RATING
I ATTENDED a launch event for the Marantz Model 40n a few months ago and marveled at just how far the iconic brand has come since founder Saul Marantz took his first steps as an audio pioneer way back in 1945. In true hobbyist fashion, he modified his car radio so he could listen to it at home and, once it was up and running there, continued tinkering with it to improve its performance.
By the early 1950s, Mr. Marantz was busy working on a preamplifier for his own use. He called it the Audio Consolette and, unlike other preamps of the day, its phono stage incorporated multiple equalization curves to ensure optimal playback of virtually any record. Word of the unique design got around, prompting Marantz to build 100 units, which he quickly sold for $153 apiece. Before long sales of the Audio Consolette had exceeded 400.
Mr. Marantz knew he was onto something, so in 1953 he formed the Marantz Company to manufacture and market the Audio Consolette, which launched the following year as the Model 1. The rest, as they say, is history.
Since those early days, Marantz has produced a steady stream of highly regarded audio components, earning its rightful place in the annals of hi-fi history as an innovator. Today, Marantz is owned by Sound United, steward of such iconic brands as Boston Acoustics, Bowers & Wilkins, Classe, Definitive Technology, Denon, and Polk.
Like the Model 1 preamp, the Marantz Model 40n also contains a phono stage designed to work well with almost any record. It also houses an integrated amplifier and dedicated headphone output as well as something Saul Marantz probably couldn’t have imagined—a music streamer.
