Marantz NR1508 vs Marantz NR1506

      Marantz NR1508

      Marantz NR1506
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      Here we are comparing Marantz NR1508 to Marantz NR1506 to reveal their common strengths and weaknesses as well as the differences between them which will help you in making a correct decision before the purchase. Both receivers have 5 channel and equally powerful amplifiers.


      Marantz NR1508 Marantz NR1506

      Marantz NR1508 was introduced in 2017. It is equipped with 5 channel amplifier with 50 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz and 2 channel driven) power per channel and is capable of 5.1 maximum channel processing. It , passes 4K/60Hz video signal.

      Marantz NR1506 was introduced in 2015. It is equipped with 5 channel amplifier with 50 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz and 2 channel driven) power per channel and is capable of 5.1 maximum channel processing. It , passes 4K/60Hz video signal.

      Highlights

      • 5.2 Channels
      • 5.1 Channel Processing
      • 50 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
      • HDR10, Dolby Vision
      • 4K/60Hz Passthrough
      • Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet

      Highlights

      • 5.2 Channels
      • 5.1 Channel Processing
      • 50 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
      • HDR10, Dolby Vision
      • 4K/60Hz Passthrough
      • Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet

      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Marantz NR1508
      4. Advantage of Marantz NR1506
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Audio Section
      7. Video Section
      8. Inputs and Outputs
      9. Evaluations
      10. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these receivers, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Marantz NR1508 and Marantz NR1506.

      PROS

      Marantz NR1508

      Marantz NR1506

      •   Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.
      •   HDR10
      •   Dolby Vision
      •   New HDCP Version
      •   Wi-Fi
      •   Bluetooth
      •   Works with Amazon Alexa
      •   HEOS
      •   USB Input
      •   RCA Pre-Outs
      •   Composite Video Inputs
      •   Ethernet
      •   Analog Tuner
      •   Spotify
      •   Tidal
      •   Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.
      •   HDR10
      •   Dolby Vision
      •   New HDCP Version
      •   Wi-Fi
      •   Bluetooth
      •   USB Input
      •   RCA Pre-Outs
      •   Composite Video Inputs
      •   Ethernet
      •   Analog Tuner
      •   Spotify

      CONS

      Marantz NR1508

      Marantz NR1506

      •   Few Channels - 5.2
      •   Low Power Output - 50 W
      •   5.1 Channel Processing
      •   No Dolby Atmos
      •   No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
      •   No DTS:X
      •   No IMAX Enhanced
      •   No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
      •   No DSD via HDMI
      •   No HDR10+
      •   No eARC
      •   No 8K Passthrough
      •   1 HDMI Outputs
      •   0 8K Input
      •   Few RCA Line Inputs
      •   No Phono Input
      •   No Zones
      •   No Digital Radio
      •   No Pandora
      •   Bluetooth 3․0 + EDR
      •   Few Channels - 5.2
      •   Low Power Output - 50 W
      •   5.1 Channel Processing
      •   No Dolby Atmos
      •   No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
      •   No DTS:X
      •   No IMAX Enhanced
      •   No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
      •   No DSD via HDMI
      •   No HDR10+
      •   No eARC
      •   No 8K Passthrough
      •   Does not Work with Amazon Alexa
      •   1 HDMI Outputs
      •   0 8K Input
      •   Few RCA Line Inputs
      •   No Phono Input
      •   No Zones
      •   No Digital Radio
      •   No Pandora
      •   No Tidal
      •   Bluetooth 2․1 + EDR


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Marantz NR1508

      Marantz NR1506

      •   6 HDMI Inputs
      •   6 HDMI Inputs

      Advantage of Marantz NR1508

      Marantz NR1508
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Marantz NR1508 over Marantz NR1506.

      Marantz NR1508 vs Marantz NR1506
      Works with Amazon Alexa vs
      HEOS vs
      AirPlay AirPlay 2 vs AirPlay
      Tidal vs
      Deezer vs
      Napster vs
      Higher DSD Sampling Rate via USB 5.6 MHz, 2.8 MHz vs 2.8 MHz
      Wi-Fi Standard IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n vs IEEE 802.11 b/g/n
      Wi-Fi Terminal Frequency 5 GHz, 2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz
      Newer Bluetooth Version 3․0 + EDR vs 2․1 + EDR
      Wider AM Frequency Range 522 kHz - 1611 kHz vs 522 kHz - 1611 kHz

      Check out other receivers which are frequently compared to Marantz NR1508.

      Onkyo TX-NR525
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      5.2 channel

      80 W

      Marantz NR1510
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      5.2 channel

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      Denon AVR-X1700H
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      7.2 channel

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      Denon AVR-X3600H
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      9.2 channel

      105 W

      Marantz SR8012
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      11.2 channel

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      Marantz SR5012
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      7.2 channel

      100 W

      Marantz SR5014
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      7.2 channel

      100 W

      Marantz SR6011
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      9.2 channel

      110 W

      Yamaha RX-A550
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      5.1 channel

      80 W

      Marantz SR7012
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      9.2 channel

      125 W

      Sony STR-ZA1000ES
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      7.2 channel

      70 W

      Integra DRX-5.2
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      9.2 channel

      120 W

      Advantage of Marantz NR1506

      Marantz NR1506
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Marantz NR1506 over Marantz NR1508.

      Marantz NR1508 vs Marantz NR1506
      Network Audio Formats MP3, WMA, MPEG-4 AAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, DSD vs MP3, WMA, MPEG-4 AAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD
      Music Playback via USB MP3, WMA, AAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, DSD vs MP3, WMA, AAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD
      High Resolution Audio Formats via USB Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, DSD vs Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD
      Flasher In/IR Receiver In/Emitter out vs

      Check out other receivers which are frequently compared to Marantz NR1506.

      Marantz NR1606
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      7.2 channel

      50 W

      Marantz SR5010
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      7.2 channel

      100 W

      Marantz NR1510
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      5.2 channel

      50 W

      Onkyo TX-SR373
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      5.2 channel

      80 W

      Marantz NR1509
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      5.2 channel

      50 W

      Marantz SR8015
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      11.2 channel

      140 W

      Yamaha RX-A6A
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      9.2 channel

      150 W

      Marantz SR7010
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      9.2 channel

      125 W

      Yamaha RX-A3010
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      9.2 channel

      150 W

      Marantz SR6010
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      7.2 channel

      110 W

      Onkyo TX-NR555
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      7.2 channel

      80 W

      Marantz NR1711
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      7.2 channel

      50 W

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Marantz NR1508 Marantz NR1506
        Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic. Audyssey MultEQ Audyssey MultEQ
        HDR10
        Dolby Vision
        New HDCP Version2.22.2
        Wi-Fi
        Bluetooth SBC
        USB Input1 (Front) for USB memory1 (Front) for iPod/iPhone and USB memory
        RCA Pre-Outs2.22.2
        Composite Video Inputs33
        Ethernet
        Analog Tuner FM/AM with RDS FM/AM with RDS
        Spotify
      WEAKNESSES Marantz NR1508 Marantz NR1506
        Few Channels5.25.2
        Low Power Output50 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)50 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
        Channel Processing5.15.1
        No Dolby Atmos
        No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
        No DTS:X
        No IMAX Enhanced
        No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
        No DSD via HDMI
        No HDR10+
        No eARC
        No 8K Passthroughup to 4K 50/60Hz 4:4:4up to 4K 50/60Hz 4:4:4
        Few HDMI Outputs11
        Few 8K Inputs
        Few RCA Line Inputs33
        No Phono Input
        No Zones11
        No Digital Radio
        No Pandora
        Old Bluetooth Version3․0 + EDR2․1 + EDR

      Audio Section

      Amplifier

      Marantz NR1508 Marantz NR1506

      5 channel Amplifier: Marantz NR1508 features 5 channel power amplifier. It is rated at 50 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) and is able to drive 4 ohm speakers.

      5 channel Amplifier: Marantz NR1506 features 5 channel power amplifier. It is rated at 50 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) and is able to drive 4 ohm speakers.

        Speaker Configurations

        Marantz NR1508's and Marantz NR1506's amplifiers can be assigned for different speaker configurations.

        • Configurations: Available configurations are:
        • Marantz NR1508: 5.2 with internal amplifier.
        • Marantz NR1506: 5.2 with internal amplifier.

          • Sound Processing

          • Audyssey: Both receivers come with Audyssey Dynamic EQ and Dynamic Volume.
          • Dynamic EQ: selects the best possible frequency response and surround volume levels moment-by-moment. This ensures that the bass response, tonal balance and surround impression remain constant despite changes in volume. This is the first technology that carefully combines information from incoming source levels with actual output sound levels in the room, a pre-requisite for delivering a dynamic volume solution.
          • Dynamic Volume: Your Listening experience can be greatly diminished when there are significant shifts in volume between television programs, commercials and within the program material itself. When this happens you must constantly adjust the volume to maintain your desired listening level. Audyssey Dynamic Volume monitors the volume of program material moment-by-moment and automatically adjusts it, maintaining the desired listening level for all content while optimizing the dynamic range to preserve impact.
          • Compressed Music Enhancer: Marantz NR1508 and Marantz NR1506 feature Compressed Music Enhancer which enhances the quality of the music files with lossy compression.
          • MDAX2: Compressed music enhancement in Marantz NR1508 and Marantz NR1506 is done by Marantz’ MDAX2 technology. The use of compressed audio files like MP3, Windows Media™ Audio or AAC is getting more and more popular. The audio quality of these compressed files however is less than the original lossless files that are on a CD, especially lacking the higher frequencies and affecting the lower frequencies which make the audio image less wide and deep. The Marantz Digital Audio Expander 2, also called M-DAX2, recalculates the outputted frequency range. This enables you to get a more detailed and clearer sound.

          Room Calibration

          Marantz NR1508 and Marantz NR1506 come with Audyssey MultEQ room correction system.

          • Audyssey Room Calibration: Audyssey is an acoustic measurement technology which automatically restores the acoustic distortion caused by the acoustic behaviour of a room with only a push on a button. Audyssey equalization provides an clear, accurate, natural sound with voices and dialog that become focused and intelligible, restoring the musical balance. Musical instruments and sound effects become precisely localized and the surround soundstage is made seamless and enveloping.

        Video Section

        HDMI

        Marantz NR1508 and Marantz NR1506 come with 6 HDMI inputs. It has 1 output.

        • 4K/60Hz Passthrough: On both receivers all inputs pass up to 4K 50/60Hz 4:4:4 video signal.
        • BT.2020 Color Space: BT.2020 or Rec. 2020 is a color standard which delivers a wider color gamut compared to Rec. 709. It covers approximately 75% of the total visual spectrum while the Rec. 709 covers only 35% (available on both models).
        • HDCP 2.2.0 Copy Protection: Both receivers are HDCP 2.2.0 compliant which is a requirement for 4K/HDR copy-protected content transmission.
        • 3D Ready: Both receivers are able to pass 3D video through HDMI.

        HDR (High Dynamic Range)

        Both receivers support HDR10, Dolby Vision and Hybrid Log-Gamma.

        High dynamic range video has greater dynamic range than standard dynamic range (SDR) video with brighter whites and deeper blacks. The result is greater contrast and more details in dark and bright areas, better color and depth.

        • HDR10: HDR10 uses the wide-gamut Rec. 2020 color space. It sends static metadata via video stream to the TV which calibrates its screen brightness and color according to that. HDR10 supports 10-bit color which corresponds to 1024 shades of the primary RGB colors. It is technically limited to a maximum of 10,000 nits peak brightness, however common HDR10 contents are mastered with peak brightness from 1,000 to 4,000 nits.
        • Dolby Vision: Dolby Vision is a set of technologies developed by Dolby Laboratories for high dynamic range (HDR) video. It covers content creation, distribution, and playback. Like HDR10+, it includes dynamic metadata that are used to adjust and optimize each frame of the HDR video to the consumer display's capabilities in a way specified by the content creator. Dolby Vision allows for a maximum resolution of 8K up to 12-bit color depth, maximum peak brightness of 10,000 nits and a color gamut up to Rec. 2020. It uses Dolby's proprietary dynamic metadata defined in SMPTE ST 2094-10.
        • Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG): The Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) is a transfer function developed mainly for HDR live video feed and over-the-air broadcasts. It is an HDR format that uses BT.2020 color primaries and a bitdepth of 10-bit. It is backward compatible with the transfer function of SDR and is designed to be better-suited for television broadcasting, where the metadata required for other HDR formats is not backward compatible with non-HDR displays. HLG defines a non-linear optical-electro transfer function, in which the lower half of the signal values use a gamma curve and the upper half of the signal values use a logarithmic curve.

        Inputs and Outputs

        Audio

        • Analog Pre-Outs: Marantz NR1508 and Marantz NR1506 have 2.2 preamplifier outputs which allow you to connect the receivers to the external power amplifiers. You may want to use a high quality external amplifier for certain channels, usually for front L/R and center, and use the receiver to power the rest. Also, both receivers have 5 channel processing but have only 5 channel amplifiers, so they need external amplifiers connected to the analog pre-outs in order to reach their maximum speaker configurations.
        • Analog Line Inputs: There are 3 pair of line inputs on both receivers for connecting sources with analog outputs.
        • Digital Inputs: 1 optical input and 1 coaxial input are available for digital audio connections on both receivers.
        • Headphone Output: There is a 6.3 mm (1/4") headphone output jack on the front panel of each receiver.

        Video

        • HDMI:
        • Marantz NR1508
          Inputs:           6 (1 front)   Outputs: 1
          8K Inputs: 0.
        • Marantz NR1506
          Inputs:           6 (1 front)   Outputs: 1
          8K Inputs: 0.
        • Composite Video: Connect you VCR, Laserdisc player and other old video equipment with composite video cables.
        • Marantz NR1508
          Inputs:           3   Outputs: 1.
        • Marantz NR1506
          Inputs:           3   Outputs: 1.

        Front A/V Inputs

        • Marantz NR1508: HDMI, USB
        • Marantz NR1506: HDMI, USB

        Marantz NR1508

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        Marantz NR1506

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        Evaluations

        We evaluate Marantz NR1508 and Marantz NR1506 and give them scores of 77 and 76 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new receiver is added to the database.


        Marantz NR1508

        Marantz NR1506

        OVERALL
        77
        OVERALL
        76

        Amplifier

        Marantz NR1508

        Marantz NR1506

        GOOD
        77
        •   Few Channels - 5.2
        •   Low Power Output - 50 W
        GOOD
        77
        •   Few Channels - 5.2
        •   Low Power Output - 50 W

        Audio Features

        Marantz NR1508

        Marantz NR1506

        AVERAGE
        66
        •   Few Channels - 5.2
        •   5.1 Channel Processing
        •   No Dolby Atmos
        •   No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
        •   No DTS:X
        •   No IMAX Enhanced
        •   No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
        •   No DSD via HDMI
        AVERAGE
        65
        •   Few Channels - 5.2
        •   5.1 Channel Processing
        •   No Dolby Atmos
        •   No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
        •   No DTS:X
        •   No IMAX Enhanced
        •   No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
        •   No DSD via HDMI

        Video Features

        Marantz NR1508

        Marantz NR1506

        EXCELLENT
        94
        •   HDR10
        •   No HDR10+
        •   Dolby Vision
        •   No 8K Passthrough
        EXCELLENT
        94
        •   HDR10
        •   No HDR10+
        •   Dolby Vision
        •   No 8K Passthrough

        Connectivity

        Marantz NR1508

        Marantz NR1506

        GOOD
        81
        •   No eARC
        •   New HDCP Version
        •   Wi-Fi
        •   Bluetooth
        •   Works with Amazon Alexa
        •   HEOS
        •   6 HDMI Inputs
        •   1 HDMI Outputs
        •   0 8K Input
        •   USB Input
        •   Few RCA Line Inputs
        •   No Phono Input
        •   RCA Pre-Outs
        •   Composite Video Inputs
        •   Ethernet
        •   Bluetooth 3․0 + EDR
        GOOD
        79
        •   No eARC
        •   New HDCP Version
        •   Wi-Fi
        •   Bluetooth
        •   Does not Work with Amazon Alexa
        •   6 HDMI Inputs
        •   1 HDMI Outputs
        •   0 8K Input
        •   USB Input
        •   Few RCA Line Inputs
        •   No Phono Input
        •   RCA Pre-Outs
        •   Composite Video Inputs
        •   Ethernet
        •   Bluetooth 2․1 + EDR

        Zones

        Marantz NR1508

        Marantz NR1506

        AVERAGE
        56
        •   No Zones
        AVERAGE
        55
        •   No Zones

        Radio

        Marantz NR1508

        Marantz NR1506

        EXCELLENT
        92
        •   Analog Tuner
        •   No Pandora
        •   Spotify
        •   Tidal
        GOOD
        82
        •   Analog Tuner
        •   No Pandora
        •   Spotify
        •   No Tidal


        For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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