The Marantz MODEL M1 is described as the ultimate compact, versatile wireless streaming amplifier.
Marantz, one of the biggest names in high-performance audio for over 70 years has announced its all-new wireless streaming amplifier – the MODEL M1.
The ultra-compact, versatile and high-performance MODEL M1 is a new generation of wireless streaming amplifier that has been carefully engineered to offer great sound from a wide range of streamed music services, says the manufacturer. Thanks to its analogue and digital input sockets, it can also be connected to both physical music sources and a TV.
Marantz says this flexible design and feature set is backed by the heritage, engineering skill and renowned sonic expertise of a world-leading audio brand, ensuring MODEL M1 is uniquely positioned in the market as a wireless streaming amplifier that appeals to both first-time Hi-Fi buyers and the experienced audio enthusiast.
MODEL M1 has been designed with the power and quality to suit a wide range of loudspeakers, from compact designs to substantial towers, or ceiling or wall-mounted speakers. Its high-power amplification is efficient and offers 100W of stereo output with low distortion – just 0.005% THD via its digital inputs, a figure typically found in amplifiers costing a great deal more argues Marantz. If desired, users can add a subwoofer for a 2.1-channel experience and MODEL M1’s configuration options allow for full adjustment of both high-pass-filter and low-pass-filter frequencies independently, along +/-15dB of subwoofer level trim.
This powerful amplification is complemented by full high-resolution music support. MODEL M1 supports the full high-resolution music experience over streamed services, a network or even USB, including 24-bit/192kHz PCM support and provision for DSD. To ensure these high-resolution signals are delivered in the best possible quality, MODEL M1 operates in the digital domain from end to end. This simplifies the signal flow and eliminates errors caused by the inexpensive DACs sometimes found in traditional Hi-Fi. It also means all sources leverage the powerful DSP technologies built in, including Marantz Music Digital Filtering (MMDF), first developed for the brand’s reference-grade audiophile CD players and designed to ensure the characteristic warmth and musicality of any Marantz product.
High resolution, with choice
However users want to listen, MODEL M1 has it covered. Use the HEOS app to access all the music services available on the HEOS platform, including the soon-to-be-released updates for TIDAL and Roon Ready support.
In addition to HEOS, MODEL M1 supports Bluetooth, Spotify Connect and AirPlay2, ensuring wide- ranging wireless music streaming for almost any content and from almost any device. Users can also play audio from a locally connected USB-A drive.
If the owners prefer the sound of vinyl, connect a compatible record player (a model with an included phono stage or a separate, external phono amplifier) via the MODEL M1’s line-level RCA analogue inputs.
The heartbeat of a home
When you’re not listening to music, MODEL M1 can act as an alternative to a soundbar or to an AVR for high-quality TV watching. Its included eARC HDMI input means simple one-remote control over system volume levels and power management using the TV’s supplied handset. The onboard Dolby Digital+ decoding supports the latest audio codecs typically used by broadcast and streamed TV services in high quality and a range of useful adjustment functions provide for an optimised experience whatever and whenever is being watched. That includes a Dialogue Enhancer option to make voices more easily discernible when listening at low volume levels, plus a Virtual mode that uses Dolby processing to generate a large, three-dimensional sound field from stereo-only content.
Every room, in great quality
MODEL M1 can also share HEOS music across a home with other HEOS-enabled products in the Marantz portfolio, including both stereo and AVR components, so whole-home Marantz sound quality (scalable to up to 32 discrete zones) is achievable. Of course, it can also be partnered with other MODEL M1s and its compact design means two units can be installed side-by-side in a standard 19in equipment rack if desired. Its effective passive thermal management means no intrusive fan noise or issues with heat build-up in cabinets and a threaded mounting point on the rear of the amplifier means it can even be installed a wall-mount bracket if required.
The HEOS app gives full control over MODEL M1’s functionality even when the amplifier is installed out of line-of-sight, but for more extensive integration in custom installation environments, MODEL M1 is also compatible with a broad range of third-party control systems, including Crestron, Control4 and URC. HEOS also provides for IR learning, so it is possible to use other brands of remote control handset too.
MODEL M1 – Wireless streaming amplifier – $1000 | £900 | €1000
• 2x 100W Amplification, 8-ohm, 20 Hz – 20kHz
• 192/24 High-Resolution music support
• 2.4 GHz, 5.6 GHz and 6 GHz wireless plus Gigabit wired network connectivity
• Stereo RCA in x1, HDMI eARC x1, USB-A x1
• HEOS Built-In including Bluetooth, Airplay 2, Spotify Connect and support for numerous streaming services
• Subwoofer output with full adjustment functionality
