thanks all.
yeah, i've tried swapping my marantz in, and the bass comes back, but I notice that the mid/treble is nowhere near what the arcam pushed out.
I think I'm just used to a big bassy sound from the marantz, the arcam is so much more neutral and sterile that I feel that something is missing. The sound is crisp, imaging is lightyears ahead of the marantz.. just doesn't have the kick and oomph. Sounds like the amp is too technical - I just hope that its taking full advantage of the m22tis. I guess a sub will solve the problem.
