Page 52 - 2022-08-01 Sound & Vision

test report
MARANTZ MODEL 40N STREAMING INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER
connectors. Otherwise, connec-
tions are mostly grouped on the
le side and include HDMI ARC
(Audio Return Channel), which
facilitates audio playback from a
TV or gaming console, coaxial and
optical digital inputs, the previ- of the more esoteric connectors
ously noted USB type-A port, and
four stereo sets of RCA analog
inputs for connecting a turntable
(with signal ground), two analog
sources, and a tape recorder (with
a corresponding stereo output
for monitoring a recording in
progress—another nod to the old
school).
There’s also a stereo “power
amp in” for connecting a
preamplifier, which allows the 40n
to be used as a power amp, and a
subwoofer output with a selectable
crossover se ing (40, 60, 100, and
120 Hz). Remaining connections
include an Ethernet port, in/
out remote-control jacks for a
compatible Marantz component,
antenna connectors for Bluetooth
and Wi-Fi, and, on the far right side,
an IEC power inlet and bright red
firmware reset bu on.
The Model 40n’s side panels
are made of aluminum and its top
and (double-layer) bo om panels
are made of steel with a generous
amount of the real estate used to
dissipate heat.
Finish options are black or silver/ SETUP
gold and the Model 40n comes
with Marantz’s he y RC005PM
wand-type remote, which can
also control a Marantz CD player.
The handset is a ractively styled
and fi ed with a finger groove that
makes it easier to hold.
No all-in-one streaming ampli-
fier contains every possible feature.
So, although the Model 40n is rich
in features, it does not have room-
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52 August September 2022
correction so ware, a USB-type-B
port for use with a computer, or a
display area big enough to show
album art. It also lacks support for
the Master Quality Authenticated
(MQA) file format and skips some
and data transfer protocols such
as XLR and AES/EBU. And while
the 40n sports ARC and Bluetooth
functionality, it doesn’t provide the
latest versions of those features—
eARC (enhanced Audio Return
Channel) and aptX HD-enabled
Bluetooth, both of which can
potentially deliver be er audio
quality (though eARC doesn’t
provide an advantage over ARC in
a two-channel se ing).
Even so, the absence of one or
all of these features is, to my mind,
nowhere close to a dealbreaker.
Despite the absence of a USB-
type-B port, audio files stored on
a computer can be accessed over
Wi-Fi via Heos, and a large display
may not be necessary since most
listeners will sit a fair distance from
the Model 40n and peruse album
art via an app on their mobile
device. Also, while some manu-
facturers include eARC support
on stereo streamers, Marantz and
others feel it is only needed for
multichannel components.
In the box with the Model 40n were,
among other things, a quick start
guide, a power cord, the remote
control, and screw-on antennae for
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. An exhaustive
114-page owner’s manual is
available on the Marantz website
for those who want to delve into the
40n’s inner workings.
Preparing to set up the Model
soundandvision.com
POWER OUTPUT: 70Wpc (8 ohms), 100Wpc
(4 ohms); 5Hz-100kHz, 0.2% THD
Specs AUDIO INPUTS: HDMI ARC, optical and coaxial
digital (1 each), stereo analog RCA (3, incl. recorder),
moving-magnet phono, stereo power amp
AUDIO OUTPUTS: Stereo analog RCA (recorder),
1
subwoofer pre-out, speaker level (2 paralleled multiway), / 4 -in
headphone
WIRELESS: Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
STREAMING: Via wired Ethernet or Wi-Fi (UPnP-DLNA equivalent);
Amazon Music HD, Apple Music, Deezer, iHeart Radio, Pandora, Sirius
XM, Spotify, Tidal, TuneIn internet radio, Roon Tested
HIGH-RES AUDIO: Up to 24-bit/192kHz (AIFF, ALAC, FLAC, WAV) and
5.6MHz DSD
ADDITIONAL: LAN (Ethernet), USB Type-A (media playback), remote
control input/output
DIMENSIONS (WxHxD, inches): 17.4 x 5.1 x 17
WEIGHT (pounds): 36.8
40n in my bedroom, I was stunned mini. The app discovered the 40n
by the unit’s weight and superb fit and guided me through several
’n finish. Even its speaker terminals easy setup steps, such as updating
are impressively large and robust. the app and the 40n’s firmware,
This gorgeous beast makes entering my Wi-Fi and music
most similarly-priced streaming streaming service credentials, and
amplifiers seem anemic. Even opening a Heos account.
so, I detected a hint of compro- Using the remote control to
mise, which is inevitable on any access the Model 40’n’s menu
$2,500 component. Although the system, I configured the digital
control knobs are constructed of signal se ings, which are o en a
aluminum, they don’t turn quite ma er of personal preference. In
as luxuriously as those on other, this case, I selected Filter 2, which
mostly higher priced, components. sounded fuller, but created a
A er a aching the power cord slightly more diffuse stereo image
and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth antennae, than Filter 1. I also selected the
I connected the Model 40n to a “Narrow” Lock Range se ing. At
pair of Bache Audio Sonata EX2 no time did I experience unwanted
($2,800/pair) passive monitors. noise.
Later, I also connected a JL Audio I generally used the Source
Dominion d-110 subwoofer. To Direct se ing to bypass the tone
test drive the unit’s ARC feature, I controls. However, I sometimes
connected its HDMI port to an LG found it handy to use those
OLED TV. controls to dial back the bass, thus
Once the Model 40n was cabled helping to minimize low-frequency
up, I connected a USB thumb drive distortions inherent in my acousti-
loaded with music files and down- cally untreated room. When using
loaded the Heos app to my iPad the subwoofer, I set the low-pass
filter to 80Hz. Here again, the
appropriate se ing is arguably
subjective.
I found the Heos app to be
robust, intuitive and easy to use,
though it’s not as rich in features
as several competing apps,
including the one for Bluesound’s
BluOS platform. Unlike some of
those competing apps, Heos
doesn’t support the Qobuz music
streaming service or enable
hardware features such as room