Marantz AV 10 15.4CH 8K AV Processor Review!

Marantz AV 10 & Amp 10 Introduction

The Marantz AV 10 is a 15.4-channel 8K AV processor ($7K) that supports all three immersive surround formats: Dolby Atmos, DTS, and Auro 3D. It has 4 independent subwoofer outputs and some new bass management features such as bass redirection and LFE bass routing. These two features are a first for Marantz and we will include test results in this comprehensive measurement report.

It's important not to gloss over the fact that the AV 10 has one of the most advanced HDMI solutions on the market as can be seen in the photo at the back of the unit with all of those heat sinks dedicated to keep the HDMI circuitry running cool and reliably for all 7 8K inputs and dual independent outputs including one additonal 4K zone 2 output.

The matching 16-channel AMP 10 ($7K) is a 200-watt-per-channel Class D amplifier featuring the latest IceEdge module. This combo is capable of supporting speaker layouts ranging from 5.1 all the way to 9.4.6, providing incredible flexibility to scale your system to a more elaborate speaker layout for larger multi-row room configurations.

The AV 10 & AMP 10 combo will set you back $15K, which is a significant amount of money. My hope is that our exhaustive test reports and YouTube videos provide you with a complete picture of the performance and features of this Marantz gear, helping you decide if these separates are right for you.

6/10/24: This bench test report originally published on April 27, 2023 has been updated to include my long-term usage and listening test results for a full review analysis.

Still the BEST AV Preamp & Amp Combo? Marantz AV 10 & Amp 10 Review

Listening Tests of the Marantz AV 10 & AMP 10

The Marantz AV 10 is one of the best AV processors I’ve ever had in any of my home theater systems. It’s a true master of all domains, both analog and digital. The HDMI works nearly flawlessly with every type of source content I threw at it, including Apple TV, Xbox One, and Kaleidescape. The Marantz AV 10 and AMP 10 combo was connected to my 5.2.4 family room system, with my Sony 90L 85” HDTV providing the visuals. This system is in a large open family room and needs a powerful amp and lots of piston area in the woofers to produce reference-level cinematic experiences. The Perlisten front LCRs, JL Audio in-wall subs, and Paradigm Elite Atmos and surround speakers are more than up for the challenge. The test was to see if the Marantz separates combo could deliver the goods.

Music Listening

Starting my listening journey with music, I was absolutely stunned by how good the AV 10 sounded when streaming lossless music from Apple Music and Tidal on my Apple TV. Two-channel listening proved to be a very audiophile experience. The AV 10 and its matching AMP 10 16-channel amplifier worked wonders on my Perlisten S7t speaker system and 13” JL Audio in-wall subwoofers. Once I had Audyssey MultEQ-X Pro dialed in, the integration between my Perlisten towers and JL Audio subwoofers was seamless for music and movies alike. It was a real treat going from the delicacy of two-channel listening to artists such as Dominique Fils-Aimé and Peter Cincotti to upmixing the music via the Dolby Surround Upmixer and Auromatic. I found that I preferred using the Auro 3D upmixer for jazz music and anything that placed more emphasis on the front soundstage over music with lots of effects or decorrelated information in the tracks. In those cases, the Dolby Surround Upmixer (DSU) with center spread on produced almost discrete Atmos-like ambience. There were times when I was second-guessing myself, wondering if I was listening to native Spatial Audio content or two-channel music upmixed with the DSU.

Home Theater Listening

The AMP 10 never ran out of gas in my system, which is of little surprise based on my bench test results. In fact, since there are 16 channels on board and I’m only running a 9-channel speaker system, I decided to bridge ALL of the bed channels to double the power to them (400 watts/ch). The Perlistens happily soaked up that power and delivered gut-wrenching dynamics for both music and movies alike.

Audioholics Family Room System 5.2.4 featuring Perlisten S7t Speakers

The gunfight scene in Open Range was one I enjoyed repeating numerous times to guests and family. The dynamics and clarity presented by the Marantz combo were the best I’ve heard in this system. I found the AV 10 / Amp 10 combo provided more slam and dynamics than the venerable Marantz SR8015 AV receiver that was powering this room prior.

Season 4 of Stranger Things was a spectacle both visually and audibly. The Dolby Atmos soundtrack was among the best I’ve heard from a streaming platform, and there were times when something as simple as a knock on the door in one episode had me almost lunging off my couch to see who was visiting. Even Netflix shows like The Resident, mixed in 5.1 and then upmixed with the DSU, fooled me multiple times into looking behind me in the kitchen to see who was there. I even, at one point, told my daughter to silence her phone in the kitchen despite her not even being there!

The Marantz AV 10 did a superb job of keeping us in an immersive bubble for both native Atmos content and upmixed 5.1 via the DSU or Auromatic upmixers. The processor remained dead silent, as it should, during quiet passages, but in conjunction with the Amp 10, it was ready to rumble with explosive dynamics when called upon.

Marantz AV 10 Measurement Report

All measurements were conducted using our Audio Precision APx585 8 Channel HDMI Audio Analyzer. Unless otherwise stated, all testing was conducted using Blu-ray HDMI input with a 0dBFs signal and Fs = 192kHz.

Note: I updated some of the distortion measurements in this bench test since original publication, please follow the related forum thread for a history.

HDMI Input, Multi-CH Preouts

The Marantz AV 10 is capable of > 12Vrms unclipped from the XLR multi-ch preamp outputs and 6Vrms from unbalanced. This is a very strong output capable of driving any amplifier into clipping long before the preamp itself is the source of distortion.

 

Marantz AV 10 Preamp Frequency Response

With a 192kHz input signal, the Marantz AV 10 exhibited ruler flat frequency response within the audio band with a -3dB point of about 80 kHz from all of the bed channels I tested with the exception of the Sur L. The Sur L channel was down about -0.1dB at 20kHz and exhibited slightly more roll off with a -3dB point of 78 kHz. This is not audible and I mentioned it solely for academic curiosity. I engaged the subwoofer channel by selecting “LFE + Main” which allows the AV 10 to copy the bass from the Main channels set to “Large”.  Make no mistake, the AV 10 will be transparent for ALL of your high-res audio needs.

Marantz AV 10 Measurement Supplemental - Better Than I Thought?!? 

Marantz AV 10 Preamp Output Voltage vs Distortion (XLR)

The distortion is very low from the XLR outputs at <0.0008% THD+N or 101dB SINAD. With 7CH driven, the preamp produced 12.9Vrms at 0.1% THD+N and 13.6Vrms at 1% THD+N.

Marantz AV 10 Preamp Output Voltage vs Distortion (RCA)

The distortion from the unbalanced RCA outs was only slightly worse at full drive measuring .0009% THD+N or 100dB SINAD. With 7CH driven, the preamp produced 6.5Vrms at 0.1% THD+N and 6.8Vrms at 1% THD+N which is about half the output drive compared to the XLR (as expected).

The AV 10 has gobs out output voltage to spare whether you use the XLR or RCA outputs. This processor can work very well with any power amplifier you choose.

 

Marantz AV 10 Preamp Output Voltage vs Distortion (XLR vs RCA)

At low drive level ( below 2Vrms), the unbalanced outputs exhibit slightly less distortion than the XLRs. I believe this is related to the increased noise of the XLR phase splitter circuit to convert the signal to balanced since this isn’t a true differential design. These distortion levels are far below audibility. I consider a SINAD of > 80dB sufficient for high-fidelity and the AV 10 comfortably exceeds this threshold by +21dB (XLR) and + 20dB (RCA).

SINAD Distortion Measurements to Confirm Marantz Testing

I wanted to replicate Marantz test results as they reported 106dB SINAD or 0.0005% THD +N. To do this, I limited the bandwidth to 22kHz, adjusted the Master Volume to 82.5dB which yields a 4Vrms output with a 0dBFS input signal from HDMI.

Marantz AV 10 SINAD vs Level (Marantz Test Conditions)

In this test scenario, I was able to measure 108dB SINAD which is +2dB better than Marantz achieved! Running full bandwidth (Fs = 192Khz) this number dropped slightly to 106dB which matches Marantz's spec. This is crazy low distortion that few home theater products could achieve at any price point!

Marantz AV 10 Preamp Out (XLR) FFT Distortion Analysis @ 4Vrms

The Marantz AV 10 has a very clean distortion spectra as can be seen in the 1kHz FFT distortion plot. The 3^rd order harmonic is 110dB below the fundamental which is excellent. There is virtually no measurable power supply hum and the high frequency spectra is very clean.

 

Marantz AV 10 Preamp Out (RCA) FFT Distortion Analysis @ 2Vrms

The unbalanced outputs of the Marantz AV 10 produced similarly good results with the 3^rd harmonic being 108dB below the fundamental when output drive is 4Vrms (balanced) and 2Vrms (unbalanced). Lowering the volume control shifted the harmonic spectra to dominating 2^nd order distortion as you can see in the graph below.

 

Marantz AV 10 Preamp Out (XLR) FFT Distortion Analysis @ 2Vrms

I suspect I’m measuring non-linear behavior from the volume control circuity which is academic curiosity and not audible.

Whether you use balanced or unbalanced outputs, the AV 10 will provide very low distortion with more drive than you will ever use to reach full power from your amplifiers.

 

Marantz AV 10 (2Vrms) – Signal to Noise  Test (1kHz, A-wt)

112dB SNR @ 2Vrms with a 0dBFs input signal is excellent and among the best I’ve measured from AV processors. I remeasured at 1Vrms via the unbalanced outputs and the AV 10 achieved similar results. Ignore CH4 which is the subwoofer channel. When I tested in the exact same test conditions of Marantz (0dBFS input, 4Vrms output), I confirmed their 116dB SNR measurement!

Marantz AV 10 (4Vrms) – Signal to Noise  Test (1kHz, A-wt)

When I tested in the exact same test conditions of Marantz (0dBFS input, 4Vrms output), I confirmed their 116dB SNR measurement! I was able to get the same measurement with and without Pure Direct engaged.

This is a very quiet, noise free processor and you shouldn't hear much hiss even if you're using high-sensitive speakers in close proximity to the listening area.

Marantz AV 10 CH to CH Crosstalk Preamp Outputs

With one channel undriven and the other channels driven, channel to channel crosstalk was stellar at 110dB CH-CH isolation at 1kHz and >80dB isolation at 20kHz. Anything > 60dB at 20kHz is what I consider to be sufficient for excellent stereo separation and minimal audible channel leakage.

Filter 1 vs Filter 2 DAC Settings

I've been getting numerous requests to test the Filter 1 vs 2 settings for Fs = 44.1kHz (CD sampling). As a result, I set up the test to compare.

Note: the Filter DAC setting mostly affects audio signals with a sampling rate of 48Khz or lower. 192Khz sampling rate for high resolution audio are virtually identical for both filter settings.

Filter 1 - Marantz "audiophile" sound tuning recommended for music listening
Filter 2 - Bench Test mode, designed to look better on the test bench for those that listen with their meters, LOL.

Marantz AV 10 Filter DAC Setting Frequency Response Comparison

You can see Filter 1 has a -3dB roll off at 20kHz while the Filter 2 setting is flat to 20kHz. Filter 2 is a much sharper rolloff after Nyquist. If you want to pass the full 20kHz bandwidth of CDs without attenuation, use the Filter 2 setting.

Marantz AV 10 FFT Noise Spectrum Comparison of Filter DAC Settings

Interestingly both Filter 1 and Filter 2 have very good stop band attenuation with Filter 1 allowing more out of band noise up until 35kHz.This is beyond the limits of human hearing but shows good housekeeping by Marantz to keep out unwanted noise from being amplified down the signal path.

Analog Input, Multi-CH Outputs

 

Marantz AV 10 Analog Frequency Response

 

Marantz AV 10 Preamp Analog FFT Distortion Analysis @ 2Vrms

No surprise, we see a squeaky clean FFT distortion plot when measuring the entire analog audio path of the Marantz AV 10.

Phono Output

The AV 10 has a Moving Magnet (MM) phono preamp. Using the original 3-time constant RIAA curve, I EQ’ed the APx585 source to get the expected flat response of the phono preamp. The source was driven at 10mVrms and the gain was adjusted to 2Vrms output.

 

Marantz AV 10 Phono Frequency Response (10mVrms in, 2Vrms out)

We see a fairly flat frequency response in the audio pass band with a slight rise in response above 20kHz.

Marantz AV 10 Phono THD+N vs Frequency (10mVrms in, 2Vrms out)

The phono preamp output has exceedingly low distortion as can be seen in the above graph with measured 0.001% THD+N. This is about what I measured out of the Multi-CH preouts, impressive! I measured 92dB SNR (A-wt) at 2Vrms which is very low noise performance for a phono preout. 

The Marantz AV 10 has a serious phono preamp section that anyone with a MM turntable and a good vinyl collection would greatly appreciate.

Bass Management

Back to using HDMI as the source, I measured the preouts with bass management engaged.

 

Marantz AV 10 Bass Management Frequency Response

The Marantz AV 10 bass management engaged with a crossover point of 80Hz resulted in textbook THX slopes of 12dB/oct HPF response for bass managed speakers and 24dB/oct LPF. The variable crossover feature also works as expected and is a useful tool for calibrators that can potentially get better integration between the speakers and subs if 80Hz is not the ideal setting for every channel grouping.

Caution on Advanced Bass Management Features: The following two new features tested; LFE Bass Routing and Directional Bass, should ONLY be used by experienced installers and calibrators. I caution the end user before diving into these configurations to avoid potential bass overloading your speakers or poor calibration results.

LFE Bass Routing

 

Marantz AV 10 LFE Routing Bass Management

After begging and pleading for over 15 years, Marantz complied with my request to offer LFE routing to speakers set to “large”. This is an extremely useful tool when integrating truly full range speakers in your system if you wish to use them as additional bass sources to supplement your powered subwoofers. Marantz took it to a level I never expected by allowing advanced users to route LFE to ANY bed level speaker groups set to “large”. They even offer level adjustments from 0 to -20dB as you can see in the level shifting in the above graph.

Marantz AV 10 LFE Bass Distribution

 

Marantz AV 10 LFE Routing Bass Management LFE Crossover Adjustment

The LFE crossover setting is based on the LPF for LFE setting but it recombines to any speaker groups set to “Large” at 12dB/oct instead of 24dB/oct like the LPF for the subwoofer channel. This can lead to a bit more than expected bass recombination into channels using LFE routing and I recommend scaling back the level a bit to compensate depending on your speaker capability and summation in your system.

Caution About LFE Bass Routing: This is a first for any Japanese based AVPs or receivers and I am so ecstatic about this. This feature is typically reserved for the very high-end processors from the likes of Trinnov and Storm Audio. I do caution users to use this feature with great caution and ONLY if your un-bass managed speakers are capable of handling deep LFE bass effects (most tower speakers are NOT). I would also suggest starting at -6dB to -10dB and NOT leave it at the default 0dB.

Directional Bass

As mentioned earlier, Marantz added a new directional bass feature on the AV 10 that allows the user to set up bass zones (ie. 2 subs for Left/Right sides; 4 subs for Left / Right Fronts and Left/Right Backs). I tested a 4 sub configuration to see how the AV 10 would route bass from bass managed speakers to the four individual sub zones.

Marantz AV 10 Directional Bass Subwoofer Mode

The question came up from fellow Youtuber Shane Lee as to what happens to the center channel bass in a directional bass set up. In this scenario we see that the Front Left and Front Right subs get the center channel bass at a reduced level of -4.1dB but the back subs do NOT get center channel bass.

Marantz AV 10 Directional Bass - Center Channel w Front Left/Right Subs

Next we tested what happens to the bass from the Surround and Surround Back channels in a 4 sub directional bass configuration.

Marantz AV 10 Directional Bass - Sur R & SBR w RR Sub

In the measurement above the Sur R and Back Right channels only go to Right Rear sub  as expected for the directional bass feature. They sum level matched and not at a reduced level like we saw with the center channel routing when there were two subs in common with that channel.

Interestingly when you compare the sub out level with 1 sub configuration vs 4 mono-split, each of the 4 subs gets a -8.7dB reduced output level for the Main Front Left/Right channels. If you do the math and add 3 additional correlated audio sources together it would yield a net +9dB SPL increase. I suspect this is why Marantz did the level reduction of -8.7dB on all 4 sub outputs to avoid excessive output increase when switching from one to four subwoofers.

Marantz AV 10 1 Sub vs 4 Mono Split for Main Left/Right Channels

Sub4 can be configured as a tactile transducer output and I confirmed with measurements that when you do this, you can still get LFE routed to the additional sub outputs. This is a much welcomed improvement over how the Denon AVP-A1HDCI handled the tactile transducer output feature which limited LFE to that sub output only.

Conclusion

The Marantz AV 10 produced excellent to class leading measurements on our bench test. The AV 10 has oodles of low noise drive to cleanly run any amplifier into clipping without ever being the source of distortion. Some of the bass management features like directional bass and LFE bass routing set the AV 10 in a class by itself at this price point.

Marantz AV 10 (right) and AMP 10 (left) absolutely gorgeous!

I have very few complaints about these Marantz AV and Amp pieces. The AV10 offers every conceivable feature one could hope for in a home theater processor, boasting incredible build quality and great aesthetics. The Amp 10 is one of the most flexible, high channel count amplifier on the market and a value at $7k when compared to other 16CH amps from Trinnov and Storm Audio costing multiples more.

Additionally, the Marantz combo sound great together with any source thrown at them. However, I do wish Marantz would replace the manual GEQ (Graphic Equalizer) with a manual PEQ (Parametric Equalizer) on the AV 10 to provide greater EQ control for those who prefer not to use room correction systems. A 3 to 5 band PEQ per channel would be particularly beneficial for integrators and knowledgeable consumers to tame bass modes for all listening seats when combined with properly set up and calibrated multi-sub systems.

Marantz AV 10 vs Anthem AVM 90

The only drawback to the Marantz AV 10, priced at $7k, is that it doesn’t come with Audyssey Mult-EQ X Pro PC software or Dirac Live or Dirac Live Bass Control. In comparison, competitor 15.4 channel processors like the Anthem AVM 90 come with ARC Genesis and a very high-quality microphone and stand without requiring additional purchases. Anyone seriously considering a 15.4CH AV processor should check out our exhaustive comparison between the Marantz AV 10 and Anthem AVM 90, as these are both the kings of the proverbial hill in this price class.

Nonetheless, the Marantz AV 10 stands out as the ONLY 15.4 processor on the market that we are aware of, offering 4 independent subwoofer outputs, LFE bass routing to the main channels, and 2 major room correction systems (Audyssey and Dirac). We hope that Marantz will continue to support firmware updates for the AV 10, as they have been doing, and we would love to see Dirac ART implemented next.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.