Why the Marantz AV7706 Still Reigns as the Audiophile’s Choice
So, you know those top-of-the-line AV receivers? Imagine taking the best parts of one and making it even better, smarter, and more powerful. That’s the Marantz AV7706. It’s based on their amazing SR7015 receiver, but with one big change: it doesn’t have its own amplifiers built in. By leaving that out, it focuses entirely on delivering the cleanest and purest sound signal, giving you total freedom to hook it up to your own separate power amps for a killer setup.
Check Out: Marantz SR7013 Review
It’s fully modern too, with support for HDMI 2.1 and 8K video. And of course, it has that famous Marantz sound quality that audiophiles love. Basically, if you’re looking for that perfect, theater-quality experience, this is the piece of gear you’ve been dreaming of.
From Receiver to Processor: A Smarter Signal Path
To get the most out of it, the idea is to pair the AV7706 with a separate power amplifier from Marantz. They have a few great options, like the 7-channel MM8077, the 5-channel MM7055, or the 2-channel MM7025. This whole setup is a big deal for audio lovers because keeping the processing and the power separate makes the sound cleaner, more powerful, and dynamic. Plus, it lets you pick the perfect amplifier to match your specific speakers and really fine-tune your system.
Precision Audio with HDAM and AKM DACs
So, how does it make your music and movies sound so good? Every sound signal from the Marantz AV7706 goes through Marantz’s special HDAM sound card. This makes the sound react faster and come through with incredible clarity, so you can hear every little detail in the mix.
On top of that, each speaker channel gets its own high-quality digital-to-analog converter. This is the part that takes digital files and turns them into the beautiful sound you actually hear. Because it uses a top-tier chip, it can play even the highest-quality audio files without breaking a sweat.
What does all this mean for you? You get a sound experience that’s super clear, full of life, and has amazing depth. It really shines when you’re streaming lossless music through AirPlay 2 or HEOS; it’s like the musicians are right there in the room with you.
8K, HDMI 2.1, and Next-Gen Gaming Ready
When it comes to video, the Marantz AV7706 is totally up-to-date. It works perfectly with the newest gaming consoles and high-end projectors, smoothly passing through 8K and super-smooth 4K/120Hz video. It supports all the latest picture quality standards, so you’re guaranteed an amazing image. It also has features that are great for gamers, making gameplay more responsive. And with eARC, you can easily use your TV’s remote to control the volume and send sound from your TV’s apps back through the system. So, whether you’re playing a game on your PS5 or watching an 8K movie, this processor can handle it all without any trouble.
Room Calibration at Its Finest
To make sure your system sounds perfect in your specific room, Marantz includes their best automatic setup system. It uses a high-quality microphone to listen to your space and then fine-tunes the sound for every single speaker and subwoofer. It also comes with some really handy features for everyday use.
For example, it can stop those jarringly loud commercials, make sure dialogue and bass sound clear even at low volumes, and even prevent bass noise from bothering people in other rooms. If you have two subwoofers, it will sync them up to work together perfectly. The result is a rich, powerful, and balanced sound that totally immerses you, no matter what your room is like.
You May Like: Marantz Model M1 Tested
Smart Connectivity and Streaming
The AV7706 connects effortlessly with dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
It supports AirPlay 2, HEOS, and major streaming platforms like Spotify Connect, TIDAL, Deezer, TuneIn, and Amazon Music.
You can control it through:
- The Marantz 2016 AVR Remote App (iOS/Android)
- Amazon Alexa voice commands
- Or the included remote control
Everything feels polished, intuitive, and designed for multi-room audio enthusiasts.
IMAX Enhanced and Auro-3D Support
At its core, the AV7706 is powered by a duo of advanced processors that act as its brain. This gives it the power to run all the major, top-tier sound formats like Dolby Atmos, DTS: X, and Auro-3D. It’s even officially certified for IMAX Enhanced content.
You can set it up for a full 11.2-channel system, which basically means it can surround you with sound. The goal is simple: to turn your living room into a home theater experience that feels just as powerful and immersive as a commercial movie theater.
Final Thoughts
Think of the Marantz AV7706 not just as the control center for your home theater, but as its true brain. Because it doesn’t have its own amplifiers, it gives you the freedom to connect it to amazing external amps. This lets you achieve a level of clean, pure sound that most all-in-one receivers just can’t reach.
It’s packed with all the latest features like 8K video, HEOS streaming, IMAX Enhanced sound, and a top-tier room calibration system. So, if you already have great amplifiers, the AV7706 is the smart upgrade that will finally unlock their full power and bring your home theater to life.
You might like: Why the Marantz CD Player Still Feels Special in 2025:
Pros And Cons
Pros:
- Outstanding sound clarity and spatial imaging
- Wide connectivity with 8K HDMI 2.1 support
- Robust build and elegant design
- Excellent room calibration via Audyssey
- Smooth integration with high-end power amps
Cons:
- No built-in amplification (pre-processor only)
- Pricey for smaller systems
- Remote feels dated compared to new AVRs
Marantz AV7706 Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|
| More | Official site |
| Type | AV Processor |
| Channels | 11.2 |
| DAC | 11 × AKM AK4458 |
| Frequency Response | 10 Hz – 100 kHz (+1, -3 dB, Direct Mode) |
| S/N Ratio | 105 dB |
| HDMI Inputs / Outputs | 8 In / 3 Out (8K60, 4K120, eARC) |
| Audio Formats | Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Auro-3D, IMAX Enhanced |
| Streaming | HEOS, AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, DLNA |
| Room Calibration | Audyssey MultEQ XT32 |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 440 × 185 × 411 mm |
| Weight | 10.4 kg |
