Respected audio and video electronics manufacturer Marantz has introduced four products with Apple AirPlay music streaming capability via a feature upgrade. The quartet of network-capable audio/video components are the world’s first to include AirPlay capability. The feature allows users to easily stream music from their iTunes collections to their Marantz components with just the tap of a finger. It will be available in November via the Marantz website with an optional €49 firmware upgrade.
Marantz’s AirPlay certified products comprise
• SR7005 A/V Receiver
• AV7005 A/V Preamplifier
• NA7004 Network Audio Player/Tuner
• Melody Media (M-CR603) Networked CD Receiver
Stream iTunes Music from Mac or PC to Home Entertainment Networks
With the incorporation of AirPlay on Marantz products, users can now open up their iTunes to a whole new experience, enjoying not only the ability to stream iTunes music from their Mac or PC on their home network, but access to artist information, album art and elapsed and remaining time. The inclusion of AirPlay capability on Marantz products has been made possible through the advanced networking technologies applied. AirPlay has previously only been available on products such as the Apple AirPort Express.
Noted Ken Ishiwata, brand ambassador of Marantz, “Marantz has always been at the forefront of every music packaged media playback, be it mono LP, stereo LP, CD and SACD. However people’s lifestyle and needs changed. Nowadays the use of iPod and iPhone is very popular and rapidly increasing. That is why it is quite a natural step for Marantz to make AirPlay possible on our products and we strongly believe this way of listening music will bring Marantz closer to people. AirPlay uses Apple’s lossless format and this allows high quality music playback from the Marantz systems. AirPlay adds yet another great dimension to the content enjoyment experience made possible through Marantz’s relationship with a variety of streaming partners. Our consumers, as well as valued retail partners, have always depended on Marantz brands for the most advanced innovations and leading-edge technologies that take the home entertainment experience to the next level and provide creative solutions for maximum enjoyment and flexibility.”
In addition, Marantz has announced the free, but unfortunately-named, ‘Wizz App’ for the iPhone and iPod touch, bringing control of its cutting-edge SR7005 network AV receiver and AV7005 network preamp on to Apple touch screens.
Marantz’s Wizz App transfers control of its feature-packed Marantz SR7005 AV networking receiver – as well as the AV7005 network preamp – into the palms of iPhone and iPod touch owners. A simple GUI combines with an intuitive layout enabling an easy way to control Marantz products via a home network.
The app comes preloaded and ready to use. Key functionalities include: main zone power on/off; volume up/down; mute on/off; input selection; tuner control; surround modes; menu control by cursor; and zone 2 and 3 basic control. It features class-leading response times and the app’s bi-directional feedback with the AV/SR7005 enables super-fast status reports on features such as volume, source, and surround mode.
Additionally Wizz App delivers control of Networked/USB-connected sources. Playback controls – such as file selection, play and stop – of connected PCs and NAS drives, are accessible via the app and users can swiftly browse internet radio stations via their iPhone/iPod touch. Wizz App even lets you flick through PC/NAS-stored music libraries, selecting tunes by artist, album, genre, etc. For ultimate ease and looks Wizz App displays ‘currently playing’ cover art. Wizz App also opens up iPhone and iPod touch control of additional Marantz equipment – such as Blu-ray and CD players – connected to the AV/SR7005 via Marantz’s remote D-bus system.
Wizz App is available free of charge for download from Apple’s iTunes App Store now. It will initially be compatible with the AV7005 pre-amp/SR7005 AV receiver (after a software update scheduled for end of September) and there will be a Demo Mode available too. Further Marantz products will soon be added to the Wizz App-compatible list.
More info about and download link for the Marantz Wizz App (free) via Apple’s iTunes App Store here.
Source: Marantz
I heard they were teaming with G-Technologies for a touch screen media server edition of iTunes to stream.
They called it the “G-Wizz Touch IT” hard drive….
For the ipod Touch it is totally worth getting the 16gb version and jailbreaking it. For videos I suggest the Videora iPod Converter. It has a simple user interface and it will automatically determine what format is best for your iPod. The converter also allows you to configure the qualities you prefer.
http://renadexsite.com
For the ipod Touch it is totally worth getting the 16gb version and jailbreaking it. For videos I suggest the Videora iPod Converter. It has a simple user interface and it will automatically determine what format is best for your iPod. The converter also allows you to configure the qualities you prefer.
http://renadexsite.com
While the home audio discussions are starting to be revived since Apple decided to launch a me-too voice activated monopole speaker, it’s time to unearth this old thread.
In the 7.5 years since Marantz released its airplay-enabled equipment, most every mid to high end consumer audio company followed suit. Despite Apple’s claims of audio fidelity, I believe it’s fair to say that 7.5 years of Airplay audio equipment like this will still blow away any $300 monopole.
Here’s the review of the 2010 receiver, very good:
https://hometheaterreview.com/marantz-sr7005-receiver-reviewed/
Since then things have only gotten better and cheaper for audiophile components. For only $1500 Marantz now offers the AV7703: https://hometheaterreview.com/marantz-av7703-112-channel-av-processor-reviewed/
Obviously if you invest a few grand into your audio equipment, one would expect excellent performance. The question is, why would you not continue using this excellent system — the Homepod does absolutely nothing that an airplay receiver can’t do when mated with your current Apple device. The airplay receiver, however, can do dozens of things the homepod cannot.
If the issue is that you want to put a new little puck in your kitchen or bathroom so it can conspicuously stand out to show your status as a smart home pioneer, well, fine.
Wouldn’t it be much easier, as a well-heeled audio consumer, to start with a highly capable mutlizone amplifier and add speakers to different zones of your house? You can still use Siri to command your whole-house audio system, it’s on your watch or iPhone or Mac already. I cannot see how these little toilet paper rolls, in any quantity, will ever surpass the power and control that a proper audio system offers. Anyone who is invested in audio quality already knows that high end audio systems adjust for the room too, right? Setup is automated. DSP is nothing new. My old amp at home makes the movie room sound like Freiburg Cathedral if I choose to make it so. https://www.soundandvision.com/receivers/yamaha_rx-v3900_av_receiver
So why again would anybody add a monopole instead of adding speakers and zones to highly capable equipment they already own?