Marantz PM-10S1 Integrated Amplifier

Marantz PM-10
Integrated amplifier

New reference-class integrated amplifier
Four power amplifier channels in bridged mode (two switch amplifier modules per channel) for maximum power and speaker control
Symmetrical concept from the input to the loudspeaker for ground-free signal management
High power: 200 watts per channel at 8 ohms and 400 watts per channel at 4 ohms
Effortless control of many different speaker types
Very wide dynamic range thanks to a power supply that can deliver huge amounts of current in a flash
Fully symmetrical construction of all sections in pre- and power amplifier
Marantz Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Module (HDAM) in the preamplifier stage
Dual mono power amplifier configuration
Separate power supplies for preamplifier and volume control as well as for the individual power amplifier channels
Discrete phono stage for MC and MM cartridges, separate shielded housing
High-quality mechanical construction with double-layer chassis, five-millimeter-thick aluminum top cover, solid aluminum front, copper-plated chassis and speaker terminals made of high-purity copper
Extra strong copper boards for the output stage and the main power supplies
Available from February 2017
Amplifiers are at the heart of Marantz’s history:
The company's very first product was a high-quality preamplifier designed to extract the best possible sound from the then-emerging LPs. Considering the company's history, which began with the groundbreaking "Audio Consolette"—produced by Saul B. Marantz starting in 1952—and soon evolved into the first true Marantz product, the "Model 1" preamplifier—it's hardly surprising that the latest model in the Premium Series, the PM-10 integrated amplifier, is designed to set new standards for all music formats known today.
In fact, this extremely powerful integrated amplifier is more like a separate high-end preamplifier combined with a pair of monoblock power amplifiers. However, this technology is housed in an elegant enclosure that delivers top-notch sonic performance while also delivering a powerful, standalone visual signal.

Optimized design

To achieve such quality while delivering superior performance, all sections of the amplifier must be optimized for their tasks, just as would be the case with a design consisting of a separate preamplifier and monoblock power amplifiers.
Typically, amplifiers operate with a single transformer and separately regulated power supplies for the preamplifier and power amplifier. With the PM-10, we've gone much further.

The dual-mono design used here uses separate power supplies for the preamplifier and each power amplifier channel. The preamplifier has its own transformer to ensure that the sensitive signals passing through this section are not affected by interference from the high-performance power amplifiers. Another separate power supply is provided for the microprocessor, which controls, among other things, volume control and source selection, to prevent interference from the control unit from entering the audio path.

Pure analog signal

Another important aspect of noise reduction is the fact that the PM-10 is a pure analog amplifier. Many competing designs today rely on a D/A converter or digital gain and volume control. Marantz, on the other hand, relies on a sophisticated, fully analog design to keep everything as clean and simple as possible.
Why analog? While a D/A converter in the amplifier is a very practical solution, digital circuits generate a noise floor and can interfere with the sensitive analog signals passing through the amplifier. Therefore, Marantz has chosen to perform all digital-to-analog conversions in its premium series SACD/CD players or network players, leaving the amplifiers free from this noise.
To maximize the potential of this approach, the PM-10 also features a "Pure Mode": In this mode, all unnecessary circuitry is deactivated to keep noise to an absolute minimum. There's also a Power Amp Direct input, which routes the signal directly from the input section to the power amplifier for optimal sound quality. This unit thus functions as a pure amplifier.

Fully symmetrical from input to output

The advantages of a balanced layout have long been recognized. In conventional layouts, one half of the signal path is located at the ground plane of the amplifier or cable. Balanced operation uses two conductors or paths—one positive, the other negative—and a completely separate ground to protect both.
The advantage of cables is that external noise affects both the positive and negative conductors. Because the transmitted signals are mirror images, all effects cancel each other out. Therefore, such cables are widely used in professional audio and studio applications where there are many hum sources and where the risk of picking up noise exists simply because of the longer cable lengths.
The same applies to the application of symmetrical design to audio circuits. The mirrored layout, in which identical components process the positive and negative signal paths, not only eliminates potential interference signals, but also noise and errors within the circuit itself.
An additional advantage is that the symmetrical approach also allows for stronger signals because both halves of the circuit are active. Instead of one half being the drive and the other half being ground, "push-pull" operation is used. Stronger signals are generally less sensitive to external interference. The larger the signal, the less noticeable the noise.

Symmetrical power amplification with bridging

With the PM-10, Marantz aimed to achieve the purest possible sound, as well as the power and dynamics necessary to drive and control some of the world's most demanding loudspeakers. To achieve this, the symmetrical design was applied not only in the preamplifier stage, but also continued through the power amplifier and all the way to the speaker outputs. Bridging the amplifiers achieves the required performance.
What defines a bridging amplifier? In conventional amplifiers, the loudspeaker is driven by either the positive or negative part of the output stage for each channel. Bridging amplifiers work differently. They drive the same loudspeaker with two separate amplifier stages. Simply put, the speaker cones are "pushed" by one of the amplifier channels and "pulled" by the other.
This allows for significantly better control of the connected speakers. The amplifier can start and stop their movements much more precisely. This is an important factor in the system's definition and "speed." Music can be reproduced with significantly better rhythm and spatial control, and voices and instruments sound more realistic.
This not only ensures sufficient power to drive large, power-hungry speakers at high levels with clean, distortion-free sound, but also the control to ensure these speakers do exactly what the music demands. All this is made possible by the use of the latest switching amplifier technology, enabling a compact integrated amplifier design that still meets Marantz's performance requirements.
Carefully selected components

Marantz has long been known for selecting the best possible components for its premium products. If a required component cannot be sourced, it is designed and manufactured in-house.
This approach led to the development of the Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Module (HDAM). Since the company was dissatisfied with the audio quality of the available amplifier chips, it developed its own alternative in the form of a miniature amplifier module consisting entirely of discrete components. As with all such design decisions, the engineers selected and optimized the HDAM in extensive listening sessions at Marantz's dedicated laboratories in Europe and Japan. Since its introduction, these components have been further developed and incorporated into an increasing number of products.

The PM-10 features the latest generation HDAM SA3. It's part of a current feedback topology designed for the widest possible frequency and dynamic ranges—making it a perfect fit for modern high-resolution audio formats. Ultra-fast, custom-built block capacitors are also used, allowing for the fastest possible response to high current demands.
The same current feedback design is used in the PM-10's phono stage. This can be configured for MC and MM cartridges to ensure the best possible reproduction of long-playing records. Marantz is by no means lagging behind the current "vinyl revival." Quite the opposite: In all the years the company has spent building and refining its digital expertise, it has never lost sight of the excellent sound possible with LPs and singles. It has always equipped its products with high-quality phono stages – long before records became fashionable again.

Focused on performance

Like the SA-10 SACD player and D/A converter, the PM-10 is also designed for the highest demands. It features a double-walled, copper-clad chassis that rejects mechanical and electromagnetic interference. The cabinet is constructed of thick, heavy, non-magnetic aluminum panels. Both products feature die-cast aluminum feet.

Like all other design and engineering decisions behind this new reference-class amplifier, the choice of these terminals has only one simple reason:
“Because Music Matters.”

Warranty extension to 5 years possible.

For more information about extended warranties, please visit:

https://5yearswarranty.marantz.eu/owners-club.aspx?lang=de-de