Marantz M1 Streaming Amplifier Review

[SoySalsaPicante]

Agreed, but a couple people have made a big deal out of the fact that the Marantz supports eARC while the WiiM streaming amps only support standard ARC. But AFAIK the additional features of eARC only apply to surround/spatial sound and do not affect stereo playback.

I’m assuming it’s the same people making a huge deal out of the fact that the new miniDSP Tide16 only has HDMI 2.0 and not 2.1 (or newer? I can’t keep up with this stuff!).

 

[srkbear]

My basic comment is WiiM, Eversolo or BlueSound.

IFi’s Zen Stream and Neo Stream are very good, feature-rich, transparent and very affordable options as well. One of their few product lines to which I give an unqualified recommendation. I use the Neo Stream’s streamer (which handles native DSD 512 and PCM 768) to host Roon natively to my Topping d90se (bypassing its internal DAC), and it’s flawless. The Zen Stream is a pure streamer that is equally fine, although its XMOS tops out at DSD256 and PCM 384.

 

[Marius24]

I love the work from all the measurement guys.

But all the reviews say the same thing when they compare it to the WiiM ECC: they have to crank the volume to the maximum, while with the M1 they don’t. You can tell way this is possible if you look at the measurements of the M1 versus the Wii

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

I love the work from all the measurement guys.

But all the reviews say the same thing when they compare it to the WiiM ECC: they have to crank the volume to the maximum, while with the M1 they don’t. You can tell way this is possible if you look at the measurements of the M1 versus the Wii

That is simply gain. WiiM amp models as well as VibeLink have always had average to lower than average gain (typically only about +20dB). The Marantz M1 actually has a really huge amount of gain, much higher than average (average is more like +26dB or so), so in fact I don't even see most people ever using the full volume of the M1 unless they have intensely inefficient speakers.

 

[A Surfer]

Solid points. Not sure this device is the answer but Wiim needs those eventually.

I'm not sure that they do. If Wiim adds these features the price will rise and then people will say that it is too much. It seems to me that once a company enters the market on the strength of being easier on the wallet, consumers want more and more, but they expect the prices to remain unchanged.

I'm probably oversimplifying things.

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

By the way, this amplifier peculiarly has a massive amount of gain. Based on the rated input sensitivity of 200mV for its analog input (yes, we know it passes through an ADC anyway with a maximum voltage rating of 2.5V before clipping) plus the rated 100watts output at 8ohms, this thing has a whopping ~43dB of rated gain.

You'd think Marantz perhaps could have potentially compromised here, and maybe designed it with less total gain in exchange for lower noise/distortion.

 

[SHDK]

@amirm Did you have Power saving set to “Auto-Standby (Default)”, or to “Quick start”?

There is a bug/issue with the amp causing hissing/static noise which seems to be triggered by the Default auto-standy power saving mode.

Marantz MODEL M1 Wireless Streaming Amplifier

I just purchased some KEF Q150 Bookshelf Speakers and some Blue Jeans cables to give the M1 another go. Unfortunately, it is doing the exact same thing it and the previous M1 did with my Dev Techs. So, I guess I’ll be returning this unit as well.

www.audiosciencereview.com

https://www.reddit.com/r/hometheater/s/PureDmKdPU

Switching to Quick Start and rebooting fixes this (as I confirmed myself). Latest Firmware doesn’t fix this. Marantz is aware of it but stated they aren’t sure they can fix the underlying with a software update (Source: Marantz tech I spoke to).

I can imagine this issue might have affected your measurements.

My first M1 developed the hiss after about 2 month of use. Got a new one from the dealer. And that has bin flawless. But no doubt the hiss is an known issue.

 

[GiBo61]

My first M1 developed the hiss after about 2 month of use. Got a new one from the dealer. And that has bin flawless. But no doubt the hiss is an known issue.

Apparently the hiss in some M1 devices is something that could not be fixed with the latest firmware updates.

 

[SHDK]

Apparently the hiss in some M1 devices is something that could not be fixed with the latest firmware updates.

Interesting. I wonder if there are any mechanical/hardware differences between those who can be fixed with a firmware updates and those who can't ?

 

[Art of sound]

16bits of range in multitone is good enough for any human ear. The noise shaping is a concern but as of now all subjective tests indicate this is a great sounding streaming amplifier.

 

[SHDK]

16bits of range in multitone is good enough for any human ear. The noise shaping is a concern but as of now all subjective tests indicate this is a great sounding streaming amplifier.

It's hard for me to argue against this review. I have no reason to say the measurements are wrong, and i dont have the skills or equipment to measure myself.

But before buying the M1. I did review it against both the Wiim amp ultra and a Sonos Amp. And I can say that to my ears, the M1 sounded more powerful and with a bit warmer and to me pleasant sound then the two others.

 

[joules]

I was curious so I opened up the Wiim Amp Ultra review and scrolled through both reviews at the same time. At basically every stage, the Wiim was better, despite being half the price.

Unless I'm missing something, how can the M1 even survive (other than ignorance of Wiim's existence)?

Thanks for the review!

I have a terrible question. If Wiim AMP Ultra was so fantastic, why can you find as much annonces in the second hand market often just used few hours ?
It's not the fact with M1 or even bluesound amps. i own a bluesound powernode and i like the sound, i'm just curious with this amp. I'm afraid of a metallic sound typic of Chinese products

 

[Nopiano]

I'm afraid of a metallic sound typic of Chinese products

Welcome to ASR. It might be worth you reading a few of the pinned threads and videos, as not many folk here will agree with sweeping generalisations like this. The emphasis here is on science, and measured results, and your perception of ‘metallic sound’ isn't revealed in testing.

 

[Everett T]

I have a terrible question. If Wiim AMP Ultra was so fantastic, why can you find as much annonces in the second hand market often just used few hours ?
It's not the fact with M1 or even bluesound amps. i own a bluesound powernode and i like the sound, i'm just curious with this amp. I'm afraid of a metallic sound typic of Chinese products

Where do you think the Bluesound products are produced? What about the Marantz?

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Where do you think the Bluesound products are produced? What about the Marantz?

The Marantz M1 is built in the Shirakawa, Japan facility with Marantz’s flagship products.

 

[Whodiini]

Trying to figure out what the max audio resolution can be input thru the HDMI/ Using google, some youtube says 192khz/24bit but havent gotten it to work at that resolution. And I dont see that in the manual. Also Marantz doesnt have an email support to send to that I can find.

 

[Michael Kohler]

As Roland68 mentioned, the Marantz M1 performs significantly worse than the SMSL VMV A2 (or Sabaj A30a) in terms of measurements and performance. Apparently, SMSL and Sabaj have managed to create full digital amplifiers with very respectable performance based on the AX5689 digital feedback control system from Axign and the class D STA350B amplifier chip from ST Micro. On the contrary, the Marantz M1 and the Harman Kardon Citation Amp are devices that have presented numerous performance and reliability problems since their release (sound hiss for the Marantz with some speakers and overheating followed by failure for the Harman Kardon). Given this, it is difficult to understand why the SMSL VMV A2 and Sabaj A30a have been discontinued and are no longer available on the respective manufacturers' websites. In particular, the Sabaj A30a, costing around $500, was one of the most interesting class-D amplifiers of recent years. It's a shame that Amir didn't get to test it for ASR even though in fact, based on the components, the PCB design and the fact that SMSL and SABAJ are brands under the same parent corporation, the Sabaj is effectively a clone of the SMSL VMV A2.

That's exactly right. I own both full digital amplifiers: the Sabaj A30A and the SMSL VMV A2. In my opinion, you can hardly tell them apart sonically; both are truly excellent. I've never had such good amplifiers at home. Actually, I wanted to know how a conventional digital amplifier would sound in comparison. So I bought a used SMSL D6S D/A converter and a Topping PA5 II amplifier and compared their sound. It's quite simple. The two FDAs are better. In every respect.

 

[paultownsend5384]

Bench testing aside (how dare I!) has anyone heard the M1, Wiim Amp Ultra, and Powernode together? Im looking for bass management (specifically speaker high pass filter) for my current 2.1 system (MA Silver 100 and BK XLS200) and cant stretch to Lyngdorf. Cheers.

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Bench testing aside (how dare I!) has anyone heard the M1, Wiim Amp Ultra, and Powernode together? Im looking for bass management (specifically speaker high pass filter) for my current 2.1 system (MA Silver 100 and BK XLS200) and cant stretch to Lyngdorf. Cheers.

The high pass filter of M1 has limited adjustability. You’re much better off with the WiiM Amp Ultra if you’re comparing those two. I cannot tell you off hand for the Powernode.

 

[mon]

I made the experience that low cost implementations of room correction make things worse whereas good implementations as in minDSP are worth every cent. They can change the listening experience a lot especially in bad rooms. So to me the Dirac option in the M1 is actually the killer argument for the M1.
If they add Dirac to the Wiim there is no more way around it.