The Marantz AV8003 networking pre-amp/processor is built to bring the very best out of any Blu-Ray player as well as conventional DVD and CD-players. It decodes DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby True HD, supporting up to eight full-range speakers of 24-bit/96 kHz audio.

There’s also support for Deep Color and 24fps with four HDMI version 1.3a inputs and two outputs. Legacy designs get the High Definition treatment too, with the AV8003 incorporating Marantz’s first built-in video scaler from Anchor Bay for enhanced video performance, with up conversion and scaling to 1080p from all analogue and digital sources.

The THX Ultra2-certified AV8003 goes even further: movie and music files stored on a PC or network get the same HD treatment thanks to a built-in digital media player which streams audio and video content throughout a networked home.

The AV8003 can then fire this all over the home, including high definition video via HDMI for the main viewing room, component video to the second room, with third room independent audio capability. Even your digital audio in MP3, WAV or AAC format will sound as originally recorded thanks to the build-in Marantz Digital Audio Expander. The Digital Audio Expander, also called MDAX, recalculates the outputted frequency range of any audio signal and expands it over a broader frequency range.

This enables you to get detailed and clearer sound even out of compressed audio files. For total connectivity and flexibility, the AV8003 features eight balanced outputs for ultra low noise connection to the power amp (even over long cable runs), two balanced inputs to connect a high-end CD source, RS-232c, direct IR inputs and DC triggers. Completing the package is a programmable, backlit LCD remote control, as well as an additional handset for second room use.

Such outstanding attention to detail continues with the metal, reference-standard M1 chassis, which employs a heavy bottom plate to virtually eliminate sound-degrading vibration. The case is even completely copper-plated for perfect grounding and to guard against electrical interference. The result is a model delivering clean, minimalist lines to match its pure sound.