Here we are comparing Marantz Slimline NR1609 to Marantz Slimline NR1608 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 7 channel and equally powerful amplifiers.

Let us have a look at some highlights of the models.

We have evaluated both receivers. Marantz Slimline NR1609 gets higher overall score in our ranking system which is based on the amplifier specifications, audio and video features, connectivity, multizone capabilities, radio and many other details.

Amplifier score is based on power ratings, minimum impedance load, power supply, transformer type, total harmonic distortion, damping factor, signal to noise ratio and other small details. Audio score depends on the number of channels, front wide channel support, maximum channel processing, support of audio formats, DAC specifications, room calibration algorithm... Video score is based on HDR, Dolby Vision and 4K passthrough, upscaling, analog to HDMI upconversion. Connectivity score is defined from all wired and wireless inputs and outputs, internet and bluetooth connections, HEOS, SONOS and others. Multizone score depends on the number of zones with their outputs. Radio score is evaluated form digital radio support and analog tuner with its frequency range, signal to noise ratio, harmonic distortion...

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Marantz Slimline NR1609 over Marantz Slimline NR1608.

Only Marantz Slimline NR1609 has phono input.

	Marantz Slimline NR1609	Marantz Slimline NR1608
Phono Input	✔	✖

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Marantz Slimline NR1608 over Marantz Slimline NR1609.

	Marantz Slimline NR1609	Marantz Slimline NR1608
Remote Control In/Out	0 / 0	1 / 1

Marantz Slimline NR1609 and Marantz Slimline NR1608 share common strengths such as Dolby Atmos support, DTS:X support, HDR10, Dolby Vision, DLNA 1.5 support, HEOS, Amazon Alexa, ethernet connection, wi-fi, bluetooth, analog pre-outs, internet radio, Pandora, Spotify, Tidal, Deezer, Napster and SiriusXM.

STRENGTHS	Marantz Slimline NR1609	Marantz Slimline NR1608
Dolby Atmos	✔ up to 5.1.2	✔ up to 5.1.2
DTS:X	✔ up to 5.1.2	✔ up to 5.1.2
DTS Neural:X	✔	✔
DTS Virtual:X	✔	✔
DSD via USB	✔ 2-ch Input	✔ 2-ch Input
DTS Dialog Control	✔	✔
Audyssey Dynamic EQ	✔	✔
Audyssey Dynamic Volume	✔	✔
HDR10	✔	✔
Dolby Vision	✔	✔
4K or 8K Video Passthrough	up to 4K 50/60Hz 4:4:4	up to 4K 50/60Hz 4:4:4
4K or 8K Signal Upscaling	✔ up to 4K 30/25/24p 4:4:4	✔ up to 4K 30/25/24p 4:4:4
DLNA 1.5	✔	✔
HEOS	✔	✔
Works with Amazon Alexa	✔	✔
Ethernet	✔	✔
Wi-Fi	✔	✔
Bluetooth	✔ SBC	✔ SBC
New HDCP Version	2.2	2.2
Many HDMI Inputs	8 (1 front)	8 (1 front)
USB Input	1 (Front) for USB memory	1 (Front) for USB memory
Composite Video Inputs	3	3
Component Video Inputs	2	2
Analog Pre-Outs	2.2	2.2
Zones	2	2
Analog Tuner	✔ FM/AM	✔ FM/AM
Internet Radio	✔ TuneIn	✔ TuneIn
Pandora	✔	✔
Spotify	✔	✔
Tidal	✔	✔
Deezer	✔	✔
Napster	✔	✔
SiriusXM Internet Radio	✔	✔

Marantz Slimline NR1609 and Marantz Slimline NR1608 share common weaknesses such as no front wide channel support, no Auro3D support, no MHL input, no ChromeCast, no DTS Play-Fi, no SONOS, no analog multi-channel input and no toroidal transformer.

WEAKNESSES	Marantz Slimline NR1609	Marantz Slimline NR1608
No Front Wide Channel Support	✖	✖
No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization	✖	✖
No IMAX Enhanced	✖	✖
No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer	✖	✖
No DSD via HDMI	✖	✖
No Audyssey LFC	✖	✖
No Audyssey Sub EQ HT	✖	✖
No HDR10+	✖	✖
No Dynamic HDR	✖	✖
No Auto Low Latency Mode Pass-through	✖	✖
No VRR	✖	✖
No QFT	✖	✖
No MHL Input	✖	✖
No FireConnect	✖	✖
No FlareConnect	✖	✖
No Chromecast Built-In	✖	✖
No DTS Play-Fi	✖	✖
Does Not Work with SONOS	✖	✖
No eARC	✖	✖
Few HDMI Outputs	1	1
Few Analog Audio Line Inputs	3	3
No Multi-Channel Input	✖	✖
No Toroidal Transformer	No (EI)	No (EI)
Old Bluetooth Version	3.0 + EDR	3.0 + EDR

Amplifier

Marantz Slimline NR1609 and Marantz Slimline NR1608 have 7 channel amplifiers. They both deliver 50 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) and have stable performance at 4 Ω load. Since 2016 all receiver manufacturers have dropped front wide channel support and these models are no exceptions.

Video Features

Both receivers support 4K passthrough up to 60p. They both do 4K upscaling up to 30p. The receivers support HDR10, Dolby Vision.

HDR10

High-dynamic-range (HDR) video has greater dynamic range than standard-dynamic-range (SDR) video with brigter whites and deeper blacks. HDR10 was announced on August 27, 2015, by the Consumer Technology Association and 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 up to 1000 nits of brightness and 10-bit color which corresponds to 1024 shades of the primary RGB colors.

Dolby Vision

Dolby Vision is an update to HDR10 by adding dynamic metadata that can be used to more accurately adjust brightness levels up to 10,000 nits maximum brightness on a scene-by-scene or frame-by-frame basis and supports up to 12-bit color depth (4096 shades of RGB) and 8K resolution.

Dolby Atmos and Dolby Surround upmixer

Marantz Slimline NR1609 and Marantz Slimline NR1608 support Dolby Atmos with its Dolby Surround upmixer. They can be configured upto 5.1.2 channels using internal amplifiers.

Dolby Atmos is the first cinematic audio format in which sounds exist as individual entities, called audio objects. In Dolby Atmos, any sound - the helicopter, a car screeching around a corner, a melodic bird call - can exist as an independent audio object, free of channel restrictions. They can be precisely placed and moved anywhere in your room, including overhead, to flow above and around you in three-dimensional space. Through the use of audio objects, overhead sound, and all the richness, clarity, and power of Dolby sound, Dolby Atmos turns your room into an amazing place for entertainment. You'll feel like you're inside the action, in ways you've never experienced before.

Dolby Atmos for the home represents every sound in the original cinema mix as an audio object. Extensions to the Dolby Audio™ codecs, along with an advanced scalable algorithm, allow Dolby Atmos to be delivered via Blu-ray Disc and streaming media. A spatially-coded substream is added to Dolby TrueHD or Dolby Digital Plus. A Dolby Atmos audio/video receiver (AVR) adapts the cinema experience to your home theater from seven speakers to as many as 34 in 24.1.10 configuration, recreating the original artistic concept. The format supports up to 128 simultaneous independent audio objects in a mix for rich, realistic, and breathtaking sound. It recreates the director's original concept through descriptive metadata to provide customized playback for home theater and delivers sounds above you through overhead speakers, special upward-firing Dolby Atmos speakers, or a Dolby Atmos enabled sound bar.

If the content is not mixed in Dolby Atmos then the Dolby surround upmixer will expand the audio to all channels including ceiling speakers. The upmixer has replaced the Dolby Pro Logic II family with improved upmixing algorithms.

DTS:X and Neural:X upmixer

Marantz Slimline NR1609 and Marantz Slimline NR1608 support DTS:X with its Neural:X upmixer. Both of them can be configured upto 5.1.2 channels using internal amplifiers.

A technique used in DTS:X is similar to the one used in Dolby Atmos. Instead of a fixed number of channels, DTS:X defines object locations from the listener in polar coordinates. An a/v receiver then dynamically renders sound according to the current speaker configuration. The speaker layout employed by DTS:X is the sum of Dolby Atmos and Auro-3D. It has standard 7.1 channel base layer, a 5 channel height layer above the base layer on the front and side walls, and 3 rows of speakers on the ceiling.

DTS Neural:X is an upmixer that can take non DTS:X content and upmix it to the DTS:X speaker layout. It has replaced the DTS Neo family with improved flexibility.

MDAX2

Compressed music enhancement in Marantz Slimline NR1609 and Marantz Slimline NR1608 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.

Connectivity

Marantz Slimline NR1609

Marantz Slimline NR1609 can be connected to internet using ethernet cable or built-in wi-fi adapter. It can also connect to bluetooth devices via built-in bluetooth adapter. The Receiver works with Amazon Alexa and supports AirPlay 2. It has 8 HDMI inputs with HDCP 2.2 copy protection. There is a phono input with built-in phono stage for connecting the cartridge output of the turntable directly to the Receiver. There are 2.2 channel analog pre-outs for external amplification.

Front panel has HDMI and USB inputs.

Marantz Slimline NR1608

Marantz Slimline NR1608 can be connected to internet using ethernet cable or built-in wi-fi adapter. It can also connect to bluetooth devices via built-in bluetooth adapter. The Receiver works with Amazon Alexa and supports AirPlay 2. It has 8 HDMI inputs with HDCP 2.2 copy protection. There are 2.2 channel analog pre-outs for external amplification.

Front panel has HDMI and USB inputs.

And in the end let us list the detailed specifications of the receivers side-by-side.

Note: The following table shows only those details which are applicable for both models and excludes the ones that are applicable for only one model. If you want to see a full list of specs for each model please visit their individual pages here - Marantz Slimline NR1609 and here - Marantz Slimline NR1608.

BASICS	Marantz Slimline NR1609	Marantz Slimline NR1608
Brand	Marantz	Marantz
Series	Slimline	Slimline
Model	NR1609	NR1608
Type	A/V Receiver	A/V Receiver
Country	USA	USA
Release Year	2018	2017

AMPLIFIER	Marantz Slimline NR1609	Marantz Slimline NR1608
Channels	7.2	7.2
Front Wide Channel Support	✖	✖
Current Feedback Topology	✖	✖
Discrete Amplification	✔	✔
HDAM	✖	✖
THX™ Certification	✖	✖
Continuous 6 Ω Rated	✔	✔
Certified 4 Ω Performance	✔	✔
Bi-amp Capability	✔ assignable	✔ assignable

AUDIO	Marantz Slimline NR1609	Marantz Slimline NR1608
Maximum Channel Processing	7.1	7.1
Air Studios Monitor Certification	✖	✖
Dolby Atmos	✔ up to 5.1.2	✔ up to 5.1.2
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization	✖	✖
Dolby TrueHD	✔	✔
Dolby Digital Plus	✔	✔
Dolby Surround Upmixer	✔	✔
Dolby Pro Logic	✖	✖
Dolby Digital EX	✔	✔
Surround EX	✖	✖
DTS:X	✔ up to 5.1.2	✔ up to 5.1.2
DTS Neural:X	✔	✔
DTS Virtual:X	✔	✔
DTS Neo	✖	✖
DTS-HD Master Audio	✔	✔
DTS-HD High Resolution Audio	✔	✔
DTS 96/24	✔	✔
DTS Express	✔	✔
DTS-ES	✔ Discrete 6.1, Matrix 6.1	✔ Discrete 6.1, Matrix 6.1
IMAX Enhanced	✖	✖
Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer	✖	✖
PCM	✔ 2-ch/Multi-ch Input	✔ 2-ch/Multi-ch Input
Music Playback via USB	MP3, WMA, AAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, DSD	MP3, WMA, AAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, DSD
High Resolution Music Playback via USB and/or Network	✔ up to 192 kHz	✔ up to 192 kHz
High Resolution Audio Formats via USB	Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, DSD	Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, DSD
Multi-Channel Music File Playback via USB	✖	✖
Gapless Playback	✔	✔
DSD via HDMI	✖	✖
DSD via USB	✔ 2-ch Input	✔ 2-ch Input
DSD to PCM Converter	✖	✖
USB DAC	✖	✖
Jitter Reduction	✖	✖
DTS Dialogue Control	✔	✔
Dialog Enhancement	✖	✖
Dialog Level Adjustment	✔	✔
Dialog Normalization	✔	✔
Dialogue Lift	✖	✖
Compressed Music Enhancer	✔ MDAX2	✔ MDAX2
High-resolution Music Enhancer	✖	✖
Audyssey Dynamic EQ	✔	✔
Audyssey Dynamic Volume	✔	✔
Audyssey LFC	✖	✖
Audyssey Sub EQ HT	✖	✖
Audyssey DSX	✖	✖
Direct Mode	✔	✔
Pure Direct Mode	✔	✔
Independent Dual Subwoofer Output	✖	✖

CALIBRATION	Marantz Slimline NR1609	Marantz Slimline NR1608
Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.	✔ Audyssey MultEQ	✔ Audyssey MultEQ
Audyssey App Support	✔	✔
Optimized Bass Redirection	✔	✔
Bass Sync	✖	✖

VIDEO	Marantz Slimline NR1609	Marantz Slimline NR1608
HDR10	✔	✔
HDR10+	✖	✖
Dynamic HDR	✖	✖
BT.2020 color space	✔	✔
Dolby Vision	✔	✔
Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG)	✔	✔ via firmware update
Quick Media Switching (QMS)	✖	✖
Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM)	✖	✖
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)	✖	✖
Quick Frame Transport (QFT)	✖	✖
3-D Ready	✔	✔
Video Signal Passthrough	up to 4K 50/60Hz 4:4:4	up to 4K 50/60Hz 4:4:4
Video Signal Upscaling	✔ up to 4K 30/25/24p 4:4:4	✔ up to 4K 30/25/24p 4:4:4
Analog To HDMI Upconversion	✔ Component**, Composite	✔ Component**, Composite
Component Video Upscaling	✖	✖
Analog to Analog Video conversion	✖	✖
isf Certified Calibration Control	✔	✔

CONNECTIVITY	Marantz Slimline NR1609	Marantz Slimline NR1608
MHL Input	✖	✖
DLNA 1.5	✔	✔
FireConnect	✖	✖
FlareConnect	✖	✖
Domotz Pro Compatible	✖	✖
Remote Monitoring with ihiji	✖	✖
OvrC Compatible	✖	✖
HEOS	✔	✔
Chromecast Built-In	✖	✖
DTS Play-Fi	✖	✖
Works with Amazon Alexa	✔	✔
Works with SONOS	✖	✖
AirPlay	✔ AirPlay 2	✔ AirPlay 2
Apple Product Connection	✔ iPod, iPhone and iPad	✔ iPod, iPhone and iPad
Remote App	✔ Marantz 2016 AVR Remote App for iOS and Android devices	✔ Marantz 2016 AVR Remote App for iOS and Android devices
InstaPrevue Input Source Prevue	✖	✖
Ethernet	✔	✔
Ethernet Switch	✖	✖
Wi-Fi	✔	✔
Bluetooth	✔ SBC	✔ SBC
HDBaseT Compatible	✖	✖
Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)	✖	✖
HDCP Version	2.2	2.2
HDMI Inputs	8 (1 front)	8 (1 front)
HDMI Outputs	1	1
USB Input	1 (Front) for USB memory	1 (Front) for USB memory
USB DC Out Port	✖	✖
Analog Audio Line Inputs	3	3
Analog Audio Line Outputs	✖	✖
Phono Input	✔	✖
Optical Inputs	1	1
Optical Outputs	✖	✖
Coaxial Inputs/Outputs	1 / No	1 / No
Composite Video Inputs	3	3
Composite Video Outputs	1	1
S-Video Inputs	✖	✖
S-Video Outputs	✖	✖
Component Video Inputs	2	2
Component Video Outputs	1	1
PC In	✖	✖
Multi-Channel Input	✖	✖
Analog Pre-Outs	2.2	2.2
XLR Inputs	✖	✖
XLR Pre-outs	✖	✖
Front A/V Inputs	HDMI, USB	HDMI, USB
Speaker A/B	✔ assignable	✔ assignable
Headphone Out	✔ 6.3 mm	✔ 6.3 mm

ZONES	Marantz Slimline NR1609	Marantz Slimline NR1608
Zones	2	2
Powered Zones	✔ 2	✔ 2
Zone 2 Outs	Pre Out	Pre Out
RS-232 Interface	✖	✖
+12V Trigger Output	1	1

MISC	Marantz Slimline NR1609	Marantz Slimline NR1608
On-Screen Display	✔ Advanced Graphic User Interface	✔ Advanced Graphic User Interface
GUI Languages	3	3
Web Control	✖	✖
IP Control	✔	✔
FL Display	✔ 1 line	✔ 1 line
Remote Controller	RC033SR	RC034SR
Pre-programmed / Learnable / LCD Display	No / No / No	No / No / No
Detachable Power Cord	✔	✔
Flasher In	✔	✔
Remote Control In/Out	0 / 0	1 / 1
Setup Assistant	✔	✔

RADIO	Marantz Slimline NR1609	Marantz Slimline NR1608
Analog Tuner	✔ FM/AM	✔ FM/AM
Digital Radio	✖	✖
Internet Radio	✔ TuneIn	✔ TuneIn
Pandora	✔	✔
Spotify	✔	✔
Tidal	✔	✔
Deezer	✔	✔
Napster	✔	✔
SiriusXM Internet Radio	✔	✔

CONSTRUCTION	Marantz Slimline NR1609	Marantz Slimline NR1608
Solid Aluminum Front	✖	✖
Speaker Terminals	7	7
Large Speaker Terminals	7	7
Color-Coded Speaker Terminals	✔	✔
Transparent High-Grade Speaker Terminals	✖	✖
High Grade Audio Components	✖	✖
Gold plated RCA terminals	✖	✖

POWER	Marantz Slimline NR1609	Marantz Slimline NR1608
Power Supply	AC 120 V, 60 Hz	AC 120 V, 60 Hz
Toroidal Transformer	No (EI)	No (EI)
Power Consumption	250 W	250 W
No Sound Power	ECO On/Off: 25 W/35 W	ECO On/Off: 30 W/40 W
Standby Power	0.2 W	0.2 W

GENERAL	Marantz Slimline NR1609	Marantz Slimline NR1608
ECO Mode / Hybrid Standby Function	✔	✔
Auto Power off	✔	✔
Dimensions (W x H x D)	440 mm x 105 mm x 378 mm (with antenna: 440 mm x 177 mm x 378 mm) 17-3/8" x 4-1/4" x 15" (with antenna up: 17-3/8" x 7" x 15")	440 mm x 105 mm x 376 mm (with antenna: 440 mm x 173 mm x 376 mm) 17-3/8" x 4-1/4" x 14-7/8" (with antenna up: 17-3/8" x 6-7/8" x 14-7/8")
Weight	8.3 kg (18 lbs 5 oz)	8.3 kg (18 lbs 5 oz)
Warranty	3 Years	3 Years

SPECS	Marantz Slimline NR1609	Marantz Slimline NR1608
Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC)	50 W (0.08% THD)	50 W (0.08% THD)
Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC)	70 W (0.7% THD)	70 W (0.7% THD)
Maximum Effective Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, JEITA or IEC)	100 W (10% THD)	100 W (10% THD)
Rated Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, IEC)	90 W (1% THD)	90 W (1% THD)
Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Line)	130 mV/47 kΩ	130 mV/47 kΩ
S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)	98 dB	98 dB
Frequency Response (Analog In)	+1/-3 dB (10 Hz to 100 kHz, Direct mode)	+1/-3 dB (10 Hz to 100 kHz, Direct mode)
DSD Sampling Rates via USB	5.6 MHz, 2.8 MHz	5.6 MHz, 2.8 MHz
Video Input Sensitivity/Output Level and Impedance	1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Component Y) 0.7 Vp-p/75 Ω (Component PB/CB, PR/CR) 1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Composite)	1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Component Y) 0.7 Vp-p/75 Ω (Component PB/CB, PR/CR) 1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Composite)
Video Frequency Response	5 Hz - 60 MHz, 0, -3 dB (Component) 5 Hz - 10 MHz, 0, -3 dB (Composite)	5 Hz - 60 MHz, 0, -3 dB (Component) 5 Hz - 10 MHz, 0, -3 dB (Composite)
Ethernet Standard	100BASE-TX	100BASE-TX
Wi-Fi Standard	IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n	IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n
Wi-Fi Terminal Frequency	5 GHz, 2.4 GHz	5 GHz, 2.4 GHz
Bluetooth Version	3.0 + EDR	3.0 + EDR
Bluetooth Frequency	2.4 GHz	2.4 GHz
USB Terminal	USB2.0 5V, 1 A	USB2.0 5V, 1 A
FM Frequency	87.5 MHz - 107.9 MHz	87.5 MHz - 107.9 MHz
FM 50 dB Quiet Sensitivity (IHF, 1 kHz, 100% MOD.)	Mono: 2.8 µV (20.2 dBf)	Mono: 2.8 µV (20.2 dBf)
FM Effective Sensitivity	1.2 µV (12.8 dBf)	1.2 µV (12.8 dBf)
FM S/N Ratio	Mono/Stereo: 70 dB/67 dB	Mono/Stereo: 70 dB/67 dB
FM Harmonic Distortion (IHF, 1 kHz)	Mono/Stereo: 0.7%/1.0%	Mono/Stereo: 0.7%/1.0%
AM Frequency	520 kHz - 1710 kHz	520 kHz - 1710 kHz
AM Effective Sensitivity	18 µV	18 µV

* - 480i/576i and 480p/576p only
** - 480i/576i only
*** - no 1080p/24 upconversion
**** - 1080p signal is not converted