- The new Marantz Model M4 from Masimo Consumer is designed as a rack-mountable distribution amplifier with four zones.
It is somewhat surprising that Masimo Consumer has now come up with this new solution for the Marantz brand, the Marantz Model M4, as it is a product that clearly addresses the custom installation segment, an area in which this brand would not normally be categorised. However, the fact that the manufacturer is talking about a solution that is of a particularly high quality level fits the picture.
The new Marantz Model M4 should prove to be a flexible solution, focussing primarily on streaming from various sources via HEOS Built-in, but also allowing flexible use beyond that and manufactured in Shirakawa in Japan.
With an elegant look
It is worth noting that conventional custom installation solutions, especially those designed for rack installation, tend to be discreet and pragmatic in terms of design, but not so with the new Marantz Model M4.
In terms of design, the Marantz Model M4 relies on the current design language that all Marantz brand solutions are currently characterised by and which can undoubtedly be described as extremely elegant.
It is clear that the new Marantz Model M4 does not have to be hidden away, this solution can certainly be present, with dimensions of 415 x 106 x 442 mm, as the data sheet reveals.
All relevant inputs…
It is also worth noting that the new Marantz Model M4 has a large number of inputs for each of the four available zones. There are four pairs of RCA sockets as analogue inputs, four USB-A ports for the integration of corresponding storage media, and at least two optical S/PDIF interfaces as well as two RJ45 Ethernet interfaces.
It should be mentioned at this point that the new Marantz Model M4 does not have an integrated WiFi module, so it can only be connected to the network by cable. Bluetooth is also not available here, to emphasise this explicitly.
What it does have are numerous preamp outputs, four pairs of RCA sockets are available for this purpose, meaning a separate line out for each zone. This also applies to the integration of subwoofers, whereby the aforementioned Line Out can be used for this purpose. One RCA connection per zone is therefore available as a subwoofer out with high pass filter and low pass filter.
The Marantz Model M4 naturally offers a pair of screw terminals per zone for connecting the speaker systems, as well as a 12 V trigger designed as a 3.5 mm jack per zone, which should also be mentioned here at the end of the consideration of all interfaces.
Streaming via HEOS Built-in
How could it be otherwise, the focus here is of course on streaming via the Heos Built-in platform, which can be used to access content on the network via UPnP as well as a wide variety of streaming services.
The spectrum ranges from Spotify to TIDAL, Deezer, Amazon Music, Pandora, TuneIn and SoundCloud, and in addition to Spotify Connect, the platform also supports Apple AirPlay 2.
In principle, it should be mentioned that the new Marantz Model M4 can process signals in Linear PCM with up to 24 bit and 192 kHz, as well as DSD.
It should also be noted that signals can be processed via the optical S/PDIF interfaces with Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital Plus, but not DTS. This means that nothing stands in the way of TV integration, as the manufacturer explicitly emphasises.
The Marantz Model M4, especially when streaming, is of course controlled using the corresponding app, the HEOS app, which is available for Apple iOS as well as Google Android.
It is also very important to mention in this case that HEOS Built-in also ensures direct integration into a wide range of control solutions, including Crestron, Control4 and AMX.
Powerful amplifier modules
Another outstanding feature of the new Marantz Model M4 is that it is a very powerful solution. The eight amplifier modules, which are designed for four zones in stereo, are said to deliver no less than 100 watts into 8 ohms. The finest sound is promised by Marantz Musical Digital Filtering, also known as MMDF for short.
Prices and availability
The new Marantz Model M4 should be available soon, with the manufacturer quoting a price of US$ 3.499,- for this solution.
Getting to the point
The Marantz Model M4 is a rack-mounted amplifier that can supply four zones, primarily with content via streaming, relying on HEOS Built-in. But locally connected music sources should also be brought into play in the best possible way, right up to the television, as Masimo Consumer describes this new solution from the Marantz brand, specially designed for the custom installation segment.
| PRODUCT | Marantz Model M4 Four-zone Rack-mountable Distribution Amplifier |
|---|---|
| Price | US$ 3.499,- |
| BRAND | MARANTZ |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Masimo Consumer |
| Distribution Austria | Marantz Deutschland D&M Germany GmbH |
| Distribution Germany | Marantz Deutschland D&M Germany GmbH |
| Distribution Switzerland | B&W Group Schweiz GmbH |
| More about this manufacturer at HIFI BLOG |
