Marantz refines high-end home theatre with new flagship AV20 preamp / AMP 20 cinema combo

Marantz has announced two new reference-grade home cinema components, the AV 20 AV preamplifier and AMP 20 power amplifier, expanding its line-up of high-performance AV solutions.

Designed and manufactured at its Shirakawa Audio Works facility in Japan, the pair join the award-winning AV 10 and AMP 10, as well as the recently launched CINEMA 30 AV receiver, as part of Marantz’s premium home theatre offering.

Both new components feature the brand’s signature porthole display design with multi-layer chassis with extensive copper use. The AV 20 preamplifier includes a fold-down front panel to conceal secondary functions. Both units offer side-panel illumination and come with an aluminium remote with backlighting for ease of use in theatre environments.

The AV 20 supports a wide range of surround sound formats including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X Pro, Auro-3D and IMAX Enhanced, and employs a dual-core Analog Devices SHARC DSP processor and high-resolution 32-bit DACs.

Room calibration and correction options include Audyssey MultEQ XT32 and optional upgrades to Dirac Live Room Correction and Dirac Live Bass Control. A future firmware update will enable support for Dirac Live Active Room Treatment, offering more advanced optimisation for challenging listening environments.

It also leverages a new high-resolution GUI that simplifies setup and configuration without sacrificing sophistication.

With 13.4 channel preamp outputs via RCA and XLR, and seven HDMI inputs, all of which support up to 8K/60Hz or 4K/120Hz video, it certainly has most AV bases covered. Streaming and multi-room functionality are provided via HEOS, with additional support for Roon, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz, AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth.

Its theatrical partner, the AMP 20 is a 12-channel power amplifier delivering 200 watts per channel (into 8 ohms, 1kHz, THD 0.05%, two channels driven). Integrators should note it can also be configured in bridged mode to provide up to six channels of 400W output, or bi-amped for enhanced performance across up to six speakers.

Connectivity comprises XLR and RCA inputs are provided; the AMP 20 is compatible with both the AV 20 and other Marantz components, including the CINEMA 30 AV receiver and the 16-channel AMP 10 amplifier.

Marantz Vice-President of Brand Marketing, Giles Pocock, said: “The AV 20 and AMP 20 represent all that is best about Marantz’s premium design, engineering excellence and attention to detail, and they usefully expand the breadth and versatility of our offering in home theatre.”

Both the AV 20 and AMP 20 will be available from May 2025 via selected authorised Marantz retailers. The AV 20 AV Preamplifier sells for £4,750 (€5500 / $6000). While the AMP 20 Power Amplifier retails for £4750 (€5500 / $6000).