The new MODEL 10 Reference Integrated Amplifier features a newly designed dual-mono symmetrical amplifier topology, delivering 2x 250 watts @8 ohm, or 2× 500 watts @4 ohm 20Hz-20kHz. According to the brand announcement, touted as the most powerful one-box amplifier Marantz has ever made, the MODEL 10 is a Marantz-engineered amplifier platform based on Purifi technology, using fully balanced dual mono amplifiers with discrete switch-mode power supplies, receiving its signals both at speaker level - with a preamplifier bypass - or line level. As an integrated amplifier users can select from multiple analog RCA inputs, or a dedicated phono preamp (MM/MC), plus two balanced inputs.
This announcement comes at a critical time for the Denon+Marantz operations in Japan. After the Saul Marantz company was acquired by Philips in 1980s, it would be later sold to Marantz Japan in 2001 and merged with Denon into D&M Holdings, later named D+M Group. In 2017, Sound United completed the acquisition of D+M. Since 2002, all Marantz high end audio products are designed and manufactured at the Shirakawa Audio Works facilities, approximately 185km northeast of Tokyo. Shirakawa Audio Works has been Denon's manufacturing home since 1983.
Since 2022, all Sound United operations, which now also include Bowers & Wilkins in the United Kingdom, plus Polk Audio, Definitive Technology, Classé, and Boston Acoustics US brands, were acquired by Masimo Corporation, a company active in medical technology. After just two years, Masimo's management already stated they are looking for options to sell the Sound United audio business.
The announcement by Marantz of the new 10 Series Collection, with three reference-quality stereo products, its first high-end audio stereo components since 2016, represents a statement of determination for the brand. The series is said to be the result of a five year development effort between all departments of the engineering team at the Shirakawa facility, a statement in contemporary luxury design but also a bridge to hifi's future.
The first product from the new 10 Series Collection, the MODEL 10 Reference Integrated Amplifier uses a completely new copper-plated, triple-layered chassis with a compartmentalized 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 dual-mono power stages, engineered in partnership with Purifi Audio in Denmark, perfectly match a fully balanced design from input to output, with individual power supplies for each amplifier channel and all line-level input circuitry powered by a separate linear power supply unit. Distortion is astonishingly low – 0.05% 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.
Driving the novel amplifier section is an all-new preamplifier design based around the latest generation of Marantz's HDAM analog circuit, first introduced in the PM-99SE amplifier of 1992. "The latest incarnation is the highest performing yet, ensuring the MODEL 10 has all the musicality for which Marantz amplifiers are rightly renowned," the company states.
The familiar MODEL 10 porthole-style OLED display screen references the form of classic Marantz products of the past but will surprise by switching from displaying volume level or the selected input to a VU Meter mode. Brightness and display timeout options can also be adjusted. For those that prefer tactile interaction with their components, the MODEL 10 features CNC machined spun-finished aluminum control knobs for volume and input selection, each with individual bearings for a smooth feel. Even the remote handset is unique to MODEL 10, featuring a teal-colored aluminum top surface for added heft and premium feel.
The overall construction of the MODEL 10 amplifier is anchored on its solid aluminum side panels, almost 16mm thick, providing an ultra-low-resonance structure. At the front of the amplifier, the special hairline finish on the extruded aluminum control surface is perfectly complemented by discreet LED lighting embedded around the assembly complete with 20 steps of adjustment over its levels of illumination.
On the connectivity side, the amplifier offers an extensive array of analog inputs, including the two mentioned XLR balanced inputs, preamplifier outputs also in both XLR and RCA. Marantz says that the MODEL 10 was also designed to run solely as a power amplifier, bypassing its internal preamplifier, when partnered with its forthcoming sibling in the new 10 Series Collection, the LINK 10n Reference Network Audio Player. Naturally, selectable speaker A/B outputs are also included, alongside a very high-quality headphone output.
The new Marantz MODEL 10 Reference Integrated Amplifier will retail for USD $15,000 or EUR €14,500.
www.marantz.com
