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forum thread Posted by db999md • Jun 13, 2021
forum thread Posted by db999md • Jun 13, 2021

Martin Logan Play-Fi wireless audio streamers: Forte amp $250, Unison pre-amp $200, Bravado speaker $300, Cresendo X speaker $500 @ www.martinlogan.com

$250

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Martinlogan.com [martinlogan.com] has

Martin Logan Forte DTS Play-Fi audio streamer $249.99 (usu $599.99)
https://www.martinlogan.com/en/product/forte
Martin Logan Unison DTS Play-Fi Preamp $199.99 (usu $399.99)
https://www.martinlogan.com/en/product/unison
also bravado speaker is there for $299.99 ( usu 699.99) and cresendo speaker for $499 (usu $999)

Both these units are Roon-ready via Apple Airplay and support the highly regarded Anthem Music Correction (ARC) auto room correction algorithm - rare to see room correction on these types of units. The package includes the microphone. Both units support wifi and wired ethernet, but no bluetooth on these units.

Forte:
  • Specifications
  • Specifications are subject to change without notice
  • Amplifier
  • Class-D Amp; 2 x 200W Peak; 2 x 100W RMS per channel into 4 ohms.
  • Room Correction (Bass Section)
  • ARC (Anthem Room Correction) with included calibrated microphone
  • Audio Controls
  • Front mounted controls
  • Wireless Band
  • 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz; 802.11 g/n
  • Wireless Inputs
  • Apple AirPlay, DTS Play-Fi + "Works with Alexa" certification
  • Inputs
  • Wi-Fi, Left/Right RCA Analog, Ethernet 10/100, AC Power
  • Power Draw
  • Max: 170 watts Idle: 10 watts Standby: 6 watts
  • Weight
  • 3 lbs. (1.4 kg)
  • Dimensions
  • 3.22" x 7.95" x 8.36 "
  • (8.2cm x 20.2cm x 21.2cm)

Unison:
  • Specifications
  • Specifications are subject to change without notice
  • Amplifier
  • Input: > 10K Output: 300 ohms
  • Room Correction (Bass Section)
  • ARC (Anthem Room Correction) with included calibrated microphone
  • Audio Controls
  • Front mounted controls
  • Wireless Band
  • 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz; 802.11 g/n
  • Wireless Inputs
  • Apple AirPlay, DTS Play-Fi + "Works with Alexa" certification
  • Wireless Receiver
  • Source rebroadcast via DTS Play-Fi
  • Inputs
  • Wi-Fi, Left/Right RCA Analog, Digital Optical (Toslink), Ethernet 10/100, Power (12VDC/0.75A)
  • Weight
  • 1.5 lbs. (0.7 kg)
  • Dimensions
  • 3.35" x 7.95" x 7.95 "
  • (8.5cm x 20.2cm x 20.2cm)
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Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Martinlogan.com [martinlogan.com] has

Martin Logan Forte DTS Play-Fi audio streamer $249.99 (usu $599.99)
https://www.martinlogan.com/en/product/forte
Martin Logan Unison DTS Play-Fi Preamp $199.99 (usu $399.99)
https://www.martinlogan.com/en/product/unison
also bravado speaker is there for $299.99 ( usu 699.99) and cresendo speaker for $499 (usu $999)

Both these units are Roon-ready via Apple Airplay and support the highly regarded Anthem Music Correction (ARC) auto room correction algorithm - rare to see room correction on these types of units. The package includes the microphone. Both units support wifi and wired ethernet, but no bluetooth on these units.

Forte:
  • Specifications
  • Specifications are subject to change without notice
  • Amplifier
  • Class-D Amp; 2 x 200W Peak; 2 x 100W RMS per channel into 4 ohms.
  • Room Correction (Bass Section)
  • ARC (Anthem Room Correction) with included calibrated microphone
  • Audio Controls
  • Front mounted controls
  • Wireless Band
  • 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz; 802.11 g/n
  • Wireless Inputs
  • Apple AirPlay, DTS Play-Fi + "Works with Alexa" certification
  • Inputs
  • Wi-Fi, Left/Right RCA Analog, Ethernet 10/100, AC Power
  • Power Draw
  • Max: 170 watts Idle: 10 watts Standby: 6 watts
  • Weight
  • 3 lbs. (1.4 kg)
  • Dimensions
  • 3.22" x 7.95" x 8.36 "
  • (8.2cm x 20.2cm x 21.2cm)

Unison:
  • Specifications
  • Specifications are subject to change without notice
  • Amplifier
  • Input: > 10K Output: 300 ohms
  • Room Correction (Bass Section)
  • ARC (Anthem Room Correction) with included calibrated microphone
  • Audio Controls
  • Front mounted controls
  • Wireless Band
  • 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz; 802.11 g/n
  • Wireless Inputs
  • Apple AirPlay, DTS Play-Fi + "Works with Alexa" certification
  • Wireless Receiver
  • Source rebroadcast via DTS Play-Fi
  • Inputs
  • Wi-Fi, Left/Right RCA Analog, Digital Optical (Toslink), Ethernet 10/100, Power (12VDC/0.75A)
  • Weight
  • 1.5 lbs. (0.7 kg)
  • Dimensions
  • 3.35" x 7.95" x 7.95 "
  • (8.5cm x 20.2cm x 20.2cm)

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53 Comments

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Jun 13, 2021
152 Posts
Joined Jul 2005
Jun 13, 2021
mofofofo
Jun 13, 2021
152 Posts
so you would have to pick these up at a local dealer?
Original Poster
Jun 13, 2021
447 Posts
Joined Nov 2014
Jun 13, 2021
db999md
Original Poster
Jun 13, 2021
447 Posts
no - you can buy from martin logan directly right from their site
Jun 13, 2021
7,148 Posts
Joined Aug 2010
Jun 13, 2021
rootbear
Jun 13, 2021
7,148 Posts
Incredible deal, thanks OP!
1
Jun 13, 2021
2,137 Posts
Joined Nov 2009
Jun 13, 2021
EvilTechie
Jun 13, 2021
2,137 Posts
hows the quality of the class D amp?
versus getting a TPA3255 amp?
debating whether to get a TPA3255 amp with dual chips for 2.1 support (I have an external powered sub to complement my Bowers and Wilkins bookshelves)
Original Poster
Jun 13, 2021
447 Posts
Joined Nov 2014
Jun 13, 2021
db999md
Original Poster
Jun 13, 2021
447 Posts
If this helps, I have an NAD 7050D also and this sounds better. It lets you use the full ARC genesis software on the PC and set a target equalization curve. Play Fi app has all the usual streaming services and streams well from DLNA servers. I had no problem using roon with the unit via airplay. No other class D amp that I am away of has room correction like this. It still is class D and is not perfect. Most units like these use off the shelf class D solutions, not sure which one this uses. Analog input works fine.
Jun 13, 2021
53 Posts
Joined Mar 2012
Jun 13, 2021
juddeals
Jun 13, 2021
53 Posts
Seems to be only Airplay, not Airplay 2.
Jun 13, 2021
7,148 Posts
Joined Aug 2010
Jun 13, 2021
rootbear
Jun 13, 2021
7,148 Posts
This deal ought to be getting more attention. I sure wish I had seen before buying the Paradigm unit at a similar markdown (https://www.paradigm.com/promotio...ng-savings)
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Jun 13, 2021
2,988 Posts
Joined Apr 2006
Jun 13, 2021
Groch
Jun 13, 2021
2,988 Posts
Quote from rootbear :
This deal ought to be getting more attention. I sure wish I had seen before buying the Paradigm unit at a similar markdown (https://www.paradigm.com/promotio...ng-savings)
The Paradigm PW Amp is virtually identical to this Forte. I do not know of any confirmed differences. The PW Amp was tested by AudioScienceReview.
[audiosciencereview.com] and the link goes to a long thread about it. They also tested the Paradigm PW/Link in another thread which is like the Unisom Preamp.
Jun 13, 2021
5,948 Posts
Joined Nov 2014
Jun 13, 2021
ftee123
Jun 13, 2021
5,948 Posts
Forte and unison, any differences?
1
Jun 13, 2021
2,988 Posts
Joined Apr 2006
Jun 13, 2021
Groch
Jun 13, 2021
2,988 Posts
Quote from ftee123 :
Forte and unison, any differences?
Several, the biggest is that the Forte has a built in speaker amp. The Unison is Preamp only, and must be connected to an amp.
Jun 13, 2021
83 Posts
Joined Nov 2004
Jun 13, 2021
Samaritano
Jun 13, 2021
83 Posts
There a couple of reviews for the amp and the streamer for the Paradigm units which are equivalent to these Martin Logan ones with a few small differences.

https://www.audiosciencereview.co...-dac.7763/

https://www.audiosciencereview.co...-amp.7728/

I bought the Martin Logan Unison a year ago for less than $200 and it was worth it just for the sound correction software.
Jun 13, 2021
1,297 Posts
Joined Jul 2008
Jun 13, 2021
macpro
Jun 13, 2021
1,297 Posts
Don't have experience with this line from Martin Logan, but certainly very familiar with the company and their speakers (I own several, as do friends). These are great prices on gear that's a strong alternative to SONOS and HEOS. I can't personally speak to the quality of the DTS Play-Fi software interface (which is what you use to control playback on these devices). I recall reading somewhere that it doesn't have parity with SONOS, but don't remember where I read that. Also not sure if DTS Play-fi has support for Apple Music streaming (about to go investigate that). I've installed SONOS a lot for clients and my own house is full of their gear for years it was the king. But definitely strong competitors now (like this deal). And when my SONOS setup gets fickle now and then (even with a solid network like mine), it's frustrating and makes me want to look elsewhere. If I were to replace everything SONOS in my house with everything Play-Fi / Martin Logan, that would be a sizeable total bill $, so gotta do some research.....
Jun 13, 2021
415 Posts
Joined May 2017
Jun 13, 2021
BlammaJamma
Jun 13, 2021
415 Posts
Play-fi works solid for me with no drop outs with multiple zones. Room correction is a nice touch with this setup here. I run a strong wifi mesh though with ethernet between them. I have klipsh powergates and gates and they seem to use the phorus chipset. The only thing I don't like is having to use play-fi mp3 player where my playlists don't work and its a pain to create and search in it. The apps work fine. Play-Fi is the cheapest multi zone streaming eco-system that I know of and is reliable if all your equipment is updated. Not sure if play-fi plays well with apple though.
Last edited by BlammaJamma June 13, 2021 at 02:36 PM.
Jun 13, 2021
72 Posts
Joined Oct 2016
Jun 13, 2021
MichaelH5734
Jun 13, 2021
72 Posts
I have two fortes. This "deal" has been going for almost a year is guess. I've checked prices a few times, and they are constantly 250.

I use one in the garage and one for my patio. Both in an enclosed rack with my other network and audio gear. The ARC actually worked REALLY good outside, kinda blew my socks off.

These are not great amps, they are good. Read the ASR review mentioned above.

I have no issues with noise, but they aren't exactly being used near field for me.

I don't use Roon, but I bet it would work great.

Sometimes I have to reboot them, maybe once every three months, as they stop showing up on the network. Hardwire them, don't use wireless, they don't like it. Even though one of my UniFi AP's is about 5 feet away.

They are definitely not high end or a "real" Martin Logan product, but they do their job very effectively for my use case.

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Jun 13, 2021
1,531 Posts
Joined Sep 2009
Jun 13, 2021
dc1225
Jun 13, 2021
1,531 Posts
Will I be able to connect these Elac B6 speakers with this?

https://www.amazon.com/Debut-Book...5258&psc=1

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