Marantz Slimline NR1508

    78
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    USA
    UK

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

    Overview

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

    We evaluated the a/v receiver and gave 78 overall score out of 100. Our ranking system is based on the amplifier specifications, audio and video features, connectivity, multizone capabilities, radio and many other details.

    Table of Contents
    1. Overview
    2. Pros and Cons
    3. 2017 Lineup
    4. Predecessor
    5. Successor
    6. Audio Section
    7. Video Section
    8. Multi-zone Playback
    9. Inputs and Outputs
    10. Evaluation
    11. Specifications  

    Here is a history of the series, where you can view and compare the main specifications of the receivers.

    Evolution of the series
    Model Year Chann. Power Dolby Atmos DTS:X HDR10 HDR10+ Dolby Vision Pass. Price
    NR1510 Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		2019 5.2 50 W 4K
    NR1509 Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		2018 5.2 50 W 4K
    NR1508 Image cannot be found 2017 5.2 50 W 4K
    NR1506 Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		2015 5.2 50 W 4K

    You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Marantz NR1510 vs NR1509 vs NR1508 vs NR1506.

    Pros and Cons

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

    PROs

    •   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
    •   Pandora
    •   Spotify
    •   Tidal

    CONs

    •   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
    •   Bluetooth 3․0 + EDR

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

    AVERAGE

    •   6 HDMI Inputs

    Marantz 2017 Lineup

    In 2017 Marantz released 6 new receivers. Here is the lineup:

    Marantz 2017 Lineup
    ModelChannelsPowerMax. Ch. Proc.Pre OutsRoom Corr.Immersive AudioZones Price
    SR8012 Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		11.2140 W11.211.2 Audyssey MultEQ XT32Dolby Atmos
    DTS:X
    Auro 3D    		3
    SR7012 Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		9.2125 W11.211.2 Audyssey MultEQ XT32Dolby Atmos
    DTS:X
    Auro 3D    		3
    SR6012 Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		9.2110 W11.211.2 Audyssey MultEQ XT32Dolby Atmos
    DTS:X    		2
    SR5012 Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		7.2100 W7.17.2 Audyssey MultEQ XTDolby Atmos
    DTS:X    		2
    NR1608 Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		7.250 W7.12.2 Audyssey MultEQDolby Atmos
    DTS:X    		2
    NR1508 Image cannot be found 5.250 W5.12.2 Audyssey MultEQ1

    You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Marantz SR8012 vs SR7012 vs SR6012 vs SR5012 vs NR1608 vs NR1508.

    Predecessor

    Here we are comparing Marantz Slimline NR1508 to its predecessor NR1506 and displaying the major changes.

    UPGRADES Marantz Slimline 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 520 kHz - 1710 kHz vs 530 kHz - 1710 kHz
    DOWNGRADES Marantz Slimline 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

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Marantz Slimline NR1508 vs NR1506.

    Successor

    In 2018 Marantz Slimline NR1508 was replaced by Marantz NR1509. Let us now have a look at some important differences between Marantz Slimline NR1508 and its successor.

    UPGRADES Marantz NR1509 vs Marantz Slimline NR1508
    Phono Input vs
    DOWNGRADES Marantz NR1509 vs Marantz Slimline NR1508
    Remote Control In/Out 0 / 0 vs 1 / 1

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Marantz Slimline NR1508 vs NR1509.

    Audio Section

    5 channel Amplifier

    Marantz Slimline 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.

      AMPLIFIER
      Channels5.2
      Power Output50 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
      Current Feedback Topology
      Discrete Amplification
      HDAM
      THX™ Certification
      Continuous 6 Ω Rated
      Certified 4 Ω Performance
      Bi-amp Capability

      Speaker Configurations

      Marantz Slimline NR1508's 5 channel amplifier can be assigned for different speaker configurations.

      • Configurations: Available configurations are:
      • 5.2 with internal amplifier.
      Marantz Slimline NR1508
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      DECODING
      Dolby Atmos
      Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
      Dolby Atmos Music
      Dolby TrueHD
      Dolby Digital Plus
      Dolby Surround Upmixer
      Dolby Pro Logic PLII
      Dolby Digital EX
      Surround EX
      DTS:X
      DTS Neural:X
      DTS Virtual:X
      DTS Neo Neo:6
      DTS-HD Master Audio
      DTS-HD High Resolution Audio
      DTS 96/24
      DTS Express
      DTS-ES Discrete 6.1, Matrix 6.1
      IMAX Enhanced
      Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer

      Sound Processing

      • Audyssey: Marantz Slimline NR1508 comes 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.
      • MDAX2: Compressed music enhancement in Marantz Slimline NR1508 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 Slimline NR1508 comes with Audyssey MultEQ room correction system and includes the calibration microphone.

      • 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 Slimline NR1508 features 6 HDMI inputs. It has 1 output.

      • 4K/60Hz Passthrough: 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%.
      • HDCP 2.2 Copy Protection: All inputs and outputs are HDCP 2.2 compliant which is a requirement for 4K/HDR copy-protected content transmission.
      • 3D Ready: Marantz Slimline NR1508 is able to pass 3D video through HDMI.

      HDR (High Dynamic Range)

      Marantz Slimline NR1508 supports HDR (high dynamic range) video formats such as 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.
      Marantz Slimline NR1508
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      VIDEO FEATURES
      HDR10
      HDR10+
      Dynamic HDR
      BT.2020 color space
      Dolby Vision
      HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma)
      HDBaseT Compatible
      Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)
      HDCP Version2.2
      QMS (Quick Media Switching)
      ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)
      VRR (Variable Refresh Rate)
      QFT (Quick Frame transport)
      3-D Ready
      Video Signal Passthroughup to 4K 50/60Hz 4:4:4
      Video Signal Upscaling
      >

      Inputs and Outputs

      Audio

      • Analog Pre-Outs: Marantz Slimline NR1508 has 2.2 preamplifier outputs which allow you to connect the a/v receiver to the external power amplifier. You may want to use a high quality external amplifier for certain channels, usually for front L/R and center, and use the a/v receiver to power the rest.
      • Analog Line Inputs: There are 3 line inputs for analog audio connection.
      • Digital Inputs: 1 optical input and 1 coaxial input are available for digital audio connection.
      • Headphone Output: There is a 6.3 mm (1/4") headphone output jack on the front panel.

      Video

      • HDMI:
      • 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.
      • Inputs: 3   Outputs: 1

      Front A/V Inputs

      • HDMI, USB
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      TERMINALS
      HDMI Inputs6 (1 front)
      HDMI Outputs1
      8K Inputs
      USB Input1 (Front) for USB memory
      USB DC Out Port
      Optical Inputs1
      Optical Outputs
      Coaxial Inputs1
      RCA Line Inputs3
      RCA Line Outputs
      XLR Line Inputs
      Phono Input
      Multi-Channel Input
      RCA Pre-Outs2.2
      XLR Pre-outs
      Composite Video Inputs3
      Composite Video Outputs1
      S-Video Inputs
      S-Video Outputs
      Component Video Inputs
      Component Video Outputs

      Marantz Slimline NR1508 Evaluation

      We evaluate Marantz Slimline NR1508 and give score of 78 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 6 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.


      OVERALL
      78

      Amplifier

      GOOD
      77

      We give Marantz Slimline NR1508 a score of 77 for Amplifier features.

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

      Audio Features

      AVERAGE
      66

      We give Marantz Slimline NR1508 a score of 66 for Audio Features features.

      •   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

      EXCELLENT
      94

      We give Marantz Slimline NR1508 a score of 94 for Video Features features.

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

      Connectivity

      GOOD
      81

      We give Marantz Slimline NR1508 a score of 81 for Connectivity features.

      •   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

      Zones

      AVERAGE
      56

      We give Marantz Slimline NR1508 a score of 56 for Zones features.

      •   No Zones

      Radio

      EXCELLENT
      96

      We give Marantz Slimline NR1508 a score of 96 for Radio features.

      •   Analog Tuner
      •   Pandora
      •   Spotify
      •   Tidal


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

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