The History of Marantz, from Saul Marantz to Harman

The famous “KI Signature” models became synonymous with superior performance and perfectly embodied the philosophy of a musical, natural, and immersive sound. He is still considered one of the most influential figures in the history of high-fidelity audio. In 2002, Marantz and Denon were brought together under the umbrella of D&M Holdings, while maintaining their distinct design identities and sound philosophies. The company continued to develop products for both stereo enthusiasts and home theater users, gradually expanding its lineup to include network players, streamers, and amplifiers compatible with the latest digital technologies. In 2017, D&M Holdings became part of the Sound United group, which brought together several historic high-quality audio brands. During this period, Marantz continued to develop the Premium series and introduced new products dedicated to high-resolution music streaming, integrating platforms such as HEOS without compromising its traditional focus on sound quality. Another corporate change took place in 2022, when Sound United was acquired by Masimo Corporation.

Under this new ownership, Marantz launched a major overhaul of its product line, introducing products with a completely redesigned look, featuring a central illuminated circular window and an aesthetic that pays homage to the brand’s heritage in a contemporary way. Integrated amplifiers such as the MODEL 10, along with the new LINK10n streamers and high-end SACD players, demonstrate the brand’s commitment to combining technological innovation with fidelity to its historical identity. In 2025, another significant change in ownership took place. Harman International, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, acquired the entire Sound United division from Masimo, thereby bringing Marantz—along with Denon, Bowers & Wilkins, Polk Audio, Definitive Technology, Classé, HEOS, and Boston Acoustics, into one of the world’s largest groups specializing in audio.

Harman has stated its intention to preserve the identity and autonomy of each brand, highlighting their technical and historical heritage, while at the same time providing greater resources for the development of new technologies and products. The acquisition has further strengthened Marantz’s position in the international high-fidelity landscape, placing it within a group that also includes historic brands such as JBL, Harman Kardon, AKG, Mark Levinson, Revel, and Arcam. Today, Marantz continues to be regarded as one of the leading brands in the world of high-fidelity audio. Despite having undergone numerous changes in ownership and profound technological advancements, the company has always sought to uphold the philosophy introduced by Saul Marantz over seventy years ago: to design equipment capable of reproducing music in the most natural, exciting, and faithful way possible. This consistency of purpose, combined with ongoing technical research and a strong focus on the listening experience, has allowed the brand to maintain a position of the highest prestige in the history of high-quality audio.