Swedish audio tech specialists Dirac have expanded their partnership with Marantz and Denon, bringing Dirac Live Room Correction to two key streaming amplifiers: the Marantz Model M1 and the Denon Home Amp. A fresh firmware update unlocks compatibility with both the Limited and Full versions of Dirac Live, giving users access to advanced room correction tools—assuming they’re willing to pony up for a license.
What Dirac Actually Does (That Your Fancy Speakers Can’t)
Dirac Live Room Correction isn’t just another EQ tweak—it’s serious acoustic surgery. Using patented algorithms, it tackles both magnitude and phase distortion, something most gear can’t touch without a degree in acoustics and a pile of cash. The result? A cleaner, more accurate soundstage that irons out the ugly bits your room throws into the mix—standing waves, bass bloat, weird imaging. Dirac doesn’t just fix your speakers; it makes your room part of the solution, not the problem. Welcome to correction without compromise.
Dirac Live is managed through the Dirac Live Room Correction App for iOS and Android.
From Fredric Tapper, Dirac’s Vice President and Head of Business Development: “With this expanded collaboration with Marantz and Denon, Dirac is advancing its mission to bring audiophile-grade performance from the few to the many,…Dirac Live has long been trusted by audiophiles and integrators, and now we’re making that same premium smart acoustics solution available to more listeners worldwide through the popular Marantz and Denon streaming amps.”
Comparison
| Marantz M1 | Denon Home Amp | |
| Price (US) | $1,000 | $799 |
| Ampflication | 2 x 100W (8-ohms, 20 Hz – 20kHz THD 0.05%) 2 x 125 W (4-ohms, 1 kHz, THD. 0.05%) | 2 x 100 W (8-ohms, 20 Hz to 20 kHz, THD 0.05%) 2 x 125 W (4-ohms, 1 kHz, THD. 0.1%) |
| Hi-Res Audio (192kHz/24bit) | Yes | Yes |
| Streaming Support | HEOS Built-In including Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and support for numerous streaming services | HEOS Built-In including Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and support for numerous streaming services |
| Audio Format Support (Dolby and Multi-Channe PCM sources are mixed down to 2.l channels) | Dolby Digital+, Dolby Digital, LPCM Stereo PCM / Multi-channel PCM WMA: up to and including 192 kbps AAC & MP3: up to and including 320 kbps WAV, ALAC, FLAC: up to and including 24-bit/192kHz DSD: 2.8 MHz, 5.6MHz | Dolby Digital+, Dolby Digital, LPCM Stereo PCM / Multi-channel PCM WMA: up to and including 192 kbps AAC & MP3: up to and including 320 kbps WAV, ALAC, FLAC: up to and including 24-bit/192kHz DSD: 2.8 MHz, 5.6MHz |
| Wired Connectivity | 1 x Stereo RCA in 1 x HDMI eARC 1 x USB-A | 1 x Stereo RCA in 1 x HDMI eARC 1 x USB-A |
| Audio Outputs | Speaker Binding Posts Subwoofer output with full adjustment functionality | Speaker Binding Posts Subwoofer output with full adjustment functionality |
| Wi-Fi | 2.4 GHz, 5.6 GHz, and 6 GHz wireless plus Gigabit wired network connectivity | 2.4 GHz, 5.6 GHz, and 6 GHz wireless plus Gigabit wired network connectivity |
| Custom Install Optimization | Wide compatibility with major control systems | Wide compatibility with major control systems |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 8.54 x 9.41 x .3.31 Inches 217 x 217 x 84 mm | 3.4 × 8.54 × 9.21 inches 86.2 × 217 × 234mm |
| Weight | 4.84 lbs/3.3 kg | 4.5 lbs/2.0 kg |
The Bottom Line
Dirac Live coming to the Marantz Model M1 and Denon Home Amp is a big win for stereo listeners who care about room acoustics but don’t want to spend thousands on acoustic treatment or pro-level gear. These compact, networked amplifiers already offer solid streaming features and clean Class D power, but Dirac gives them a serious edge—tightening bass, improving clarity, and helping your speakers disappear into the room. Yes, the added license fee is a hurdle, but if you’re chasing high-end sound from an all-in-one box, it’s one of the smartest upgrades you can make.
Price & Availability
The Marantz MODEL M1 Streaming Amplifier is available for $1,000 at Crutchfield.
- The Marantz MODEL M1 Dirac Live Room Correction Limited Bandwidth license is $159, and the Room Correction Full Bandwidth license is $249. Purchase licenses through Dirac.
The Denon Home Amp is available for $799 at Crutchfield
- The Denon Home Amp Dirac Live Room Correction Limited Bandwidth for $159, and the Room Correction Full Bandwidth license is $249. Purchase Licenses through Dirac
Related Reading
- Dirac Live Ready Now Available on Select Bluesound NODE Music Streamers
- Tesla Model Y Gets an Immersive Sound System Overhaul from Denon and Dirac at CES 2025
- Onkyo’s Icon Series Paves a New Path Forward and Includes Dirac Live: CES 2025
- Klipsch’s Flexus Core 300 is the First Soundbar With Dirac Live Room Correction Technology
ORT
May 30, 2025 at 2:02 pm
I own and use two Denon Home Amps and I also gave a Marantz M1 to a family member. I may one day give this Dirac a chance but as it must be done with a computer that might be too much trouble for a retired seasoned Schiitizen such as myself.
I bought Auro-3D and it was okay but not really worth the entry price which is about the same as the Dirac full-bandwidth codec and it didn’t need to be loaded onto a computer then transferred to the AVR. Both the Denon Home Amp and the Marantz M1 are WiFi ready so why they just don’t do this as a direct to the device update is beyond me.
If I find out from those I know and trust that Dirac for my plebeian 2.1 setups is truly revelatory then I would likely give it a chance but only on the Denon Home Amp I use the most.
ORT
Ian White
May 31, 2025 at 3:57 pm
ORT,
Do the Denon and Marantz sound the same? Very curious because of the price difference.
IW
ORT
May 31, 2025 at 7:37 pm
Ian, I set it up for my relative and have only been there a few times since doing so but in all honesty I cannot hear any difference. The Marantz kinda-sorta looks nicer.
Both the Denon and Marantz have volume up and down and play/pause touch sensors on the front but the Denon also has 3 preset sensors so that if you so choose you can simply hit the 1, 2 or 3 sensor and play the station you have saved to that preset.
I have been very happy with my 2 Home Amps and my relative has told me she likes the Marantz M1 just fine but does wish she had the 3 presets on the M1 too. In the Marantz M1’s favor, I was told it has a longer warranty than does the Denon version so that is something to consider when buying and I have no problem with those that choose the Marantz.
By the way, I don’t use the presets on either of my Denon Home Amps. If I were going to buy another of these EXCELLENT “streaming amps” for use in the family room with the TV my spousal unit watches for hours on end, I might well choose the Marantz M1 as she is more of a brand snob than me and once I explain that the Marantz cost mo’ money than the Denon I use and that it has a longer warranty that could be enough for her to be at least temporarily fap-happy!
Once again I have bored everyone with my ramblin’, LOL! In short, they both decode the digitalizified bitses and what comes out the speakers sounds like music beautifully reproduced.
I would buy either and be more than satisfied. In fact, I did! I just gave the Marantz to a loved one. 🙂
ORT
Ian White
June 1, 2025 at 11:13 am
ORT,
I may have to go with the Marantz.
Appreciate the info.
IW
ORT
June 1, 2025 at 1:21 pm
Ian,
Given the 5 year warranty I think the Marantz M1 is an even better choice than the Denon Home Amp.
I would say it is a sound choice but they both sound the same. 😉 To me.
Yeah, I think I do have a bit of cerebrum damnum. To paraphrase the immortal Cp3O -Curse my metal body, I wasn’t smart enough!
“Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.” – Plato
“The equipment brings the music home and as we all know, home is indeed where the heart is.” – The ORTacle at Helfi.
ORT