Marantz MCR 60n DAB black

Combining amplification, a CD player, a digital tuner and streaming in a chassis the size of a large book is a balancing act. Marantz has long mastered it with its M-CR series of compact systems. The MCR 60n DAB extends that approach: it drives a pair of passive speakers, plays discs, receives DAB+ radio and streams over the network, with Dirac Live room correction available as an option.

One chassis to replace a stack of components

The MCR 60n measures 280 × 303 × 111 mm and weighs 4.2 kg. Within this format, it houses an amplifier, CD player, tuner and network module, whereas a conventional system stacks three or four separate components. Two finishes are listed in the catalog: understated black and warmer Champagne Gold. All that remains is to add a pair of passive speakers: the MCR 60n provides the electronics, not the loudspeakers.

Two ways to power your speakers

At its screw terminals, the MCR 60n delivers 2 × 65 W into 6 Ω. The power section can also operate in four channels, at 4 × 33 W into 4 Ω, thanks to dual Speaker A and Speaker B outputs with independently adjustable volume. This enables two uses. You can connect a single pair of speakers and bi-amplify them, with one channel for bass and one channel for treble. Or you can power two pairs in two rooms, each at its own level, with the kitchen louder than the living room if ambient noise requires it. Power per channel decreases in four-channel mode, the logical trade-off of sharing it.

CD, DAB+ radio and vinyl

The front-loading tray plays CDs, including CD-R and CD-RW discs burned with MP3 or WMA files. The tuner receives DAB, DAB+ and FM with RDS; the FM band covers 87.5 to 108 MHz. A moving-magnet phono input accepts a turntable without a separate preamp, provided an MM cartridge is used. Its circuit remains separate from the line input, with its own specifications: 20 Hz-20 kHz and a 74 dB signal-to-noise ratio.

HEOS networking and high resolution

Streaming is handled by HEOS, the built-in multiroom platform. Spotify Connect, Tidal, Deezer, Amazon Prime Music and Pandora are included, along with TuneIn Internet radio and the AirPlay 2 protocol. The MCR 60n is also Roon Ready, for those who manage their library in Roon. Network connectivity is available via Wi-Fi or wired Ethernet, the latter being more stable for large files.

In terms of resolution, decoding reaches PCM 384 kHz / 32 bits and supports DSD up to 11.2 MHz, with Gapless playback, without silence between tracks, for FLAC, WAV and DSD files—useful for live albums and continuous operas. Bluetooth works both ways: receiving from a phone and transmitting to wireless headphones for late listening without disturbing the household.

Connecting a television and subwoofer

An HDMI eARC/ARC port retrieves audio from the television and sends it to the system’s speakers, with volume controlled from the television remote. The signal remains stereo: the MCR 60n plays the two-channel track, not the multichannel Dolby or DTS audio of a home theater amplifier. Elsewhere, there is an analog input and output, an optical input, and a rear USB-A port that plays high-resolution files from a flash drive or disk. These are complemented by a preamplified subwoofer output, a headphone output and an assignable Main Pre-Out output, which sends the signal to an external amplifier or an additional room.

Dirac Live and everyday control

Dirac Live room correction is available as an upgrade. It measures the room response using a calibration microphone and a computer, then corrects irregularities introduced by walls, furniture and speaker placement. On a system of this size, often placed in a furnished living room without acoustic treatment, this correction greatly improves bass foundation and stereo image stability.

Direct control is provided by a three-line OLED display, complemented by the HEOS app on a phone. Bass, treble and balance settings remain accessible to fine-tune the sound by ear. The Smart Select function stores a source and its settings under a shortcut. Power-on activates automatically when an optical signal is received, the clock and Sleep timer manage shutdown, and the front status LED can be disabled if its light is distracting in a bedroom.

Technical Specifications

General

• Type: all-in-one network Hi-Fi system with CD player and DAB+ tuner
• Amplification: 2 × 65 W into 6 Ω or 4 × 33 W into 4 Ω
• Number of channels: 2 / 4
• Multiroom: built-in HEOS
• Room correction: Dirac Live compatible (upgrade)
• Dimensions (W × D × H): 280 × 303 × 111 mm
• Weight: 4.2 kg
• Available finishes: black, Champagne Gold

Streaming and network connectivity

• HEOS multiroom and streaming
• Streaming services: Spotify Connect, Tidal, Deezer, Amazon Prime Music, Pandora
• AirPlay 2
• Roon Ready
• TuneIn Internet radio
• Bluetooth with headphone reception and transmission
• Wi-Fi and Ethernet

Supported audio formats

• High-resolution playback up to PCM 384 kHz / 32-bit
• DSD compatibility up to 11.2 MHz
• Gapless playback for FLAC, WAV and DSD

Built-in sources

• CD player: CD, CD-R / RW, MP3, WMA
• Tuner: DAB, DAB+, FM with RDS
  • FM band: 87.5 to 108 MHz
• MM phono input for turntable

Connectivity

• HDMI eARC / ARC for TV sound integration
• 1 analog input
• 1 analog output
• 1 optical input
• Rear USB
• Pre-out for subwoofer
• Headphone output
• Assignable Main Pre-Out output
• Screw terminals
• Dual Speaker A / B outputs with individual volume control

Features and ergonomics

• 3-line OLED display
• Bass, treble and balance controls
• Smart Select
• Automatic power-on via optical signal
• Clock and Sleep timer
• Daily or one-time scheduling
• Disableable front status LED

Audio performance

• Analog input
  • Frequency response: 10 Hz – 40 kHz
  • Signal-to-noise ratio: 90 dB
  • Sensitivity / impedance: 200 mV / 30 kΩ
  • Total harmonic distortion: 0.1%
• MM phono input
  • Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
  • Signal-to-noise ratio: 74 dB
  • Sensitivity / impedance: 2.5 mV / 47 kΩ

Included accessories

• Main unit
• Power cord
• Remote control and batteries
• DAB / FM antenna
• Quick start guide