New Marantz Streamer and SACD Player from Series 10
Marantz continues to accelerate the pace of its innovations. Less than two months after the launch of the integrated amplifier MODEL 10, the brand now presents the highly anticipated SACD 10 and LINK 10n, completing the new Series 10, the top-of-the-line high-fidelity range from the Japanese brand.
These are the first reference components from Marantz since 2016, developed over five years by the engineering team at Shirakawa Audio Works in Japan, marking the brand’s return to the High-End Audio segment.
Marantz SACD 10
According to the press release:
“The SACD 10 is a state-of-the-art SACD player, manufactured to the same quality standards as its matching amplifier, the exceptional MODEL 10. Its internal structure is based on a newly fabricated triple-layer copper-plated chassis, with a compartmentalized layout that provides complete separation of the circuitry corresponding to each critical internal function. Two internally subdivided sections, isolated by strategically placed shielding, ensure that the digital and analog circuits are separated, preventing internal interference from limiting performance.
Two toroidal power transformers, housed in copper-plated enclosures and symmetrically mounted on both sides of the chassis, provide completely separate power supplies for the digital and analog circuits. These power supplies are positioned on either side of the SACDM-3 transport mechanism, made of aluminum and entirely designed and built by Marantz, mounted in a central and exceptionally well-isolated position. The digital circuitry of the SACD 10, carefully selected and custom-designed, is based on improved MMM (Marantz Musical Mastering) technology, by which incoming PCM signals are converted to DSD and sent to a low-pass filter to obtain the analog signal. The MMM system allows the customization of digital filters, interpolation, and dither to optimize sound quality and adapt it to the preferences of each listener. In the analog domain, Marantz’s enhanced HDAM technology processes the signal in a fully balanced manner to send it to the outputs with XLR connectors, or, if the user prefers, RCA connectors.
The coaxial and optical digital outputs complement the output section, while a generous selection of digital inputs — coaxial, optical (2), USB-A, and USB-B DAC — makes the SACD 10 the perfect digital companion for the fully analog architecture of the MODEL 10 amplifier. A high-quality headphone amplifier is also included for intimate music listening.
All of this is surrounded by a beautiful and sophisticated design, assembled with the highest possible quality materials, highlighted by the presence of a 12 mm thick solid aluminum top cover and side sections of nearly 16 mm thickness. The result is an incredibly solid and rigid structure that resists unwanted vibrations and provides the perfect mechanical platform for the SACD mechanism to perform at 100%.”
Marantz Link 10n
According to the same press release:
“Audio enthusiasts eager to embrace digital audio streaming will find much to admire in the LINK 10n Reference Network Music Player, the third and final component of Marantz’s new Series 10.
The extraordinarily versatile LINK 10n is, above all, a reference network music player, with integrated HEOS®, AirPlay 2, and support for Roon Ready. A large full-color TFT display provides a vibrant experience of the music being played, while the LINK 10n shares the same—superb—power supply and the same MMM D/A conversion section as its range companion, the SACD 10. Naturally, it includes support for wired and Wi-Fi network connections, and can accept locally connected digital sources via HDMI (with ARC functionality), USB-A and USB-B DAC, as well as coaxial and optical digital inputs.
Of course, the LINK 10n is also fully equipped to meet the demands of the most discerning audiophiles, with support for high-resolution audio up to DSD256 (sampling frequency of 11.2 MHz) through a soon-to-be-released firmware update, and PCM up to 32 bits/384 kHz.
Like the other components in the new Series 10, the enhanced HDAM technology of the LINK 10n processes the signal in a fully balanced manner and sends it to the rest of the system via XLR terminals. It also includes RCA terminals and optical and coaxial digital outputs if required.
In addition to this generous functionality, the LINK 10n can also be used as a sophisticated preamplifier, with variable gain outputs and control and display of volume level and source selection. It even incorporates several analog inputs—again, in RCA and XLR format—and a high-quality phono stage. When connected via XLR to the matching MODEL 10 stereo amplifier, using the power stage input, the user will create an exceptionally versatile preamp/power amplifier combination that is, of course, truly reference-grade. A subwoofer can even be connected!
All Series 10 components can be controlled by the new teal-lacquered aluminum remote control, while the LINK 10n also offers support for control via the HEOS app and by third-party systems such as Control4.”
Availability and Prices
The new SACD 10 and LINK 10n will be available in Black and Champagne, with the following prices:
- Marantz SACD 10 – SACD/CD Player: €11,000
- Marantz LINK 10n – Network Music Player: €12,000
For those seeking a High-End sound experience, these components complete the Series 10, joining the MODEL 10. Learn more about this release in this previous article.
