Marantz MODEL M1 Wireless Streaming Amplifier

[GiBo61]

MODEL M1 Wireless Streaming Amplifier, just announced by Marantz.

Wireless Streaming Amplifier MODEL M1
• 2.1 channel output allows for loudspeaker and subwoofer connection
• 100W per channel high power and crystal clarity
• Switching, digital end-to-end amplifier topology
• Enhanced performance with Marantz Musical Digital Filtering (MMDF)
• Effortless streaming with HEOS® Built-in, WiFi, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect
• Toslink optical audio and HDMI eARC digital audio inputs • Digital decoding with Dolby Digital+
• Sound Master tuned, designed, and built by Shirakawa Audio Works in Japan
• Small footprint, rack-mountable, high-end materials, and refined Marantz industrial design
• 1 pair RCA analog audio inputs with gold-plated brass terminals

Additional info in this FORBES article

Marantz MODEL M1 Infosheet

 

[GiBo61]

A WiiM Amp Pro ($369) competitor but at a much higher price ($900-$1000). However the Marants M1 seems to be a full digital amplifier. It's not clear the power at 4 and 8 ohms.

 

[Vacceo]

Interesting product, but honestly, Marantz should add extra work on their HEOS app to be on par with BluOS and other streaming software. Elements such as allowing multichannel audio or hi res should already be there.

 

[Open Mind Audio]

Hopefully it will not require Apple Airplay for Roon but sounds like that may be the case.

 

[Brev00]

Interesting product, but honestly, Marantz should add extra work on their HEOS app to be on par with BluOS and other streaming software. Elements such as allowing multichannel audio or hi res should already be there.

An update to the HEOS app is reportedly part of this release.

 

[Vacceo]

An update to the HEOS app is reportedly part of this release.

We have a lot of users of gear with HEOS, so it´s easy to ask about the "improvements".

 

[mr-audio]

Will be real interesting to see the specs and users perceptions of this, the new (coming) WiiM amp, and the existing NAD C700 and M10. The four cover a broad price spread but all have sufficient power and features for an all in one home system.

 

[raindance]

I wonder if the sub integration includes a high pass filter for the mains? Otherwise it is just another useless brick.

 

[GiBo61]

I wonder if the sub integration includes a high pass filter for the mains? Otherwise it is just another useless brick.

Adjustable High Pass / Low Pass Filters40-250 Hz / 40-120 Hz

See here

 

[GiBo61]

More powerfull than the Wiim Amp, at leas at 8 ohms, more or less same power at 4 ohms.
Probably not a huge difference in the real world.

 

[Vacceo]

In such a pack, it'd be nice to be able to add Dirac or some form of EQ.

 

[Tell]

In such a pack, it'd be nice to be able to add Dirac or some form of EQ.

Yeah it's 2024, I'd say that a proper PEQ is mandatory for this kind of device.

 

[raindance]

Adjustable High Pass / Low Pass Filters40-250 Hz / 40-120 Hz

See here

That makes a nice change! Now just a few PEQ filters would make it very useful indeed...

 

[GiBo61]

That makes a nice change! Now just a few PEQ filters would make it very useful indeed...

Marantz is not Wiim, I don't expect monthly firmware updates for the Model M1.

 

[flor]

It’s already “Sound Master tuned, designed, and built by Shirakawa Audio Works in Japan” so why would anyone need EQ?!?

 

[Vacceo]

Marantz is not Wiim, I don't expect monthly firmware updates for the Model M1.

Nor a HEOS app that is user-friendly. I really hope they finally iron out that part.

It’s already “Sound Master tuned, designed, and built by Shirakawa Audio Works in Japan” so why would anyone need EQ?!?

Those fine gentlemen are not present in our rooms to give the wrench one last turn.

 

[Chazz6]

A HEOS box does not require that you use the HEOS app. HEOS is an implementation of the DLNA/UPnP standards. As such, any DLNA controller app will see a HEOS box and be able to have streams sent to it from any UPnP server. I like the BubbleUPnP app, which works just fine with a Denon LinkHS2 HEOS box.

 

[greyscale]

Not Roon Ready according to the Crutchfield spec page.

 

[voodooless]

However the Marants M1 seems to be a full digital amplifier

Let's wait for some photos of the insides first. It would not be the first time that Class D is called digital... That and the MMDF feature makes it a bit suspicious.

The case would fit a Hypex NC122MP OEM module just fine, and it would fit the specs perfectly. That's what I would put my money on.

 

[Vacceo]

Let's wait for some photos of the insides first. It would not be the first time that Class D is called digital... That and the MMDF feature makes it a bit suspicious.

The case would fit a Hypex NC122MP OEM module just fine, and it would fit the specs perfectly. That's what I would put my money on.

And if that's the case, it's a fantastic amplification.

Given the Amp10, it could also be IcePower modules.