Marantz MODEL M1 Wireless Streaming Amplifier

[MelodiousThunk]

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.

 

[MelodiousThunk]

I just noticed that Andrew Robinson responded to someone else on YouTube who is having the same issues with their M1. He said “Ours got a firmware update recently and started doing the same thing, rhythmic noise (tweeter hiss) that is audible at idle. I’m trying to chase down an answer but it will likely be a few weeks.” So, maybe this could be sorted out with another firmware update.

 

[noelos]

Just bought one of these and am shocked by the amount of background hiss when nothing playing. I may need to return it if this is not a firmware issue.

 

[eastbaysteve]

First I’ll state I’m no audiophile or expert in anything sound related. I just hooked up my new M1 today with a pair of Revel F36, and they sound a lot better than they did with my Sonos Amp. Fortunately no hissing, I did do an update an update when I plugged in. Also I’ll note that I was expecting really bad things from the HEOS APP and I don’t think it’s that bad……yet. I have been very disappointed with the new Sonos app.
Thanks for all the great info from this site and members over the last couple of months as I was shopping for new speakers and amp.

 

[MJI]

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.

Did you power cycle the amp after replacing the speakers? The amp's mode doesn't seem to change after you replaced the speakers.

 

[MelodiousThunk]

Did you power cycle the amp after replacing the speakers? The amp's mode doesn't seem to change after you replaced the speakers.

I am not sure what you mean by “The amp's mode doesn't seem to change after you replaced the speaker.” But, I tried everything. I also tried everything again while on the phone with Marantz tech support.

 

[MJI]

I am not sure what you mean by “The amp's mode doesn't seem to change after you replaced the speaker.” But, I tried everything. I also tried everything again while on the phone with Marantz tech support.

Thanks for your info, but it is disappointed me.

 

[noelos]

Anyone experience a problem where the ARC audio just cuts out after 20-30 minutes? It's happening all the time for me. Not great to be watching a movie and suddenly have the amp kick off and sound through the TV speakers.

 

[caioferrari]

No LFE, no EQ and software bugs... Seems a really overpriced for what it offers.

 

[MelodiousThunk]

Anyone experience a problem where the ARC audio just cuts out after 20-30 minutes? It's happening all the time for me. Not great to be watching a movie and suddenly have the amp kick off and sound through the TV speakers.

I never had that issue. It kind of sounds like that may be your TV or a faulty HDMI cable. I would try it with a different TV and/or with a different cable.

 

[MelodiousThunk]

No LFE, no EQ and software bugs... Seems a really overpriced for what it offers.

If I could get rid of the pulsing and hissing, I would really dig the amp. It sounds quite nice. And, HEOS ain’t as bad as I thought it would be. I am actually fine with it.

 

[ban25]

UPDATE: Here’s an update of my previous post. When using the M1 I get a swirling hiss that seems to shadow the music and a pulsing when nothing is playing when using Def Tech Demand D15’s and D17’s. I just connected the M1 to some cheap Phillips speakers from a bookshelf unit in my garage and the issues seem to not present themselves. I am now wondering if there is some sort of compatibility issue with the M1 and the Def Techs? My WiiM Amp and WiiM Amp Pro drive the Def Techs without issue. I am a bit confused. I may have to buy some other speakers to pair with the M1. Is anyone else driving Def Tech D15’s or D17’s with the M1? I really prefer the sound of the M1 but the noise is very distracting.

The following is recorded audio of what I have tried to describe above. The volume on the M1 is very low and I captured the sound with my iPad mic right next to the tweeter of a single D15:

https://soundcloud.com/ryan-matzen%2Fmarantz-m1%2Fs-amNUq1GZY3P

Almost sounds like coil whine, especially how the frequency seems to change with content.

 

[noelos]

I never had that issue. It kind of sounds like that may be your TV or a faulty HDMI cable. I would try it with a different TV and/or with a different cable.

I've now tried with 3 HDMI cables (all certified 2.1). I also realised it's pretty consistently 20 minutes exactly. Marantz manual says it shuts down automatically to Quick Start mode after 20 minutes of no signal - but of course there is a signal which it's amplifying just fine.

So while it could be something else in the chain to me it looks like I might need a firmware update or to return this thing.

 

[MelodiousThunk]

Almost sounds like coil whine, especially how the frequency seems to change with content.

I am not familiar with “coil whine”. I’ll have to look into it.

 

[MelodiousThunk]

I've now tried with 3 HDMI cables (all certified 2.1). I also realised it's pretty consistently 20 minutes exactly. Marantz manual says it shuts down automatically to Quick Start mode after 20 minutes of no signal - but of course there is a signal which it's amplifying just fine.

So while it could be something else in the chain to me it looks like I might need a firmware update or to return this thing.

Have you reached out to Marantz at all?

 

[AlfredoTinoco]

Hi I got my Marantz M1 refurbished from Accessories for less at $749. No issues with hissing or noises. Connected to a Sony x90l for TV and a pair of POLK Lsim 707 watching/streaming and also using Spotify. The only thing I notice is a variation in tonality (less "sparkle" on the highs and less "depth" on the lows) depending on some songs and on whether I'm listening to Spotify from the TV google TV or streaming via the phone. Other than that an excellent minimalistic little amp with very high WAF

 

[voodooless]

UPDATE: Here’s an update of my previous post. When using the M1 I get a swirling hiss that seems to shadow the music and a pulsing when nothing is playing when using Def Tech Demand D15’s and D17’s. I just connected the M1 to some cheap Phillips speakers from a bookshelf unit in my garage and the issues seem to not present themselves. I am now wondering if there is some sort of compatibility issue with the M1 and the Def Techs? My WiiM Amp and WiiM Amp Pro drive the Def Techs without issue. I am a bit confused. I may have to buy some other speakers to pair with the M1. Is anyone else driving Def Tech D15’s or D17’s with the M1? I really prefer the sound of the M1 but the noise is very distracting.

The following is recorded audio of what I have tried to describe above. The volume on the M1 is very low and I captured the sound with my iPad mic right next to the tweeter of a single D15:

https://soundcloud.com/ryan-matzen%2Fmarantz-m1%2Fs-amNUq1GZY3P

So, what I found out here, is that the issue is most likely due to an issue with the crossover filter, resulting in very low impedance around the switching frequency of the amp, resulting in it behaving erratically. If you can check the schematic of your speaker's crossover, we may be able to verify a second example. I wonder how well other class-D amps handle this kind of a load, maybe @pma did some experiments along these lines?

 

[SNHK]

I heard this amp recently at a Marantz dealer. I was perfectly satisfied with what I heard, neat enough for a little streamer + amp in a box. The poor soul handling the demo had a hard time getting it to work correctly though, makes me wonder about reliability all around especially now after seeing the issues mentioned in this thread. If you really want the Marantz name and those features + form factor I suppose it isn't the worst so long as your unit works well in your setup.
Or you can just get a WiiM Amp.

 

[MelodiousThunk]

So, what I found out here, is that the issue is most likely due to an issue with the crossover filter, resulting in very low impedance around the switching frequency of the amp, resulting in it behaving erratically. If you can check the schematic of your speaker's crossover, we may be able to verify a second example. I wonder how well other class-D amps handle this kind of a load, maybe @pma did some experiments along these lines?

I just received an email from Marantz stating “Our team is aware of the issue with the Model M1 and certain speaker models and they currently working toward a solution. We appreciate your patience and we will offer more details as soon as they are available.”

 

[MelodiousThunk]

I tried the M1 with Definitive Technology Demand D15s and KEF Q150s and had issues with both. Marantz and Definitive Technology are both owned by the same company, so they should have access to the schematics. Unfortunately, I have not been able to locate any schematics myself.