The Article
Marantz SA-10 Super Audio Cd Player: Premium 10 Series Reference
17th January 2017
At the heart of the SA-10 is an all-new SACD-M3 transport mechanism supporting SACDs, CDs and music stored on data discs. The SA-10 can play FLAC files from 32kHz to 192kHz at up to 24bit resolution and DSD64 and DSD128, well as ALAC (Apple Lossless), AIFF and MP3
It’s also a fully-functional DAC for music stored on a home computer, as well as having conventional digital inputs for existing source components. Those conventional inputs – optical and coaxial – can handle up to 24bit/192kHz
but in addition the player’s digital input section includes a USB-B asynchronous input for the direct connection of a computer and this is compatible with PCM and DXD music files at up to 32bit/384kH as well as DSD64, DSD128 and DSD256.
DSD64, as used for SACD discs, is 1-bit at 2.8224MHz and DSD256 or Quad-DSD is 11.2MHz/1-bit. This means music stored in DSD is, according to the company, “…a much more literal representation of the original analogue waveform of the sound recorded and thus needs much less processing to turn it into audio able to be passed to an amplifier.”
The analogue circuit is fed by an oversize power supply with customised block capacitors with 4.700μF each. In addition, the capacitor holders – usually from brass – have been made out of copper.
The analogue RCA output terminals are handmade from a solid pure copper core and plated with a nickle substrate.
The SA-10 features a headphone stage with dedicated Marantz-own HDAM-SA2 amplifier modules. To work with a wide variety of headphones the gain factor can be changed from low to mid to high. Price is £6,000.
To learn more, click HERE
Is the transport all aluminum job a la Esoteric and Linn or more plastic
Here’s a few notes from Marantz on the transport which seems mostly plastic with metal extra bits: “Many modern CD and SACD players use computer-style DVD or ‚Äòuniversal‚Äô disc drives, simply because it‚Äôs increasingly difficult for manufacturers to source dedicated ‚Äòmusic drives‚Äô, purely designed for SACD/CD playback.
The Marantz solution? If you can’t buy it off the shelf, design it and have it made: at the heart of the SA-10 is an all-new SACD-M3 transport mechanism, engineered solely for the best possible performance when playing SA-CDs, CDs and music stored on data discs. (http://www.marantz.eu/10series/SA10_It_starts_with_the_disc.jpg)
Not only does this new mechanism promise the very best sound quality from conventional CD and SA-CD discs, its extended ability with the playback of music files stored on DVD-ROM discs makes it possible for users to create their own high-resolution audio compilation discs using a computer DVD burner. The SA-10 can play FLAC files from 32kHz to 192kHz at up to 24-bit resolution, and DSD64 and DSD128, well as ALAC (Apple Lossless), AIFF and MP3 files. That means making and playing hi-res disc compilations is now just as simple as it‚Äôs always been to make such discs in CD quality.”
Hi Paul,
I am considering the new Marantz kit – both player and amp. However, my existing player is a PM11 S3 feeding a Musical Fidelity Primo into a MF AMS 50, so I am wondering whether the ‘upgrade’ might not be an upgrade after all. I would appreciate your thoughts. BTW. Have been reading and enjoying you oeuvre in HFW for a slong as I can remember. Best, David
Thanks for your kind words, David and it’s nice to meet a long term reader 🙂 As for the Marantz – well, this is a tough one. I’m familiar with the personality of your current player but I’ve yet to review the SA-10 so cannot give a definite view. That said, I do know just how updated technologies can have a major affect on sound quality and this new model certainly offers attention to detail. I’ve heard good things from colleagues about the transport and the overall sound quality. Because of the price, you’d be in your right to request a home demo from a nearby dealer, if you can access one. I’d certainly recommend a demo.
Hi Paul, I’m seriously considering purchasing one of these. Have you had an opportunity to spend some time with the SA-10? I’m wondering what your thoughts are? I’ll be using it with an existing Accuphase amp and Elac speakers. Thanks.
Hi Paul – Those images are the closest I’ve managed to get to them thus far but I hope to review them in the future.
Well, my system is all marantz, the pm11s3, na11s1, and the sa7s1 sacd unit, my question is, is the sa10 an improvement over the mighty sa7s1?
My speakers are monitor audio platinum 200 mk2
Thank you