The Purist’s Preamplifier
Representing the highest measure of performance for home theater systems, the Marantz AV 20 is a reference-grade A/V preamplifier built to preserve the integrity of your audio signal. Every hardware decision, from the pure separates design to the fully balanced XLR pre-outs on all 15.4 channels, is made to ensure the cleanest possible audio path and optimal noise rejection throughout your system. Further bolstered by decoding for the major immersive audio formats, Audyssey MultEQ XT32 room correction, seven HDMI 2.1 inputs, and support for configurations up to 7.4.6 or 9.4.4, the AV 20 is as comprehensively capable as it is sonically uncompromising. For the serious audiophile looking for an audio foundation that can grow as their system expands, the AV 20 is designed to support both your system of today and your home theater setup of the future.
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Pure separates design
The AV 20 is built around a single governing principle: keep the signal path as clean as possible at every stage. Achieving this goal starts with the pure separates design, which offloads power amplification entirely to external amps, eliminating the single biggest source of noise and interference in a conventional receiver. From there, Marantz's proprietary HDAM-SA2 modules deliver fast transient response and low distortion through every stage of analog processing, while a copper-plated chassis and toroidal power transformer provide the hardware foundation to back it up. When it's time to pass the signal to your amplifiers, fully balanced XLR pre-outs on all 15.4 channels ensure a clean handoff with maximum noise rejection across your entire system.
Upscale for years to come
Building a serious separates system is a long-term investment, and the AV 20 is built to grow with you. With 13.4 channels of processing and support for configurations up to 7.4.6 or 9.4.4, you have the foundation to build the system you want today and the headroom to expand it in the years to come. A fan of serious bass-thumping power? Four independent subwoofer outputs give you low-end flexibility that most preamplifiers can't match, and they’re individually configurable for precise control over your entire bass response. This means that every explosion, car crash, or bass drop is felt as well as heard.
Marantz: a legacy of home entertainment excellence
One of the original architects of hi-fi amplification, Saul Marantz founded the company that bears his name in 1953. In the ensuing decades, Marantz established state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Japan and cemented a reputation for outstanding audio quality in music reproduction and home cinema. The warm, detailed, and highly musical sound of a Marantz is the result of a number of factors, including advanced research and design, uncompromising build quality with premium electronic components, and rigorous testing of every element of every product. Proprietary Marantz technologies, such as the Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Module (HDAM), impart enhanced dimensionality to the Marantz sound. Today, the latest HDAM SA-2 technology is at the heart of the amplification circuitry in the company’s flagship products. The highest-quality D/A converters and clock jitter reducers are specified to decode high-resolution music files with unerring accuracy. Gold-plated RCA terminals ensure that corrosion won’t degrade signals as products age. Custom toroidal transformers help regulate power for consistent performance and superior sound. And copper-plated chassis are used to eliminate possible electronic interference. These are but a few of the finer points that set Marantz components apart from the crowd. Sweetwater is proud to offer you this esteemed line of outstanding home audio-video products.
Marantz AV 20 Features:
- 13.4-ch. balanced A/V preamplifier designed to support and scale with any serious home theater build
- Pure separates design keeps your signal processing isolated from your power amplification for the cleanest possible audio path
- Fully balanced XLR pre-outs feed your external power amps a balanced signal on all 15.4 channels, including 4 independent subwoofer outputs, for maximum noise rejection throughout your system
- Proprietary HDAM-SA2 analog circuitry delivers fast transient response and low distortion throughout the signal path
- Purpose-built hardware infrastructure, including a copper-plated chassis and toroidal power transformer, minimizes interference and keeps noise out of your signal
- Pure Direct mode bypasses unnecessary circuitry for the most direct, uncolored signal path possible
- Decodes major immersive audio formats, including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X Pro, IMAX Enhanced, AURO-3D, 360 Reality Audio, and MPEG-H
- Audyssey MultEQ XT32 room correction automatically tunes your system to your room, with Dynamic EQ, Dynamic Volume, and Audyssey LFC keeping your sound consistent and contained
- Optional Dirac Live upgrade adds advanced Room Correction, Bass Control, and Active Room Treatment for an acoustic environment precisely tailored to your space
- 7 HDMI 2.1 inputs with 40Gbps bandwidth keep every source connected with full 8K and 4K/120Hz support, while eARC delivers lossless audio from your TV's streaming apps
- 2 x 8K-capable HDMI 2.1 main outputs let you run two displays simultaneously, plus a dedicated Zone 2 HDMI output extends video to a second room
- VRR, ALLM, and QFT support deliver responsive, tear-free gaming across any compatible display
- Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG, and Dynamic HDR pass-through keep your picture as impressive as your audio
- HEOS platform lets you stream from Spotify, TIDAL, Amazon Music, Deezer, and more across up to 3 zones, with Roon Ready, AirPlay 2, and Bluetooth retransmit for wireless headphones
- Built-in MM phono stage keeps your turntable in the system without a separate preamp
- Analog AM/FM tuner keeps broadcast radio in reach without a separate component
- High-resolution HD GUI makes configuring a full 15.4-ch. pure separates system straightforward and intuitive
