Marantz Goes All-In on Modular Home Theater with AV 20 and AMP 20

Marantz has introduced two new high-end components—the AV 20 preamp and AMP 20 power amplifier—designed for home theater enthusiasts who prefer separates over an all-in-one solution.

Twitter Facebook Email Reddit LinkedIn

Marantz Goes All-In on Modular Home Theater with AV 20 and AMP 20

Nemanja Grbic
Nemanja Grbic is a tech writer with over a decade of journalism experience, covering everything from AV gear and smart home tech to the latest gadgets and trends. Before jumping into the world of consumer electronics, Nema was an award-winning sports writer, and he still brings that same storytelling energy to every article. At HomeTheaterReview, he breaks down the latest gear and keeps readers up to speed on all things tech.

Marantz has rolled out two new home theater components—the AV 20 preamp/processor and the AMP 20 power amplifier—designed for people who prefer the flexibility of separates over an all-in-one AV receiver. Whether you're looking to build a dedicated media room or just want more control over your setup, these two units offer a modular approach that slots in between Marantz's all-in-one Cinema 30 and its higher-end AV 10/AMP 10 combo.

Both the AV 20 and AMP 20 are priced at $6,000 each and are available now for pre-order at Crutchfield. And while they’re designed to work perfectly together, you can mix and match them with other components in Marantz’s lineup, or even with gear from other brands.

The AV 20 handles the brains of your system. It processes up to 13.4 audio channels and supports just about every modern surround format, including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X Pro, Auro-3D, and IMAX Enhanced. That’s enough channels for some serious speaker setups, and it even supports up to four powered subwoofers.

Marantz AV 20 preamp/processor front view.

At its core, the AV 20 runs on a SHARC dual-core DSP paired with 32-bit stereo DACs. That combo is built to handle high-resolution audio with formats like FLAC, ALAC, WAV, and DSD up to 24-bit/192kHz. It also features Marantz’s HDAM SA-3 preamp circuit and provides both balanced XLR and standard RCA outputs.

On the video side, it’s well-equipped for current-gen TVs and gaming gear. There are seven HDMI 2.1 inputs and three HDMI outputs, with support for 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz video signals. Gamers will appreciate features like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and Quick Frame Transport (QFT). HDR support includes HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG, and Dynamic HDR.

Marantz AV 20 preamp/processor rear view.

The AV 20 also includes tools to optimize how your system sounds in your specific room. It comes with Audyssey MultEQ XT32 room calibration built in, and it's compatible with Dirac Live (license required), including Dirac Bass Control and an upcoming firmware update for Dirac Live Active Room Treatment.

Streaming support is also robust. The AV 20 includes the HEOS platform for multi-room audio and works with services like Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, AirPlay 2, and Roon. There’s also Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and wired Ethernet.

Marantz AV 20 preamp/processor inside view.

Physical connections cover just about every base: six analog audio inputs (one of them balanced), two optical, two coaxial, a phono input for turntables, and HDMI eARC for easy integration with TVs.

The AMP 20 is the muscle to the AV 20’s brain. It delivers 12 channels of amplification at 200 watts per channel (with two channels driven at 8 ohms), making it capable of powering most home theater speaker setups. If your system needs more punch, the AMP 20 can be configured in bridged mode to deliver up to 400 watts on six channels. It also supports bi-amping for up to six speakers.

Like most power amplifiers, the AMP 20 doesn’t have its own volume controls—it relies entirely on the preamp to manage levels. This tight integration keeps the signal path simple and clean. Each channel offers both XLR and RCA inputs, giving you flexibility depending on your system design.

A small but thoughtful touch: the AMP 20 includes Marantz’s signature “porthole” display, which also functions as a level meter so you can monitor output in real time.

Marantz AMP 20 power amplifier rear view.

Using separate components for processing and amplification isn’t for everyone, but if you’re building a high-performance home theater, it opens up more flexibility. You can upgrade one part without replacing everything, or fine-tune your setup to match your room and speakers more precisely.

For example, if you need more than 12 powered channels, you could pair the AV 20 with Marantz’s AMP 10 instead. Or if you already have an AV 10 and just want a slightly smaller amplifier, the AMP 20 could be a good fit. You don’t have to commit to everything all at once—these units are built to work with each other or as part of a hybrid setup.

Marantz AMP 20 power amplifier exploded view.

Both the Marantz AV 20 and Marantz AMP 20 are available now for pre-order at Crutchfield. Each is priced at $6,000, so the full system comes in around $12,000. That positions them as a step down in scale (but not necessarily in quality) from the AV 10 and AMP 10, and as a step up in flexibility from the all-in-one Cinema 30.

Whether you’re starting a new home theater from scratch or upgrading an existing system, these new separates give you another option and a lot of control over how your home cinema comes together.