Esteemed manufacturer Marantz showed off their latest receiver models and more during a private event at Manahattan's Park Avenue Audio. (Big Picture Big Sound's Rachel Cericola already gave us the lowdown on the new high-end Marantz Blu-ray players, announced previously). 

The highest end model in the new receiver batch is the SR6004 7.1-Channel Bluetooth A/V Receiver with USB ($1,249.99). The SR6004 provides four HDMI v.1.3 inputs as well as two outputs, along with an increase in power over the previous generation, to 110 watts per channel. It also offers all of the latest sound formats including the new Dolby Pro-Logic IIz with height channel. The built-in Bluetooth receiver pairs with iPhones, other portable devices and more to stream music, while the front-panel USB port is iPod-compatible. The SR6004 will be available later this month.

The more affordable SR5004 7.1-Channel Bluetooth-Ready A/V Receiver offers many of the same features--7.1 channels of decoding and amplification, HDMI 1.3, Dolby Pro-Logic IIz--but the Bluetooth receiver is sold separately. As a result, the SR5004 comes in at only $849.99, and will be shipping in September.

Also shown was a new "slimline" model only half the height of traditional home theater receivers, the head-turning model NR1501 7.1-Channel A/V Receiver. The NR1501 serves up four HDMI ins/one out, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding plus transcoding of all analog sources to HDMI, M.R.A.C. auto-calibration, separate audio boards and a seven-channel discrete amp design, all inside a chassis barely four inches high and 13 inches deep. The NR1501 has been available since July, at $599.99.

Included with the SR6004 and supported by the SR5004 is the RX101 Bluetooth Adapter with IR Input ($129.99, hitting next month) which relays the signal from Bluetooth MP3 players and such to the receiver to make a portable device into a viable new source component. The RX101 can be placed anywhere in the room and it also doubles as an IR sensor, so the remote control can be pointed at it if the receiver itself is out-of-sight.

The NR1501 is available now:

• Marantz NR1501 AV Receiver (Amazon.com)

And the SR6004 is available for pre-order:

• Marantz SR6004 AV Receiver (Amazon.com)

Marantz products, including their high end Reference Series line, are also available at local A/V specialty dealers around the globe including Park Avenue Audio in Manhattan. 

More Information:

• Marantz Adds 4 Players to Blu-ray Lineup priced Priced from $550 to $6000
• Marantz US web site
• Park Avenue Audio web site