Marantz today unveiled its brand new Reference Integrated Amplifier Model 10, which will later be joined by the Reference SACD Player SACD 10 and the Reference Network Audio Player LINK 10n to form the company’s first new line of high-quality electronics since 2016. Each unit will be built in Shirakawa, Japan.
According to the Japanese manufacturer, the Model 10 is its most powerful single amplifier to date, delivering 250 Wpc into 8 ohms and 500 Wpc into 4 ohms while maintaining a THD of 0.05% across the entire bandwidth.
The Class D amplifier circuit was a team effort and the result of a collaboration between Marantz and Purifi (of Eigentakt fame): it is fully balanced from input to output, features a dual-mono design with one power supply per channel, offers an impedance-insensitive frequency response, and can be bi-amped via Marantz’s proprietary FCBS (Floating Control Bus System) if more output power is required.
From the press release: “(The Model 10) uses an all-new copper-clad, three-layer chassis with a compartmentalized design structure that allows complete engineering separation of each critical internal function. Two internal compartments and strategically placed shields isolate high- and low-voltage circuits from each other and prevent internal noise from affecting performance.”
The amplifier section is powered by an entirely new preamplifier section based on Marantz’s fully discrete HDAM components, which – according to the manufacturer – offers the company’s best preamplifier performance to date.
The Model 10’s aluminum side panels are 16mm thick, and the front panel features the signature porthole, whose HD OLED display can switch between volume level and VU meter mode (depending on user preference). Nearby are CNC-machined, turned aluminum control knobs for volume and source selection. For those who prefer to control the amplifier from the comfort of their couch, the Model 10 comes with a newly designed IR wand that provides a “a teal aluminum finish for added weight and a premium feel.”
And what about the inputs? Say hello to “high-quality” MM and MC phono inputs – the latter offering three impedance settings – as well as a range of unbalanced RCA and balanced XLR line-level inputs. The Model 10 additionally has RCA and XLR preamp outputs for anyone who wants to drive another power amplifier or – more likely – a subwoofer; and it can also be configured to run as a power amplifier only, thus bypassing its preamp stage. A “very high-quality” headphone output rounds out the feature set.
Don’t be under any illusions: At 34 kg, the Model 10 is a animal an integrated amplifier. A detailed data sheet can be found here. Delivery begins in October and prices are $15,000, €14,500 or £12,000. You can choose between black or Marantz Champagne.
More information: Marantz