MARANTZ's Model 40n is the BEST VALUE streaming amplifier in 2022
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- čas přidán 25. 06. 2024
- 👉🏻 This episode is brought to you by AudioQuest:
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🎥 Camera: Olaf von Voss
🎬 Editor: John Darko
🕺🏻 Motion GFX: John Darko
💰 Ad segment: Jana Dagdagan
🛋 My listening room in 2022:
darko.audio/darkos-listening-...
🎵 Song IDs? Playlists of all music heard in this video - and other videos - can be found on PATREON: / johndarko
0:00 Intro
0:27 Ben Salter / HDAMs
5:08 Specs, HEOS & IR remote
9:02 Side-by-side comparisons
15:29 What makes the 40n so different?
Marantz 40n
🛒 (US) howl.me/chIDf3eGODy
📖 darko.audio/2022/02/marantz-a...
Marantz HDAMs
📖 www.marantz.com/da-dk/blog/bl...
NAIM Uniti Atom
🛒 (US) howl.me/chIDf25qRuJ
📺 darko.audio/2018/07/wheel-lov...
NAD M10 V2
🛒 (US) howl.me/chIDf3d1ZKf
📺 darko.audio/2022/04/a-long-fi...
Vivid Audio Kaya S12
📺 darko.audio/2022/03/a-short-f...
GoldenEar BRX
🛒 (US) howl.me/chIDf3for8X
📺 • GoldenEar's BRX offers...
Samsung 'The Frame' 2022
🛒 (US) amzn.to/3FrziJR
📺 darko.audio/2022/06/a-short-f...
Ben Salter
🛒 (Bandcamp) bensaltermusic.bandcamp.com/
📺 darko.audio/2018/09/a-short-f...
📖 Further reading...
Future-Fi Now!
darko.audio/2017/03/future-fi...
🎧 Further listening...
Podcast #39 - Five years of Future-Fi!
darko.audio/2022/06/podcast-3...
#marantz #spotify #hifi
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It looks like a very nice bit of kit! The level of ‘one stop shop’ integration in these amps is becoming better and better
When it comes to audio equipment, bigger and heavier typically more expensive. I love my Marantz 40n. It's built like a tank, sounds absolutely amazing.
I enjoy discovering the music you listen to almost as much as your reviews…keep up the great work!
Informativ und interessant wie immer. Dankeschön aus dem Süden.👍
Thank you so much for many great music recommendations including Ben Salter. I’ve been listening to him all afternoon.
I have the 40n paired with a kc62 sub and Zu Omen Dirty Weekend 2’s… it is awesome in my room and it amazes visitors the way you can hear things in songs you may have not heard before and how it sounds like the artist is in the room with you. HEOS is ok and functional, but I am not a ROON user so I have only used HEOS.
This is the kind of review I like. Well done John.
I love the music suggestions / recommendations as much as the review. 👍🏾
I have been enjoying your show, I especially love your music choices. The Ben Salter record is great. thanks, Chris
It has a look that grows on you for sure.
Great review
Just another good review. Thank you John!
Hi John. It's nice and a pleasure see you blowing away with a not much pushed to forward equipment. But I'm with you, this model 40n from Marantz is something very very special. Cheers
In my city, we will be hovering around 36c all week with the humidity staying above 60%. A great time to stay indoors.
I've just had a thought on future fi. Many of the features that these amps are touting, HDMI eARC, Airplay, Wireless Networking, room correction, etc, have been on your basic AVR for years. It seems like HiFi is being designed for the main living space again rather than the dark and dank listening room. HiFi is merging elements of home theater to bring the whole family in on the fun. Or maybe this is just a reflection of the influx of hifi fiends from the HT boom of the Mid 90s growing up. Either way, I see it as a positive myself.
John, even though I am completely uninterested in streaming (at least for the time being) I've watched your review with a real pleasure. There's some extremely positive vibe about you.
This is truly a great time for audio. The absolute best part is the easy of streaming and listening to so many artist. It helps greatly on my vinyl and cd purchases. I still like to support artist and nothing like reading liner notes on a hot summer night with my dog in my lap and a cold beverage in my hand. John's interview with dynaudio's engineer was extremely insightful this week. I am excited for the review of their new active speaker.
Thank you for introducing me to Ben Salter! Love The Stars My Destination album!
As I have just 48 hrs ago ordered my new 40n, I really like what you’re saying 🥰
Mate, I love your style (your glasses and your videos) and you made my day today. I left Berlin in 2008 and had to leave my Stereoanlage behind. Only recently my living situation changed making it possible to get into it again. That's how I came across your videos. The thing I got a little emotional about is the introduction to Ben Salter. I love his music and he will be playing at the Petersham Bowling Club 300m down the road in November. I'm pretty sure the Hitzewelle will be guaranteed for this one too. Thanks John
Love your channel / effort 🤓 🥂
Came for the audio tomfoolery, left with a new bit of music to digest. All win!
Sounds...by your description and excellent choice. And John your descriptive attitude is always as close to perfect as one might get. And dare I say it not unlike the Marantz being a bridge as you weave your way from system analysis qualities and topology.
Wow John, your listening skills are improving nicely.
Best part is the Marantz has retained bass/treble tone controls for old fashioned guys like me.
That was a solid episode. Marantz all day!
Just bought The Cat. Love Gareth. Thank you
Love that Ben Salter album, I have it on vinyl. The Marantz looks perfect for a 2nd room.
I’m digging the album recommendation to start each of your videos. My taste is a bit different but quality music is quality music and I welcome stuff I have never heard, which can be hard to come by. 🍻
Nice video, as always :-). About the remote; I bet it is the same that came with my Denon SACD player, but in another case.
I have looked at so many items that miss by one tick, and this is the first that’s gets it all right for me. Just a perfect combo for so many of us
Hi! Excellent video! As always! Question. There’s a reason why you didn’t use the Cambridge audio evo 150 on your comparison? This it does have mm input and a decent headphone amplifier. Thanks!
Marantz produce some excellent products. I own the HDac 1. Great headphone amp too!
The Marantz is on my shortlist, together with the NAD C399 and Rega Elicit mk5. Fun times coming up ☺️
Happy I got the arcam sa30 on heavy discount. You can get them as “B-stock” very easily because most buyers have a hissy fit when they discover it has a major software quirk with the remote not being able to turn the unit on…. After purchase, once you restart it like 10 times while doing software updates, just ignore the remote and fully integrate it to your network via ethernet and hdmi 2.1 and you don’t even use the remote anymore. I haven’t had a problem with it since the first couple days I bought it.
I have a pair of Boston Acoustics and a pair of Mordaunt Short bookshelf speakers hooked up to my Cambridge Audio amplifier. I did take away the Mordaunt Shorts for a while to see if I got more focus and soundstage, but I’ve gone back to the four speaker set up in the end. I missed the blend of the aluminium tweeter and punchier bass on the Mordaunts with the more laidback soft dome tweeter on the Bostons. They are both 8 ohm speakers and pretty easy to drive, so the amp is never under undue strain. The extra speakers also add body and volume in my large, high-ceiling living room and they sound just right to me.
John. You are awesome!
especially if he took his vitamins ....
Oh my, that John B album is outstanding. Playing on Atom/Fyne F1-5 combo. Sounds ace! Cheers :)
That is interesting the 40N doesn't high-pass the mains through a DSP by choice but allows low-pass on the sub. Sub integration is a bit of an art typically with use of delays but more importantly phase (of course phase is time and time is phase). So through the crossover region there will typically be a natural roll-off on smaller mains. I'd imagine the best integration would be matching the sub low-pass to that natural roll-off on the mains, but measuring to verify they are in-phase in that crossover region. Easily measurable with something like room eq wizard for someone who knows how to do it. Quick test if possible would be flipped phase on the sub and play tone at crossover region but that's a whole topic in itself. GREAT review as always Sir.
Yes! Yes! Yes! I'm so glad that you finally did the review on it! I purchased the Marantz PM6007 about 1 month ago, and I am highly enjoying it over the audiolab 6000a & NAD 316beev2 which I tired out it in the process, at home, while shopping for the Marantz, to use with the Polk R200 speakers. I now wish I would of had the monetary stomach and balls to buy the 40n at the time, but 60w turns out to be more than enough, I do wonder how much better it can sound though.
Could you tell me why you preferred the Marantz over the NAD 316 please? I'm not bothered about features, only sound quality.
@@beetooex The marantz has a sweeter, more expansive sound, the marantz can express music better. The NAD almost sounds like a good quality class D amp by how little it breaths. The marantz maybe a little like a refined tube amp even though its solid state. The NAD and Audiolab are good for dialogue with good recordings, but maybe too bass heavy on poor recordings, besides that they are kind of boring, closed in feeling. Hope this helps! Having electronics plugged into power strip correctly goes along way as well as using Ifi ac purifier unit on free wall plug.
Also, basically the Marantz pm6007-8006, deff the pm6007, is an integrated amplifier that really well complements the ifi Zen Dac signature and probably the Dac Magic 100/200.
Earned a sub. +like! Love it!
My wishes for a Marantz 40n Special Edition version of this amplifier.
1. Copper plating inside like other Special Editions.
2. 100 watts into 8 ohms. 140 or more into 4 ohms.
3. ESS 9038 Pro DAC.
3. The MM/MC phono preamp used in the Marantz Model 30
4. Roon Ready
5. Tidal Connect and MQA
6. Two HDMI inputs
7. HEOS to finally include Qobuz
8. Midrange tone control like the PM8006 has.
I’ve always loved Marantz. I use the basic entry level amp and it sounds as good as the Rega Brio. It also has a phono stage. Fascinating review. Thank you.
Nice Job Darko ! Thanks For the video.
I own 3 Marantz amps' 2270/8006/1403 and been owning them since 1992 2265b I though about having Tees made for me channel 25/193 😆 😆Still loving your music list on Spotify Appricate you darko i actually heard the 40n without hearing the 40n lol Kickass review !
You had me at Aztec Camera
Nice looking amp, but John, your videos already have me sold on Room Correction. Getting the Lyngdorf next week, much the result of you showing what it and room correction can do.
I always appreciate your reviews and get really excited and then I’ll press the link and realise The amp you are reviewing is two months wages for me. And way out of reach but still well worth the view 👌🥇
Thanks for the usual amazing review and how you add your personal feeling about the sound itself rather than technical stuff. I have 2 questions commets here:
1) Why didnt you talk about the DACs inside the Marantz? I've been looking all over the internet (since am interested in buying one) and they managed to hide that aspect very well 😅. I just need to know, for an amateur like myself, do i need to add a DAC or the ones buitl-in stand for the same quality of the Amp.
2) After seeing this and many other products to build my forst hifi system, i think buying one of Arcam's new AVR line will beat anything out there in a 1 box solution. For example, i add a 1000 USD over N40 price and i get class G amp, excellent dual DACs, best in class movie/decoding feature, excellent design, front screen, awesome connectivity, high power, Dirac, Etc. I will just miss the streaming which as you said can be covered with 180USD iFi Zen so why to bother?
came for the marantz review stayed for the music recommendations. when i saw creeper from forest drive west i was sold. the vivid speakers look really really good as well. did not know this brand at all.
Thank you very much for this video!
Honest and decent research and comparison!!
This really helps people to make a decision what solution to buy!
The transition to future-fi for old-school enthousiasts is really difficult at this moment, but you make the choice much easier.
Marantz have used HDAM,s in lots of different amplifiers over the decades to great effect. Having had a few myself. Ive always found them to be very good sounding.
Thanks John, love the music review thrown in. If you get bored of the hifi gear you can start a music review channel, actually please do that.
Nice to know it works with drum n bass. Not enough reviews include my music of choice. Props for mentioning and frying John b. All my drum n bass is on wax. Already have rega illicit r, monitor audio silver 2, 2 technics 1200 mk5 and the blusound node. But considering upgrading some parts. Would the marantz be a side step or upgrade? I was thinking of speaker upgrade first
As usual a very informative video, certainly in the departement of (for me) new music to discover. But you mention the prices of the amps you compare where the Marantz ‘wins’. But here in the Netherlands the Marantz is actually more expensive than the M10v2, €2499 for the Model 40N and €2125 for the M10v2. This does not need to change your opinion on both but I thought I should mention it…
This is one of the only amps that has everything I wanted. Analog preamp. Class AB amplification, hdmi arc, phono stage with no digitization of the signal. Sub output (although stereo preamp outputs would be been fine for this) the only thing I would change is preamp outputs rather than inputs.
Hi John. Alan here from Ireland. I’m actually a big fan of your videos and your podcast. I love that you give recommendations on actual music. Without you I’d have never discovered Future of the left for example! I have the Marantz PM7000n and love it. Unfortunately this hifi disease we have wants me to upgrade to new the model 40! In terms of functionality it seems identical. It’s twice the price and I am really looking for an excuse to upgrade. Please tell me that it’s way better than the Pm7000n. Thanks for all the good work and look forward to your next upload and podcast. Alan
Take it from me guys and gals, this amp is awesome. it really sings, especially with an added subwoofer. Simply gorgeous, sumptuous sound.
Do you use sound correction with n40? Like extra bass/treble?
I enjoy your reviews quite a bit. I value the opinion of many reviewers but I recently went against the grain a bit. I purchased an Arcam SA30. I have been enjoying it immensely. HDMI, good phono stage, Roon, Airplay, Chromecast and high biased class A power. Plus it displays bit rate. It’s been an eye opening experience.
I actually thought that you do your videos on one go, didn't expect the Outtakes at the end because I thought there were none :D
Love your videos! Huge fan and you taught me so much about Audio, thanks. I was looking at the JBL 4349 but they are expensive and I'm not sure if that's the thing I want... do they really sound this good?
One take for 23mins? I wish. (I don't use an autocue and probably never will)
Thanks for another thoughtful review John. I am at a little bit of a crossroads - stick with the BluOS ecosystem or change direction with the Marantz 40n and go down the HEOS path. While I haven't heard it yet, I do like so many things about the 40n. However there are two functional gaps I see - no Tidal Connect and no Roon Ready status (which, among other things, means no network DSD playback without an alternative solution). Both of these can probably be addressed via a firmware update, so I am wondering whether you (or anyone else?) has any credible information on whether these features are coming?
Great review. The HEOS app works but thats all. It needs serious interface and functionality improvements. The app leaves me searching for an alternative. The advance settings you refer to need to move to the remote app (that is basic but works). Both apps are ok but they are kinda only halfway there and Marantz either need to truly dive in to making them work well or allow alternative options perhaps a third party. I also think its time for Marantz to add larger screens to display information. I know its untraditional but the reality is if you need your phone to run an app to make the amp work you need a screen.
Based on the 8006 which I prefer on styling and as a pure analogue option. I use the iFi Zen Signature DAC v2 for streaming. Also the mid range control is useful for choral music. The 8006 does not have a sub out but I use a pair of REL T Zeros in a stereo pair combo. Sounds great. As you said the iFi phono stage is good the Marantz is even better.
Great review John. One of your best I think despite the odd use of words like “Cerebral” 🤣🤣🤣
Keep up the good work for the community. 👍🏻
And G’Day from another expat still down under, If you can slip in why you left I’d be interested…👍🏻
Love yout channel.
The Dynaudio podcast was really great. Will there be a focus 30 review anytime soon? (really hope so)
Regeres Ole
Yep. In a few weeks. 👍
Thanks for the video! Few questions if you can please answer: I have RT85 connected with Klipsch The Fives. I'm looking to upgrade my stereo system, and first I was thinking about Klipsch The Sevens, but I would like to listen to CDs too and also to be able to connect to the TV . 1. What you recommend to buy between Marantz Cinema 70 and Marantz 40n? which one has a better phono stage and works better with a CD player? Is the $1500 difference between them worth to go with 40n? I'm ok spending $2500 for the 40n if it makes more sense. (I'm not watching a lot of movies or playing games). 2. Is Marantz CD 60 the best match with 40n, or works ok with Cinema 70? 3. What bookshelf speakers you recommend up to $2000 ($2500) per pair? (I have a Klipsch Reference R-10SW 10" 300w Powered Subwoofer and I was hinking about Klipsch 600M II to match the subwoofer, but I'm ok spending more for better quality or better match with Marantz). 4. Can I replace (after 1000 hours) the 2 M Blue with the 2m Bronze cartridge on my RT 85? Thank you very much!
Reply
Hi Darko Audio, may i ask you to show a review of the AVM 2.3 Streaming-Amp?
Looking forward to your next time reviews. Best regards
Dear , always great produced videos of high interest. Being my knowledge of electronic music very limited I find myself enjoying the music that you select for your videos a lot. Is there any way to identify it? Do you have any playlist?
I'm pretty sure he only shares the playlists with his patreons
Excellent review, thank you.
Super integrated review request: I have become very interested in the c399 recently and would love you to get your hands on it.
Sort of by accident I think I’ve realized it could be the best amplifier in this super competitive ‘streaming super integrated’ segment, as long as you don’t care about size. One issue I have with the m10 is it’s poor analogue input (this has been noted by multiple reviewers), and as someone who is 50/50 streaming/vinyl, this is irksome. Is the c399 a better, more powerful/fully featured/analogue friendly version of the m10 for less? I’d love for you to tell us!
To answer your question about the HP filter for the sub, it's because some people run a standard power amp for their sub/s that don't have any functionality built in.
Darko, you look healthy. keep it up.
Hey John. How frequently do you have to charge your bellhop table lamp? I have one in blue. It’s nice we have the same light. I think about it a lot.
@DarkoAudio I love your wall art. can you maybe share the digital image of it?
Wonderful stuff as usual.....theres some fuzz on your record players needle btw! =)
Me and a friend found the more expensive Naim Uniti Atom to be more bang for the buck in the end after quite a few hours of testing both. The Naim sounded better with all of the speakers we tried (Focal Kanta 2, GamuT Phi 5 and Paradigm Persona 3F). We thought the Marantz had a sibilant or sharp tinge of some sort that we just couldn't come to terms with. The Marantz is undoubtedly good value for the money with all the functions, but I'd suggest to anyone interested in a streamer/amp combo in the Model 40n price range to strongly consider checking out the Naim Uniti Atom as well even if it is a 30% price increase.
Hi, I want to ask if 40n is a good match with KEF LS50meta? would 70w be too low to drive the speaker well?
So pleased you reviewed this as HDMI (i also have a Samsung Frame), MM Phono & headphones in one system is a huge win.
Do you think the LS50 Meta & KC62 would be a good pairing?
Wondering about that as well... especially for rock and classical music.
From what I've heard from reviews, it is an excellent pairing. Franky, I had the old LS50s and a sub and is worked very well. Considering the low latency of the KC62, I would bet that it's better than what I was getting.
When I bought my first CD player, a Marantz cd63 HDAM meant :
High
Definition
Amplifier
Module
🎶🤫🎶
PS you can keep future Fi with all the power and hdmi cables running to your "wireless" speakers.
This streaming amp is a better idea. About as simple as it gets.
I still prefer separates tho;-)
Will check out Ben Salter!
I was resisting the urge of craving for the 40n ever since it popped up. I was pretty sure I'd made it. Now thanks to you, Mr. Darko, I have to scrape up €2500... anyone interested in a 2020 Rega Elex-R?
John: I have been watching your CZcams Videos for quite some time, plus your Podcasts (that I love), but I comment rarely. I KNOW you cannot go do every comparison that people throw at you after a review like this one on the Marantz 40n! So what follows is merely a suggestion to consider. At this same price point (about $2600 USD) NAD has introduced the C399 at the top of their Classic line, also full size & fairly heavy, but with a great deal more power at both 8 and 4 Ohms (180 Watts/Channel at full bandwidth), using their top of the line Class D amp design migrated down from the Masters series. In fact, the C399 amp is much closer to the specs of the M33 than the M10 V2. AND it has a MM Phono stage built in, plus all the Blue OS streaming features as well as the App (via the optional modular MDC2 board), and a HDMI ARC input, + multiple other digital and analogue inputs. And it has the full Bass Management features that come with the Blue OS, PLUS Dirac Live Room Correction software included (full extended version is a $99 option). And a headphone amp. The only things it does not have compared to the M10 V2 is the great display screen and the small form factor of the box. But on paper the C399 exceeds the M10 V2 on every other feature and spec, for a bit less money! And Yes, I do know that Specs alone will not tell you how it sounds in comparison, especially in the same room, etc.! Hence my suggestion to at least look into it as an alternative to both the Marantz 40n and the M10 V2! Best regards!
The C399 cant do wireless streaming to 2 rear speakers like the NAD m10v2 (I checked with NAD), otherwise yes C399 is better if you don't care about size and the touchscreen.
Have you sought out to review the JBL SA 750 yet? I haven’t heard it but it looks like it could also be a great Future-Fi integrated amp.
Today I bought the Model 40n and a pair of KEF LS50 Meta. I (side by side) compared it in the shop to the KEF LS50 Meta Wireless 2 with the Reset the Preset album from Console. It was a tough decision. In the end I like the sound a little bit more (warmer and more well rounded) and I think its always a good idea to have a seperate AMP if you have the space. I still have my KEF R400b here. I may use it with the new setup. Thank you for the video Mr. Darko. :)
Do you like the 40n with the KEFs? What size is your listening room?
This seems similar to my Marantz PM8006 intergraded amp as far as power, for the digital end a have a Node 2i and an Oppo 203 with mod’s connected to a Arcam irDac with an external sBooster liner power supply. Sounds really nice
I believe it is the amp section of the pm 8006 with double the output transistors which in theory should give it higher current capacity. I love my older pm8004 and I am torn on if I should get the 40n or add a streamer to my 8004.
I like the look of the older model better and the insides look similar at half the cost, I’m very satisfied with my PM8006.
Hey John, any chance you could do a comparison between the Buchardt i150 amp, the Lyndorf and the NAD m10? They are my 3 choices for my next future-fi amp.
Hello John, I've spotted that you have polish settings (next to DE and ENG) at your phone on keyboard. Does it mean that you know or speak polish at some level?
Pole here
do you prefer the Cambridge audio evo 150?
I cant say I ever come across a Marantz product that dissapoints, just me! Even the late 90's early 00's lower build quality stuff still sounded fantastic!
Thanks for the great comparison John. Dealing with the opposite of a heatwave here in the antipodes, record floods. Unfortunately pricing is also reversed - the marantz 40n is $500 NZD dearer than the Naim Uniti Atom and a whopping $1000 dearer than the NAD m10v2. In Australia looks like the 40n is priced the same as the NAD. So maybe the 40N isn't the best value in all places !?
Would love to see a comparative review on the Roksan Attessa streaming amp. I know it's at a lower price point (closer to the NAD C700 than the M10vw) but that seems to be aiming for a similar usage pattern to the Model 40n. Not Kallax-fi; no screen for cover art / touch controls; class AB; has a phono stage & headphone amp.
Well done..
John is spot on about HEOS. Hell, I bought my Marantz NR1510 because of HEOS having integration with Amazon Music. It technically works, but navigation is barely there. Regarding the remote control, the Marantz WiFi app gives me complete control of my amp. I’d hope the 40n would do the same?
maybe the LPF is so you can more precisely control the sub from the listening position via remote. should add to a more accurate setting. would be better if there were gradients between the frequency settings. maybe redundant, but I think it probably adds a little functionality. If you went with an excellent monoprice monolith sub, you wouldn't have an app to control the LPF. feature really comes in handy then.
Which one would you choose between this Marantz Model 40n vs. Yamaha 700G ?
This review brings up a very interesting question that I've been asking myself lately. What is better, using components you love without room correction or getting a setup with well integrated DSP even if it's not your first choice of DAC/amplification. In other words, do the benefits of DSP outweigh the benefits of a sweet sounding DAC/amp. How much can your brain overcome the inherent coloration created by your room acoustics?
I think my room sounds pretty decent but there is no acoustic treatment (other than rugs and furniture). I can also tell that the room definitely has some problems in the low end department and that room correction would probably tighten up the bass a lot. I really love my combination tube integrated amp and Ares II DAC, and REL sub, and there's no elegant way to integrate DSP into my setup. Hypothetically, in a blind test, what would I enjoy more, the sweet sound of my current setup or the corrected sound of a future-fi setup? I think it's a really interesting dilemma.
Trust your ears my tip is make the room properly aired , it's good for the highs ,& lows , it's called hemisphere , which has an effect on the ambience!!!
For a long time in this hobby, i have sought answer to one question - Does a dedicated stereo amplifier (not AVR/receiver hp out) sound better/different than a dedicated headphone amplifier? Thanks John for answering this somewhat in the review!
Always wondered why a dedicated headphone amp would sound better than a proper stereo power amp, which in most cases, would outdo a headphone amp on power, dynamics, staging, given their architecture is made to handle. i.e. speakers and their impedance led dynamics. I understand that TOTL amps are purpose made and should any day be better than a headphone out of a stereo amp. But for someone spending 1000 euros - one can get "more" from a well regarded brand's stereo amp having a headphone output versus a dedicated headamp - i.e. more value for the same price.
I have always found your approach to reviewing straight up and enlightening, so unabashedly impose a request...very much appreciate if you can do a myth busting/educational video on why/ when to chose a dedicated headphone amp over stereo amp with a good headphone output? I can only think of you to address this Hi-Fi myth/mystery
M sure you already know this - to your pt. on Meze vs Senns sounding different - Marantz amps have a high damping factor caused by resistors in the audio path increasing output impedance, typically 300 ohms. Low impedance cans benefit from lower output impedance on the amps HP out, whereas high impedance cans will benefit from higher output impedance. Prolly the reason why the Meze dont benefit so much as the 300 ohms impedance Senns is that reason.
Keep them super videos coming John! And good work Olaf on the camerawork!
What a lovely device! Reminds me of my PM7200. Really enjoyed this ep, don’t think I have seen a Marantz review from you. Really cool
the Denon app is great for setting up the amp. should also work with the Marantz
I've been waiting for this. As an owner of the 40n, network side needs a kick in the pants. I have a Bluesound Node to get me to a Roon Ready state but I wish I could remove another component like I did with the Schiit Mani phono preamp. With the tone controls I use them as needed but I usually use the Source Direct knob and get a more airy result. I paired the 40n with the KLH Model 5's and having a great time with it. Just added a Denon dcd-1600ne to add another avenue for CD/SACD which has been amazing. The matching 30n SACD player costs more than this integrated so I cannot pull the trigger on that. I also sold my Denafrips Ares II as the bluesound with the 40n is no slouch.
I look forward to powering up each night with a glass of wine and King Diamond or early on Sunday with a cup of coffee and Miles Davis. It handles it all beautifully.
"I've been waiting for this. As an owner of the 40n, network side needs a kick in the pants." Agreed. For a connected amp like this lack of Roon Ready and Tidal Connect seems like a gap. Hopefully they will address via a firmware update. Would make it an even stronger proposition. Yes, HEOS probably not as good as BluOS but I could live with that given all other positives.
Is that a clamp on the P8? Dont Rega highly advise to use one?
So what speakers in your opinion would pair best with this amp?
Is there a switch on the amplifier/Heos app for gapless playback or the gapless playback is applied by default without any action required from the user?