Marantz Model 40n integrated amplifier Associated Equipment

Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment

Digital sources: Oppo Digital UDP-105 universal disc player, Custom Intel/Win11 music server running JRiver Media Center v29 and Roon, exaSound s88 Mark II, and Okto DAC8 Pro D/A processors. QNAP TVS-873 NAS.
Preamplifiers: Coleman Audio 7.1SW for source switching. 3 Topping Pre90s for buffer/line drivers.
Power amplifiers: Benchmark AHB2, NAD C 298. Both used as bridged monoblocks.
Loudspeakers: KEF Blade Two Meta, Revel Ultima2 Studio with IsoAcoustics Gaia I isolation feet. Revel Performa3 F206. SVS SB-3000 subwoofer.
Cables: Digital cables: AudioQuest Coffee (USB). Analog interconnects: Benchmark Studio&Stage XLR-XLR, Kubala-Sosna Anticipation (RCA), Cardas Cross (subwoofers). Speaker cables: Benchmark Studio&Stage, Canare 4S11 (Blue Jeans Cable). AC cables: Kubala-Sosna Emotion, SignalCable MagicPower 20A.
Accessories: AudioQuest Niagara 5000, Brick-Wall BrickWall 8RAUD, and CyberPower 850PFCLCD UPS power conditioners, Teddy Pardo 12V PS (for exaSound s88), HDPlex 300W Linear Power Supply and AC filter (for the server).
Listening room: 24' L × 14' W × 8' H, furnished with 2 MSR Acoustics Dimension4 SpringTraps in the front corners. Side walls lateral to L/R speakers are covered in 2"-thick, 2'-wide floor-to-ceiling OC 705 panels. Front wall has large windows partly covered by fabric drapes and 4"-thick 2' × 4' OC 705 panels. Rear of room opens into 10' × 7' foyer and a 12' × 8' dining area.—Kalman Rubinson

COMPANY INFO
Marantz
5541 Fermi Ct.
Carlsbad, CA 92008
(800) 654-6633
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
michelesurdi's picture

this is so iconic

Kal Rubinson's picture

and your comment is so .......... ironic. :-)

Kal Rubinson's picture

I understand your comment and, to be clear, I found Heos to be excellent only in the context of the Marantz 40n ("its intended network implementation") and in comparison to the alternatives provided by 40n. I am not a fan of proprietary streaming products such as Heos and BlueOS.

Jack L's picture

Hi

HDMI-ARC is for sound of the TV programmes sending back to the amp. We know how 'good' TV sound can be. I won't lose sleep on it.

Listening is believing

Jack L

Long-time listener's picture

... for providing measurements for the tone controls. This is yet another Marantz amplifier that I refuse to buy because of their goofy, stupid implementation of their tone controls. For 95 percent of my listening I do NOT use them, but when I do it's important that they get them right. Take a look at Stereophile's review of the Outlaw Audio RR2160 receiver -- THAT's how you implement tone controls, Marantz! Do it, and I'll buy one of your amplifiers.

avanti1960's picture

they were introduced-
they have that "in dash" car stereo look, as in a '79 Trans Am dash!

avanti1960's picture

they were introduced-
they have that "in dash" car stereo look, as in a '79 Trans Am dash!

pbarach's picture

I have a Marantz product that I like very much--except for the porthole display. It doesn't give enough information, and it's essentially an eye test unless you sit close to your equipment.

Kal Rubinson's picture

It is a semi-intelligent power indicator, mostly useful for set-up.

wozwoz's picture

I am a fan of Marantz products and have both one of their amps (bit upmarket of this) and their SACD player. This product however makes me cringe: first, the last thing I would want is to be UNNECESSARILY radiated in my own lounge or music room by wi-fi radiation, when a simple cable will do the job vastly better, without compression or loss. Second, the entire concept of using Bluetooth, which is almost always compressed and lossy, is the very antithesis of hi-fi and makes a mockery of the product. I am yet to meet a hi-fi enthusiast so cheap that they cannot afford 5m of cable, or who does not even enjoy in the selecting of same.

wozwoz's picture

The beauty of hi-fi equipment has traditionally been its longevity: I know people with amps or turntables from 20 years ago that are still performing brilliantly, look superb, and attract wows. How long do you think an amp that requires an app is going to last? How long and how well have Marantz's previous network integrated components lasted before they have become outdated?

bunnybeer's picture

Well said, Wozwoz. I have a DAC/Universal Music Controller that I bought in 2013. Less than a year later, an iOS update rendered the app obsolete. While I can still use the device with its handheld remote, I’ve lost significant functionality that the app provided. I now avoid devices that rely on manufacturer or closed-system apps for desired use since there will eventually be an app or OS update that will render it useless.

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