MARANTZNR1402Black AV Receiver

The Marantz NR1402 offers quality home cinema amplification without the bulk.

Without compromising on audio or video quality the NR1402 is far less dominating than most AV receivers. With a height of just 105mm, it is around fifty percent lower in profile than even its slimmest competitors and nearly half the height of some of the more portly models.

Although the NR1402 gets off to an impressive start with its looks, it's still the sound quality that really impresses. With an EI transformer and good quality components the NR1402 sounds far more powerful than its slim height might suggest. Furthermore, as with all Marantz products, the sound quality is first-rate. To enhance the sound quality still further, a Source Direct function bypasses the decoding circuitry for a purer, more accurate sound with stereo music. Also included with the NR1402 is MDAX2 compressed audio restorer. As the name suggests, this enhances the sound from MP3 sources and provides near CD quality from your MP3 or iPod recordings.

In terms of home cinema functionality, the NR1402 has all the formats covered. A raft of Audyssey processors includes EQ for HD audio formats, Dynamic Volume to reduce the level of commercials and Dynamic EQ. Working in conjunction with this ideal speaker set-up you'll find Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD decoders offering full HD audio reproduction to match HD vision. The results are accurate surround sound with amazingly pin sharp imaging and a truly enveloping sound quality.

The NR1402 also makes few, if any, compromises when it comes to socketry. The Four HDMI inputs are the latest version that supports 3D video and audio return. A full range of component, composite, phono and digital audio connections make the NR1402 every bit as flexible as its full-size rivals.

Like most modern AV receivers, setting up the slim Marantz is far easier than days gone by. Audyssey MultEQ uses a supplied microphone to automatically set the correct speaker levels depending upon the room's acoustics. Similarly easy to use is the Graphical User Interface with Setup wizard.

Not just slim, but stylish, too, the Marantz NR1402 uses a sculptured front panel to reduce the visual bulk still further. There can be little doubt that this is one of the most attractive looking home cinema receivers in its class.

Unless you need huge amounts of power, the Marantz NR1402 is full of home cinema brilliance without the bulk.