Just-add-speakers streaming amplifiers are all the rage right now, from budget mini-boxes like the WiiM Amp Pro to premium models from Arcam, Cambridge Audio and Naim.
Marantz is another such brand and its new, compact Model M1 all-in-one system is designed to be a "magical musical box" that can be hooked up to a TV, turntable, CD player or simply breathe new, wireless life into a hi-fi system – all you need is a pair of speakers and you're good to go.
On the physical inputs side, you get one pair of line-level RCA inputs, one digital optical input, a USB type A port and a subwoofer output. The icing on the cake is an HDMI eARC input for your TV connection. Not only that, but the M1 also supports Dolby Digital+ and features a Dialogue Enhancer, a Night Mode, and a Virtual mode that uses "Dolby processing to generate a large, three-dimensional sound field from stereo-only content", thus making this a tempting soundbar alternative.
Its compact dimensions (21.7 x 24 x 8.4cm) and broad features support are ideal for those wanting a jack-of-all-trades solution in a smaller space, with the maker promising that the Model M1 will have the "characteristic warmth and musicality of any Marantz product" thanks to reference-grade Marantz Music Digital Filtering DSP technology.
The Marantz Model M1 is available now in a sleek black finish for a rather competitive retail price of £900 / $1000.
MORE:
Read our guide to the best music streamers currently available
Check out the best hi-fi systems for streaming, CD, turntables and more
Read our review of the more premium Marantz Model 40n
