Comparison

Marantz AVR Remote vs MusicCast Controller

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Marantz AVR Remote

Control your compatible Marantz AV receiver with your iOS device. Manage power, volume, inputs, and settings. Seamlessly integrate with HEOS for network browsing and control.

Highlights
  • Control power, volume, and inputs
  • Access Smart Select and Surround Modes
  • Network browsing with HEOS integration
  • ECO Mode settings
  • Option settings (Sleep Tone, Channel Level)
  • Marantz CD Player control
  • View user manuals
Features
Read full description

The “Marantz AVR Remote” app for iPhone and iPad will give you an unprecedented level of command and control over the latest generation of Marantz AV Receivers (due to hardware differences, older models are not supported with this app. Please check the model compatibility list below). A wide portfolio of useful features, nicely designed graphics and easy to operate user interface do make the app a useful tool to control your AVR. Control the basic functions of your Marantz product with power, volume, input and settings. Have direct access to Smart Select and Surround Modes. Network browsing is either done within the Marantz AVR Remote app or depending on model by selecting HEOS network as input which opens the HEOS app automatically. With the new Marantz AVR Remote, your iOS device just became an integral part of your home entertainment experience. "Because Music Matters" Compatible Marantz Models (*1, *2) 2026 New Models Network AV Pre-Amplifier: AV 30 Network AV Receiver: CINEMA 50 SERIES 2, CINEMA 60 SERIES 2, CINEMA 70s SERIES 2 2025 Model Network AV Pre-Amplifier: AV 20 2024 Model Network AV Receiver: CINEMA 30 2023 Model Network AV Receiver: STEREO 70s 2022 Models Network AV Pre-Amplifier: AV 10 Network AV Receiver: CINEMA 40, CINEMA 50, CINEMA 60, CINEMA 70s 2021 Model Network AV Pre-Amplifier: AV8805A 2020 Models Network AV Pre-Amplifier: AV7706 Network AV Receiver: SR8015, SR7015, SR6015, SR5015, NR1711 2019 Models Network AV Receiver: SR6014, SR5014, NR1710, NR1510, NR1200 2018 Models Network AV Pre-Amplifier: AV7705 Network AV Receiver: SR7013, SR6013, SR5013, NR1609, NR1509 2017 Models Network AV Pre-Amplifier: AV8805, AV7704 Network AV Receiver: SR8012, SR7012, SR6012, SR5012, NR1608, NR1508 2016 Models Network AV Pre-Amplifier: AV7703 Network AV Receiver: SR7011, SR6011, SR5011, NR1607 2015 Models Network AV Pre-Amplifier: AV7702mkII Network AV Receiver: SR7010, SR6010, SR5010, NR1606, NR1506 2014 Models Network AV Pre-Amplifier: AV8802, AV8802A *Not compatible with Marantz models other than the above models. Main feature: •On the fly HEOS app switching for network browsing and control for HEOS built-in AVR and AVP •ECO Mode setting •Option settings (Sleep Tone, Channel Level etc.) and Selected Setup Features •Marantz CD Control when your Marantz AVR is connected to Marantz CD Player with a remote cable •Viewing User manuals •Multi-Language Support (English, French, German, Spanish, Dutch, Italian, Swedish, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Russian and Polish.) (*3) Notes: *1: A firmware update for your Marantz product is may be needed, please update the firmware via the system setup menu. (General > Firmware) If the App doesn't work well, please try to reboot your mobile device, unplug the power cord of the main unit and reinsert into the power outlet or check your home network. *2: Please set "Network Control" to "ON" in your product via the system setup menu to use this app. (Network > Network Control) *3: The OS language setting is automatically detected; when not available, English is selected.

About

MusicCast Controller

Control your Yamaha MusicCast-enabled audio devices to stream music throughout your home. Enjoy music from various sources, create multi-room setups, and customize your listening experience with high-resolution audio support.

Highlights
  • Multi-room audio streaming
  • Control of Yamaha MusicCast devices
  • Stream from music services and internet radio
  • Access local music libraries
  • High-resolution audio playback
  • Wireless stereo and surround setups
Read full description

Choose what you want to listen to, where and how with MusicCast. MusicCast is a streaming and multi-room audio system built into many Yamaha products, including sound bars, wireless speakers, AV receivers and more. The MusicCast app lets you easily control them all. Music Everywhere -Listen to music throughout your whole home -Listen to the same or different music in each room Stream your favorites -Stream from popular music services or from Internet Radio stations -Access your music library from your smartphone, NAS drive or computer -Stream internal or external content (TV, CD Player, Blu-ray Disc Player, USB, and more) Don't skimp on quality -Supports High Resolution Audio playback (up to 192kHz/24bit) Create wireless setups -MusicCast Stereo: Pair compatible models for a wireless 2-channel or 2.1-channel setup -MusicCast Surround: Pair select models together for the ease of wirelss surround sound Make your music yours -Multiple settings to customize your experience Requirements - iOS 16.0 or higher - A Wi-Fi router and one or more MusicCast-enabled products within the same network Compatible models vary by region. Please refer to the following site for compatible models. https://www.yamaha.com/2/musiccast/ This application performs following functions for purposes described below. - Making a connection under Wi-Fi enabled environment The application uses Wi-Fi function on your mobile terminal for the purpose of operating network-enabled devices. - Accessing to music information stored in your smartphone / tablet This application accesses to music information stored in your smartphone / tablet for the purpose of displaying, playing and editing the music information and/or playlist. To setup your MusicCast devices, this app needs to find your Wi-Fi network as location information. This app doesn’t collect your actual location using GPS or Wi-Fi based positioning technologies.

Screenshots

Marantz AVR Remote4 screens
MusicCast Controller4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: MusicCast Controller at 4.7 against Marantz AVR Remote's 2.0. MusicCast Controller also leads on ratings volume (42K vs 627) and review sentiment (40% vs 21%). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

MusicCast Controller holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MusicCast Controller has 42K ratings behind it against 627, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 21% of Marantz AVR Remote's written reviews are positive against 40% of MusicCast Controller's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Marantz AVR Remote versus MusicCast Controller: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMarantz AVR RemoteMusicCast Controller
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.0 (627 ratings)4.7 (42K ratings) — better
Positive reviews20.9% of reviews40.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings62742K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size72 MB106 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperD&M HoldingsYamaha Corporation of America

Customer experience

Marantz AVR Remote

All ratings625 ratings
Positive21.4%
Neutral7.0%
Negative71.5%
Written reviews613 reviews
Positive20.9%
Neutral9.5%
Negative69.7%

MusicCast Controller

All ratings41,390 ratings
Positive91.6%
Neutral2.8%
Negative5.5%
Written reviews252 reviews
Positive40.5%
Neutral13.5%
Negative46.0%

User reviews

Marantz AVR Remote

From 627 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Convenient remote control
  • 👍 Useful features
  • 💡 Comprehensive functionality
  • 🚀 Quick response
  • 👍 Works well with latest iOS

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes
  • 🐛 Unreliable connectivity
  • 🐛 Slow and unresponsive
  • 👎 Outdated design
  • 🐛 Buggy after updates

MusicCast Controller

From 42K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Excellent when working
  • 👍 Great concept and features
  • 🎶 Fantastic sound quality
  • 💡 Innovative multi-room audio
  • 🎨 Refreshed UI is an improvement

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent connectivity issues
  • 🔌 Unreliable app performance
  • 🤔 Confusing and unintuitive UI
  • 🔇 Occasional audio dropouts
  • 🔋 High battery consumption

Bugs and requests

Marantz AVR Remote

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Inability to detect receiver
  • Crashing on certain functions
  • Inconsistent volume and power controls
  • Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions

Requested features

4 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Improved media server integration
  • Better Audyssey settings control
  • Faster navigation and UI responsiveness

MusicCast Controller

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • App crashes after recent updates
  • Bluetooth speaker frequently disconnects
  • Streaming services stop working randomly
  • Zones get unlinked without user action
  • Volume controls behave unexpectedly

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add support for more music services
  • Improve volume control and display
  • Allow custom photo/icon for zones
  • Provide better integration with iOS
  • Add stereo pairing settings in app

In-app purchases

None

Marantz AVR Remote

No in-app purchases

None

MusicCast Controller

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Marantz AVR Remote free?
Marantz AVR Remote is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is MusicCast Controller free?
MusicCast Controller is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Marantz AVR Remote or MusicCast Controller?
MusicCast Controller is rated higher. Marantz AVR Remote averages 2.0 out of 5 from 627 ratings, while MusicCast Controller averages 4.7 from 42K ratings.
Do Marantz AVR Remote or MusicCast Controller have ads?
Neither Marantz AVR Remote nor MusicCast Controller shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Marantz AVR Remote or MusicCast Controller?
Marantz AVR Remote ships an update every 3 months, and MusicCast Controller every 3 months. Most recently, Marantz AVR Remote was updated on October 26, 2026 and MusicCast Controller on October 27, 2026.

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