Marantz Model 70 black

Connect a turntable, CD player and living room TV to a single device, without stacking boxes: that is what this Marantz stereo integrated amplifier offers. It adopts the symmetrical front panel and central porthole introduced on the Model 30, while relying on transistor amplification and connectivity that accepts both analog and digital sources. Everything needed to bring together a living room’s sources around a single device.

The visual signature of the Model range

The Model 70 adopts the aesthetic codes introduced by the Model 30 in 2020: symmetrical front panel, circular central porthole, knobs positioned on either side. The OLED display, housed in this porthole, remains discreet and shows the source and volume level with reduced electronic noise. The chassis measures 442 mm wide by 109 mm high and weighs 7.9 kg, a compact format that fits beneath a TV or in a standard hi-fi cabinet. The front-panel controls include the source selector, balance, bass, treble and volume, with a jack headphone output at the bottom right. Two finishes are available: black and silver-gold.

Refined transistor amplification

Under the hood, Marantz relies on transistor amplification, powered by a toroidal transformer and a linear power supply. The power stage delivers 2 × 50 W into 8 ohms and 2 × 65 W into 4 ohms, with a damping factor of 100 that helps keep control of somewhat demanding speakers. The Current Feedback topology targets a wide frequency response, from 5 Hz to 100 kHz, and harmonic distortion measured at 0.08%. In the preamplifier, HDAM SA3 modules replace off-the-shelf operational amplifiers with discrete circuits made from selected components, a design Marantz has used in its high-end products since the early 1990s. Source Direct mode bypasses the tone controls to shorten the signal path, while bass and treble adjustments remain available to compensate for difficult room acoustics.

Digital handled by an ES Sabre converter

For digital sources, the Model 70 features an ES Sabre converter, a chip from ESS found in many hi-fi electronics. It handles PCM streams up to 192 kHz and 24 bits, covering the most common high-resolution formats. Three digital inputs are available: an optical input, a coaxial input and the HDMI ARC input. The Model 70 can switch on automatically as soon as a signal reaches one of its digital inputs, convenient when the source starts playback on its own.

TV connected via HDMI ARC

The HDMI ARC input changes the way a hi-fi amplifier is used with a TV. A single HDMI cable connects the TV’s ARC port to that of the Model 70, and sound from television, video apps or a player connected to the TV plays through the stereo system’s speakers. The audio return channel eliminates the need for a separate optical cable and, depending on the TV settings, often allows volume to be controlled with its remote. The Model 70 processes audio streams in PCM: it is best to set the TV’s HDMI output to this format to avoid silence with Dolby- or DTS-encoded tracks.

Bluetooth that also transmits to headphones

The Model 70’s Bluetooth works both ways. In receive mode, it supports aptX, aptX HD and aptX Adaptive codecs, which improve the wireless connection when the phone or computer supports them as well. In transmit mode, it sends sound to Bluetooth headphones, with headphone volume control from the device. Useful for late-night listening without waking the household, and without running a cable to the sofa.

Phono input for a moving-magnet turntable

A dedicated phono input accepts turntables equipped with a moving-magnet (MM) cartridge, without requiring an external phono preamplifier. The built-in phono preamp applies RIAA equalization and raises the cartridge’s low signal to the level of the other sources. Moving-coil (MC) cartridges, whose signal is lower, require a separate phono preamp. Alongside this input, line-level RCA inputs labeled CD, Line 1 and Line 2 accommodate a CD player, network player or another analog source.

Outputs to expand the system

The output connectivity opens up several upgrade paths. The pre-out output allows a separate power amplifier to be connected when more headroom is needed, while retaining the Model 70 as a preamplifier. A dedicated subwoofer output helps relieve compact speakers at the low end of the spectrum. The front headphone jack takes over for close listening. On the speaker side, a single set of gold-plated screw terminals accepts the cables, with no A/B switching to drive two separate pairs.

Technical specifications

Highlights

• 2 × 50 W stereo amplification into 8 Ω (2 × 65 W into 4 Ω)
• HDMI ARC input for connecting a TV
• Bluetooth with aptX, aptX HD and aptX Adaptive codecs
• ES Sabre digital-to-analog converter
• Built-in MM phono preamplifier
• Proprietary Marantz HDAM SA3 circuits
• Dedicated headphone output
• Pre-out and subwoofer outputs

Amplification

• 2-channel stereo amplifier
• Power: 2 × 50 W (8 Ω), 2 × 65 W (4 Ω)
• Frequency response: 5 Hz – 100 kHz
• Total harmonic distortion: 0.08%
• Damping factor: 100
• Current Feedback topology
• Toroidal transformer
• Linear power supply
• Exclusive Marantz HDAM SA3 stage

Audio connectivity

• Analog inputs
  • 4 RCA inputs
  • 1 MM phono input
• Digital inputs
  • 1 optical input
  • 1 coaxial input
  • 1 HDMI ARC input
• Outputs
  • Pre-out output
  • Dedicated subwoofer output
  • Front headphone output
• Gold-plated screw speaker terminals

Digital functions

• Built-in ES Sabre digital-to-analog converter
• PCM playback up to 192 kHz / 24-bit
• Bidirectional Bluetooth
  • Compatible with aptX, aptX HD and aptX Adaptive
  • Bluetooth transmission to headphones
  • Bluetooth headphone volume control

Audio settings

• Bass and treble controls
• Balance adjustment
• Source Direct mode
• Low-noise OLED display

Power

• Power consumption: 150 W
• Standby: 0.3 W
• Auto power off

Dimensions and weight

• Dimensions (W × D × H): 442 × 375 × 109 mm
• Weight: 7.9 kg

Box contents

• Marantz MODEL 70 amplifier
• RC006PMCD remote control
• Batteries
• Power cord
• Quick start guide