Marantz NR1200 Amplifier

Marantz NR1200 Amplifier

The Marantz NR1200 is a slimline stereo network receiver: a two-channel hi-fi amplifier that also speaks the language of the television. It delivers 75 watts per channel from a discrete power amplifier, yet stands roughly half the height of a conventional AV receiver, so it fits shelves and racks that full-size surround receivers cannot. Around that amplifier Marantz builds the connectivity a modern stereo system needs: five HDMI inputs with an ARC-equipped output for the TV, HEOS built-in streaming, AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth, a phono input for a turntable, and support for high-resolution audio files. It is aimed at listeners whose priority is music in stereo, but who still want the TV, games console and disc player routed through the same system and the same pair of speakers.

Key features

• 75 W per channel: A discrete two-channel power amplifier with separate left and right circuits, rated at 75 W per channel into 8 ohms with 0.08% THD.
• Slimline chassis: At 105 mm tall, the NR1200 occupies about half the height of a traditional receiver while retaining a full-width 440 mm footprint.
• Five HDMI inputs: All support HDCP 2.3 and pass 4K Ultra HD at 60 Hz with HDR10, HLG, 3D and BT.2020; the single output offers ARC for TV audio over one cable.
• HEOS built-in: Network streaming and multi-room audio through the HEOS app, alongside AirPlay 2, Bluetooth and Spotify Connect-style service access.
• High-resolution audio: Playback of FLAC, ALAC and WAV files up to 24-bit/192 kHz, plus DSD tracks at 2.8 MHz and 5.6 MHz, over the network and USB.
• Phono input: A built-in MM phono stage connects a turntable directly, with tone controls available to fine-tune the balance.
• Dual subwoofer outputs: Two subwoofer pre-outs allow a pair of subwoofers to be distributed for more even bass across the seating area.
• Speaker A/B switching: Four speaker terminals support a second pair of speakers, and ALLM support keeps gaming responsive when the TV also supports it.

A stereo amplifier first

Marantz tuned the NR1200 as a hi-fi component rather than a cut-down surround receiver. The power stage uses custom-designed capacitors and parts selected by Marantz’s sound engineers, and a dual DAC circuit design serves the digital inputs. Frequency response in Direct mode extends from 10 Hz to 100 kHz. Analogue sources are well covered: three line-level RCA inputs join the phono input, digital sources connect through one optical and one coaxial input, and a front USB socket plays files from storage. A headphone output on the front panel and Bluetooth headphone playback cover private listening, the latter able to play through headphones and speakers together or headphones alone.

Television and video, without the surround system

Many living rooms want better TV sound but not five or seven speakers. The NR1200 is the stereo answer: sources connect by HDMI, the TV’s own audio returns through ARC, HDMI-CEC lets the television remote adjust volume, and standby pass-through keeps switching working when the receiver is off. Inputs rename themselves automatically from the source device’s information, which keeps the front display honest about what is playing. The on-screen Setup Assistant walks through speaker configuration and connections graphically on first use, and four Smart Select buttons on the remote store preferred input and settings combinations for one-touch recall.

Streaming, radio and voice control

Built-in dual-band Wi-Fi and Ethernet connect the receiver to the home network, where HEOS provides access to streaming services and internet radio, and groups the NR1200 with other HEOS components in other rooms. An AM/FM tuner is fitted for broadcast radio. Voice control works through Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri, covering volume, input switching and playback commands, and the Marantz AVR Remote app provides full control from a phone or tablet. A Zone 2 preamp output can feed a second area through an external amplifier.

The NR1200 occupies a specific and useful niche: genuine Marantz stereo amplification with the HDMI switching and streaming a modern living room expects, in a chassis half the usual height.