Marantz, a company with a long-standing reputation for producing high-performance audio equipment, has unveiled two new streaming amplifiers aimed at enhancing the digital music experience. The new models, the Marantz Model M1 Wireless Streaming Amplifier and the Marantz Model M4 Wireless Distribution Amplifier, promise to offer comprehensive solutions for music enthusiasts seeking both quality and versatility.
The Marantz Model M1 is a compact, all-in-one streaming amplifier designed to deliver high-quality sound from a variety of sources, both wireless and wired. It is capable of providing 100W of stereo output with a low distortion rate of 0.005% Total Harmonic Distortion (THD). This impressive specification is typically found in more expensive amplifiers, suggesting that the M1 offers a high-value option for audiophiles.
The M1 supports high-resolution music streaming from platforms such as TIDAL and is compatible with 24-bit/192kHz PCM and DSD formats, ensuring that users can enjoy high-fidelity audio. It operates entirely in the digital domain, which helps to maintain signal integrity by avoiding the conversion errors commonly associated with lower-quality Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs).
In terms of connectivity, the M1 is equipped with both analogue and digital inputs, allowing users to connect various physical music sources and even their TVs. It also features a subwoofer output with adjustable high-pass and low-pass filters, enabling users to fine-tune the balance between their subwoofer and other speakers.
The amplifier supports a range of streaming options, including Bluetooth, Spotify Connect, and AirPlay2, and can play audio directly from a USB-A drive. Additionally, the M1 is integrated with the HEOS platform, accessible via the HEOS app, which allows for easy control of the amplifier's functions and provides access to a wide range of music services. The M1 can also integrate with other HEOS-enabled products to create a multi-room audio system, supporting up to 32 discrete zones.
For those who prefer a traditional remote control setup, the Marantz Model M1 is compatible with third-party control systems such as Crestron, Control4, and URC, and supports IR learning, making it possible to use various remote controls.
Beyond music, the M1 can serve as a soundbar or AVR substitute in a 2.1 channel configuration for enhanced TV audio. It includes HDMI-eARC support, which allows users to control volume and power settings with their TV's remote control. The built-in Dolby Digital+ decoder supports common audio codecs used by broadcast and streaming TV services, and features such as Dialogue Enhancer and Virtual mode help create an immersive audio experience from stereo content.
The M1’s design allows for easy integration into home setups. It can be installed on a wall-mount bracket or in a standard 19-inch equipment rack. Its passive thermal management ensures quiet operation and prevents heat build-up, making it suitable for enclosed spaces.
The Marantz Model M4 shares many features with the M1 but is designed for more extensive installations. This rack-mountable amplifier can distribute audio to four independent rooms, each with its own HEOS module, and delivers 100W of output per channel (8 x 100W in total). This setup is ideal for creating a robust, whole-home audio system.
The M4 is equipped with fan cooling to ensure stable operation even in enclosed spaces, and it includes rack-mount ears for easy installation. Like the M1, the M4 supports digital optical inputs and Dolby Digital decoding, allowing users to distribute TV audio throughout their home.
The Marantz Model M1 is priced at $1,000 and is available for pre-order at retailers such as Crutchfield and World Wide Stereo. The Model M4, designed for more extensive home audio setups, is available for $3,500 at World Wide Stereo.
