MarantzModel M1 Wireless Streaming Amplifier

I have several Denon home 250 speakers sprinkled throughout my house, and a marantz av preprocessor attached to my TV.I wanted to add synchronized audio to my backyard, so I paired this with two B&W AM-1 speakers. The Marantz M1 paired with these is fantastic!I briefly compared to the Denon Heos HS2 amp. For backyard music, I didn't want to care too much about sound quality -- and my neighbors would probably like if I didn't care too much about volume or bass. So I was hoping the significantly cheaper Heos Amp would fit the bill. But the A/B comparison took me about 30 seconds to pick the Marantz M1.I plugged in the Denon HS2 first. The HS2 was, well, perfectly acceptable. It did just fine. The bass was a bit lacking -- but what did I want from a pair of smallish AM-1s in an outdoor environment? Just what the neighbors would want....The M1 was next. In addition to being *way* louder when pushed, the M1 just has much better control over everything. The bass is deeper and more powerful, surprising me with what the AM-1's can do in a small backyard. Vocals were clearer, and the music just sounded so much better. It was a HUGE difference, and way more then I'd expect in a somewhat noisy outdoor location, and with only 30 watts (officially) difference in output.The M1 is awesome for my purpose. It's small, sounds fantastic, and integrates with the rest of the house.

The Marantz M1 delivers a wide and deep soundstage with detailed highs and nuanced mids and lows, providing powerful performance without distortion. I’m using it with KEF LS50 Metas and a KEF Micro Sub, and while I wish the HEOS app included a parametric EQ, it’s still great to have independent frequency management for both the paired speakers and the sub. That said, using Tidal Connect through HEOS isn’t as smooth as it was with the Bluesound Node I had connected to the Rega IO.This may be controversial for purists, but I definitely prefer how vinyl sounds through the M1 compared to the analog direct on the Rega IO, even using the same phono stage.Overall, highly recommended. (Btw, I had ChatGPT edit my writing, so while robotic, it’s a real review)

Unfortunately, the M1 makes a lot of hiss. There is also a phaser-like noise when the M1 is at idle. I tried two different units, and they both had this problem, so I sent both of them back. I have since learned that this problem may be solved via a firmware update. I'll wait and see. If Marantz can fix the noise problem with an update, then I will definitely purchase another unit.

for a simple stereo streaming audio amplifier, this is a revolutionary device. it has clean and authoritative power. has many custom features and just the right amount of connectivity. once set, it performs flawlessly regardless of the source with great detail and clarity. it's so small you with its auto signal sensing, it performs as one with everything connected, not as an external device

Amazing quality, the virtualization alone sells this product. Really brings it to life and is comparable to an 11.1.4. If money isn’t an issue and want ease of life I’d recommend

Pros: looks nice, sounds good, sorta easy setup and is working as designed w/eARC.Cons: this thing could be 1000% awesome if it wasn't chained to the Helo app - long update times, kinda cheap feeling - expensive for what it doesn't have.Needed some sound in my office to go with a new NUC and OLED. Sony (or whatever) sound bars are not the answer for a few reasons. Wanted a 2.1 amp with eARC to just kinda set and forget. So, the final design: M1, some Martin Logan 4i's and an 800x sub for around the same dollars as a nice bar and sub combo.Everything works as intended and the sound out of the box can't be matched by any soundbar I've tried. The martin Logans probably don't hurt. Still have everything strung together in a temporary lab sort of way and haven't adjusted anything expecpt the crossovers. This simple 2.1 plain old Blows my old Sony avr and Sony 7.3 on clarity and depth. About the same price - way more enjoyable for music, but also the Sony is a classic theater experience. Surround & deep deep deep bass. Difficult to compare * felt like the only legit choices.The M1 has Apple crap, multi room this and streaming that, which is cool.. I might use those features at some point. I'm a Google dude & The app is bad - but it's good enough to set up the Amp. Basically, if you're in the market for a class D Amp to connect to eARC, looks cool & just does it's job.. it's a pretty good choice. Is it better than a 349.00 Sony two channel or 500.00 avr? Idk.. has eARC, looks cooler sounds better. Or.. is it just a Denon in a fancy dress with a crap app that isn't worth 500.00 more to get the look and eARC.Bought the 3 year warranty for 100 bones. Will report back if it's absolutely amazing OR bad.. otherwise it's doing it's work as described.

Solid build, works great. HEOS has been fine for me. Drives my Revel F36 and SVS sub beautifully. Using with Sony TV via HDMI and Apple TV.

1/1/25: Now required to have login/password to operate this unit. Please advise on where to return it for a full refund. This is now a HUGE security risk to my home network and business. We don't want Marantz tracking us. Went through this with Sonos, joined class action lawsuit, sent everything back for a full refund years after buying it. My lexus does not ask for login/password when I drive it, nor should my oven, refrigerator or amplifier.