Last year, Marantz released their flagship AMP 10 power amplifier and AV 10 preamp processor, and they were a good benchmark for all their new models. Last week, Marantz launched the AMP 20 and the AV 20. They are cheaper than their predecessors, and they pack a lot of power and performance. Today, we will review the Marantz AMP 20 and the Marantz AV 20, and we will compare them with last year’s flagships, the Marantz AMP 10 and the Marantz AV 10.
Marantz was founded in 1953 by Saul Marantz, and for over 70 years, it has made high-quality audio products that are beloved by many. The AMP 20 and AV 20 were made in Shirakawa, Japan, and they were evaluated by a Marantz “Sound Master”. A Sound Master analyses all the technology and circuits to maintain the sound quality that Marantz products are known for.
Marantz AV 20 Review
The Marantz AV 20 is a reference 13.4 channel Balanced AV preamplifier. It has four independent subwoofer channels, and it gives you a good number of channels for your home theatre system. The front panel looks the same as the AV 10, with a porthole in the center, a volume knob, an input selection knob, a power button, and a headphone jack. There is a removable cover on the bottom, and this gives you access to an LED panel, a USB input, a microphone jack, playback controls, and Diraq controls.
On the back panel, you have a wide variety of inputs and outputs. There are seven HDMI inputs, which are all 8K compatible, allowing any signal to be sent at 8K or upscaled. There is a moving magnet phono input, 2 TOSLINK and 2 Coaxial digital inputs, and two composite video inputs and one composite video output. There are analog, digital, and phono inputs, balanced RCA outputs, subwoofer outputs, Zone Two and Zone Three preouts, and two extra HDMI outputs.
The Marantz AV 20 has Marantz’s HDAM-SA3 circuitry, which allows the AV 20 to rapidly respond to changes in signal. This prevents distortion and maximises clarity and amplification. HEOS streaming is built-in, and this app gives the AV 20 multi-room capabilities.
The Marantz AV 20 is compatible with Spotify, Apple AirPlay, DTS: X, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, DTS: X PRO, Amazon Music, Tidal, and Deezer. It is IMAX Enhanced, and it is also Roon Ready.
For room correction, the Marantz AV 20 comes with Audyssey MultiEQ XT32. The AV 20 is also compatible with Diraq Live, but you will have to buy the Diraq software, while Audyssey is free. While Diraq is the better software and it gives better results, Audyssey is much easier to use and set up, and it will improve your sound nonetheless.
If you buy the Marantz AV 20, you will get an IP address in the box. If you paste this into your browser, you can access a web interface, and you can set up your channels and presets from this interface.
Marantz AV 20 vs Marantz AV 10
The Marantz AV 20 and AV 10 are very similar. They have the same power transformer, the same ESS ES9018K2M DAC chips, with 9 in the AV 20 and 10 in the AV 10. They have the same design, the same chassis, and the dimensions are almost the same.
So what’s different? The Marantz AV 10 is just more finely tuned for audio. It has better HDAM (Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Module) boards, and it has better circuitry, which gives it better audio quality. Overall, the sound is smoother with the Marantz AV 10, and I would pick this over the new AV 20. If you want the best audio performance, then get the AV 10. If you want a good preamp and you want to save some money and space, then the Marantz AV 20 is for you. The Marantz AV 20 retails for US$6000, while the AV 10 retails for US$7000.
Marantz AMP 20 Review
The Marantz AMP 20 is a multi-channel Class D power amplifier. It offers 12 channels, with each channel rated at 200 watts into 8 ohms and 400 watts into 4 ohms. The chassis is copper-plated, and the side panels are made from 1.2mm steel. It only has a level meter on the front panel, along with a meter on button, a meter dim button, and a power button. It has a sporty design, and it looks very similar to the Marantz Cinema 30.
On the back panel, you have your on/off switch for auto-standby. An amp control port, trigger in/out ports, remote control RCA in/out ports, a power inlet, and an RS232 port. There are heavy-duty binding posts for all 12 channels, along with balanced XLR inputs and unbalanced RCA inputs, again for all twelve channels.
The Marantz Amp 20 also has a feature called BTL, or bridge mode. This mode lets you take two channels on the Amp 20 and combine them into one, so you will get 400 watts at 8 ohms with BTL on. Another feature is Bi-amp mode, which takes the odd-number input and sends the same signal to both channels. So, if your speakers are set up for bi-wiring, you can have one channel taking care of the bass and one channel handling the treble.
Marantz AMP 20 vs Marantz AMP 10
Deciding between the Marantz AMP 10 and the Marantz AMP 20 depends on your use. Both amplifiers are Class D amplifiers; the AMP 10 gives you 16 channels while the AMP 20 offers 12 channels. Both amplifiers have Marantz’s HDAM-SA2 technology, and both have a toroidal power transformer; they are both very similar. The back panel looks the same on both the AMP 10 and AMP 20. You have high-quality binding posts, RCA and XLR inputs, and channel ports. The Marantz AMP 20 price is US$6000, while the Marantz AMP 10 price is US$7000.
One thing, the Marantz AMP 20 was released side-by-side with the new Marantz AV 20 preamp processor. I was surprised to find out that the 12 channels on the AMP 20 are not enough to amplify all 13 channels of the AV 20, which is disappointing because many people will get these products together. Now, if you want to amplify all the channels of the AV 20, you will need to get the AMP 10, which is an important point to consider.
Verdict
The Marantz AMP 20 and AV 20 represent solid mid-tier options that deliver impressive performance at a more accessible price point than their flagship siblings. While both units maintain Marantz’s signature build quality and sound characteristics, they make strategic compromises to achieve their $6,000 price tags—$1,000 less than the AMP 10 and AV 10. The AV 20 offers excellent processing capabilities with its 13.4 channels and comprehensive connectivity, though audiophiles seeking the absolute best will still prefer the AV 10’s superior HDAM boards and refined circuitry. The AMP 20’s 12-channel configuration is somewhat puzzling given its inability to fully power the AV 20’s 13 channels, forcing buyers to either accept this limitation or step up to the 16-channel AMP 10. For those building a high-end home theater on a more reasonable budget, this pairing offers 90% of the flagship performance at a significant savings, making them compelling choices for discerning listeners who don’t need the absolute pinnacle of Marantz’s engineering.