Marantz NR1501 Receiver Reviewed
HTR Product Rating
- Performance
- Value
- Overall
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High Points• The Marantz NR1501's small form factor allows it to fit where others cannot.
• Video conversion of composite and component video signals to HDMI allows for a single cable connection to your television.
• Marantz's MRAC system made setup very easy for those not intimately familiar with the process.
• The sound quality of this unit is refined and compares well with other similarly priced units.
Low Points
• The unit can not accept digital files via USB like some other receivers and AV preamps in the market today.
• As streaming services, satellite and Internet radio are growing in
popularity it would be nice to be able to receive these signals as well.
• Some would suggest no HDMI 1.4 is a downside so it should be said,
but at this point I really believe HDMI 1.3 is cutting edge and 1.4/3D
is "vapor ware" in the marketplace.
Conclusion
The Marantz NR1501 price and form factor make it an attractive choice
for the casual buyer. Its capabilities make it a solid choice for those
seeking a high performing product. While the NR1501 can easily serve as
the hub for the vast majority of home theater systems, it is not for
every system. If you need some of the features that this unit does not
have such as S-video capabilities, networking or multi-room
capabilities or if you need a powerful amplifier that can drive less
efficient speakers you will need to look elsewhere.
I have personally purchased this unit for my mother's system. She needed a unit that would fit in a smallish cabinet, accept her HDMI and legacy sources, and be easy to use. This unit easily met her needs. While audio quality is not as critical for her needs, I have spent a good deal of time listening to her system and can report that the NR1501 maintains Marantz's tradition of high quality audio and competes well with other similarly priced units and sounds better than the other sub $1,000 small form factor receivers.
I can easily recommend Marantz's NR1501 to anyone who is looking for a receiver with this feature set regardless of form factor. This receiver has been an easy to use, solid performer that is capable of playing the star role in moderate sized systems that can be found in most people's homes.
Additional Resources
• Read more reviews of receivers from HomeTheaterReview.com.
• Learn more about Marantz and its products.
• Find a Blu-ray player to pair with the NR1501, like the Marantz UD5005.
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