Marantz Slimline NR1606 (USA version)
Highlights
- 50 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
- Dolby Atmos, DTS:X capable
- HDR10, Dolby Vision, 4K Upscaling, 4K Passthrough
- AirPlay, DLNA
- Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- USB input
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Marantz Slimline NR1606 Overview
Marantz Slimline NR1606 was introduced in 2015. It is equipped with 7 channel amplifier and is capable of 7.1 maximum channel processing.
We evaluated the Receiver and gave 51 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.
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 video signal passthrough and 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...
Pros and Cons
In this section we present pros and cons of Marantz Slimline NR1606.
PROS |
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Dolby Atmos | 👍 | ||||
DTS:X | 👍 | ||||
DTS Neural:X | 👍 | ||||
DSD via USB | 👍 | ||||
Audyssey Dynamic EQ | 👍 | ||||
Audyssey Dynamic Volume | 👍 | ||||
HDR10 | 👍 | ||||
Dolby Vision | 👍 | ||||
4K or 8K Video Passthrough | 👍 | ||||
4K or 8K Signal Upscaling | 👍 | ||||
DLNA 1.5 | 👍 | ||||
Ethernet | 👍 | ||||
Wi-Fi | 👍 | ||||
Bluetooth | 👍 | ||||
New HDCP Version | 👍 | ||||
Many HDMI Inputs | 👍 | ||||
USB Input | 👍 | ||||
Composite Video Inputs | 👍 | ||||
Component Video Inputs | 👍 | ||||
Analog Pre-Outs | 👍 | ||||
Zones | 👍 | ||||
Analog Tuner | 👍 | ||||
Internet Radio | 👍 | ||||
Pandora | 👍 | ||||
Spotify | 👍 | ||||
SiriusXM Internet Radio | 👍 |
CONS |
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---|---|---|---|---|---|
No Front Wide Channel Support | 👎 | ||||
No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization | 👎 | ||||
No DTS Virtual:X | 👎 | ||||
No IMAX Enhanced | 👎 | ||||
No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer | 👎 | ||||
No DSD via HDMI | 👎 | ||||
No DTS Dialog Control | 👎 | ||||
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 HEOS | 👎 | ||||
No Chromecast Built-In | 👎 | ||||
No DTS Play-Fi | 👎 | ||||
Does not Work with Amazon Alexa | 👎 | ||||
Does Not Work with SONOS | 👎 | ||||
No eARC | 👎 | ||||
Few HDMI Outputs | 👎 | ||||
Few Analog Audio Line Inputs | 👎 | ||||
No Phono Input | 👎 | ||||
No Multi-Channel Input | 👎 | ||||
No Tidal | 👎 | ||||
No Deezer | 👎 | ||||
No Napster | 👎 | ||||
No Toroidal Transformer | 👎 | ||||
Old Bluetooth Version | 👎 |
Major Changes from its predecessor
Here we are comparing Marantz Slimline NR1606 to its predecessor NR1605 and displaying the major changes.
UPGRADES | Marantz Slimline NR1606 | Marantz Slimline NR1605 |
---|---|---|
More Channels | 7.2 | 7.1 |
Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✖ |
Dolby Surround Upmixer | ✔ | ✖ |
DTS:X | ✔ | ✖ |
DTS Neural:X | ✔ | ✖ |
HDR10 | ✔ | ✖ |
BT.2020 color space | ✔ | ✖ |
Dolby Vision | ✔ (via firmware update) | ✖ |
HLG | ✔ (via firmware update) | ✖ |
More Analog Pre-Outs | 2.2 | 2.1 |
For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Marantz Slimline NR1606 vs Marantz Slimline NR1605.
Selected Features
Amplifier
Marantz Slimline NR1606 has 7 channel amplifier and delivers 50 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) and also has a stable performance at 4 Ω load.
Video Features
The Receiver has 4K passthrough up to 60p and 4K upscaling up to 30p. It can bypass 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 NR1606 supports Dolby Atmos with its Dolby Surround upmixer. It 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 NR1606 supports DTS:X with its Neural:X upmixer. It 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 a new 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 NR1606 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.
Audyssey
Marantz Slimline NR1606 comes with Audyssey Dynamic EQ and Audyssey Dynamic Volume.
Audyssey 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.
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.
Room Correction
Marantz Slimline NR1606 comes with Audyssey MultEQ room correction system and includes the calibration microphone.
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.
Connectivity
Marantz Slimline NR1606 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 supports AirPlay. It has 8 HDMI inputs and HDCP 2.2 copy protection. There are 2.2 channel analog pre-outs for external amplification.
Front panel has HDMI and USB inputs.


Detailed Specifications
Here we list all the available features and specifications of Marantz Slimline NR1606.
BASICS |
|
---|---|
Brand | Marantz |
Series | Slimline |
Model | NR1606 |
Type | A/V Receiver |
Country | USA |
Release Year | 2015 |
AMPLIFIER |
|
---|---|
Channels | 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 |
AUDIO |
|
---|---|
Maximum Channel Processing | 7.1 |
Air Studios Monitor Certification | ✖ |
Dolby Atmos | ✔ |
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization | ✖ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✔ |
Dolby Digital Plus | ✔ |
Dolby Surround Upmixer | ✔ |
Dolby Pro Logic | ✖ |
Dolby Digital EX | ✔ |
Surround EX | ✖ |
DTS:X | ✔ |
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 |
IMAX Enhanced | ✖ |
Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer | ✖ |
PCM | ✔ 2-ch/Multi-ch Input |
Music Playback via USB | MP3, WMA, AAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD |
High Resolution Music Playback via USB and/or Network | ✔ up to 192 kHz |
High Resolution Audio Formats via USB | Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD |
Multi-Channel Music File Playback via USB | ✖ |
Gapless Playback | ✔ |
DSD via HDMI | ✖ |
DSD via USB | ✔ 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 |
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 |
|
---|---|
Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic. | ✔ Audyssey MultEQ |
Audyssey App Support | ✖ |
Optimized Bass Redirection | ✔ |
Bass Sync | ✖ |
VIDEO |
|
---|---|
HDR10 | ✔ |
HDR10+ | ✖ |
Dynamic HDR | ✖ |
BT.2020 color space | ✔ |
Dolby Vision | ✔ (via firmware update) |
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 |
Video Signal Upscaling | ✔ up to 4K 30/25/24p 4:4:4 |
Analog To HDMI Upconversion | ✔ Component, Composite |
Component Video Upscaling | ✖ |
Analog to Analog Video conversion | ✖ |
Component Video Maximum Resolution | 1080p |
isf Certified Calibration Control | ✔ |
CONNECTIVITY |
|
---|---|
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 |
Apple Product Connection | ✔ iPod, iPhone and iPad |
Remote App | ✔ Marantz Remote App for iOS and Android devices |
InstaPrevue Input Source Prevue | ✖ |
Ethernet | ✔ |
Ethernet Switch | ✖ |
Wi-Fi | ✔ |
Bluetooth | ✔ |
HDBaseT Compatible | ✖ |
Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) | ✖ |
HDCP Version | 2.2 |
HDMI Inputs | 8 (1 front) |
HDMI Outputs | 1 |
USB Input | 1 (Front) for USB memory |
USB DC Out Port | ✖ |
Analog Audio Line Inputs | 3 |
Analog Audio Line Outputs | ✖ |
Phono Input | ✖ |
Optical Inputs | 1 |
Optical Outputs | ✖ |
Coaxial Inputs/Outputs | 1 / No |
Composite Video Inputs | 3 |
Composite Video Outputs | 1 |
S-Video Inputs | ✖ |
S-Video Outputs | ✖ |
Component Video Inputs | 2 |
Component Video Outputs | 1 |
PC In | ✖ |
Multi-Channel Input | ✖ |
Analog Pre-Outs | 2.2 |
XLR Inputs | ✖ |
XLR Pre-outs | ✖ |
Front A/V Inputs | HDMI, USB |
Speaker A/B | ✔ assignable |
Headphone Out | ✔ 6.3 mm |
ZONES |
|
---|---|
Zones | 2 |
Powered Zones | ✔ 2 |
Zone 2 Outs | Pre Out |
RS-232 Interface | ✖ |
+12V Trigger Output | 1 |
MISC |
|
---|---|
On-Screen Display | ✔ Advanced Graphic User Interface |
GUI Languages | 3 |
Web Control | ✖ |
IP Control | ✔ |
FL Display | ✔ 1 line |
Remote Controller | RC024SR |
Pre-programmed / Learnable / LCD Display | No / No / No |
Detachable Power Cord | ✔ |
Flasher In | ✔ |
Remote Control In/Out | 1 / 1 |
Setup Assistant | ✔ |
RADIO |
|
---|---|
Analog Tuner | ✔ FM/AM |
Digital Radio | ✖ |
Internet Radio | ✔ |
Pandora | ✔ |
Spotify | ✔ |
Tidal | ✖ |
Deezer | ✖ |
Napster | ✖ |
SiriusXM Internet Radio | ✔ |
CONSTRUCTION |
|
---|---|
Solid Aluminum Front | ✖ |
Speaker Terminals | 7 |
Large Speaker Terminals | 7 |
Color-Coded Speaker Terminals | ✔ |
Transparent High-Grade Speaker Terminals | ✖ |
High Grade Audio Components | ✖ |
Gold plated RCA terminals | ✖ |
POWER |
|
---|---|
Power Supply | AC 120 V, 60 Hz |
Toroidal Transformer | No (EI) |
Power Consumption | 250 W |
No Sound Power | ECO On/Off: 30 W/40 W |
Standby Power | 0.2 W |
GENERAL |
|
---|---|
ECO Mode / Hybrid Standby Function | ✔ |
Auto Power off | ✔ |
Dimensions (W x H x D) | 440 mm x 105 mm x 376 mm (with antenna: 440 mm x 173 mm x 376 mm) 17-5/16" x 4-1/8" x 14-13/16" (with antenna up: 17-5/16" x 6-13/16" x 14-13/16") |
Weight | 8.5 kg (18 lbs 12 oz) |
Warranty | 3 Years |
SPECS |
|
---|---|
Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC) | 50 W (0.08% THD) |
Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC) | 70 W (0.7% THD) |
Maximum Effective Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, JEITA or IEC) | 100 W (10% THD) |
Rated Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, IEC) | 90 W (1% THD) |
Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Line) | 130 mV/47 k?Ω |
S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A) | 98 dB |
Frequency Response (Analog In) | +1/-3 dB (10 Hz to 100 kHz, Direct mode) |
DSD Sampling Rates via USB | 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) |
Video Frequency Response | 5 Hz to 60 MHz, 0 dB/-3 dB (Component) 5 Hz to 10 MHz, 0 dB/-3 dB (Composite) |
Ethernet Standard | 100BASE-TX |
Wi-Fi Standard | IEEE 802.11 b/g/n |
Wi-Fi Terminal Frequency | 2.4 GHz |
Bluetooth Version | 2.1 + EDR |
Bluetooth Frequency | 2.4 GHz |
USB Terminal | USB2.0 5V, 1 A |
FM Frequency | 87.5 MHz - 107.9 MHz |
FM 50 dB Quiet Sensitivity (IHF, 1 kHz, 100% MOD.) | Mono: 2.8 µV (20.2 dBf) |
FM Effective Sensitivity | 1.2 µV (12.8 dBf) |
FM S/N Ratio | Mono/Stereo: 70 dB/67 dB |
FM Harmonic Distortion (IHF, 1 kHz) | Mono/Stereo: 0.7%/1.0% |
AM Frequency | 530 kHz - 1710 kHz |
AM Effective Sensitivity | 18 µV |
* - 480i/576i and 480p/576p only
** - 480i/576i only
*** - no 1080p/24 upconversion
**** - 1080p signal is not converted
Successor
In 2016 Marantz Slimline NR1606 was replaced by NR1607. Let us now have a look at some important changes that the successor brought.
UPGRADES | Marantz Slimline NR1607 | Marantz Slimline NR1606 |
---|---|---|
DTS Dialog Control | ✔ | ✖ |
Audyssey App Support | ✔ | ✖ |
Higher DSD Sampling Rate via USB | 5.6 MHz, 2.8 MHz | 2.8 MHz |
Wi-Fi Standard | IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n | IEEE 802.11 b/g/n |
For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Marantz Slimline NR1607 vs Marantz Slimline NR1606.