(August 29, 2024) Nearly four years ago, Marantz's former parent company, Sound United, announced a significant new direction for the brand. At the time, leadership recognized that Marantz and its sister brand, Denon, had become too similar in terms of technology, design, and pricing, leading to confusion among buyers. To address this, efforts were set in motion to refresh Marantz's product line, elevating the brand to a more premium position, especially within the realm of traditional stereo amplifiers, integrateds, and separates.
The launch of today's Model 10 Reference Integrated Amplifier marks a major milestone in that strategic shift and may even signify its culmination. Back in 2020, Sound United projected that the rebranding would take between two to five years. According to press materials, the new Model 10 Integrated has been in development for nearly the full duration of that estimate. The result, they claim, is the product of "extensive collaboration" among engineers at Marantz's Shirakawa plant in Japan, making it the first true flagship reference gear release since 2016.
At the heart of the Model 10 is a newly designed dual-mono symmetrical amplifier topology, created in collaboration with Purifi. This fully balanced amplifier, from input to output, features individual power supplies for each channel, while all line-level input circuitry is powered by a separate linear power supply unit. With a total harmonic distortion (THD) of 0.05% across the entire audio band at full power, the Model 10 is reported to perform "an order of magnitude better" at half-rated power.
The amplifier is driven by an all-new pre-amp section featuring the latest generation of Marantz’s HDAM analog circuitry. This proprietary technology, first introduced in 1992 with the PM-99SE amplifier, has been refined to offer an optimal blend of response speed and signal transparency. Marantz asserts that this latest HDAM iteration is their highest-performing yet, delivering exceptional musicality.
The Model 10 delivers 250 watts into 8-ohm speaker loads, which increases to 500 watts for 4-ohm designs. For those seeking even more power, a second Model 10 can be added to create a bi-amplified stereo system using Marantz’s proprietary Floating Control Bus System (F.C.B.S.), allowing seamless control of two amplifiers. If desired, up to four Model 10 units can be connected together.
The chassis of the Model 10 is constructed with entirely new copper-plated, triple-layer materials and features a compartmentalized design. This structure physically separates internal functions, with two internal compartments and strategically placed shields isolating high- and low-power circuits to prevent internal interference from affecting performance.
A nod to Marantz’s heritage, the Model 10 includes a classic porthole-style OLED display, which has been modernized to offer various display options, including volume level, selected input, and a VU meter mode. The display's brightness and timeout can be customized to suit user preferences. For those who appreciate tactile control, the Model 10 offers CNC-machined, spun-finished aluminum knobs for volume and input selection, each mounted on individual bearings for a smooth, precise feel. The remote handset, unique to the Model 10, features a teal-colored aluminum top surface, providing a premium look and feel.
In terms of connectivity, the Model 10 is well-equipped with an extensive array of analog inputs, including two XLR balanced inputs, three RCA analog inputs, and a high-quality phono stage with both MM and three impedance options for broad MC compatibility. Preamplifier outputs are available in both XLR and RCA formats. Marantz notes that the Model 10 can also function solely as a power amplifier, bypassing its internal pre-amp when paired with the LINK 10n Reference Network Audio Player, another component in the new 10 Series Collection.
Additional features include selectable speaker A/B outputs and a high-quality headphone output, ensuring versatility in various listening setups.
The Model 10 Reference Integrated Amplifier will be part of the "Marantz 10 Series," which also includes the upcoming SACD 10, a statement-quality SACD player, and the LINK 10n Reference Network Audio Player.
Look for the Model 10 to arrive soon at select retailers, with a price tag of $15,000.
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