Marantz Model M1 Streaming Amplifier Review

This baby box may look like a gaming console, but it's actually a compact streaming amplifier measuring just 84x239x217mm [HxWxD]. Marantz's Model M1 is primarily designed to access networked streaming content – what we used to call 'online music' in the olden days – but also has a smattering of physical connections beyond Ethernet, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. You get an HDMI eARC port equipped with support for Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital+, which the M1 downmixes to a two-channel signal, an unbalanced RCA line input, USB and optical digital in. Outputs comprise loudspeaker binding posts and an RCA subwoofer socket, empowering the little unit's 2.1-channel abilities.

For most people, this should cover all the music source bases. Yet, unexpectedly, there is no moving-magnet phono stage or headphone amp – and no means to hook up a power amp, either. Marantz seems to have taken a leaf out of the old Lotus book, "simplify, then add lightness". All the same, it feels like a high-quality component. The casement has a soft-touch finish, and there are three illuminated touch buttons situated below the logo, which provide volume control and track play/pause/skip functions. Manufactured at the Shirakawa Audio Works facility in Japan – alongside loftier offerings from Marantz and Denon – it's very well screwed together.

Given its diminutive stature, it comes as no surprise that the M1 uses Class D power amplification – 100 watts per side into 8 ohms, according to Marantz. This is said to rise to 125W into 4 ohms; on a full-size hi-fi separate, this would nearly double, but it's likely that the lack of space inside limits the size of the power supply. All the same, the company quotes very low distortion levels (THD 0.05% at 8 Ω). Given the duties the M1 will likely see, these are respectable figures.

The M1 is fully digital internally, converting incoming analogue signals (such as from its RCA line input) to the digital domain. This lets it leverage the powerful DSP technologies built in, such as Marantz Musical Digital Filtering (MMDF), which is said to use unique oversampling digital filtering techniques, first developed for the brand's reference-grade audiophile products. As it's Class D-powered and lacks a display, you can hide the M1 away in a cabinet should you wish, as it runs cool and even has a port to add a remote IR flasher. That said, it's designed to power up automatically when you switch on the television or start to play music. Custom Installers will like its support for Creston, Control4, and AMX.

The mini Marantz's multi-room and streaming skills come by way of HEOS, which hands it access to your networked and local device storage, as well as streaming services, AirPlay and Bluetooth 4.2. Streaming support covers Pandora, Spotify, TuneIn, Amazon Music, TIDAL, Deezer, SoundCloud, and more. As of recently, this also includes Qobuz Connect. PCM is supported to 24/192 and DSD to 256. In my view, HEOS isn't the most elegant of solutions, but is serviceable. Personally, I use Roon for most of my streaming, which the M1 supports, and I find it more intuitive. To be fair, though, Roon is subscription-based and doesn't come cheap. HEOS for the M1 does include Dirac Live capabilities if you subscribe, which is a surprise bonus for this reviewer, as is the handy Setup Assistant.

The Marantz M1 has the basics well covered, then, but so it should because it faces competition from the likes of the WiiM Amp Pro and WiiM Amp Ultra, both of which are cheaper and offer at least the same functionality. For this review, the Model M1 took the place of a Naim Nait XS3 with a Lindemann Limetree Network feeding it the streamed goodness, which was output through a pair of Audiovector R 3 Arreté loudspeakers. Additionally, it also took over televisual audio duties from a Naim Mu-so 2. So at this point, the M1 is already looking excellent value whilst decidedly decluttering the AV rack.

The Listening

The Marantz Sound Master has done wonders with the tuning, as the M1 sounds very much like its glitzier hi-fi siblings – such as the Model 60n. I know it shouldn't be a surprise that the M1 shares the 'house sound', but it's much more than that. It boasts a natural tonality that one rarely expects from a compact streaming amp, especially at this price point. There's a fundamental warmth to the sound that prevents it from ever seeming analytical.

It delivers all the crucial musical details in a wonderfully organic way, as demonstrated by a Qobuz stream of Joni Mitchell's In France They Kiss on Main Street. Here, Joni's voice retained her unmistakable timbre while the Jaco Pastorius-sounding bassline (even though Max Bennett is credited on the studio recording) is lush and melodic. With more uptempo programme material, Soprano from Nova Twins' latest long-player Parasites & Butterflies revealed dollops of taut bass. Even when the volume was turned up to party levels, there was no sense of the Model M1 losing its grip.

Neither did it mask its midband and high-frequency talents. Although no substitute for my far more expensive reference separates system in absolute terms, I was very happy with what I was hearing in my listening room. Playing Beethoven's Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68 (Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic) showcased how well the M1 deals with dynamics. Closing my eyes during playback, I could have easily been convinced that the sound was coming from a larger and more powerful system. More relevantly, I wasn't missing the individual boxes the M1 replaced.

Putting the HDMI connection to use, and Blade Runner 2049 sounded far more immersive than via the Cambridge Evo 150 SE that I recently reviewed. The Model M1 was able to push the movie's soundscape farther out beyond the speakers, which meant that effects such as footsteps off to the side actually sounded like they were in my kitchen. This was further enhanced by selecting Virtual from the HEOS Sound Mode options, as this creates a pleasing extra surround sound effect.

The Verdict

The Model M1 has been parachuted right in the middle of a highly contested market battleground, and Marantz has chosen a different set of priorities compared to its rivals. It hasn't opted to undercut the competition on price, nor has it chosen to weigh it down with features. HEOS is a matter of taste and/or familiarity, and I am loath to deduct marks based on this, especially as it can ultimately be sidestepped by using Roon if you already subscribe.

Instead, the Model M1 stands out for its grown-up sound. Most listeners will really enjoy its sonic performance, especially when streaming high-quality hi-res audio. To my ears, it does a way better job than the WiiM Amp Pro in this respect. Similarly, Hollywood blockbusters – their soundtracks, dialogue and special effects – are rendered better than Cambridge's Evo 150 SE.

It's very good then, but is it enough to replace a traditional, dedicated hi-fi setup? The relative lack of connectivity doesn't help, nor does its rather anonymous appearance and lack of outright power. Yet if you mostly stream music in smaller spaces or want a tidy way of upgrading the audio from your telly, this is hard not to love. A curious contender it may be, but the Marantz Model M1 comes highly commended should it suit your needs.

For more information visit Marantz