Marantz
Marantz Cinema 50
$2800
Released 2022
Best AV Receivers · head-to-head
Marantz Cinema 50 vs Sony STR-AN1000
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Sony STR-AN1000 is cheaper at $900. Every spec and price links to its source.
Sony
Sony STR-AN1000
$900Cheaper
Released 2023
Which is better: the Marantz Cinema 50 or Sony STR-AN1000?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Sony STR-AN1000 is the cheaper at $900.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices verified at capture; live price may differ.
Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Marantz Cinema 50 | Sony STR-AN1000 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $2800 | $900 MSRP, US |
| Brand | Marantz | Sony |
| Released | 2022 | 2023 |
| Channels | 9.4 | 7.2 |
| Watts per channel 8ohm | 110 | — |
| HDMI inputs | 6 | 6 |
| HDMI inputs 8k | 6 | 2 |
| Dolby atmos | Yes | Yes |
| Room correction | Audyssey MultEQ XT32 (Dirac Live upgradeable) | D.C.A.C. IX (Digital Cinema Auto Calibration IX) |
| Wireless streaming | HEOS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Google Chromecast, Works with Sonos |
| Release year | 2022 | 2023 |
Sources — Marantz Cinema 50: marantz.com (verified 2026-06-19). Sony STR-AN1000: amazon.com (verified 2026-06-19).
What's the difference between the Marantz Cinema 50 and Sony STR-AN1000?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (4 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.
- Channels: Marantz Cinema 50 9.4 vs Sony STR-AN1000 7.2
- HDMI inputs 8k: Marantz Cinema 50 6 vs Sony STR-AN1000 2
- Room correction: Marantz Cinema 50 Audyssey MultEQ XT32 (Dirac Live upgradeable) vs Sony STR-AN1000 D.C.A.C. IX (Digital Cinema Auto Calibration IX)
- Wireless streaming: Marantz Cinema 50 HEOS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect vs Sony STR-AN1000 Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Google Chromecast, Works with Sonos
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Marantz Cinema 50
Only one whitelisted tester—Tom's Guide, a hands-on 'Editor's Choice'—published a verifiable Cinema 50 review, and it's glowing: powerful, musical, precise, with future-proofed 8K/4K120 connectivity. No lab measurements were reported. What Hi-Fi, TechRadar and SoundGuys had no Cinema 50 review; Sound & Vision, Trusted Reviews and Home Cinema Choice fall outside the whitelist. (1 sourced review, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Powerhouse dynamics with effortless panning and no strain even at high volume; Warm, musical HDAM amplification; comparable to a good mid-range stereo amp in two-channel mode; Future-proofed connectivity: six 4K120Hz/8K HDMI inputs plus three outputs.
Flagged: No front-mounted HDMI input; Expensive at $2,500 / £1,700 / AU$3,700.
Sony STR-AN1000
Only one whitelisted tester, Tom's Guide, covered the Sony STR-AN1000, and its reviewer actually listened to the UK/European TA-AN1000 amplifier iteration (the STR-AN1000 is the US/AU version that adds an FM tuner). It praises Sony's 360 Spatial Sound Mapping and a big, dramatic, authoritative sound, but calls it blunt, short on refinement for the price, and overpriced on build and connectivity. No lab measurements were taken. (1 sourced review.)
Praised: 360 Spatial Sound Mapping enables flexible speaker placement and convincing immersion; Big, dramatic, authoritative sound that punches above its power rating; Broad format support: Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and native 360 Reality Audio.
Flagged: Sound can be blunt and lacks the refinement expected at this price; Overpriced versus rivals on build, performance and connectivity; Only two of six HDMI inputs do 4K/120Hz and 8K; build feels a bit cheap.