Marantz MCR 60n vs Arcam A15 Detailed Comparison

Marantz MCR 60n vs Arcam A15

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Marantz MCR 60n

Integrated Amplifier | 65 watts RMS into 4-ohms

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Arcam A15

Integrated Amplifier | 80 watts RMS into 8-ohms

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Marantz MCR 60n

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Arcam A15

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Marantz MCR 60n

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Arcam A15

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Marantz MCR 60n vs Arcam A15 Integrated Amplifier Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing two different types of amplifiers. Marantz MCR 60n is a Streaming Integrated Amplifier speaker whereas the A15 is a Integrated Amplifier with built-in DAC speaker.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Marantz MCR 60n and Arcam A15 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Key Specs	Marantz MCR 60n	Arcam A15
Brand	Marantz Japan · founded 1953	Arcam United Kingdom · founded 1976
Power	65 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms, or 33 watts x 4 channels into 4 ohms when both speaker pairs are driven. Marantz publishes no 8 ohm or 6 ohm figure. Bi-amping and parallel bridge-tied load are both supported, and the rear panel is marked for 4 to 16 ohm loads.	80 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms and 120 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms
Amplifier class	—	Class A/B
Built-in DAC	Yes	Yes
Phono input	Yes	Yes
Headphone output	Yes	3.5mm
Bluetooth	Yes	Yes
App control	Yes	—
Weight	4.20kg / 9.2lbs	10.02kg / 22lbs
Dimensions (H x W x D)	4-3/8" x 11" x 11-7/8" 111.8 x 279.4 x 302.3 mm	3-3/4" x 17-1/16" x 14-5/16" 96.0mm x 434.0mm x 364.0mm

The rest of this page covers where each one wins, how they compare in size, their inputs and outputs, the full specifications and a verdict.

Reasons to choose Marantz MCR 60n over Arcam A15

App-Based Control	Yes vs None	Control the amplifier via an app
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)	0.1% at 1 kHz, 5 W, 4 ohms vs 0.5%	Less Harmonic Distortion
Coaxial Digital Inputs	No vs 2	More options for connecting Digital sources
USB Input	Yes vs Service only	Connect Sources via USB
Apple AirPlay 2	Yes vs No	Compatible with Apple Devices with AirPlay 2
Roon	Ready vs No	Roon Compatibility
HEOS	Yes vs No	Compatible with HEOS Wireless Multi-Room Sound System
Max Bit Depth	32-bit-bit vs 24-bit	Play higher resolution range media
Max Sample Rate	384 kHzkHz vs 192kHz	Play higher resolution media
Base Surface Area	844.6cm²/ 130.9inch² vs 1579.8cm²/ 244.9inch²	takes less space in your room
Built-in CD Player	Yes vs No	Plays discs without a separate CD player - only 5 of the amplifiers we cover do
Radio Tuner	AM/FM vs Not stated	Built-in radio, so no extra box for broadcast listening

Reasons to choose Arcam A15 over Marantz MCR 60n

MSRP Price(*)	999USD vs 1,000USD	costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)
Watts into 4-ohms	120 watts vs 65 watts	Delivers higher power into 4-ohms speakers
Signal to Noise Ratio	106 dB vs 90 dB	Higher ratings results in cleaner sound
Total Analog Inputs	3 vs 1	More options for connecting Analog sources
Coaxial Digital Inputs	2 vs No	More options for connecting Digital sources
Height	96mm vs 111mm	Easier to fit in smaller spaces

Size, drawn to scale

Both amplifiers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.

One scale for both, aligned at the back panels the way they would sit against a wall, so the deeper one visibly stands further out.

Arcam A15 needs about 87% more shelf area. Arcam A15 is 62mm deeper - the measurement that decides whether a rack door closes. Marantz MCR 60n is 16mm taller.

Inputs and Outputs

The input and output selections that are offered is an important factor when comparing two amplifiers. Here you can find how the I/O selections of the Marantz MCR 60n and Arcam A15 differs from each other.

Marantz MCR 60n Inputs

Total Number of Analog Inputs: 1
RCA Line Input
Phono Input
1 Optical Digital Input
USB Input:
- USB A
HDMI eARC
Ethernet Port

Arcam A15 Inputs

Total Number of Analog Inputs: 3
Phono Input
1 Optical Digital Input
2 Coaxial Digital Input

Outputs

Main pre-out (AUX assignable), Sub Preamp Outputs
Yes Headphone Output
Subwoofer Output

Outputs

Stereo RCA Preamp Outputs
3.5mm Headphone Output

Arcam A15 Back View (Click the image for the larger version)

What's in the Box of Marantz MCR 60n?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of MCR 60n:

Main unit
AC cord
Remote control
Batteries
FM antenna
AM antenna
Quick start guide

What's in the Box of Arcam A15?

Here are the items that come with the A15:

Integrated amplifier
68-inch AC power cord
Remote control
2 -inchAAA-inch batteries
Quick Start Guide
Important Safety Instructions

Marantz MCR 60n vs Arcam A15 full specifications

Every spec we hold for both, side by side

Specification	Marantz MCR 60n	Arcam A15
Overview
Brand	Marantz	Arcam
Type	Streaming Integrated Amplifier	Integrated Amplifier with built-in DAC
Category	Streaming Amplifier	–
Channels	2	2
Amplifier class	–	Class A/B
Output devices	Solid State	Solid State
Released	September 2026	2023
List price	$1,000	$999
Series	MCR	A
Power and performance
Power into 8 ohms	–	80 W RMS
Power into 4 ohms	65 W RMS	120 W RMS
Power, as rated	65 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms, or 33 watts x 4 channels into 4 ohms when both speaker pairs are driven. Marantz publishes no 8 ohm or 6 ohm figure. Bi-amping and parallel bridge-tied load are both supported, and the rear panel is marked for 4 to 16 ohm loads.	80 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms and 120 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms
Minimum impedance	4 ohms	4 ohms
Signal-to-noise ratio	90 dB	106 dB
THD	0.1% at 1 kHz, 5 W, 4 ohms	0.5%
Frequency bandwidth	10 Hz-40 kHz	20 Hz-20 kHz
Bridge mode	Parallel BTL, and bi-amping	–
Power consumption	55 W	–
Digital and DAC
Built-in DAC	Yes	Yes
DAC chip	–	ESS Sabre ES9018
Max bit depth	32-bit-bit	24-bit
Max sample rate	384 kHz kHz	192 kHz
PCM	32-bit/384kHz	–
DSD	11.2 MHz	–
Network and streaming
Wi-Fi	Yes	–
Wi-Fi bands	2.4, 5GHz	–
Ethernet	Yes	–
Bluetooth	Yes	Yes
Bluetooth version	–	5.2
Bluetooth codecs	–	aptX HD,AAC,SBC
Bluetooth transmitter	Yes	Yes
AirPlay 2	Yes	No
Chromecast	–	No
Roon	Ready	No
BluOS	–	No
HEOS	Yes	No
DTS Play-Fi	–	No
Multiroom	Yes	–
Gapless playback	Yes (FLAC, WAV, DSD)	–
Streaming services	Spotify, Tidal, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Pandora	–
Inputs
Analogue inputs	1	3
RCA inputs	Yes	–
XLR inputs	No	–
Phono input	Yes	Yes
Phono type	MM	MM
Optical digital	1	1
Coaxial digital	No	2
USB input	Yes	Service only
USB type	USB A	USB Type-A input for software updates only
HDMI input	Yes	No
HDMI ARC / eARC	eARC	–
Outputs
Preamp outputs	Main pre-out (AUX assignable), Sub	Stereo RCA
Pre-out / main-in loop	–	No
Subwoofer output	Yes	No
Headphone output	Yes	3.5mm
Speaker terminals	Binding posts	–
Speaker outputs	A / B, with individual volume	–
A/B speaker terminals	Yes	–
Features and control
Tone controls	Yes	–
Room correction	Opt. Dirac Live	–
Room correction system	Dirac Live, as a paid upgrade	–
Calibration mic included	No	–
CD player	Yes	No
Radio tuner	AM/FM	–
Handheld remote	Yes	Yes
Remote model	RC016CR	–
App control	Yes	–
App	HEOS	–
Physical
Dimensions (H x W x D)	111.8 x 279.4 x 302.3 mm	96.0mm x 434.0mm x 364.0mm
Dimensions, inches	4-3/8 x 11 x 11-7/8 inch	3-3/4inch x 17-1/16inch x 14-5/16inch
Weight	4.20 kg (9.25 lbs)	10.02 kg (22.05 lbs)
Finishes	Black	Black
Removable power cord	–	IEC 2-prong
Parts warranty	–	5 Years
Labour warranty	–	5 Years

A dash means the manufacturer does not publish that figure, or it does not apply. 75 specifications compared.

Verdict

One is a streaming all-in-one and the other is an amplifier. Judge them on how many boxes you want and what you already own, not on the spec sheet alone.

Area	Better	Why
Noise floor	B	Arcam A15 is the quieter design on paper - 106dB against 90dB. Audible mainly with sensitive speakers in a quiet room.
Built-in DAC	A	Both decode on board, but only Marantz MCR 60n handles DSD.
Streaming	A	Only Marantz MCR 60n has AirPlay 2, Roon and HEOS.
Analogue inputs	B	Arcam A15 takes more analogue sources - 3 against 1.
Use with a TV	depends	Only Marantz MCR 60n has HDMI eARC, so the television can drive it directly and one remote controls the volume. If the system is for music only, this changes nothing.
Room to grow	A	Only Marantz MCR 60n offers a subwoofer output - which decides whether you can add a subwoofer or a power amplifier later without replacing the box.
Built-in sources	depends	Marantz MCR 60n has a CD player built in. That is one less box if you still play discs or listen to radio, and dead weight if you do not.
Shelf space	depends	Marantz MCR 60n takes up about 47% less shelf area (845cm² against 1580cm²), and it is 62mm shallower, which is the measurement that decides whether a rack door shuts.
Price	evenly matched	Priced within a few per cent of each other.

A Marantz MCR 60n B Arcam A15
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both amplifiers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.

Which should you choose?

Marantz MCR 60n has the edge on paper, though not by much. The rows marked "depends" are more likely to decide this than the score is. If this sits under a television, Marantz MCR 60n is the one to buy - HDMI ARC means the TV remote controls the volume and there is no second box in the way.

What a spec sheet cannot show: how either sounds with your speakers, how the controls feel day to day, and what the app is like to live with - which is where most all-in-one amplifiers are actually won or lost. Power figures are the manufacturers' own and are not measured to a common standard, so treat small differences as noise. If you can hear both, that will tell you more than any row above.