Marantz PM700AV (circa 1990)
The Marantz PM700AV is an AV surround amplifier with Dolby Pro Logic, sold in Japan for ¥70,000 around 1990. It was Marantz's way into home theater. It's a four-channel design (two front, one rear, one center) that could run a full Dolby Pro Logic system without a separate amp for the center speaker.
The power amp section has four amplifiers: 70W x 2 for the front channels, plus 50W each for rear and center (EIAJ, 6Ω). The center channel can be set for small speakers (normal), larger ones (wide), or turned off (phantom). Besides Pro Logic, there are two more surround modes. Matrix is for sources like LD live recordings, and hall adds concert-hall reverberation to stereo sources. A Superbus circuit, a graphic-equalizer-type bass enhancement, handles low-end reinforcement.
The AV side shows up in the connections. Audio inputs 3 and 4 are joined by AV4 terminals, and the LD, VTR1, and TV inputs have S-video jacks. The video section passes 1Vp-p/75Ω signals with a frequency response of 5 Hz to 6 MHz (+0/-3dB). The rear speaker outputs support two systems for five-speaker setups. The side panels are the same vibration-damping ones used on the PM-80, and it came in black or gold. A pre-coded RC700AV remote was included. It was programmed for basic operation of other Marantz gear (like the ST 700 tuner) plus codes for TVs and VCRs from other manufacturers.
Documentation on this model is thin. Production dating is conflicted. One source claims early 1980s, but the ¥70,000 price tied to "around 1990" and the Dolby Pro Logic circuitry (which didn't reach consumer gear until the late 1980s) point firmly to circa 1990. The 100V power supply confirms it was a Japanese domestic model. A 1990s-era review from Ters Audio found the PM700AV a mixed performer, noting the soundfield was "extremely detailed in front of the listener yet lacks a sense of depth or ambient surround." The one confirmed secondhand sale found was a StereoNET listing at $120 AUD in very good working order.
Known specs:
- Rated output (EIAJ, 6Ω): 70W x 2 front, 50W rear, 50W center
- Input sensitivity: Phono 2.5mV/47kΩ; Line 150mV/25kΩ
- Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz ±1 dB; RIAA deviation ±1 dB
- S/N ratio: Phono 76dB; Line 85dB
- Digital delay: 20ms
- Power consumption: 160W
- Dimensions: 454 x 152 x 339 mm; 10kg
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