Marantz NR1609From real comments

Verdict distilled from 12 mentions across 9 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment45%
PROS 45%
CONS 55%

Rank based on 12 mentions across 9 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a slim-line AVR reported to work flawlessly over years of use
  • You value video processing quality comparable to higher-end Marantz pre-amps
  • You plan to pair it with a power amplifier for added power

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need clear, unambiguous power output specs without conflicting info
  • You require full pre-out channels (surround, center, height) on every model tier
  • You need wireless rear surround support and can't confirm HEOS/Bluetooth compatibility

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1
Modern decoding formatsConvenient front-panel S/video accessFlexible speaker configurationMarketing/title inaccuracyPerceived brand decline in receivers
Modern decoding formats
Convenient front-panel S/video access
Flexible speaker configuration
Marketing/title inaccuracy
Perceived brand decline in receivers
Best value
2Mid
Dirac Live room correctionStrong value for priceExcellent Atmos and multichannel sound qualityHistory of HDMI board failures in Onkyo units4-ohm impedance switch pitfallSteep international price disparities
Dirac Live room correction
Strong value for price
Excellent Atmos and multichannel sound quality
History of HDMI board failures in Onkyo units
4-ohm impedance switch pitfall
Steep international price disparities
3Premium
Excellent music and movie sound qualityStrong power delivers 11 independent channelsEffective Audyssey room correction for mixed speakersSubwoofer integration with Audyssey is inconsistent4-ohm speaker load can cause unit failureCriticized power supply and component quality for the price
Excellent music and movie sound quality
Strong power delivers 11 independent channels
Effective Audyssey room correction for mixed speakers
Subwoofer integration with Audyssey is inconsistent
4-ohm speaker load can cause unit failure
Criticized power supply and component quality for the price
4Premium
Excellent long-term sound quality
Excellent long-term sound quality
5Mid
Future-Proof HDMI SupportGood DSP Sound ProgramsGood Price-to-Performance ValueMenu System Criticized by Some
Future-Proof HDMI Support
Good DSP Sound Programs
Good Price-to-Performance Value
Menu System Criticized by Some
6Premium
High-end DACs and XLR outputsLong-term reliabilityBest-in-class control appComplex menu and setupInconsistent subwoofer bass handlingHDMI and setup issues for some users
High-end DACs and XLR outputs
Long-term reliability
Best-in-class control app
Complex menu and setup
Inconsistent subwoofer bass handling
HDMI and setup issues for some users
7Mid
Dirac Live room correctionClear, detailed sound qualityStrong value for the priceBrand reliability concernsHDMI switching and dropout issuesBluetooth headphone switching is manual
Dirac Live room correction
Clear, detailed sound quality
Strong value for the price
Brand reliability concerns
HDMI switching and dropout issues
Bluetooth headphone switching is manual
8Mid
Slim, space-saving form factorBenefits greatly from external power amp via pre-outsWarm, musical Marantz sound signatureLimited power may require an external amp for demanding setupsRuns warmOnly one HDMI port with full 4K/120 HDR support
Slim, space-saving form factor
Benefits greatly from external power amp via pre-outs
Warm, musical Marantz sound signature
Limited power may require an external amp for demanding setups
Runs warm
Only one HDMI port with full 4K/120 HDR support
9Premium
Immersive 360 Spatial Sound MappingClear, Detailed Sound QualityStrong Multichannel PowerDated, Uninspired Chassis DesignDim, Hard-to-Read DisplayNo Phono Input
Immersive 360 Spatial Sound Mapping
Clear, Detailed Sound Quality
Strong Multichannel Power
Dated, Uninspired Chassis Design
Dim, Hard-to-Read Display
No Phono Input
10Mid
Overall positive owner satisfaction8K future-proofingEasy initial setupConfusing speaker/subwoofer setupHarsh highs out of the boxPerceived sound quality decline vs older models
Overall positive owner satisfaction
8K future-proofing
Easy initial setup
Confusing speaker/subwoofer setup
Harsh highs out of the box
Perceived sound quality decline vs older models
You are here
31Mid
Marantz NR1609
Higher than expected power outputAdequate pre-out voltage for power ampsLong-term reliabilityConfusing power rating specsLimited pre-out channels on some configurationsUncertain wireless surround support
Marantz NR1609
Higher than expected power output
Adequate pre-out voltage for power amps
Long-term reliability
Confusing power rating specs
Limited pre-out channels on some configurations
Uncertain wireless surround support

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Long-term reliability stands out in real-world use. One commenter who bought the receiver about two years prior reported it has worked flawlessly ever since in a modest setup, calling these slim-line receivers very high quality. This kind of durability feedback is valuable for buyers concerned about long-term dependability in an AV receiver, especially one used regularly in a home theater setup without issues arising over an extended period of ownership.

Power output specs create confusion among buyers. Multiple commenters ask whether the NR1609 is rated at 50 watts or 100 watts per channel, with conflicting assumptions appearing across questions. One long-term owner of a related model noted surprise that it delivered 100 watts RMS per channel rather than an expected 50, and others ask whether an external power amplifier can be added for more power, suggesting the stock output may not satisfy all users.

Pre-out and connectivity details spark buyer questions. A user comparing the NR1609 to the NR1606 noted that pre-out sections vary between models, with some lacking surround, center, or height pre-outs and only offering front L R. Other viewers ask about setting up wired front speakers combined with wireless rear surrounds via HEOS or Bluetooth, and about the range of supported video file formats, indicating interest in flexible expansion options.

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