the first Marantz A/V receiver to come with Amazon Alexa integration — models like last year’s SR8012 offered Amazon’s voice control service on board. To use it, just download the HEOS Home Entertainment Alexa skill, which will then allow you to control volume, playback, switch inputs, and more.

Related

In terms of differences, the NR1509 is the more minimalist of the two receivers. It offers fewer features and channels, and is for those looking for a simple, easy to use 5.1 or 5.2-channel setup. That isn’t to say it won’t be a great audio centerpiece: This model has 50 watts per channel of power, six HDMI inputs, and even a dedicated phono channel to hook up your turntable. It also features built-in streaming service integration, with Spotify, Pandora, TuneIn, and Deezer support built-in.

You’ll find all these features in the NR1609, but the larger receiver bumps up the channel count to 7.2 and a total of eight HDMI inputs. Some things you’ll find here that you won’t find in the NR1509 are support for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and DTS Virtual:X object-based surround sound, 1080p to 4K upscaling, and built-in Audyssey MultEQ automatic room calibration, which makes setup a breeze.

If you’re looking to grab a compact receiver for your viewing space, you won’t have to wait: Both models are available now via physical retailers or the Marantz website. The Marantz NR1609 is priced at $750, while the NR1509 retails for $550.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Kris Wouk
Kris Wouk
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kris Wouk is a tech writer, gadget reviewer, blogger, and whatever it's called when someone makes videos for the web. In his…
There’s a rare deal on the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones today
Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones seen in black.

The massively popular Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones rarely appear in headphone deals, so if you've had your eye on them for quite a while, you're in luck because they're currently $51 off on Walmart. From their original price of $400, you'll only have to pay $349, but only if you hurry because we don't expect stocks to last long. You're going to miss out on the offer if you take too long, so don't hesitate -- add the wireless headphones to your cart and check out as fast as you can.

Why you should buy the Sony WH-1000XM5
The best headphones that you can buy right now are the Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones, and it's not even close. At the heart is their outstanding wireless sound, supported by top-quality active noise cancellation that uses two processors and eight microphones to block all unwanted sound, as well as crystal-clear hands-free calling using four beamforming microphones and advanced audio signal processing. The wireless headphones also offer Bluetooth multipoint connection so that you can quickly switch between different devices, touch controls for functions like adjusting volume and calling your digital assistant, and Speak-to-Chat and Quick Attention features to stop your music and let ambient sound in without having to take them off.

Read more
Sony’s premium soundbars will finally get support for VRR, ALLM
Sony HT-A7000 Dolby Atmos soundbar close-up of top panel.

It's been a long time coming, but the wait is almost over. Sony's premium home theater soundbars are set to receive a software update that will add support for variable refresh rate (VRR) and auto low-latency mode (ALLM), two HDMI 2.1 gaming features that have been absent since these products launched.

The soundbars in question are the Sony HT-A5000, HT-A7000, and the multi-wireless speaker HT-A9 system. All three are scheduled to receive the update this fall, but Sony has declined to share specific timing, saying only that there will be more information closer to the rollout date.

Read more
What is Roku? The streaming platform explained
A roku powered TV hanging on a wall running Roku OS 12.

How do you get your Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, or Prime Video fix? Chances are it's through a streaming device or smart TV, and there's a good chance that it's through a Roku device or one running its pioneering streaming operating system. At this point, cord-cutting is old news, and Roku was one of the earliest companies to drive the adoption of web-based streaming with its self-contained, app-driven devices.

Today, watching something "on Roku" is standard parlance and the company's popular platform can be found baked into some of the biggest TV brands in the world as well as in its own lineup of streaming devices sticks, and set-top boxes. Even so, that doesn't mean you totally get what a Roku actually is. What is Roku? How does Roku work? Do you need a subscription to use it? Is it just a device you buy, or is it software?

Read more