Marantz unleashes 10 Series Collection
The first product to be released is the MODEL 10 Reference Integrated Amplifier, the most powerful one-box amp the company has ever made. It’s built around a newly designed dual-mono symmetrical amplifier topology and uses a completely new copper-plated, triple-layered chassis with a compartmentalised design structure designed to provide complete engineering separation of each critical internal function. Two internal compartments plus strategically placed shields isolate high and low power circuits from each other and prevent internal interference from limiting performance.
The MODEL 10 powerplant is newly engineered. In partnership with Purifi, Marantz developed a new amplifier, two of which are used to achieve dual-mono operation. It operates as a fully balanced amp from input to output, with individual power supplies for each channel and all line-level input circuitry powered by a separate linear power supply unit. The company claims: “Distortion is astonishingly low – 0.05 percent THD across the entire audio band at full power and an order of magnitude better at half-rated power – while up to 30A of peak current means exceptional dynamic range, plus frequency response that is immune to load impedance.
The MODEL 10 has a claimed power output of 250W into 8ohm, rising to 500W with 4. If even more power is required, owners can opt to add a second MODEL 10 to create a biamplified stereo system using Marantz’s proprietary F.C.B.S (Floating Control Bus System) to link and control the two. Up to four MODEL 10s can be connected together if needed.
It boasts a porthole-style OLED display screen, which can switch from displaying volume level to selected input to a VU Meter mode. For those who prefer tactile interaction, the MODEL 10 features CNC machined spun-finished aluminium control knobs for volume and input selection, and the remote handset features a teal-coloured aluminium top surface.
The MODEL 10’s design features a mesh-covered grille section rippled with Marantz’s design pattern and illuminated from within. It also boasts solid aluminium side panels almost 16mm thick, providing an ultra-low-resonance structure. At the front of the amplifier, the hairline finish on the extruded aluminium control surface is complemented by LED lighting embedded around the assembly, complete with 20 steps of adjustment over its levels of illumination.
Connectivity includes two XLR balanced inputs, three RCA analogue ins and a high-quality phono stage, complete with both MM and three impedance options for broad MC compatibility. Preamplifier outputs are also provided, again in both XLR and RCA. Uniquely, MODEL 10 can also be configured to run solely as a power amp, bypassing its internal preamp, when partnered with its sibling in the new 10 Series Collection: the LINK 10n Reference Network Audio Player. Selectable speaker A/B outputs are included, alongside a headphone output.
The company says that coming soon after the MODEL 10 is the SACD 10, followed by the LINK 10n at the heart of which is HEOS – the digital audio engine that equips it with a comprehensive feature complement. Listeners will be able to stream hi-res from Tidal at up to the highest provided resolution of 24-bit/192kHz. Music stored locally on USB or network servers will be able to be played back at up to 32-bit/384kHz and DSD 4X bit-perfect with no down sampling or conversion. Other services supported include AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Bluetooth, TuneIn, Deezer, Pandora and more. The LINK 10n will play with up to 32 other HEOS Built-In devices including home theatre and stereo electronics, powered speakers and soundbars.
Available to buy now, you can find out more about the 10 Series Collection here.
Inside this month's issue:
Pro-Ject Debut EVO 2 turntable, Advance Paris sub-£500 X-i50 BT integrated amp, DALI's stunning Rubikore standmount loudspeakers, Triangle Capella wireless active speakers, EAT's Fortissimo turntable with F-Note tonearm, our headphone Group Test and much, much more... |