Audio Video News

Home theater fans and music lovers have been praying for a high-quality single-box disc player that will handle every optical disc format now available. Marantz may have answered their prayers with the introduction of the DV8300.

If you've been looking to upgrade your video source, and also wanting to experiment with DVD-Audio or SACD, this may be the machine for you. The DV8300 is a true "universal player," accepting all current formats---DVD-Video, Video CD, standard CD, MP3, CD-R, CD-RW, and DVD-Audio and Super Audio CD, both two-channel and multichannel.

The THX Select Certified-machine is not only an all-purpose audio source, but an excellent video source too, featuring 108 MHz, 12-bit video DACs and 4:4:4 upsampling of the video signal. The DV8300 can be used in progressive scan mode, and has one each S-video, and RGB component video outputs, and two sets of composite video outputs. A user-friendly “video adjust” function lets you tweak the picture to your liking. Dolby Digital and DTS decoders make it compatible with almost every DVD movie on the market.

Audio capabilities are where the 8300 really shines, with extra care devoted to chassis layout, power supply capacity, and output versatility. Marantz claims its power supply improvements result in a high slew rate and "superb dynamics." High-resolution outputs abound, with six-channel analog ("as close to the original signal as possible") outputs, including a separate subwoofer feed with a "bass management" feature. Each channel has what Marantz calls "identical discrete" circuitry for seamless high-quality sound from every direction.

An additional pair of stereo outputs are provided for ease of playback with two-channel material. DVD-Audio DACs by Cirrus Logic Inc perform at 24bits/192KHz. Digital outputs include coaxial and optical connectors. The DV8300 also has remote in/remote out jacks for use with similarly equipped components. An onscreen menu allows deep tweaking of the player's many features, but unlike some combination A/V players, a "Video-Off/ Display-Off" function lets the DV8300 work as a stand-alone audio source without the need for the menu.

The black aluminum DV8300 comes with an extensive manual in several languages, and an RC8300DV remote control. It measures 17 5/16 " W x 3 1/2 " H x 12 1/8 " D and weighs 16 lbs. Retail price should be in the $1500 range, according to advance publicity.